Children First: Bluegrass camp teaches kids the value of music - KOTA Territory News

Children First: Bluegrass camp teaches kids the value of music

As budget cuts force more and more schools to scale back arts programs, kids have to find their own creative outlets.

That's why a group of musicians travels the country putting on music camps for kids.

One of the camps was held at the Johnson County Fairground in Buffalo, Wyo., this year.

"I think it makes people happy," Kate Hamre, director of Bluegrass Camps for Kids, said of bluegrass music. 

"Even the sad songs," she added. "There's just something about it. You know, it gets your toe tappin'."

Which is why Hamre uses the style of music to teach kids.

"In our original band, we grew up doing kids' camps, all of us, and just kind of ended up moving more into a teacher role," Hamre said.

That role inspired Hamre and members of her old band, Bearfoot, to sow the seeds of bluegrass wherever they could with their camps.

Kids can learn guitar, bass, fiddle, mandolin, banjo - pretty much everything they need to form a bluegrass band.

They also have chances to jam together. And the fun doesn't stop when the camp ends.

"They went home last night, borrowed instruments, took them home, practiced, showed us what they were doing," said Beck Arneson, a mother with two daughters in the bluegrass camp. 

"They're very excited," she said. "They're already talking about buying instruments and what they want to do with them."

For the teachers, that's music to their ears.

"It allows them to channel some of their feelings and emotions and energy into something," said Jason Norris. He plays fiddle and mandolin with Bearfoot.

And he said the benefits don't stop there.

"It gives kids a chance to really work together to produce a sound," Norris said. "And, I don't know, I think it's really invigorating for them when they get that."

"It inspires them and they grow," Hamre added, "and they gain friendships out of it."

Teachers say some campers have gone on to form bands together.

And even though this is the first year they've been in Buffalo, they're going to try to make it an annual camp.