Jam Camp West
Jam Camp West
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We believe in the power of the creative arts to bring people together, fostering respect for diverse cultural traditions.
Whether beginning or advanced, our goal is to inspire, support, and celebrate your camper’s creativity.
How We Got Started
Jam Camp West started rocking in 2008!
The inspiration for Jam Camp grew out of our adult program Jazz Camp West, founded in 1984. Impressed by such a transformative experience, adult Jazz Campers urged Living Jazz to create a similar program designed specifically for middle school age children.
After careful consideration, our founding Executive Director Stacey Hoffman and original Co-producer Deborah Knapp, laid the vision and groundwork for Jam Camp West's central tenets, programmatic elements, offerings, and camp folklore and assembled a team of highly committed staff, counselors, and professional musicians.
In 2008, the inaugural camp took place at Redwood Glen Camp, surrounded by the breathtaking redwoods near Pescadero, California.
Over the years, the camp has flourished, welcoming 120 campers annually. Participants not only explore their creativity in music and dance and form lasting friendships but have the chance to become a permanent member of the Living Jazz family.
Campers have the opportunity to grow into leadership positions as Co-Counselors and later Counselors and in some cases even go on to become artistic faculty.
Jam Camp offers an incredible array of creative workshops mixed with traditional camp activities such as bonfires, s’mores, nature hikes, swimming, basketball, volleyball, arts and crafts, skits, and cabin competitions all within a supportive, encouraging and loving environment. All of this combined creates an unforgettable, enriching and transformative experience.
Our Philosophy
At Jam Camp, our curriculum is designed for diverse skill levels.
We provide a perfect blend for campers with extensive training or those new to music and dance.
We believe in engaging children and teens with contemporary sounds and rhythms, offering classes that spark excitement and enthusiasm, encouraging them to try new things and take risks.
All classes at Jam Camp are taught completely by ear, making them accessible to participants with or without previous formal training.
Our curriculum emphasizes process, creating a supportive environment where campers can explore, gain inspiration, and connect with mentors.
Nestled in the redwoods, our camp integrates the wonder of the natural world through nature hikes, bonfires, and outdoor activities, promoting self-reliance, teamwork, and social responsibility
Jam Camp West Began in 2008!
Living Jazz is an Oakland based non-profit corporation. Living Jazz has produced Jazz Camp West since 1984, created the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir in 1986 and the Oakland Jazz Choir in 1992 (both now independent organizations), RhythmVoice in 1996; Jazz Camp Weekend in 1998; “In the Name of Love”, the Annual Musical Tribute Honoring Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. in 2002; the Living Jazz RootED in 2005, Jam Camp West in 2007; Jazz Search West, the Bay Area’s Jazz Talent Search in 2010; and The Pickup Sessions, Call and Response Series, and the Resilience Project in 2021.
“Magical. Truly an amazing experience for aspiring artists. It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of this magical experience, I hope to see Jam Camp provide the same experience for others as it did for me (seeing that this past year was my last year). Thank you Living Jazz, for through talented staff and incredible counselors, changing my life.”