How To: Survive Band Camp (Color Guard Edition)

A step by step guide

Step 1: You don’t. It will be the worst (but best) time of life.

Step 2: Never be late. If anything you should always be 15 - 30 minutes early.

Step 3: Bring lots of water. When your coach recommends buying a big water jug or hauling a cooler around full of water bottles you should do it. Water breaks are very scarce, but when you do get one it’ like a downpour after a year long drought.  

 

Step 4: You will get called out by your coaches, so accept it now. If it’s from you maxing out your performance, or you’re sticking out like a sore thumb because you’re off count you will eventually be called out.

 

Step 5: Wear sunscreen and bug spray. Everyday. It doesn’t matter if it’s cloudy or cold, you will somehow and someway get sunburned or bit up.

 

Step 6: Remember your drill book and poker chips. When you do drill with the band you will get lost if you don’t have those. You’re band director might say something like “Go to measure 8,” and you’ll probably just look at him like he’s speaking some foreign language. So, your drill book is a major thing to have with you.

 

Step 7: Always, always, always remember your equipment and gloves. Would you show up to work without the reports your boss wanted you to do? No, then don’t show up to practice without your things.

Step 8: Have fun! Sometimes you may want to storm off the field and cry because of how frustrated you are, but when band season is over you’re going to miss it. When your senior year is over you’re really going to miss it. You will look back at those horrible yet wonderful times and realize those were the best memories of your high school career.