Announcing Colts November & December Camps

Coming off their successful 2022 season, the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps is excited to announce the dates and location for their November and December audition/rehearsal weekends. Our first three-day event of the new season is scheduled for November 25-27 at Five Flags Center in Dubuque, Iowa. Five Flags is a great camp setting with large spaces for marching and color guard, and plenty of breakout rooms for subsectionals and individual auditions. Parents and volunteers are welcome to stay at Five Flags on their own bedding (air mattress, etc.) or we will reserve a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn just across the street. (Watch for more details soon regarding the hotel block.)

November and December camps are both audition AND rehearsal events. Some members will have already been contracted from their audition videos. IF YOU HAVE NOT SUBMITTED AN AUDITION VIDEO, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO DO SO ASAP because the sooner you get feedback from our staff, the more time you will have to show growth prior to attending a camp. For contracted members, your attendance is expected at all three-day events for your section. See all camp dates and locations here.

All students interested in 2023 Colts membership should enroll in the Red Zone. This is where you will download the audition packet for your section (instrument) along with tools to help you prepare for your audition. By enrolling in the Red Zone, you will also get an opportunity to SUBMIT A VIDEO FOR REVIEW FROM OUR INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF. You will get feedback on what to improve, or you may get an offer of membership in the 2023 Colts. Most will get an invitation to attend one of our audition events so we can see you in person and get a chance to introduce you to the Colts.

For those flying to camp, there are a number of airports within driving distance of Dubuque (Moline, Cedar Rapids, Madison, or Rockford), and we will help find a ride between your airport and the camp site. But you must communicate with us via your Camp RSVP so your flight works with our travel schedule. Chicago O’Hare can oftentimes be the least expensive flight option for many students and parents.

Chicago Shuttle \ We will run one shuttle on Friday and Sunday to Chicago’s two major airports. The shuttle (bus or van depending on the number traveling) will depart Midway at 2:30 PM and O’Hare at 3:30 PM on Friday. The shuttle will be scheduled to arrive at O’Hare on Sunday evening at 5:00 PM and Midway at 6:00 PM. ORD (Chicago O'Hare) travel MUST land prior to 3:00 PM on Friday and depart no earlier than 6:30 PM on Sunday. MDW (Chicago Midway) travel MUST land prior to 2:00 PM on Friday and depart no earlier than 7:30 PM on Sunday. If you plan on using either of these airports, please let Vicki (vicki@colts.org) know prior to booking flights.

Please note that the Cedar Rapids and Moline airports close overnight. Do not plan on spending the night before or after camp at these airports.

If you need help finding a ride to camp, or to arrange rides from an airport or bus station, please notify us ASAP via your Camp RSVP. You can also help fellow members by offering a ride in your vehicle. On your RSVP, please let us know if you have extra room or if you cannot find a ride. All flight details should also be listed on your RSVP.

Many more camp details will be announced in the coming days. In the meantime, go ahead and book your travel and make plans to attend. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. We will have a number of projects throughout the weekend (cooking, sewing, construction), and parental involvement can sometimes be a determining factor in your student’s. Plus, it’s great to be involved and you’ll meet other parents with the same questions you might have.

Welcome to the 2023 Colts — our 60th season of captivating audiences on the grandest stage!