There is a list of instrument/individual camp-specific items to bring in your camp letter. In terms of personal items, students should bring:

• Bedding (either a sleeping bag or bedding to fit a twin mattress)
• Toiletries
• Casual clothing
• Concert attire as outlined in camp specific letters.
• Bathing suit and towel
• Shower Shoes (Flip Flops)

With the exception of medical or dietary concerns documented by a physician, Students may not bring mini-fridges to camp.

• Buddies use code MYCREATIVEFRIEND! In registration to receive a $50 buddy discount.
• It must be one or both buddies first year at Shell Lake Arts Center to be eligible. A returning camper must bring someone new. Two new campers are both eligible. Returning campers cannot exchange buddy discounts between each other. 
• Siblings do not count as buddies. We’re glad you get along though. 
• Fill out the first and last name of your buddy during the online registration questionnaire. They can apply to be roommates on the same form.
• You will immediately receive the discount. If the buddy is ineligible, does not register, or withdrawals from camp $50 will be due upon arrival.

All cancellations must be made in writing and received 3 weeks in advance of the start of camp. A $50.00 processing fee will be deducted from your refund. Refunds, and their amount will be at the discretion on the Executive Director.

No.  Tickets for paid events are non-refundable.

All refunds are processed at the END of the camp season!

LOTS! Our counselors organize many activities such as ultimate Frisbee, kickball, a camp dance, bonfires, ping-pong tournaments, pool tournaments, swimming, and many others! Students are welcome to participate in these activities, and we encourage them to also come out with their own ideas, which the counselors are happy to help arrange. Students are welcome to swim in Shell Lake from 3:30-5:00pm every day, where they are supervised by the city's lifeguards as well as a counselor. Our staff is fully certified in first aid and CPR by the American Heart Association and pass background checks prior to employment with the Shell Lake Arts Center.

There are two dormitory buildings located just down the hill from the main facility: the West and East dorms. We also have the Middle Dorm, located in the East building, for overflow. Boys are housed in one building, and girls in the other.

Students are roomed according to age and gender. Four campers are in each room; if there is not a request made for a roommate, students are roomed randomly according to the aforementioned information.

No. No students are permitted under any circumstances to be in the water without the supervision of both a counselor and lifeguard.

In these kinds of circumstances, it is no problem for us to check in your student whenever you are able to arrive at camp. Just come into the office entrance of the Center, and one of our staff will assist you and escort you to the dormitories. If an audition is needed at your camp session, the faculty member will be notified of your schedule and will be contacted upon your arrival to complete the audition.

Roommates are all organized by age and gender. We never room, for example, a 12 year old and an 18 year old together unless requested; if your student is 12 years old, he/she will be roomed with students of similar age (typically other 12 and 13 year olds). Showers in the dorms are separate; there are individual shower stalls with curtains, giving every student the privacy they deserve.

Absolutely.

No. All keys will be collected at the beginning of camp and locked in our safe, and redistributed to the students at the end of camp.

Students really do not need any money unless they plan to go into town and purchase snacks during the week. $20.00 should be more than sufficient for the entire week. If your student wishes to purchase a camp souvenir, he/she can do so after the final concert in our camp store.

Shell Lake Arts Center Scholarships may not be combined with other SLAC offers or scholarships!  Not Valid for Commuter Campers.  Not Redeemable for cash or other refund even if scholarship results in an overpayment.

Yes! If you're a resident of the area, or your family is on vacation and attending SLAC on the side, you can pay our commuter rate.

2022 Commuter Prices

No other scholarship offers from the Shell Lake Arts Center can be combined with the commuter rate

Commuter tuition price is $350

This fee covers programming throughout the week, and two meals (lunch and dinner). Commuters are expected to participate in our evening educational activities (faculty performances.) 

Commuters must check in to the SLAC office before 9AM before their first class. They can be picked up any time after the final educational activity (which is usually a concert.)  The commuter must check out with the office at the end of the day. 

Yes! High school seniors may attend camp the summer after they graduate.  If a student feels so inclined, after they complete one year of college they may apply to be a counselor during the summer.

Only students that are recent May/June high school graduates and younger may stay in the dormitories during our summer camp season.  

Click below to see all your lodging options on the Washburn County website! 

https://www.washburncounty.org/services/category/all-lodging

Yes. We are happy to transport you to and from the Minneapolis, MN airport; please call to arrange pick up/drop off. Once your flight reservations are made, please send a copy of your flight plans to the Arts Center. There is a $150 fee for a round-trip airport transport.

This offer is available for verified flyers only and not intended as a taxi service for residents of the Twin Cities.  Other travel companies such as private limousines,  Uber and Lyft are available for your use for this purpose.