More About California Coast Music Camp

MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES  |  BOARD OF DIRECTORS  |  RELATED CAMPS

CCMC’s Values

Inclusivity/Egalitarianism

CCMC values an environment in which every individual feels welcome and is treated equally, regardless of factors such as place of origin, gender identity, and age. Inclusivity requires recognizing and embracing the diversity of perspectives and experiences that each person brings to the community, and fostering an accepting and nonjudgmental atmosphere in which everyone has equal opportunities to participate, contribute, and thrive at music camp and other CCMC events.

Respect

CCMC recognizes that everyone has worth and deserves to be treated with kindness, courtesy, and consideration. Respect is an inherent condition of an inclusive environment. We show respect in our social interactions when we acknowledge the boundaries, opinions, and feelings of others and maintain a positive environment where everyone feels heard and valued.

Community

For CCMC, music is a shared interest that binds us into a community. We value community and how it can help create a sense of belonging and nurture a supportive, enriching environment. As a community, we collaborate and pool our resources, knowledge, skills, and efforts through classes, workshops, and informal sharing to advance our common goals and create a collective wealth that benefits us all. The diversity within our community fosters exchange and mutual appreciation of musical (and other) traditions from various cultures and backgrounds, enabling everyone in the community to expand their horizons, explore new interests, and gain valuable experiences. Community also enables us to take the values we learn at camp and bring them into our lives and out to the rest of the world.

Support/Safety (psychological space)

CCMC, through its commitment to a framework of inclusivity, respect, and community, provides a supportive and safe space for individuals to explore personal interests and discover new possibilities for musical expression. CCMC encourages active engagement by providing opportunities for involvement and participation. Individuals are valued no matter what level of musical expertise they have. Beginners are encouraged to spread their wings in a jam, at a concert, or in a class without fear of judgment. Seasoned players and teachers gladly share their musical talents and provide constructive feedback in an atmosphere of collaboration and respect. Individuals can also rest assured that they will be accepted regardless of their personal beliefs, customs, and preferences. 

Enjoyment/Fun

CCMC isn’t all work and no play (ha ha)! Although its primary mission is educational, CCMC values a learning environment in which people can relax, laugh, and take a break (ha ha). Camp offers dances, concerts, music circles, community meals, and other activities designed to help people play (in all senses). Although each person’s idea of “fun” will vary, there are ample opportunities at camp to engage in a variety of enjoyable and entertaining experiences.

CCMC’s circle of values

The CCMC values are interconnected and reinforce one another in important ways:

• Inclusivity requires mutual respect; 
• Mutual respect fosters a healthy community; 
• Community built on inclusivity and respect provides a safe and supportive environment; 
• A safe and supportive environment creates an atmosphere where individuals can behave more freely;
• When individuals feel a sense of freedom, they can enjoy themselves more.

Important note about harassment

As part of its commitment to providing a safe and supportive community, CCMC prohibits all participants and staff from engaging in harassment, including sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome or unwanted sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates discomfort and/or interferes with camp activities. Harassment due to race, religion, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, political orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status will not be tolerated at any CCMC event.

CCMC strives to provide a safe and comfortable environment for all who attend our camp and our other activities. We have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment and ask that all participants in CCMC activities be sensitive to any discomfort their behavior may be causing others. Any participant or staff member who believes he or she is a victim of sexual harassment is asked to report immediately to the person in charge of the event. CCMC will not tolerate retaliation against any participant/staff person who complains of sexual harassment or who provides information in connection with any such complaint.

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Current Board of Directors

• Lissy Abraham, President
• Jylian Crandall Freas, Treasurer
• Elizabeth Treacy, Secretary
• Steve Eckert
• Mimi Hills
• Dave Lehr
• Fred McAmis
• Ed Wang
• Jonathan Weiss

ADVISORY BOARD

• Our most recent Advisory Board members have now taken roles on the board.

See all past directors and learn more about CCMC’s history

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Related camps

​American Banjo Camp—Held in Port Orchard, Washington

California Brazil Camp—Brazilian music and dance

Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp—Jorma Kaukonen’s camp in Ohio

Moab Folk Camp—Cosy Sheridan’s music and song workshops in southeast Utah

Pacific Songwriting Camp—Formerly SummerSongs West

Puget Sound Guitar Workshop—The camp that inspired CCMC

Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp—Near Colorado Springs, Colorado

SAMW WUMB Acoustic Music Camps—Sponsored by WUMB Radio in Boston, Massachusetts

SummerSongs—Camps for songwriters, in New York

​Swannanoa Gathering—In North Carolina

Walker Creek Music Camp—Traditional American music, bluegrass, old time, and more