01-04-22 Fernando Jones International Blues Kisd Camp ' _.,7
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January 3,2022
From: Gail Y. McGrady
To: Hon. Woodrow Hay
Via: C. Ron Allen
Subj: Fernando Jones' International Blues Kids Camp—Palm Beach
The Annual Fernando Jones International Blues Kids Camp—Palm Beach was held at the Boynton
Beach Arts&Cultural Center, 125 E. Ocean Ave.,Boynton Beach, from Tuesday, December 28,
to Friday,December 31,2021.
Fifteen students from Riviera Beach to Broward County attend this priceless,fun-filled experience
where they received lessons in instruments as well as sharpened their vocals from the Chicago-
based Fernando Jones'Blues Camp International.Each evening,the campers performed what they
learned in class at the Riviera Beach Marina, Bamboo Room in Lake Worth, and at the Arts &
Cultural Center.
The camp was held in Room 204, which was clean and adequate. Much complements to the
staff,especially Shawn for his assistance with the IT issues and Nicole,who checked on us each
day to ensure everything was going well. They are an asset to the City.
The camp was sponsored by the City of Riviera Beach Community Development Corporation,the
City of Delray Beach Community Improvement Department, Home Depot Foundation, Knotty
Luxe Arts Foundation, Allstate Insurance and Blues Kids Foundation,which allowed us to offer
scholarships to the students.
Strengths: Local youths learned a new genre of music under the tutelage of Internationally
traveled musicians. Unlike jazz camps, camps that focus on the blues are a rarity.
-We had an opportunity to use the newly renovated Arts&Cultural Center,which received media
coverage from WPBF-25 and CBS-12. (see attached)
Weakness: Not enough local children took advantage of event, despite it being promoted in
schools and local houses of worship.
-Not enough sponsors,which could have ensured more activities for the participants. We held an
ice-breaker at the AMF Boynton Beach Lanes. However,we would have preferred to expose them
to some other forms of art,such as The Norton museum and entertainment such as the video arcade.
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-We also were forced to cut back the days of the camp from five to four because of the hotel and
other associated costs.
Opportunities: The camp has the potential to bring national attention and prominence to the City
and the Arts & Cultural Center. With Blues Camp being held in 21 cities each year, this is an
opportunity for representatives from all those cities and countries to attend the "Winter Camp" in
Palm Beach each year. This would mean revenue for our local businesses.
-We have an opportunity to expose more local youths to the arts. This would ensure greater use of
the Arts & Cultural Center, which in turn would result in increased revenue.
Threats: If pandemic does not improve, this could force a virtual Blues Camp in 2022. Blues
Camp 2021 was held virtually because of the pandemic. This, however, was attended by campers
from all across the globe.
- Other competitive programs or camps being held during the same time frame.
Conclusion: KOP Mentoring Network is proud to be on the cutting edge of Blues andragogy and
pedagogy with the Fernando Jones' International Blues Kids Camp — Palm Beach. While
respecting science during the COVID-19 pandemic, we had an interactive in-person Blues Camp
and hope to continue next year with either remote or in-person(contingent upon the World Health
Organization's data).
We are not looking for the best "Blues Kid" players in the world. We are looking for the Blues
Kid who wants to be in this program. It is our hope that the Fernando Jones' International Blues
Kids Camp—Palm Beach will become an annual rite of winter.
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