Camerata Con Brio Fall Retreat Details

Hello Camerata Con Brio students,

Your fall retreat is coming up on Sunday, September 27, from 11:00am–4:00pm at Camp St. Croix.

We hope you’re looking forward to it—this retreat is an opportunity to dig into your music and build new friendships with the members of your orchestra!

RETREAT INFORMATION

Sunday, September 27, 2026
Camp St. Croix – RCU Discovery Center
345 Riverview Dr, Hudson, WI 54016
11:00am–4:00pm

Transportation: Bus registration closed on September 16. Included is a list of students who have registered for the bus . Students not on the list will need to arrange to be dropped off and picked up at Camp. Parent chaperones will assist with our East and West Metro buses.

Volunteers: Our volunteer sign-up is now full! Thanks so much to everyone who signed up. Volunteers, you’ll receive instructions from Sara Minder soon.
BUS TRANSPORTATION: Check the bus roster to confirm your location.

• East Metro bus:
  • Parents drop off students at bus departure site: Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church. Check-in with staff prior to boarding. The East metro bus will depart promptly at 10:00am! 
• West Metro bus:
  • Parents drop off students at bus departure site: Good Samaritan United Methodist Church. Use the far side of the east/lower parking lot. The West metro bus will depart promptly at 9:45am! 

DRIVING SEPARATELY TO CAMP

• YMCA Camp DayCroix
  • 345 Riverview Dr, Hudson, WI 54016
    • PLEASE NOTE: Look for the sign that says “YMCA CAMP ST. CROIX NORTH ENTRANCE.” There are two entrances to Camp St. Croix, and Camerata Con Brio will rehearse at the RCU/North location, also called “DayCroix.”
• Please reference the Carpool List  if you need help finding a ride.
• 10:40am: Students not taking the bus arrive at Camp St. Croix. Follow signs to rehearsal location.

DEPARTING FROM CAMP

• 4:00pm: Students depart Camp St. Croix by bus or leave directly from camp if not riding the bus. Students not riding the bus MUST be picked up by 4:00pm.

BUS PICKUP

• 4:45pm: Parents pick up East Metro bus students at Gustavus Adolphus Church
• 5:00pm: Parents pick up West Metro bus students at Good Samaritan Church

ATTENDANCE

The fall retreat is a mandatory element of your GTCYS experience. All students are expected to attend. If you are unable to attend, please complete an absence form.

SCHEDULE

• 10:40am: Students not taking the bus arrive at camp
• 10:45am: Buses arrive
• 11:00am: Teambuilding activities – Outdoors
• 12:30pm: Lunch
  • Students bring their own packed lunches.
  • NO NUTS policy: Do not bring anything containing nuts to any GTCYS activity.
• 1:15pm: Rehearsal and conductor led activities
• 3:45pm: Pack up, load buses
• 4:00pm: Retreat ends. Buses depart. Students not taking bus picked up at camp.
• 4:45pm: East Metro bus arrives at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church
• 5:00pm: West Metro bus arrives at Good Samaritan UMC

WHAT TO BRING

• Music stand – IMPORTANT, as we don’t have extras on site
• Nut-free Lunch. Students bring their own packed lunches. 
• Signed retreat waiver
• Clothespins (in case your conductor directs you to rehearse outside)
• Comfortable clothing for outdoor activities
• Sturdy closed-toe tennis shoes (no sandals)
• Necessary medications with detailed directions
• Rain gear and bug repellant (the team-building is outdoors and will go on rain or shine!)
• Instrument and accessories
• Pencil
• Music folder
• Water bottle
• Cellos and basses: Please remember rock stops!

Dress comfortably in layers and wear clothing and shoes appropriate for muddy terrain and possible rain. The team-building activities take place outside and will happen rain-or-shine. Please check the forecast before you leave home and bring rain gear if necessary!

Instrument Storage on the bus

• Cellos, trombones, tubas, basses, and horns will be transported to Camp St. Croix in the lower storage area on the coach busses. Ask a chaperone to help you load your instrument.
• All other instruments should go inside the bus in the seats with you. Students may be asked to load their instrument on a separate bus, depending on seating availability.
• Harp students must arrange for transportation of their instruments to camp. GTCYS will NOT be transporting harps to and from camp.

WHAT NOT TO BRING

• Personal valuables, games, and homework.
• Please remember that cell phone use during the retreat is not allowed.

We look forward to seeing you at the retreat!