I’ve never been to something like this before. Will I belong?

Many people arrive at Song Village not knowing exactly what to expect. What we strive to create is a welcoming community where everyone is invited to participate in their own way — singing, listening, sharing, or simply taking in the music among the trees. If you’re drawn to music, community, and long to be held in a village, you are welcome here.

How do songs get shared at Song Village? Who leads?

We have a beautiful collection of experienced Song Leaders who travel from all over to help carry us in song. We are also a village of leaders. From the Thursday welcome circle to fireside round robins, from meals where we gather and sing our thanks to the pop-up song magic shared between circles (and sometimes in the bathrooms!), Song Village is full of opportunities for you to step in and share your song.

Applications to lead at Song Village 2026 closed on March 20th.

What if I don’t think of myself as a singer?

Singing is our birthright, and singing together is an ancient technology for connection, belonging and community. People arrive with many different relationships to singing — some sing boldly, others more softly, some feeling free, others carrying trauma around their own voices.  Please know however you arrive and choose to participate is welcome here. Just bring your voice and your heart.

What is the venue like?

Camp Loma is a rustic forest camp nestled among the redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains. Participants camp in tents or vans beneath the trees, with forest paths winding between song circles and gathering spaces. The camp offers simple comforts – including flush toilets, and warm showers – while still allowing us to stay close to the land. Throughout the weekend we gather for community meetings – moments to listen, share, and help shape the village together.

Are meals included?

Yes. Delicious organic meals are provided from Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast, giving us time to gather, nourish ourselves, and sing our thanks together.

What should I bring?

Bring layers for shifting mountain weather, what you need to camp comfortably, and a chair or cushion to help form the community circle.

A more detailed packing list will become available upon registration.

Is Song Village a drug- and alcohol-free gathering?

Yes. Song Village is a drug- and alcohol-free space. Gathering this way helps create an atmosphere of presence, connection, and shared attention with one another and the music.

Can I bring my children to Song Village?

Children and teens are welcome at Song Village. We do not currently offer a children’s program, so we ask that children who attend are able to participate with awareness of the group and the shared space. If a child becomes distracting during a song circle, we ask that they be gently guided toward another engaging adventure.

What is accessibility like at Song Village?

We gather on rustic land with uneven terrain, limited lighting, and a lively, immersive sound environment. Accessibility at Song Village is shaped by the land, and we encourage you to review our full accessibility guide to help you decide if this space will feel supportive for you.

Read our Accessibility Guide here.

How can we support the Indigenous stewards of the land?

Song Village takes place on the ancestral lands of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, on lands known as Popeloutchom.

As we gather beneath these trees and co-create the village together, we recognize and honor the Indigenous people who have stewarded this land for generations and continue that care today.

We invite members of the village who feel called to support the ongoing stewardship, restoration, and cultural preservation work of the Amah Mutsun Land Trust to learn more or donate here.

Will I have cell service?

Cell reception is minimal at the camp. Many people appreciate the chance to unplug for the weekend and settle more fully into the rhythm of the village. If needed, service can be found a short drive up the road.

What happens if it rains?

Our gathering takes place mostly outdoors beneath the trees. In the possible — though unlikely — event of significant rain, the gathering may be cancelled.

Because we have fixed costs for the venue and caterer that cannot be recovered, all registrants would receive a full refund minus $60, allowing us to share the financial risk together.

Can I attend for only part of the gathering?

Song Village is designed as a full weekend immersive gathering. We invite participants to be present for as much of the weekend as they are able so we can build the village together from beginning to end. We also recognize that people arrive with different travel distances, responsibilities, accessibility needs, and personal capacities. If you need to step away for a portion of the weekend, you’re welcome to do so and return when you’re able.

To help keep things simple and support the shared rhythm of the gathering, we aren’t able to offer partial registrations or discounted rates for shorter attendance.

What are your COVID-19 community care guidelines?

Please do not come to camp if you feel sick, even if you know that it is not COVID-19.

We ask participants to carefully limit their possible exposure to COVID-19 during the week leading up to camp.

Once camp begins, participants will be unmasked and not socially distanced. If you are not ready for this level of closeness, we encourage you to join us in a future year.

Are Song Leaders paid?

Some Song Leaders are invited and offered stipends. The amounts very based on travel requirements, and also – at times – additional considerations such as bringing a perspective that may otherwise be under represented in the village, holding additional leadership responsibilities, or helping bring broader visibility to the event. We strive to steward the village’s resources responsibly while honoring everyone’s contribution.

Are Scholarships available?

We believe gathering a group of participants that brings a diversity of perspectives will make Song Village — and the broader community singing movement — stronger.

In an effort to support access, scholarships are prioritized for individuals who face greater barriers to participation rooted in historic or current discrimination, and whose identities and life experiences are often underrepresented at Song Village.

To be considered for a scholarship, apply here by March 31st.