Mississippi Delta Blues Camp Live the Rhythms of Delta Blues
Blues Camp Beginnings “ My father says he doesn’t know how old he was when he started picking cotton because he was a baby, sitting on cotton sacks while his parents and older siblings worked the fields.” - Darryl Young, Founder
Ernestine and Dorfus Young Sr. grew up and worked the cotton fields in the Mississippi Delta region before they migrated North to Minnesota in 1968 in search of better job opportunities. Moving to Minnesota meant leaving family and friends behind, but even though it was not easy living in Mississippi, memories of wide-open spaces and Southern culture drew the Young family back to Mississippi after 32 years. In 2000, the family bought a vacant cotton field and built a house on the former farm. Growing up, the Youngs enjoyed visiting Mississippi and seeing their friends and relatives. Experiences like riding in the back of a pickup truck on long dirt roads through endless fields of farmers’ seasonal crops are peaceful memories that Darryl and Dorfus Young wanted to share with others. Games they played, songs they sang, the strange names of their friends, and the ingenuity they used to hunt and do other necessary things to thrive are memories and experiences the Youngs want to share with others.
Blues Camp Starts with Family Local Press Highlight Young Family Farm: Built on 20 Acres of Land and 55 Years of Marriage -The Daily Yonder
I’m proud of my parents and their humble beginnings. They are very inspiring to me.” -Darryl Young
Ernestine &
Dorfus Youn
g Sr.
Blues Camp Opportunity “ We want to give back to the place where so much was taken.” - Felicia Young
The Young Farm has transformed since 2000 to include a pond, hoop houses, gardens, gathering pavilion, community spaces, playgrounds, and restrooms for visitors. The family raises animals and grows food to share with locals in need, but they see opportunity to do more. The Delta is renowned as the birthplace of the Blues. There are many artists from small Delta communities like their own whose influence shaped America’s popular music. Unfortunately, these communities are losing their connection to the music and history that visitors and tourists are graciously seeking. The Young family is creating Blues Camp to help youth reconnect with their roots in Blues Music, and the culture of the Mississippi Delta.
Vision for the Future
It is a beautiful day and I can imagine campers sitting and standing on and around their bunk house porches talking and laughing about their experience while building excitement for tomorrow. I see and hear small groups of campers playing music telling their stories and their dreams. The campers are rooted in their culture and are confident in their new skills. They have pride in being from the Mississippi Delta, knowing the great history of their community. They know that one day they will add to that legacy.”
Blues Camp Mission “ In the end our campers will be stewards of the Blues for the next generation.” - Darryl Young, Founder
I started this camp because I wanted young people to learn about their heritage. The heritage of the blues, agriculture, and HBCUs. I also want them to grow. I want them to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. When they return to their communities from the camp they will be proud contributors. Then they can contribute in an economic way, artistically, and culturally. In the end our campers will be stewards of the Blues for the next generation. Mississippi Delta Blues Camp is a place where people can come, have fun, learn, grow, and be safe.
MDBC Dropout Reduction Strategy Students Enter Camp Students living in the Mississippi Delta who struggle academically, socially, and emotionally.
Cultural Appreciation Instrumentation, Life Skills, Cultural Literacy, Social - Emotional
Food Justice Safe Space
Blues Education
Values
Reflection Community
Self-Determination Accountability
HBCU Tours Education Access Farming, Carpentry, Agriculture, Aquaculture
Re-enter Community Prideful, employable, effective citizenship, entrepreneurial, social skills, emotional wellbeing, academically motivated.
Blues Camp Design Concept Community Gathering Space
The “Crossroads” and Camp Campfire
Multi-Use Juke Joint
Dedicated Parking for Camp
Access Road from Bellview Rd.
Blues Street
Music • Living • Play
The Heart / Crossroads Merging Food • Music • Play
The Back Forty
Agriculture • Food • Science
Blues Camp The Heart / Crossroads • Inviting and welcoming space for the community. Creating strong connections and honoring the heritage of the community. • Central Gathering Area around the Campfire
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• The Campfire and “Cross Roads” visible from the main arrival • Large gathering area for concerts and events
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Jordan’s Pond / Mini Golf
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Multi-Use Juke Joint
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Crossroads
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Agriculture
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3
Site Plan A B C D
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A
Existing Playground
B
Swimming Pool
C
Crossroads Gathering
D
Multi-Use Juke Joint
Blues Camp Blues Street • Capturing the spirit of local Juke Joints • A magical place for kids • Creating Community at multiple scales • Both informal and formal Performance Area
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Multi-Use Juke Joint
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Camper Cabins
Site Plan
A
B
C
D
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A
Ropes Course
B
Camper Cabins
C
Multi-Use Juke Joint
D
Jordan’s Pond / Miniature Golf
Blues Camp The Back Forty • “Reintegrating youth into the local agriculture” • Immersive learning experiences with agriculture, science, and food • Farm to table dining experiences • Space to support participation in Food Justice Programs
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Crossroads
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Dining Pavilion & Performance Area
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Teaching Kitchen
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Site Plan
C
A B
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D
E
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Stage and Dining
B
Teaching Kitchen
C
Gardens / Tunnel Houses
D
Young Home
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Sports Field
Blues Camp Get Involved
Help support our mission in using blues music to re-engage at-risk youth and promote growth socially, economically, and academically.
Visit: msdeltabluescamp.org Contact: darryl@msdeltabluescamp.org
About Fielding International
Fielding International is a global leader in education consulting, planning and architectural design.
High School for Recording Arts | St. Paul, Minnesota fieldingintl.com issuu.com/fielding-international
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Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota — and with locations in Michigan, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Singapore — we have provided consulting, planning and design services to local, regional and national governments, school districts, international schools, and other educational clients since 2003. We have worked on over $10 billion worth of schools and have won 16 international planning and design awards for excellence. Our work has attracted the attention of media outlets including CNN.com, NY Times, BBC Radio, Forbes, The Atlantic, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, The Washington Post, National Educational Association, School Planning and Management, Edutopia, and Education Week. We create tailored education design using a thoughtful interdisciplinary engagement process — our architects, designers, and educators impact every phase of the project. We help our clients to envision and design innovative schools that support student-centered learning. The environments we design form both a continuum in our exploration of learning, and also a unique expression of our school partners and their missions.
Mississippi Delta Blues Camp 11203 Highway 322 Bellview Rd. Clarksdale, MS 38614 msdeltabluecamp.org