This year’s RAWK camps presented by the Lakes District Arts Council took place over six days this last week starting on Aug. 17. The camps were run by three members of Speed Control, a band based out of the Yukon, who spent three days in Grassy Plains and three days in Burns Lake teaching local youth how to perform live music as a rock band.
John Barth from the arts council was excited to see 19 participants in Grassy Plains and a full camp of 24 participants in Burns Lake. Both camps held concerts for family and friends to get a chance to see each group perform.
“For kids to learn music and to get in front of an audience and perform live music is a great opportunity and a great growing experience, I love to see kids take on new challenges and succeed at something they didn’t think they could do… It’s good for parents to see kids learning and confident and proud,” said Barth.
Barth is confident that the boys from Speed Control will return next year, “The guys really appreciate coming here, they feel really welcome and supported in Burns Lake and it’s a place they really like coming to.”
Barth also commended the support from sponsors including grants from the provincial government, Burns Lake and District Community Foundation, Burns Lake Community Forest and New Gold Blackwater Project, among others, which made the camps accessible and affordable for families.