Rocky Ridge Environment

There is a love of nature and appreciation of the majestic mountain setting at Rocky Ridge. Music is heard along the mountainside as students practice in the woods or beside a nearby stream.

 

CLIMATE AND ALTITUDE
Summer in Colorado is full of beautiful, sunny days followed by cool nights and frequent afternoon showers. In the mountains, the weather changes rapidly. Rain showers, thunder storms and even snow can appear without warning, and can just as quickly subside. Due to the high altitude (9,200 ft) and frequent high winds, the air is very dry. Dehydration and altitude sickness can occur, but can also be avoided. A strong sun block is REQUIRED, as your skin is very susceptible to sunburn at this altitude. Remember to drink plenty of water, get a full night’s sleep, and eat a balanced diet. Our Health Aide and Health Station are available 24/7 during Young Artist Seminar (YAS) and Junior Student Seminar (JSS) sessions.

Check the weather service for the latest updates. See the recommended packing list for clothing that is best suited to this climate.

 

 

 

WILDLIFE
Rocky Ridge is located in a wooded area with asmall stream where wildlife is frequently seen.  It is not unusual to see herds of elk or muledeer passing through our campus in the early morning hours.       

We live among rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, marmots, occasionally a black bear and more rarely, a bobcat or mountain lion.  The animals are hungry but will avoid humans.  Please appreciate the wildlife from a distance.  On the first day of each session, campers and staff will be given a wildlife and safety orientation by Rocky Mountain National Park Rangers or other trained officials. For obvious reasons, feeding wildlife is strictly prohibited, and pets are not allowed on campus.  All food must be kept in the dining hall or in refrigerators.  All trash must be properly disposed of in our bear-proof dumpsters.

 

ROCKY RIDGE PROPERTY AND FACILITIES
The facilities at Rocky Ridge consist of over 50 buildings. These include a main lodge, dining hall, office, and series of residential and practice cabins. Shared student lodging will be in historic log and clapboard cabins nestled in the woods of this National Historic District. The cabins range in size and facilities. Some have separate bathrooms with toilets and showers. Some are near the girls and boys bathhouse facilities.  Common areas include the Stage, Dining /Concert Hall, Lodge, and Deck.  The Canteen is a mini-store on campus that stocks Rocky Ridge Merchandise including T-shirts, water bottles, flashlights, rain ponchos, books, etc.  It also carries a limited supply of snacks and toiletries.  The canteen is located in the Lodge and open daily at specified times and during Music in the Mountains (MIM) Concerts.

Practice cabins are found throughout campus.  Pianos are available in most cabins.  Some students prefer to practice outside.  Rocky Ridge’s property manager, Mike Daggett, provides daily maintenance and repair as needed during all summer sessions and is on-call 24/7.  Our state-of-the-art water filtration system is tested daily and provides plenty of clean, mountain-fresh water on campus.

 

Activities

CONCERT ATTENDANCE AND ATTIRE
All students are expected to attend scheduled student and faculty concerts. Music in the Mountains (MIM) concerts are presented by our outstanding artist faculty at 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. Appropriate dress is expected for all MIM Concerts, student performances, and off-campus concerts (see clothing checklist for further information). Guests are welcome to attend any concert and may purchase tickets at the door or online on the website.  Select ensembles perform off-campus at specified venues in Estes Park or nearby locations.

 

CLASSES
Students in YAS and JSS participate in orchestra, chamber music, performance classes and master classes for solo and ensemble work.  JSS students participate in choir.  Students also spend some time in composition class, YAS lecture series, and music listening.  Adult seminar students also have master classes and ensembles according to their seminar programs.

 

 

WORK CREWS
In keeping with the community spirit established by the environmentalists who homesteaded this historic property, YAS and JSS students participate in daily work crews, an essential part of the operation of Rocky Ridge.  While some students will be working to fulfill work-study requirements, all students will participate in some form of work crew. Work assignments may include dishwashing, meal service, janitorial, stage hand, ushering, or office work.  Since RRMC is a non-profit organization, this helps keep fees at a minimum and creates a sense of ownership in the community.  It is also a great way to get to know fellow students.

 

 

RECREATION
Group activities offered may include hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, swimming, horseback riding, and visits to the nearby resort town of Estes Park. These activities foster friendships and a remarkable sense of community spirit for which Rocky Ridge has become known.

Each YAS and JSS session has a student dance, skit night and various social times for students to build long-lasting friendships.   

 

LAUNDRY
RRMC has no laundry facility on campus.  During YAS only, RRMC will provide weekly transportation by bus to a laundry facility in Estes Park.  This  also gives YAS students an opportunity to dine or shop in town.  Students should be prepared with money for the machines.  JSS students and adult seminar participants should bring enough clothing for the entire session as laundry service will not be available to them. RRMC has an ironing board and iron available.  It is advisable to label clothing with student’s name.

 

HIKING
Rocky Ridge students have the awesome opportunity of participating in guided group hikes on mountain trails located in Rocky Mountain National Park and surrounding areas. These hikes are a wonderful way to experience some of nature’s most spectacular and beautiful scenery.  Often two hikes are offered with varying degrees of difficulty. Your participation in these hikes is certain to enhance your summer and provide life-long, priceless memories.

A guide provided by Rocky Ridge Music Center will lead hikes. The designated guide will follow all warnings and precautions issued by the Rocky Mountain National Park Service regarding weather and trail conditions. Under no circumstance will any RRMC student or staff member regardless of age be permitted to hike on a trail that has been posted technical or otherwise hazardous by the National Park Service. Approved trails are clearly marked and DO NOT require any technical climbing equipment. Hikers must stay on the trail when hiking and are not permitted to drink out of streams or eat the snow. All hikers under the age of 18 must have written permission from parents on RRMC’s Permission Form to participate in the hikes.

While no special equipment is needed to participate in recreational hikes, you will need good sturdy shoes or hiking boots.  You will also need a water bottle and a jacket in case of rain or changing weather.

Students over age 18 who request to hike without an appointed guide must demonstrate ability and understanding of the intended trail.  These requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and if permission is granted, the students must complete and sign a Hiker’s Release Form in the office.  Permission for any student to hike alone will NEVER be granted.

 

FRIENDS
Rocky Ridge students create lifelong friendships.  Whether you come with a group of friends or come alone, you will leave with many friends and a Rocky Ridge family for life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health & Safety

MEALS
Buffet style meals, with vegetarian options at every meal, are served in the dining hall—a multi-purpose hall which is used during non-meal times for performances, and can accommodate a chamber orchestra and audience of about 125 people. Students with food allergies should notify RRMC prior to arrival. Because of wildlife, food is not permitted in cabins. The kitchen will be closed after meals, but fresh fruit and snacks are available throughout the day. Due to Health Department regulations, students are not allowed in the kitchen at any time unless they are assigned to a kitchen work crew.

RRMC’s kitchen staff is unable to prepare special meals unless medically necessary and authorized in writing by a licensed physician. Guest meal tickets (for visiting family members) may be purchased from the RRMC office. Breakfast $5, lunch $7, dinner $10.  Faculty and students eat together inside the dining hall or outside on picnic tables, weather permitting. 

Important announcements are made during mealtimes.Faculty, staff, and counselors are all introduced during the first day orientation and dinner.

 

WEATHER
Rocky Ridge is high in the mountains near 9,200 feet.  Humidity is low making it an extremely pleasant location to spend the summer.  Expect warm summer days with temperatures reaching into the upper 80o Fahrenheit, but cool evenings with temperatures down to 40-50 degrees F.    A fleece jacket is always useful in the evening.  Rain showers are possible.  For those planning to hike and climb into the alpine regions in the Rocky Mountain National Park, be prepared for even more extreme weather as you climb toward 14,000 feet (Longs Peak).

 

CURFEW
A typical day at Rocky Ridge is filled with rehearsals, lessons and frequent performances. A curfew is established and enforced to help students maintain their personal best throughout camp and to respect the needs of everyone in residence. The curfew applies to all students in JSS and YAS regardless of age. See the daily schedule under each seminar for curfew times for each session.

FIRE OR FLOOD
The Rocky Ridge Music Center is in a heavily forested area and true to the American west is a rustic camp experience. Every person on campus must understand and observe certain fire, flood and safety rules. The rustic nature of the campus trails and paths require that you take precaution at all times and especially at night or during rain. Do not run. Please use a flashlight at night. Because of fire hazard, there are to be no open fires or burning of incense or candles. The use of tobacco of any form (smoking and chewing) is not allowed on campus at any time by students, faculty or guests.

In case of fire or flood, everyone will be notified by constant ringing of the bell at the lodge or by another emergency alarm signal to be announced and demonstrated during each session’s orientation meeting. Everyone must go immediately to the parking lot at the lodge. You may bring your instrument with you; however, be advised that instruments may need to be left behind depending on the nature of the emergency and the available transportation. Personal safety is paramount. Instrument insurance is highly recommended. A fire drill will be held for each session and it is mandatory that everyone at the center respond as quickly as possible. You will be asked to have a buddy and to know if your buddy has responded to the drill or is accounted for. Your safety is our main concern. Emergency evacuation procedures will be covered in the safety orientation for each session.

 

HEALTH CARE
RRMC is equipped to handle minor emergencies and illness with certified health personnel available 24 hours a day. RRMC provides training in CPR and First Aid for all counselors and staff. Should a student become ill or have an accident, RRMC’s health personnel will be contacted immediately. If necessary, students will be transported to the nearest medical facility in Estes Park, 15 minutes away, for treatment. It is the responsibility of each individual to have his/her own accident and health insurance while at RRMC. Each student and faculty member must supply a copy of the front and back of a current insurance card prior to registration.

 

 

 

 

Arrival / Departure

For directions to the Center, go to our Location Page.

 

ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION
Students should arrive on registration day during the times listed on theArrival/Departure Form and Daily Schedule for each session. Additional fees will apply if a different arrival date is needed. Registration will take place upon arrival. For adult seminars, go first to the office in the Lower Chalet for registration.For YAS and JSS, the registration table will be on the deck of the Lodge where you will meet your counselors first.

CHECKOUT AND DEPARTURE
Students and faculty will check out and depart as specified on the Arrival/Departure Form and on the Daily Schedule for each session, which is usually immediately following the final concert. Students are responsible for ensuring they take all personal items home. Additional fees will apply to late departure requiring extra nights or meals.

 

 

 

STAY IN TOUCH
The Rocky Ridge family is over 70 years old and growing. Whether you come as a student, visiting parent, concert attendee, faculty, staff, vendor, sponsor, or other, we’d like to stay in touch with you. Choose your preferred way to connect with us and get the latest Rocky Ridge updates through email, Facebook or Twitter.  Breaking news and press releases are also posted on the Rocky Ridge Website.

VISITORS
All guests must register at the office upon arrival and wear a guest name badge while on campus. Guests may be entertained in the immediate vicinity of the Lodge and Dining Hall until the first evening bell. For the privacy of all students, visitors are not allowed into the cabin areas except during arrival and departure. Parents are encouraged to attend student concerts and MIM concerts.

Rocky Ridge is surrounded by scenic and historic landmarks. We encourage visitors to take in the sights of Rocky Mountain National Park, the town of Estes Park, and the surrounding area. Please patronize our sponsors and the local businesses.

Estes Park has many choices for lodging and dining. The closest in vicinity to Rocky Ridge Music Center is the Longs Peak campground which is less than a half mile from RRMC on Long’s Peak Road. The Aspen Lodge is another nearby option for lodging and dining, approximately 2 miles away on Highway 7. A little further down Highway 7 toward Estes Park, you will find Baldpate Inn and Mary’s Lake Lodge and Resort. Visit the Estes Park Convention and Visitor’s Bureau website for more information.