1. What is this camp?

A one-week immersive music and dance retreat focused on Middle Eastern traditions. The program includes daily classes, live music, concerts, performances, and late-night gatherings in a redwood forest setting in Mendocino County, California.

2. Who is this camp for?

Musicians, dancers, and culturally curious participants at all levels. Many attendees come alone. Both beginners and professionals attend. Make new friends for a life time. Get new gigs, see your album etc.

3. Do I need prior experience?

No. Classes are offered at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.

4. What does a typical day look like?

• Mornings– late afternoons: music, dance, and cultural classes, rehearsals or rest time

• Evenings: live concerts

• Nights: cabaret, social dancing, and jam sessions

You choose your own pace.

5. What styles are taught?

Typically includes:

• Middle Eastern dances (Egyptian, Turkish, regional folk styles)

• Live music instruction (oud, percussion, violin, vocals, etc.)

• Rhythm and cultural workshops

  Please check CLASSES page.

6. Where is the camp held?

Mendocino Woodlands in Northern California, a forest retreat with cabins, performance spaces, and a communal dining hall.

Camp address:
39350 Little Lake Road, Mendocino, CA CAMP 1

7. What are the accommodations like?

Rustic shared cabins or camping. This is a nature-based retreat, not hotel lodging.

Cabin Information

Cabins at camp are rustic forest cabins designed for shared, community-style living. They are comfortable, simple, and consistent with the retreat setting.

Cabin features include:

• Individual cots for each camper

• A working fireplace in each cabin

• Firewood/logs provided by us at no additional charge for you but we still pay for it so please bring back your unburned logs.

• Balconies or outdoor deck areas connected to most cabins

• Basic cleaning supplies provided in each cabin (no additional charge)

Cabins do not have electricity. Lighting is typically by natural light and personal lanterns/flashlights. Camp provides firewood and basic supplies so cabins can remain warm and functional throughout the week.

Campers are expected to maintain general cleanliness of their shared cabin spaces during the week. Cleaning materials are stocked by camp and available for use at all times.

TENTS: You can tent for more privacy.

8. Is there electricity in the cabins?

No. Cabins do not have electricity.

Power is available in common areas:

• Bathrooms and showers

• Kitchen/dining hall

• Concert hall

• Cabaret/performance spaces

Participants may charge phones and small electronics in those areas.

9. Is there internet or phone service?

There is no internet at camp and phone reception is very limited. If connectivity is required, you must drive into town. Mendocino is approximately 15 minutes away.

10. Are meals included?

Yes. All meals are included and served in the communal dining hall. Vegetarian options are typically available. Please communicate dietary restrictions in advance.

11. Is camp all-inclusive?

Yes. The camp operates on a fully all-inclusive model.

Your registration fee covers:

• All classes

• All concerts

• All evening events and performances

• All meals

• Use of facilities

The pricing is not structured on a per-class, per-meal, or per-concert basis.

Participation in individual components is optional; however, the camp fee remains the same regardless of personal attendance choices.
If a participant chooses not to attend certain classes, concerts, or meals, the registration fee does not change and no partial reductions or credits are provided. All program and food costs are committed in advance.

12. Can I attend part of the week?

Full-week participation is strongly recommended. Limited partial-week attendance may be possible depending on availability, but cabin priority is given to full-week campers. Please check REGISTRATION page for details.

13. What should I bring?

• Comfortable class/dance clothing

• Warm layers (evenings are cool)

• Comfortable shoes

• Flashlight or headlamp

• Water bottle

• Toiletries

• Instrument (if applicable)

• Cash for vendors/merchandise

A detailed packing list is sent prior to camp. Please check WHAT TO BRING page for more details.

14. Can beginners keep up?

Yes. Many first-time campers attend with no prior experience. Multiple levels are offered.

15. Are there performance opportunities?

Yes. A cabaret night allows participants to perform. Participation is optional and sign-up occurs on site. Please check CABARET page fore more details.

16. Is the camp family-friendly?

Children may attend with a parent or guardian. Some assistance during class hours may be available, but parents remain responsible for their children outside designated times.

17. What is the atmosphere like?

Immersive and community-oriented. Participants live, study, perform, and socialize together for the full week. Many long-term friendships and artistic collaborations begin here.

18. How physically demanding is it?

Moderate to high depending on how many classes and activities you choose to attend. You control your schedule.

19. Are scholarships available?

Yes. Limited scholarships and work-exchange options are offered. Details are provided during the registration period. Please check SCHOLARSHIPS page for more details.

20. Can I vend at camp?

A small vendor area is typically available. Vendors must apply in advance and follow camp guidelines. Please check VENDING page for more details.

21. How do I register?

Registration is completed online until capacity is reached. The camp often fills, so early registration is recommended. Please check REGISTRATION page.

22. I don’t know anyone. Will that be an issue?

No. A significant number of participants arrive on their own each year. The camp is structured to foster interaction through shared meals, classes, rehearsals, and evening gatherings, so new arrivals integrate quickly.

Because there is no internet on site, the environment naturally encourages conversation, collaboration, and connection. Participants spend time together throughout the day and evening, making it easy to meet people, form friendships, and support one another within a close-knit, communal setting.

23. What time should I arrive?

Check-in typically begins mid-afternoon on the first day. Exact arrival instructions are sent prior to camp. Please check ARRIVAL page for details.

24. What happens after I register?

You will receive confirmation, packing guidance, arrival instructions, and schedule updates as the event approaches. Please write to Gamze if you have any questions gamze@middleeastcamp.com

All-Inclusive Policy (Please Read Carefully)

The camp operates on a fully all-inclusive structure. Your registration fee covers the entirety of the program and infrastructure, including:

• All classes

• All concerts and evening events

• All facilities and programming

• All meals for the full week

Because the camp is designed and budgeted as a complete immersive experience, pricing is not itemized by meals, classes, concerts, or attendance. Food, instructors, staff, and facilities are contracted and paid for in advance for every registered participant.

For this reason, registration fees remain fixed and are not reduced or prorated under any circumstances.
If a participant chooses not to attend certain classes, concerts, or meals, the total fee does not change. Individual participation decisions do not alter the overall cost structure.

All program elements are included within the camp fee, and all associated expenses—including meals—are committed and paid for prior to arrival. This policy ensures operational clarity and fairness across all participants.

RESPECT FOR ALL

At our camp, we uphold the highest standards of respect for all religions and political views. To foster unity and celebrate diverse cultures, we do not permit the display or carrying of any religious or national flags. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone at the Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp. We kindly ask for your cooperation in maintaining this respectful atmosphere.

In our efforts to unite and celebrate Middle Eastern culture, we refrain from taking any political or religious stance. We believe in the power of cultural exchange to foster understanding and connections among people from various backgrounds. We ask that all campers honor this spirit of unity and refrain from bringing any political or religious symbols or engaging in political and religious discussions during their time at camp.

Important Notice: If any camper, management, instructor or anyone who is attending to camp, regardless of who they are, their age, background etc, do not follow these instructions, we reserve the right to ask them to leave the camp premises. This policy is enforced to ensure the smooth operation of the camp and to maintain a respectful environment for all attendees.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

A STATEMENT CONCERNING HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION

Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp is dedicated to promoting respect and appreciation for all cultures through common experiences of music and dance from the Middle East.

Our planned activities are fun and educational and promote friendships and, occasionally, romantic relationships. However, in a diverse community like the one we have at camp, certain behavior might be offensive and unacceptable to others and may be illegal.

Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp seeks to maintain a workshop and learning environment free from any kind of harassment and discrimination for our employees, teaching staff, contract workers, volunteers, visitors, and camp participants.

Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp prohibits discriminatory practices and harassment on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, color, or any factor protected by law, whether the harassment is caused by another employee, teaching staff, contract worker, volunteer, visitor, or camp participant.

Sexual harassment is specifically prohibited. Anyone engaging in harassing conduct will be subject to immediate and appropriate disciplinary action, including but not limited to possible termination or expulsion.

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted physical, verbal, or visual sexual advances and other sexually oriented conduct that is offensive or objectionable to the recipient, including, but not limited to, derogatory or suggestive comments, slurs, or gestures.

What is not sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment does not refer to occasional compliments of a socially acceptable nature. It refers to behavior that is not welcome, personally offensive, disruptive, and debilitating to morale.

What should you do if you are harassed or discriminated against?

If you feel that you have been harassed or discriminated against, report it immediately to the camp manager. Your identity will be protected and you will not be retaliated against for making a complaint.

What happens after a complaint is made?

As soon as a complaint is made, camp management will investigate. The manager will speak with possible witnesses and with the person named in the complaint. Your anonymity will be protected to the extent possible.

Immediate action will be taken against anyone determined to have engaged in harassing conduct, ranging from a warning to termination or expulsion.

ATTENTION, LEGAL WARNINGS: Mandatory Legal Acknowledgment — International Counsel Reviewed

Acknowledgment and Acceptance of Camp Policies

By registering for, attending, participating in, working at, teaching at, volunteering for, or otherwise being present at the Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp, all individuals— including but not limited to campers, instructors, performers, staff members, contractors, vendors, volunteers, and management—acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to comply with all camp policies, rules, and codes of conduct, including those related to respect for all participants, non-discrimination, harassment prevention, and prohibited conduct.

Attendance at the camp constitutes full acceptance of these policies and agreement to abide by them at all times while on camp premises and during any camp-related activities. All individuals further acknowledge that failure to comply with these rules may result in immediate disciplinary action at the sole discretion of camp management, including removal from camp premises without refund, termination of employment or teaching engagement, and/or revocation of participation privileges.

The Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp reserves the right to enforce these policies as necessary to maintain a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants. By attending the camp in any capacity, each individual affirms their commitment to uphold these standards and understands that continued presence at camp is contingent upon compliance with all stated policies.

Media Release and Use of Likeness

By registering for, attending, participating in, working at, teaching at, volunteering for, visiting, or otherwise being present at the Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp (the “Camp”), all individuals—including but not limited to adults, minors, children of any age, campers, instructors, performers, staff, contractors, vendors, volunteers, visitors, and any accompanying persons—acknowledge and agree that the Camp and its authorized representatives may photograph, film, record, or otherwise capture their image, likeness, voice, name, performance, participation, and any personal property, items, artwork, costumes, instruments, or materials they bring or use at camp, in any format or medium.

All photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, digital content, written materials, and any other media or marketing content created at or in connection with the Camp shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the. Camp. By attending the Camp, each individual, and the parent or legal guardian of any minor, irrevocably grants to the Camp a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, transferable, and sublicensable right and license to use, reproduce, edit, modify, publish, distribute, display, and otherwise utilize such media—including but not limited to names, images, likenesses, voices, performances, and biographical information—for any lawful purpose, including advertising, promotion, marketing, publicity, archival use, fundraising, and any other camp-related or commercial purposes, in any media now known or later developed.

Attendance at the Camp constitutes a full release and waiver of any and all claims, demands, or causes of action against the Camp, its directors, officers, employees, contractors, volunteers, successors, and assigns arising out of or related to the use of such media. All attendees, and the parents or legal guardians of minors, waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product or the use to which it may be applied and acknowledge that no compensation, royalties, or other consideration will be owed for such use.

This release applies to any and all persons of any age and to any items, performances, or materials present at the Camp. If any individual, or the parent or legal guardian of a minor, does not agree to these terms, they must notify Camp management in writing prior to attending the Camp and must refrain from participating in any camp activities where recording or photography may occur. Presence at the Camp without such written notice constitutes full acceptance of and agreement to this Media Release and Use of Likeness statement.

Best,

Gamze Guven

MEMD Camp Director and Owner & Director of Global Legal Affairs

Please share your concerns and thoughts with us:
www.middleeastcamp.com
gamze@middleeastcamp.com
joshkun@middleeastcamp.com

HAVE FUN and SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!