Southland Jamboree Kids Music Camp at Meadowgreen

Passing the music forward, one young picker at a time.

Our campers learn, play, and grow together each summer in Clay City, Kentucky. 2026 camp: July 17-19, 2026 – Registration is open now!

In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, at one of the world’s great grassroots Bluegrass venues, something special is happening.
The Southland Jamboree Kids Music Camp at Meadowgreen is a place where kids of all experience levels can come explore music together — alongside other young pickers and a few joyful “adult kids,” too.
Nestled near Clay City, Kentucky, Meadowgreen Appalachian Music Park & Campground has hosted legendary concerts and festivals for generations, celebrating the very best of Bluegrass music. From the rich heritage of the Festival of the Bluegrass — and inspired by Bob and Jean Cornett’s vision of passing the joy of music to the next generation — a new dream is taking root.
This camp continues that tradition.
Led by the volunteers of Southland Jamboree, our Kids Music Camp is a welcoming space where children can learn, laugh, play, and grow in confidence — surrounded by the music, community, and spirit that make Bluegrass so special.
Whether your child is picking up an instrument for the first time or already finding their own sound, there’s a place for them here.
Come make music. Make friends. Make memories.

What Campers Can Expect
Campers receive six hours of hands-on instruction on their chosen instrument — fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, or bass. (Each student brings their own instrument.)
Throughout the weekend, students enjoy:
🎻 Two 3-hour small-group instrument sessions
🎤 One hour of vocal instruction
🎨 T-shirt making and arts & crafts
🍽️ Meals provided for the weekend
🎶 Plenty of informal jam time and community fun
The weekend culminates in a Sunday afternoon Showcase Concert, where campers share what they’ve learned with family and friends.
And the music doesn’t stop there.
One week later, campers are invited to perform again at the Southland Jamboree Thursday night concert in Lexington — giving them the opportunity to take the stage in a real Bluegrass setting and experience the joy of playing for a live audience.

Our Instructors & Community
Our instructors are experienced musicians who generously volunteer their time, talent, and energy to ensure this camp continues to make a positive impact in the lives of young people in our community.
They are not only skilled teachers — they are active members of the Bluegrass tradition, passionate about passing on both the music and the spirit behind it.
Throughout the weekend, host bands provide a complimentary live performance for campers and families, along with plenty of informal jamming opportunities. Students don’t just attend camp — they are immersed in a living, breathing Bluegrass community.
Here, learning happens in lessons…
and around campfires…
and in circles of pickers sharing songs late into the evening.

Who Can Attend & What to Know
Southland Jamboree Kids Music Camp is open to young musicians ages 6–18. To keep instruction meaningful and personal, participation is limited to 30 campers.
There is no cost to attend the music camp itself. Thanks to the generosity of Meadowgreen Appalachian Music Park & Campground and our dedicated volunteers, tuition is fully covered for all participants.

Important Reminders
– Each child must be accompanied onsite by a camping parent or guardian throughout the weekend.
– Primitive camping: $15 per night
– RV camping: $45 per night
We encourage families to come ready to enjoy a weekend of music, community, and connection in a relaxed outdoor setting.

New This Year: Parent Workshops
New this year, we’re excited to offer activities and workshops for parents and guardians. These sessions are being thoughtfully developed by families who have attended camp during the past two years and wanted to deepen the experience.
We believe music camp isn’t just for the kids — it’s for the whole community.

Registration & Contact Information
Registration is now open!
Simply select the Register button at the top of the page to reserve your child’s spot.
Space is limited, and registration will close a few days prior to the start of camp or once we reach capacity.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Camp Director Terri Powell at the email address below.
We can’t wait to make music with you.

Camp director: Terri Powell.
Email Terri at kidscamp.sj@gmail.com with questions.

Please Click the button below to donate via Southland Jamboree’s Paypal. Click “Send” at that page and it will take you to enter details of your donation. Please put “Kids Music Camp” in the description ( “What’s this for” ) section, so we assure your donation goes to the camp!

Camp brochure (2025) below (print PDF double sided, landscape, flip on short edge)