Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp

★★★★★Kathy McGinley

My daughter has the best memories during the seven summers she went to this fine arts camp for singing / choir. The counselors and staff are amazing and she remains friends with the girls in her cabin and her choirs. We live in a Chicago suburb, so she has friends from other suburbs, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio. The have international tours and she applied and was chosen for the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp International Choir in 2017 and 2019 and so she also has friends in Germany that she still connects with! I HIGHLY recommend this camp and can't think of any negatives (except maybe the usual bugs that all summer camps have!)

★★★★★Michelle Pranis

Our son attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for six summers. He is now a 🎷 Jazz major at Wayne State University, and many of the friendships he formed at camp continue to this day. Blue Lake was a life‑changing experience for him—musically, socially, and personally. Instead of complaining about Blue Lake, it’s worth remembering that precious, lasting memories were made by countless students, including our son. We are incredibly grateful for the experience. 🎶 🎷

★★★★★Sarah

THE BEST. I have been a camper here for five years, and every summer it just gets better. The instruction is immaculate, as a member of Blue Lake Camerata (violin) for multiple years, I learned so much both in rehearsals and lessons from my wonderful teachers and director. The friends you make here are truly lifelong, and the councilors are always so happy and positive!! The people who complain about the food being “inedible” or “unhealthy” are clearly just pampered only-children. It’s a camp and obviously isn’t going to have world class food, but there’s an entire salad bar for each meal which is more than enough to be healthy. The cabins do get very hot in the days and very cold in the mornings, so I’d recommend lots of blankets and DO bring long pants! This is expected though, and anyone complaining about this just clearly didn’t do their research about the cabins before they went to camp (their problem tbh). Also, some reviews are complaining about the cost but… it’s literally a nonprofit organization and tuition is how Blue Lake is kept operating. Also, you’re getting HOURS of instruction everyday from amazing teachers and professors. Anywhere else this would cost at least 60 dollars per hour. So yes, Blue Lake is expensive, but considering what you get for your money, I’d say it’s a great deal. If you’re not sure if you want to go to Blue Lake, I would say definitely ask yourself “Do I love my art enough to be doing it for 6-7 hours each day?” (67… hah). If you don’t totally love your art, you may be slightly miserable lol. Also, another amazing thing about camp are the beautiful world-class performances you get to listen to for free every night!! It’s such a privilege that is campers have. Overall, I love blue lake so so so much! Unfortunately I age out soon, but I can’t wait to come back as a councilor

★LORD CHARLESWORTHEWALD IVV

don’t even get me started on blue lake fine arts camp. i had MASSIVE poos during the trip because of the egg water, and there were spiders and rats under my bunk. furthermore, they wouldn’t let me choose my room situation, so i had to sleep in the room with a random student. one night i woke up to the student and a band teacher shaboinking. it was insanely immature, impactful, and irresponsible.

★★★★Betsy Finn

Have been there as a camper and as an final concert attendee. Kids love BLFAC and want to go back. Tips. Bring a case of bottled water (especially if you're particular about how your water tastes), and bring a bin of snacks too. Also bring a wireless fan that can clip to the bunk. Buying the "email credits" to send notes to your camper worked out well -- we sent jokes and short stories, which were shared with the whole cabin. Rather than packing in a suitcase, we used a Rubbermaid storage tote. It worked reasonably well if you don't want to buy an actual "trunk" for camp. Dogs can visit on the final Sunday, but they can't go in concert areas, as an FYI.