CHANGING LIVES. BEAT BY BEAT.
Spat Camp
While rehearsals for summer marching band typically begin in early spring, the show really comes together during Spat Camp. The students enter Spat Camp as a loose knit group and are transformed into unified, disciplined and proud marching performace group.
Spat Camp is approximatley a week long. The entire band, including the band proper, color guard, drumline and honor guard as well as instructors, directors and chaperones spend the week together – 24/7. In addition to an ambitious rehearsal schedule, the band members really get to know each other and bond as a unit.
Spat Camp takes place at the Pierz, Minnesota elementary school. The students rehearse during the days and spend the nights sleeping in the gym. They are well fed, well cared for and well, they have a lot of fun.
The week ends with their first performace of the season called the Parent Preview.
Spat camp is mandatory for all performers. It also requires a great deal of help from parent volunteers and chaperones. In fact, if a parent is considering chaperoning on the summer band trip, an overnight at Spat Camp is a requirement.
Contact the Spat Camp coordinator or ask a board member to learn more about how you can help with Spat Camp.
Why is it called Spat camp?
Bands don't usually wear boots but they used to wear Spats, a white piece of leather that fit over the shoe to make them all look the same. Hence Spat Camp has become the traditional name of training camp for the St. Cloud All-City Marching Band.