May 27 2008
American Idol Camp 2008 - Part I - Get the Lowdown!
On the heals of this year’s American Idol wrap up, most of us think the season has ended, but there is really no end in sight for this Idol industry. There is the “American Idol Tour”, that will be kicking into high gear this July. Then there is the “Idol Camp”.
Hold onto yourself, or have someone else hold onto your sanity for a moment, because this is going to get weird/strange; in a crazy sort of way. Yes, it’s really true, American Idol has “Idol Camp”. It premiered last year and no one bothered to tell me about it, until now! I can’t apply anyway, because I’m not in the required age bracket. Besides, it is too late to apply for Idol Camp now for anyone. They stopped taking applications for this years camp on April 15th of 2008, for late acceptance applications. I had such high hopes for next year’s auditions too!
I think this is totally out there in “Reality- La,La Land”. To actually be able to attend a summer camp that American Idol made? How cool/crazy/demented is that? Well, I hope these happy campers that got accepted for this summer are stoked to the max!
Last year, the Idol Camp was held in Northfield, Mass. This year it’s taking place at Running Springs, CA. This camp was put together by the show’s producers. “Idol Camp” offers classes on singing, acting, dancing and script writing.
The camp has a great line-up of pros for the kids to learn from. Hand picked industry experts, along with American Idol alumni on hand, to teach all of the youngsters about the finer tips to becoming a better idol candidate. It’s rumored, this year they will have a special seminar called, “How to Get a Wink and Nod, from Simon Cowell”. Sorry, couldn’t help myself; just kidding about the Simon seminar.
Much of the musical entertainment will be provided by American Idol alumni from past episodes. Some of the past contestants might even be camp counselors, like last year. How cool is that! Imagine David Cook, being a counselor to a cabin of 14 year old girls!
Below are a few clips from last years musical line-up, that sang around the Idol campfire for all of the kids to learn from.
Here’s Ace Young from season 5 playing to a full camp.
Bucky Covington from season 5 made an appearance and had some sagely advice for the kids at camp.
This is a clip of Vonzell Soloman from season 4 of American Idol. She’s chatting it up with some of the camp regulars and singin her heart out for the cause.
Kimberley Locke, from season 2. Kim thinks the camp is a great thing. “Kids need something like this!”
As you can see from the clips, these past contestants seem to agree; Idol Camp is worth every penny the parents doled out, so their kids might have a shot at fame. But, “Idol Camp” is not just about fame or a career being a part of American Idol’s growing alumni. This camp is about the experience, that only a billion dollar industry can color with singing, hope, dreams; and maybe a word in the judges ears when these graduates show up for next years auditions.
Will these happy campers get voted on other talents, besides having a set of high-end vocal cords?
Tomorrow, I will have more information about how you or someone you love can spend a part of next summer at “Idol Camp” and beat those odds.
