Jazz Camp West (Living Jazz)
ActiveMusic Camps
Is Jazz Camp West still open? Yes.
Jazz Camp West is active as of 2026. Current schedule per the operator: summer 2026 (annual, at YMCA Camp Jones Gulch). Always confirm dates on the official site before booking travel, since adult camps shift venues and weekends more often than kids' camps do.
Jazz Camp West runs a longer, multi-night immersion in California, and it earns its place in this directory the honest way: real camp structure, real programming, and a clear point of view (music). The details below cover format, pricing, current status, and where to verify everything at the source.
An eight-day jazz immersion for adults (teens welcome too) held at a rustic camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains redwoods. Days are packed with instrument classes, combos, big band, and dance; nights bring faculty concerts, open mics, and jam sessions until late. Run by Oakland nonprofit Living Jazz for over 35 years.
At a glance
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Location | La Honda, California, USA |
| Format | 8-day sleepaway camp in the redwoods |
| Season / dates | summer 2026 (annual, at YMCA Camp Jones Gulch) |
| Price | roughly $2,000-3,000 USD including lodging and meals |
| Adults only | No (some sessions admit younger participants) |
| Type | Established operator |
| Official site | livingjazz.org/jazz-camp-west |
| Socials |
The experience
Practical picture: the format is 8-day sleepaway camp in the redwoods. Plan for a real time commitment. This runs longer than a weekend, which is exactly why alumni describe it as transformative rather than merely fun. Note that this one is not strictly adults-only; some sessions admit younger participants, though the core clientele is adult.
Cost
Published pricing: roughly $2,000-3,000 USD including lodging and meals. That is premium territory for this category, well above the $400 to $1,000 that typical all-inclusive camp weekends cost. You are paying for the specific experience, not the bunk. Check exactly what the ticket bundles before comparing prices; here, lodging and meals are wrapped in, which makes the sticker price more honest than it first looks.
Where and when
The venue is in La Honda, California. On timing, the operator's own line is the one to trust: summer 2026 (annual, at YMCA Camp Jones Gulch).
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Sources
Status and details verified against these sources as of August 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.