Colt Cadets April Camp Weekend Details

PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY AS DETAILS CHANGE FROM MONTH TO MONTH.

The second weekend rehearsal for the 2023 Colt Cadets is scheduled for April 21-23. New students are welcome and encouraged to attend! The camp will be held at the Iowa National Guard Armory in Dubuque. The address is 5001 Old Highway Road, Dubuque, IA 52002. Click here for a Google Map to the building.

This event is set up as a zero-pressure, no strings attached way for students to check out the drum corps activity. All equipment will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Whether you have previously attended a Colt Cadets rehearsal this year or not, ALL students are welcome! Parents are also encouraged to attend to see their students perform as a part of the Colt Cadets. To learn more about the Colt Cadets, find information online here.

We ask that all attendees RSVP for the weekend here. This allows us to make sure we have enough supplies for the weekend. The weekend rehearsal costs $50 for all students to help cover the cost of food, housing and instruction. You can pay when you arrive or you can pay in advance on the Colts Mall. This fee does not apply to summer fees.

Registration will begin at 6:30 PM on Friday. Rehearsal begins at 7:30 PM PM and will conclude by 2:30 PM on Sunday. Plan on arriving between 6:30-7:00 PM to begin unloading equipment. Always check our website within a few hours of leaving for camp for any last-minute updates!

The Journey To Membership

You have a home in the Colt Cadets! We work hard to make the process of becoming a member accessible and rewarding. Simply submit an Information Request, and make plans to attend a camp. Attendance at an event is generally recommended prior to receiving a membership agreement — we want to meet you and make sure you find Colt Cadets is the right fit for you. After participating in a live or online event, a membership agreement may be offered. Membership agreements guarantee you a spot in the corps, but not necessarily on the instrument of your choice. Final positions will be determined following our May camp.

Travel Plans

You can let us know if you have any extra room or if you need a ride on your RSVP. We provide transportation to and from the Cedar Rapids (CID) and Moline (MLI) airports on Friday and Sunday afternoons. For CID or MLI, flights should land NO LATER than 5:30 PM on Friday. On Sunday, flights should depart NO SOONER than 4:00 PM. If you need help finding a ride to camp, please notify us ASAP by email at Kathleen@colts.org. You can also help fellow members by offering a ride in your vehicle.

Parking And Building Entrance

Parking is available at the Armory for the full weekend. Students and parents should enter through the doors on the southwest side of the building.

Camp Paperwork

If the weekend is your first rehearsal with the Colt Cadets, please fill out a Member Application online and print and complete your Parent Consent Form prior to rehearsal. This helps save time at check-in! All students under the age of 18 must have a signed parent consent form to participate. Students only need to submit one member application for the season, unless your information changes.

What To Bring

Students will stay overnight in the gym on the floor like they do all summer. Bring changes of clothes (we recommend layered athletic clothing), shower supplies, towel, comfortable clothes for rehearsal (no jeans), tennis shoes (no high tops), and a water bottle. Many students will bring an inflatable mattress with a battery-powered air pump. Bring a binder with plastic sleeves for your music and any hand-outs. Be prepared for anything! This means a t-shirt, shorts, wind or sweat pants, sweatshirt, and a light jacket. Tennis shoes are a must!

Brass: Bring your own mouthpiece, music stand, and binder for music, if you are able. We will have extra mouthpieces and stands at the camp if you don't have your own. We will provide all instruments for the weekend. You may bring your own marching instrument if you would like.

Percussion: Bring your own sticks or mallets and practice pads, if you are able. We will provide all instruments for the weekend.

Color Guard: We will provide all flags, rifles, and sabers, but you can bring your own if you would like. Bring lightweight, workout clothing for rehearsals (no jeans).

Parents

An informational meeting will be held Friday evening at 8:00 PM in a classroom at the armory. Bring all of your questions!

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend the weekend. Parental support is what makes the Colt Cadets successful, and you are needed to give the kids the incredible Colt Cadets experience we are known for. Also, this is the best way for you to find out about our program, meet the other parents, and get comfortable with what this is all about. You will find a very welcoming and exciting opportunity here. Parents will cook and serve the meals throughout the weekend, coordinate sewing projects, and assist with some repair work. We always have things to do for anyone willing to lend a hand. The Colt Cadets staff will also be available throughout the weekend to answer any questions you may have about the drum corps experience, what we do, and how we do it.

Parents are welcome to bring a sleeping bag and sleep in a classroom at the school or stay in a hotel. Auditioning students are expected to stay with the group overnight in the gym. As always, email or call us with any questions you may have.

Parents are encouraged to sign onto the email distribution list to receive Colts’ information via email.

Sunday Performance

We encourage you to join us at the end of rehearsal for a recap of the weekend at 1:00 PM. You will be amazed at the progress we make in just one weekend!

Video Auditions

Many students have asked about the possibility of sending an audition video, as World Class corps have made so common this offseason in their recruiting efforts. At Colt Cadets, there are no formal auditions. If you’re a brass player or you want to join the color guard, we have a place for you. Throughout our history, Colt Cadets have never had to limit the size of the brass or color guard sections. We must see you in person at one of our camps in order to commit to you for the 2023 season. If you are a percussionist, we do have a limited number of students we can put on each instrument. If you are unable to attend the March and April camps because of conflicts with WGI, you can submit a video and we will provide feedback on where you would stand against other students we’ve seen at camps. Ties will go to the people we’ve seen in person so it is beneficial to attend the March and/or April camps, if possible. We plan to fill out all of the sections for Colt Cadets following the May camp. Send your video, or any additional questions, to: cadets@colts.org .

Email And Website

Join our Facebook groups for your area of interest! These pages will help you meet other members prior to auditions and answer questions you may have. Parents are encouraged to join as well!

General Interest Group

Colt Cadets Cooks, Parents & Volunteers (for parents)

Make sure you have signed onto the email distribution list with your current email address, and check your email frequently! Encourage your parents to sign up for the membership email too.

Welcome! We are excited to have you as a part of the Colt Cadets family!