Everything You Need To Know!
Schedule, pricing…and who we are.
The World’s #1 Drum Camp Since 2007!
Brief History
Entering its 19th year, Drum Fantasy Camp is the world's leading drum camp experience. DFC is owned and managed by Steven Orkin of Orkin Marketing and Management. Steven manages marketing for iconic drummers Dave Weckl and Steve Smith, plus musicians Mike Stern, John Daversa, and many more.
The first Drum Fantasy Camp ran in South Orange, NJ, in 2007 and moved to Cleveland from 2008-2014. The camp took place in Chicago from 2015-2019. DFC moved to Los Angeles in 2022 after a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In February, 2013, an exciting and successful camp also ran in Ankara, Turkey. In 2019, Access Cuba with Dave Weckl offered a week-long music and cultural experience in Havana.
What Happens at Drum Fantasy Camp?
Drum Fantasy Camp is a serious learning experience for drummers of all ages and playing levels.
Attendees spend a total of six hours with each of our four drumming instructors in a class of 20 (or less). Classes are a combination of lecturing and playing. You leave the camp inspired and filled with new ideas. One class will feature members of the band, creating the opportunity to work on groove with one of the best!
In the evenings, you attend jams with our incredible band! You'll sit in for a tune, and you'll get to hang and watch your fellow attendees (and instructors) sit in!
The band features bassist Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets/Allan Holdsworth), keyboardist Stu Mindeman (Kurt Elling/Dave Weckl), singer Chrissi Poland (Chris Botti/Michael Bolton), and guitarist Vinny Valentino (George Benson/Vital Information).
The camp opens with an incredible Clinic + Concert featuring all four drumming instructors performing with our band (and some special guests)! The basic schedule is below and this event is sold separately.
Drummers of all ages, musical backgrounds, and playing levels attend. In 2025, male and female drummers from 15 countries and all over the United States attended. The age range was from 10 to 70!
Some of our attendees are on a path to music school. Others have desk jobs or are gigging drummers in their hometowns. And...some are simply looking for the inspiration to pick up the sticks after a long hiatus. All are welcome! We group our attendees based on their reported playing levels.
There is a great sense of camaraderie at Drum Fantasy Camp. Attendees tend to become good friends - sharing information, cheering each other on at the "Jam Nights," and staying in touch after the experience. The camp feels like a family with many attendees returning year-after-year.
Tentative Schedule
August 7, 2027
12:00 p.m. - Opening Drum Clinic featuring all four instructors
2:30 p.m. - Clinic Ends
7:30 p.m. - Concert Begins
9:00 p.m. - Concert Ends
August 8, 9, 10 & 11, 2027
9:00 a.m. - Morning session with today’s instructor
12:00 p.m. - Lunch Break
1:30 p.m. - Class resumes with same instructor
4:30 p.m. - Class Ends
7:00 p.m. - Jam Night Begins (August 8, 9, 10)
9:30 p.m. - Jam Night Ends
Pricing (2026)
Full Camp Packages
When you register for a full camp package, you spend a whole day with each drumming instructor. You also get admission to all three of our Jam Nights and will sit in for a tune during one of the three nights!
COST: $1899 (no hotel)
Hotel packages include August 7, 8, 9, and 10. Additional nights can be added at the group rate of $189 + tax. A roommate package will be available at half the $189 room rate cost.
2027 Pricing will be announced in January
One, Two and Three-Day Packages
When you register for a partial-camp package, you spend a whole day with each of the drumming instructors you choose (one per day). You can attend the Jam Nights of the days that you are in class, and you will sit in for a tune during one of those nights!
ONE DAY COST: $475
TWO DAY COST: $950
THREE DAY COST: $1425
Hotel nights can be added at the group rate of $189 + tax. Roommate pricing is not available for partial camp packages.
Clinic + Concert Tickets
Drum Fantasy Camp opens with a drum clinic and concert featuring our four drumming instructors and our all-star band: bassist Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets/Allan Holdsworth), keyboardist Stu Mindeman (Dave Weckl/Kurt Elling), vocalist Chrissi Poland (Chris Botti/Michael Bolton), and guitarist Vinny Valentino (George Benson/Vital Information), plus special guests.
The opening clinic + concert is not included with any camp packages and must be purchased separately. You can purchase tickets for yourself and anyone else you wish to bring.
CLINIC: $25
CONCERT: $39.50
COMBO TICKET: $55