Band Camp is almost here!

Schedule

• Band Camp runs at RHS from August 18-23 and is MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS!  Everything you need to know about Band Camp can be found below…
  • MONDAY 8/18
    • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – New Marchers Morning (Student Leaders are expected to be here as well!)
      • Anyone who moves on the field who has not been in Marching Gaels before, or who has moved from Pit to Battery is required to be here for this! This includes all new winds, new-to-battery, and new to color guard.
        • Roxbury Sound-only experience does not count as having been on the field before!
    • 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Gaels Rehearsal – USA DAY
  • TUESDAY 8/19
    • 10:00 am – 9:00 pm – Gaels Rehearsal – CARTOON DAY
      • We will have a SPECIAL GUEST joining us for something a little different during the first block today, get ready for some fun!
  • WEDNESDAY 8/20
    • 10:00 am – 9:00 pm – Gaels Rehearsal – SPORTS DAY (Ice Cream Social)
  • THURSDAY 8/21
    • 10:00 am – 9:00 pm – Gaels Rehearsal – MUSIC GENRE DAY
  • FRIDAY 8/22
    • 10:00 am – 9:00 pm – Gaels Rehearsal – ALIEN DAY
  • SATURDAY 8/23
    • 10:00 am – 6:00 pm – Gaels Rehearsal – SECTION PRIDE DAY
    • 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm – Friends & Family Performance (Dance Party)

BAND CAMP PREPARATION GUIDELINES 

Rehearsal Start Times – We operate as an organization with the concept of “To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late”. We pride ourselves on being precise with our time, and efficient with our efforts. Generally, students will be going out to do their own stretching about 15 minutes prior to any listed start time to ensure we begin on schedule. We take great pride in operating on schedule, so we WILL end rehearsals at listed end times. From that point, it generally takes the students about 15 minutes to clean up at the end of practices (possibly a little longer if we’re coming up from the stadium). We appreciate your promptness for pick-up as we (the staff) are not allowed to leave the school until all students are picked up.

Dot Books – For the last few years, we went digital with our dot books and found it to be a huge success, so we will continue to use Ultimate Drill Book for our dot books this year.  What is Ultimate Drill Book? UDB is a subscription purchased for each marcher to be able to use an app on their phone that has everything they’ll need to learn the drill for your show. This includes full drill pages, detailed information for each specific dot, pathing lines from where each student came from and where they are going, counts, animations for the moving form, yardline-crossing counts, a way to upload your music and mark sets… so many things!!! This app is a game changer and students will LOVE learning drill this way. Some Important information to consider.

• Front Ensemble Members will NOT need this as they do not march on the field.
• Power: Using this app to learn drill is fantastic, but also requires your device to be charged and ready to go. PLEASE BRING YOUR CHARGING CABLES TO EVERY REHEARSAL. During down time/meals/whatever, you should try to charge your device. If you have a power brick, bring it and use it!!! We will help each other make sure this modern drill-learning method works to the best of our ability by making sure your phone is powered and ready to go. You may use ipads, but keep in mind ipads can overheat pretty fast. Phones are better because they can spend time between learning sets in pockets or arm-bands, or just in hands with the screen off. We also will be requiring all students to keep phones in Airplane Mode while learning drill to conserve battery as well. Last, PLEASE make sure to fully charge your devices and power bricks at home overnight, it will make everything go very smoothly. If you don’t have a device or you didn’t charge it, that is ok… we will have coordinate sheets for you to use until you can get your device back up and running – we will have back-ups for you just in case.
• Device Responsibility: You are responsible for bringing your device with you and carrying it around the field with you. YES, I did say you can have your device (weird, right?!) However when we are using it for drill, we will have strict protocol on how and when it can be used. We all know checking apps and messages and snapchats and etc is just a habit, so to help you avoid that, we will be making sure all students are in Airplane Mode during drill learning (in addition to saving battery as listed above). Using this new method is a privilege, so if you are found to be using your phone in rehearsal in ways that are not allowed for that time, we will ask you to use the paper coordinate sheets as per usual, so we are putting a lot of trust in you to stay focused and on task!  When we are on break or at lunch, what you do with your phone is ok! Just remember not to waste the battery as you’ll need it ready for drill learning!!!
• Drill Updates: Any time there is an update to our show, you will need to download it to your phone to see the new material. You can do this at home, or connect to the school WiFi, or use data if you have access to it.

Supplies Needed for All Practices

• Three-ring binder
• Pencils
• Plastic Sleeves
• Highlighter
• Backpack/Cinch Sack/Something to carry your items in
• LARGE Water jug
• Dot Book (UDB) supplies (device, charging cables, power bricks)
• Extra instrument supplies (reeds, valve oil, etc.)
• Sunblock
• Bug Spray

Shoes – SNEAKERS! Movement occurs at all rehearsals, and a good supportive running sneaker is mandatory for health and safety. Sandals, Crocks, flip-flops, Converse, etc. are prohibited during rehearsal, though may be worn afterwards or during meals.

Clothing considerations –  Since we move……A LOT……clothing that allows you to perform excessive movements (shorts, t-shirts, sweats) is essential. Jeans are not allowed! Also, having a bag with a change of clothes, extra socks, extra shirts, etc. is advised, as the extended forecast is showing warm temperatures for next week. Hats are essential to shade faces and protect the wind players’ lips! Also, a towel wouldn’t be a bad idea to wipe sweat, freshen up, and provide the feeling of being moderately clean. Regarding rain, I will not put your kids in harm’s way in terms of thunder and lightning, nor will we work if rain is steady and strong, but we WILL work through drizzles, misty rain, etc. Although it is hot, all clothing must be school appropriate at all times.

Water – Every student is required to bring a large water jug with them. You must arrive to band camp or rehearsal with your jug already filled. While we do have an extra large water jug we bring to the field to supplement our water during the day, we do not have the time or facilities for students to be filling their water jugs each morning. The students are given FREQUENT water breaks during the day, as it is my goal to keep them hydrated in the summer heat. As a reminder, hydrating OUTSIDE of rehearsal is just as important as hydration during rehearsal. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE DRINKING ANYTHING DURING REHEARSAL BESIDES WATER FOR THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY!

Meals – Dinner is provided by the band parents every evening during band camp. You will have to send your child in with lunches, or you can drop off a meal during those times. STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO LEAVE CAMPUS DURING LUNCH. All members should bring snacks for the day. Please be conscious of the food you are choosing to eat during band camp. Marching band is a physically demanding activity. We work hard, are outside, and move quite a bit. A lunch consisting of 9 Taco Bell burritos and a gallon of soda may not work out so well for you once we go back outside. Help your students find healthy options please!

We will aim to serve lunches at 1:00 PM and dinners at 5:00 PM, HOWEVER we reserve the right to make slight changes to meal time based on the day’s schedule. We will communicate any last-minute changes via the Gaels Parents Remind. Please make sure you see the Marching Band Handbook’s Communication section if you have not yet signed up.

On the final day of rehearsal, it has been tradition that sections order a large meal together. I do not plan to abolish this tradition, but I do ask your assistance in helping me make sure that the students are making good choices in the food they order. In the first few years I have been here, I have seen students have to sit out from the Family and Friends performance because they indulge a little too much in an extremely unhealthy lunch. That is not fun for the student, fair for the team, nor as fun for the family there to support the child.

Sunscreen, Sunscreen and more Sunscreen! –  Please make sure your child brings sunscreen and bug spray with them each day. This is another point that I cannot stress enough. NO-ONE is too good for sunscreen!

Student Pick Up/Drop Off – Please make sure that you park in the front high school parking lot, not in the bus lanes in front of the band wing. The back lot is reserved for Roxbury School District staff and it’s used for loading and unloading of equipment. We ask that you please keep that lot clear of cars and only use the main front parking lot.

Dinner Menu

Monday: Kids Favorite (Anthony and Sons)
Chicken Fingers
Mac and Cheese
Pasta Salad
Green Salad
Fruit Salad
**chicken fingers and mac and cheese are both gluten free.

Tuesday: Dinner provided by Riviera Maya (Taco Tuesday!)
Beef, Chicken and Fajita taco options, hard and soft shells
lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and salsa available on the side.
Tostitos (for those that want walking tacos)
Fruit Salad
Green Salad

Wednesday: Pasta Night (Anthony and Sons)
*Ice Cream Social night!
Penne Vodka
Tortellini Alfredo
Pasta with Red Sauce
Buttered Noodles
Rolls with Butter
Green Salad
Fruit Salad

Thursday: (Anthony and Sons)
Burgers and Hot Dogs
*lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and pickles will be available on the side
Green Salad
Fruit Salad

Friday: Sandwiches (Anthony and Sons)
Chicken Cutlet (with mozzarella and roasted peppers)
Ham
Turkey
Veggie
*cheese, lettuce, tomato, oil and vinegar available on the side

Saturday: Pizza (Joe’s)
*Friends and Family night-more information to follow!
Pizza
Green Salad
Fruit Salad
*all pizza is plain

*There is an option for grilled chicken and veggies each night.

If your child does not like the options provided, please bring them dinner no later than 4:30 pm, in a labeled bag, to the cafe. All students must eat dinner each night!