Hi Mary,

I don't know what you mean by a music camp, but I recently went to the Gaelic College in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. I have to say it exceeded my expectations. I can not even express how far it exceedthem. Why? because I walked in in Utter terror and walked out knowing I had found a home, a place where I could put foundations under my dreams. How did they accomplish this? by having teacher,staff and support personel who were the most patient peopel I ever met, who went out of their way to make it a great experiance , not just a pleasant one and who listened when folks expressed problems and had a solution for the problems. For instance: I had registered for Bodhran, and then found out I hated it....I just was ready to walk hom e out of sheer frustration after the first class. I had stopped into the office to get a copy of my schedule and the girl who got it for me told me just to switch into another weaving class! The applications clearly stated that this was not allowed. The exception made my life much easier and happier for the rest of that week. Another example: my first Fiddle teacher, not having taught there before started asking what I knew and since I knew nothign not even how to read music set about to teach me just that. He cared so much about my learning that he went home that night and found notes he had kept for 13 years, given to him by his teacher! He continued to many,many things to make thngs easier for me,In fact every problem I encontered, he had a solution for. From the strings not being set up right on my fiddle to the fiddle sliding around when I played he found away around it, including the biggesst barrier, my fear! He would not beleive it when I told him but he was a very gifted teacher. The support staff was just wonderful, no one I spoke was ever anything but encouraging and helpful and kind. I think what I am trying to say is that you cover all the bases with diets and bathroom and facilities but if you have the wrong people it won't be worth anythng. Focus on the people, both staff and students and the rest will be easier. andi