Youth Choir Camp
August 10 – 16, 2025
For Singers Ages 13 – 18 (mixed voices)
Guest Artists: Canadian Chamber Choir in Residence with Sherryl Sewepagaham
Join us for a magical week of camp under the hemlocks in the heart of the Annapolis Valley. A very special edition this summer, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime to learn from an incredible and diverse team of professional artists and educators! Be welcomed into a safe, accepting musical community that empowers young voices, builds confidence and celebrates each person for exactly who they are.
For 2 weeks every summer, voices gathered in song float among the hemlocks of the Berwick United Church Campground. A magical place, it has been the home of the NSCF Sing Summer program for 33 years. Multicoloured cabins, indoor and outdoor activity spaces, and the centre pavilion, make it the perfect location to sing, to learn, to connect, and to become a part of the choral community.
YCC is a week of music and social activities in a safe and joyful residential camp environment, providing an opportunity for teenagers to develop their skills as singers under the guidance of amazing musicians, instructors and mentors from across the country. Singers explore different types of musical styles together as they learn about singing techniques, musicianship and building good musical habits in a supportive and inspiring setting – fundamental tools for musical growth that become the foundation for a lifelong love of singing.
This year, with guests The Canadian Chamber Choir as our artistic faculty, young singers will learn from the expertise of this whole choir and connect with diverse musical traditions and explore cultural perspectives. In special workshops with Cree-Dene music educator and composer Sherryl Sewepagaham, singers will learn new repertoire, vocal techniques, and build cultural understanding through music making and creation together.
Our dedicated caregiving team are deeply invested in the well-being of our singers. Former campers, parents, musicians and educators themselves – they return year after year to ensure a happy and meaningful camp experience. The campers stay in dorm-style accommodations and there is a nurse on site available 24 hours a day. As well, our chef prepares nutritious, home cooked meals, healthy snacks, and caters to dietary requirements and allergies.
In addition to the great musical and social activities, YCCers tell us this week is a wonderful opportunity to step away from their busy worlds and just hang out together in a stress-free place. It’s a place where young people can be themselves, where people are accepted for who they are, and where music binds everyone together. It’s a place for drama, dance, musicianship and great food. It’s a place for Hollywood night, Mystery Night and themed dress up suppers. It’s a place of laughter, fun, sunshine and song. But most of all, it’s a place for YOU! The week ends with a big concert for family members and friends.
Register for YCC!
Step 1: Complete Online Form – Registration opens February 1, 2025 (first come, first serve)
Step 2: Pay Deposit to reserve your spot. (See Below!) (Registrants will be sent a reminder email at the beginning of April if the deposit has not been received by then)
Camp Fees
Cost is All Inclusive! – Campers get full days of organized instructional time in rehearsals, sectionals, artistic workshops, social activities and dorm time | Music score rental | Camp T-shirt | 24 hour care from chaperones, nurse, staff | Accommodations and home-cooked meals for 7 days and 6 nights
For singers of NSCF member choirs: $600
For singers of non-member choirs: $625 (ask your conductor if your choir is a member!)
Day campers: $500 (including camp activities and instruction, lunch, dinner and the final concert)
Download Bursary form (link is also below) Due date May 31
Payment
Registrants can confirm their spot by submitting either a full payment or a $100 deposit, with balance due July 15th, 2025.
Refund Policy: Deposit non- refundable after June 30, 2025. Remaining fee non refundable after August 1st, 2025. (Emergency or illness may be considered for partial refund. Request must be accompanied by doctors letter ).
Option 1: Send a cheque to Nova Scotia Choral Federation, 1113 Marginal Rd, Halifax, NS, B3H 4P7 (payable to Nova Scotia Choral Federation – with JCC and campers name in memo line)
Option 2: By credit card over the phone at 902-423-4688
Option 3: Send an e-transfer to nscfadmin@nscf.ca (Please send a separate email with security question and password)
Option 4: Pay online through Stripe (please note a service charge will be added when using Stripe) Select the payment category below to be directed to payment. Payment categories for the remaining fee (after deposit) will be posted in April.