I think a lot of people have memories of camp as a kid. Long hot days, mosquitoes, friendship bracelets and camp fire smores.  Now imagine for a minute that you are a kid into DJ culture! You love music and you spend pretty much all day listening to songs wishing you had an outlet for your creativity. Well DJ Tina T decided that both of these experiences needed a home, and thus Camp Spin-Off was born.

This past week in Ojai California Camp Spin-Off took eager young DJ hopefuls and taught them a thing or three about the true roots of DJ culture. Daily classes included Beat-making, Scratching, and the Media Lab where they developed their DJ personae, logo, stickers etc. The best part about this camp is that with heavy hitting sponsors like Skull Candy and HP they were able to give the chosen applicants scholarships. And I think that makes all the difference. These kids weren’t shipped off by over-stressed parents trying to buy their kids a week of babysitting. These kids were hungry to attend DJ Camp and were rewarded for their enthusiasm.

I have never seen a twelve year old so engrossed in an activity for an hour. These campers soaked up the available knowledge like a sponge. Plus world class DJ’s quickly became mentors and heroes. The patience of the instructors was phenomenal. Giving these kids an opportunity to really understand how being a DJ can be a creative and trans-formative event in their young lives.

Also, it was quite a kick seeing creatures of the club life awake at 8am, morning coffee in hand, acting as camp counselors. DJ Morse Code, Evil One, Lady Sha and others, all embraced their roles as counselors. Even to the point of body painting (you know I’m looking at you Morse Code).

All in Camp Spin-Off was completely inspiring. The kids, both boys and girls ages 12 to 17, all seemed generally grateful and completely enraptured by the experience. I don’t think one of them was ready to go home the last day. While I sat watching them frolic in the overly supervised and modest pool, I thought to myself that I wanted a total do-over. I want to be twelve and at DJ camp. Are you kidding me…this was life changing for these kids.

Congratulations Tina T! You really took the initiative to impact the next generation of DJ’s. Thanks for inviting ChinaShop along for the ride. Can’t wait to stop in again next year!

Words by Barbie Brady, Photos by Sidney Bensimon

If you want to apply to attend next years Camp Spin-Off keep checking the website for information. Worth the effort for any inspiring DJ, Producer, or all around hyper-active music driven youth!