June guitar retreat (aka Bandcamp)
What are the dates – Arriving 1pm June 9th and leaving noon June 11th
How many people will be attending: Our bandcamps see between 30 and 50 musicians and it’s very much all inclusive
Do I need to be able to play guitar: No, we’ve had bandcamps with complete beginners before. We’ll do some beginner workshops with you
Where is it: A beautiful woodland campsite in Kent – near Harrietsham
Tell me more……..
The Guitar Social has been all over the world, from the Jungles of Cambodia to the dive bars of Berlin, but no retreat is adored quite as much as this humble weekend in a countryside paradise in Kent.
The weekend
Our location is a private hidden jewel in the rolling hills of Kent. Spread across a woodland, a meadow and open fields and with luxury toilet and washing facilities, with hot water. The site has quickly become a home away from home in the summer months for the guitar social. We went and visited the site four times in 2020 and the site owners have become quick friends of The Guitar Social, going above and beyond to support out unusual needs; their young daughter even gave the September 2020 group a moonlit tarot card reading!
Food is prepared in teams and the servings are generous. There’s a bottomless bar and a never ending wood supply to keep the fires burning.
The days are spent in idle conversation, joining in on the workshops led by Thomas and Fiona and playing guitar alone or in groups in preparation for the evenings jam where we play together and sit in silence, eyes on the fire, as some people play songs on their own.
It is a magical weekend. We did our first one in 2015 and we still have the same people from that first band camp turning up every year.
In 2021 we had a record number of people coming to bandcamp who had never been to a Guitar Social event or class before. Many arrived nervous about not knowing anyone; all left with new friends.
Some performed in-front of people for the first time. Some wrote a song for the first time, some played an E chord for the first time. This really is a magical weekend that suits all levels of guitar player from all over.
What will I be eating and drinking?
Here’s a typical menu
Breakfast – Fry up – veggie and meat versions or fruit, pastries, cereal, toast and spreads
Lunch – BBQ with Greek salad
Afternoon tea – Scones with jam and clotted cream
Dinner – Chilie con-carne – Vegan and non-vegan varieties
Snacks – Crisps, chocolate, fruit
Campfire snacks – Olives and Marshmallows
Drinks – Beer, ale, wine, cider, fruit juice, Fizzy drinks
What’s included in the price?
– Your accommodation – varying prices for varying types of accommodation
– All food and drink including bottomless alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, meat and vegan options and endless snacks
– Firewood
– Workshops in guitar playing (beginner through to advanced jams, improvisation, blues, riffs, open tuning – if you have a workshop you’d like then get in touch and we’ll include it if we can), singing, songwriting, dance, slacklining, botany and poetry
Prices:
We have different sleeping options which all come with a different price tag and bell and cabin options are limited and sell out very fast
Bring your own tent: £222.
Sleep in a bell tent shared with up to 4 other people £189: FULLY BOOKED
Sleep on your own in a bell tent: £336: FULLY BOOKED
Sleep in a cabin in the woods: £390: FULLY BOOKED
If you’re coming with someone else and want to book a bell tent or cabin for the both of you, get in touch to discuss prices for this option
