Adult Rock Camp (ARC)

Program Overview

Rain City Rock Camp’s Adult Rock Camp (ARC) is a three-day camp that creates opportunities for gender-diverse adults to find their inner power and rekindle their sense of joy using music as the tool. It also builds our community of volunteers, mentors and activists that support Rain City Rock Camp’s youth programming. ARC is an opportunity for individuals ages 18 and older who are not enrolled in high school to let loose for the weekend and experience music together.

Campers receive instrument instruction*, where they learn the basics of how to play their instrument. In band practice, they collaborate to write a song. Campers also attend a variety of music- and non-music-related workshops on topics ranging from identity and activism, to song writing and stage presence. ARC culminates in a Showcase at a local music venue where campers debut their original songs for an audience of friends, family and community members.

ARC’s programmatic vision is to cultivate a community of passionate, creative, and socially engaged individuals who will serve as stewards, mentors and leaders in changing the world. We hope to foster a community of empowered creatives and activists to spread the mission of RCRC, far and wide.

RCRC offers multiple versions of Adult Rock Camp, including ARC Classique (open to all gender-marginalized adults), Trans ARC, and BIPOC ARC.

*There will be varying levels of experience in instrument instruction classes. Instrument instruction will give beginners a base that could be built on, and will provide opportunities for students at all levels to improve their confidence as a contributing member of a band.

2026 Details

Classique ARC Dates:

Camp:
Saturday-Monday
Oct 10-12
approx. 9:30AM-6PM

Showcase:
Monday, Oct 12
6PM

Locations:

Camp:
Seattle’s Central District
(exact location provided to applicants)

Showcase:
Location TBA

All adults ages 18+ who are gender-marginalized are welcome to be campers. This includes cis women, and anyone under the trans umbrella, including non-binary people. No music experience is required, and you don’t have to live in Seattle or Washington to be eligible. 

Check out our ARC Accessibility Info Sheet. Reach out to programsupport@raincityrockcamp.org with any further questions.

As we continue to navigate respiratory illness safety, Rain City Rock Camp is committed to safeguarding the health and wellness of our community. The protocol outlined on our website reflects the most up to date safety precautions we have implemented in order to hold in-person events. Please review RCRC’s full COVID-19 Safety Guidelines here: https://www.raincityrockcamp.org/about/covid-19-safety/

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We will notify you of your enrollment status within two weeks of submitting your application.

If you do not initially get a slot, we will immediately put you on the waitlist and notify you if a spot opens up!

This application will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Please note that the following information will be required to complete your application:
-Medical information & access needs (this information will not affect your enrollment)
-Emergency contact information

Your application will not be received until you select “Submit” at the bottom and see the confirmation message. You will receive an automated copy of your application to review, and staff will send a confirmation email that we have received your application within three business days. Although the required questions are indicated by a red asterisk, we ask that you answer every applicable question.

Cancellations will be honored fully for any reason. We ask that you deeply consider your availability and capacity when applying to camp. For planning purposes, cancellations made within one week of camp will have a $50 fee deducted from their refund.

Enrollment Details

Camper Application:

Apply to ARC (open August 31st)

Application Period:

Applications for 2026 Classique ARC will be open from August 31st- October 1st 2026.

Costs and Payment Information

We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to have their voice heard. That’s why our tuition is on a sliding scale from $650 to $0 and is, as always, pay-what-you-can. We appreciate your support in paying what you are able, and any amount over $650 is a tax-deductible donation that will continue to help us rock the world! Your contributions ensure access to this experience for all.

When you apply, you’ll be asked to pledge what you can pay on your application. If you’re accepted, we’ll contact you to confirm your pledge and will send a payment form at that time. Please contact programsupport@raincityrockcamp.org with questions regarding tuition.

Our  pay-what-you-can model is made possible by a generous grant from 4 Culture

What Happens After I Apply for ARC?

You’ll hear back from us within 2 weeks of submitting your application. If you don’t initially get a spot in Adult Rock Camp, don’t worry. You’ll be immediately put on the waiting list and will hear from us if any spots become available. We’ll do our best to get you in!

Frequently Asked Questions

All adults of marginalized genders ages 18+ who are not enrolled in high school are welcome to apply for camp. This includes all those whose gender identities fall within the trans umbrella, including non-binary people, anyone who is questioning their gender, as well as cis women. No music experience is necessary, and you don’t have to live in Seattle or Washington State to apply.
People of color and gender-expansive adults are strongly encouraged to apply!

Not at all! Campers have a variety of levels of musical experience, all the way from never touching their instrument before, to playing it for decades. ARC offers something for everyone. All you need is the willingness to try!

Yes! We often have a few campers who aren’t from Washington. We don’t provide lodging or accommodations, and we are unable to give campers other participants’ personal information. If you’re coming from out of town and would like more information about the Seattle area, please contact us at programsupport@raincityrockcamp.org.

Check out our ARC Accessibility Info Sheet. Reach out to programsupport@raincityrockcamp.org with any further questions.

ARC takes place from 9:30AM to 6PM on days 1 & 2, and from 10AM to 2PM on day 3. We will host an optional dinner and karaoke party from 6-8:30PM on day 2. The call time for the culminating Showcase on day 3 is 5PM. All campers must be present during all hours of camp and the Showcase; please avoid scheduling appointments or other commitments during these times.

All instruments and equipment necessary for practice and performance at camp and the Showcase are provided. Campers are welcome to bring personal instruments to use if desired, and will be responsible for keeping them safe. Please note that Rain City Rock Camp does not accept liability for personal instruments.

Rain City Rock Camp provides a continental breakfast and light snacks to all campers throughout the camp day, but campers are expected to bring or buy their own lunches. Dinner is provided to everyone on day 2 after camp activities end. If you need lunch provided in order to participate, please reach out to programsupport@raincityrockcamp.org. Additionally, please make us aware of any food allergies or intolerances in your application.

Wearing a well-fitting mask is required at all times indoors at our programs and showcases, except when eating/drinking or performing on stage. We provide high-quality masks to those who cannot access them. Exceptions to our masking policy due to medical or sensory reasons can be made on a case-by-case basis. Please communicate with staff about exceptions before the start of camp.

We take COVID safety seriously because we believe we keep each other safe, and this is an easy way to make our programs more accessible to more people, especially immunocompromised folks. Our policy also decreases the likelihood of campers having to drop out of camp mid-session due to the spread of illnesses, so bands can stay as complete as possible! We don’t want any bands missing members on stage.

Each session will have up to 30-35 campers, or 6 bands.

You can choose to study electric guitar, bass, drums, keyboard or vocals. Please indicate your first, second, third, fourth and fifth choices of instrument in your application.

Campers will have the opportunity to rank their instrument preferences in the application from first to fifth choice. Although we do our best to accommodate everyone’s preferences, not every camper will get their first choice of instrument. This is so we can create rounded-out bands and accommodate as many campers as possible. Due to the need to acquire gear in advance, campers may not change their instrument in the lead up to or during camp. We appreciate your flexibility, and remember––all instruments are awesome, and camp is about trying new things and stretching your comfort zone!

ARC is less about producing a perfectly crafted and rehearsed song, and more about the experience of collaborating creatively and building community. Everyone in the audience at the Showcase is there to support you, and will love whatever your band performs!

Music is the vehicle, but our goal is to empower our participants to engage their creative potential, champion equity, develop confidence and self-esteem, and thrive in our community of allies, activists, peers and mentors. We consider our programs equally successful if our participants speak up for the things they believe in as if they go on to release albums.

In addition to a songwriting workshop, there will be one or two other workshops during the weekend. Past workshop have included topics like stage presence, zine making, social justice and identity in music, how to book a show and market yourself as a musician, and more.

Cancellations will be honored fully for any reason. We ask that you deeply consider your availability and capacity when applying to camp and accepting your spot. For planning purposes, cancellations made within two weeks of the first day of camp will have a $50 fee deducted from their refund.