Tamsen Donner - Tuolumne Blues

The Tamsen Donner Band proudly presents the 15th Annual Tuolumne Blues, Tuesday, September 6 through Monday, Sept. 12, 2011. In case you are wondering, it’s always the week after Labor Day. Tuolumne Blues is being held again this year at our little piece of heaven in the mountains, Berkeley Tuolumne Camp. Located between Groveland and the Yosemite boundary on Hwy. 120, and built right on the Tuolumne River in 1922, BTC has almost all the comforts of home yet still provides a wonderful outdoor experience. Here is what you can expect:

Accomodations: Campers stay in wooden tent cabins with canvas roofs. Each cabin contains four to seven single beds (army-style cots with springs and mattress) and a lockable cupboard (your lock). You bring the bedding: sleeping bags, sheets and blankets, comforter, whatever you want. Just make sure it’s warm! Bathrooms and hot showers are located throughout the camp. There is no electricity in most tent cabins so make sure to bring flashlights and lanterns. Also please note: There is NO SMOKING in any of the tent cabins or anywhere in camp except designated areas.

Meals: The large Beckley Lodge serves as the camp dining hall, three times daily (included in the cost of your stay). Meals are family-style, which means all-you-can-eat. Vegetarians are easily accommodated, so please note if that applies to you when you register. Meal times are 8:30am, 12:30pm, and 6:30pm (times subject to change). If you plan to be out of camp for lunch on any day you can pack a lunch ahead of time. Just let the kitchen staff know by signing up for a bag lunch the night before. (Meals missed cannot be deducted from your rates).

Recreation: Swimming, fishing, volleyball, basketball, badminton, archery, bocce ball, horseshoes, ping pong are available to all campers. There’s several play areas open for the kids but you must provide your own adult supervision. The river is dammed to provide a great swimming hole. Kids should be supervised by an adult since there is no lifeguard. There are lots of great hikes within walking distance of camp, and many points of interest just a short drive away. The camp office has maps of the area to help you find nearby hiking trails. Please feel free to set your own agenda.

New this year: Tuolumne Talent Night

The Friday night performance this year will be....YOU! For the first time in Tuolumne Blues history we'll be presenting a Talent Night where the campers put on the show. It can be a song, a skit, a singalong, a magic trick, just about anything you can come up with. As with any performance, the more planning, the better. Keep your eyes peeled for emails from Jimmy V. looking for Blues Campers with ideas, suggestions, etc.

Saturday night the Tamsen Donner Band will go on at 8:00pm. Expect the usual shenanigans!

For your health: From 7:30pm to midnight each evening there is a natural sauna open called the “Sweat Lodge.” For a real wake-up call, try a sauna followed by a river swim…Rejuvination!

Rates: (per day) Adults (over 14) $56, Kids age 7-14 $46, Kids 3-6 $34. Kids 2 and under are free. All daily rates include 3 hot meals and 1 night stay. You may arrive or depart at any time you like and pay only for the time of stay (meals and lodging will be pro-rated). Please note: there will be no deduction in fees for meals skipped for ANY REASON. Please also note: Tuolumne Blues will offer kitchen-cooked meals to those coming early. You may arrive any time starting Tuesday, September 6 after 11:00am . Keep in mind that there will be no organized activities until Friday, September 10. The last meal served will be breakfast on Monday, September 12. All fees must be paid IN ADVANCE. Please do not come to camp unless you are already paid and confirmed. Please read the entire registration page for new details about reservation changes and cancellations.