Pacific Songwriting Camp

01/15/2026

Hello Jan 2026 songcampers. It is SongCamp Eve 🙂 !!
Mike McNevin here, and I’m writing for a couple reasons. I know a good number of you now know Im not able to attend camp this year. My 91 year-old dad, Jack (who himself loves Camp and has attended a number of them!), is recuperating, getting a little better every day. He asked about camp last week - how’s camp looking Mike? And I said it’s gonna be amazing as always ♥️.

I also want to say, we’ve got terrific new and returning teachers and staff, with Laura and Dave at the helm, the whole crew knows the ropes. You’re in good hands with Allstate.

In addition, camp coordinator Caroline, is also not able to make it, she has been under the weather for some time, but is also getting better. We both had a chat today, we can’t believe we’re not gonna be there ourselves. Ironically, through divine luck or fate or timing, we have been working with Laura and Dave all year (and recent years) , as they have become partners in camp together. Plus so many old hands, this lovely weekend can practically run itself, blindfolded!

The only thing that could crater this whole thing, are some horrible home made jokes. So i’ll text a few to Dave and Laura to read during coffeehouse nights. or maybe just share them with the sea lions late at night…

Anyway, welcome to the Newbies, cheers to the many-timers, hope the songs grow like weeds all weekend, can’t wait to hear about New Song Sunday 🙂

Make music and friends, jump in with both feet, hands, and rear ends. Cannonball!

Love, Mike.

10/13/2025

We are happy to announce that registration is now open for Jan. 15–19, 2026 camp! Gonna be an epic session. Scroll down to find PSC. Enter in coupon code payinfull to receive 10% off your registration. Guests must pay in full upon registration to receive the discount. Discount expires on November 17th, 2025.

Workshops designed to help individuals pursue their passions in a beautiful ocean-side setting in Cambria, California. Check out our upcoming calendar.

07/12/2025

Mike McNevin here! I'm headed down to Coddy’s tomorrow, Sat 7/12/25, to play his A-Frame porch series in Kagel Canyon (not far from Pasadena and Sylmar). It's a cobill with Paula Fong and her trio (they're great!). So here’s a reminder to see some SoCal peeps 🩷. Song circle happens after the show, musicians bring your instruments or grab a guitar when it's your turn. Doors at 530, starts at 6, potluck too. So happy to be roadtrippin'.

Once a month, folk & acoustic music fans gather in the warm embrace of Coddy Nuckols' LA canyon home. This concert is under the stars, on the deck, with amazing views of Kagel Canyon, and more friends song swapping after the concert.

11305 Blue Sage Drive [email protected]
bit.ly/LiveAFrame
Michael McNevin & Paula Fong in concert.
DOORS OPEN: 5:30 pm
MUSIC BEGINS: 6:00 pm
INTERMISSION: 6:45 pm
MUSIC SET #2: 7:00 pm
SONG CIRCLE:
Bring your instrument, your voice, or just your ears
POT LUCK:
Bring a table-ready dish, drink, dessert or snack to share
PARKING:
The driveway is long and steep! If this may be a problem, come early and park up near the house. All others: Please park on the lower flat lot to the right of our main driveway. If you park on the street, you must leave room for a fire truck to pass.

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02/25/2025

Hello Songcampers,

While we have decided to not share private email addresses, we have created a group that will allow us to stay in touch via email. Invitations were sent out to the participants and teachers of our 2025 Pacific Songwriting Camp.

This is a private email group for participants and teachers of Pacific Songwriting Camp and other camps under the Songcamps.org umbrella.

01/16/2025

2025 January Songcampers! it’s songcamp eve 😉. Starting tomorrow, Thurs afternoon 1/16/25, we have Four days to chill, write, pluck, eat, sleep, and mess around by the ocean with 70 or so other likeminded chillers. Lots to choose from in the daily schedule - inspiring workshops, coaching, peer to peer song sharing, casual jams and swaps, and an unlimited amount of songwriting free time for yourself.

The stuff that crops up in our collective songwriting brains at camp is a true mystery every single year. It’s the gathering in part, that leads to so much creativity. And that leads easily into fun and friendship. Blending our creative juices, rubs off on us all, teachers included. We become richer in creative spirit. Just that few days together, seems to stick with us for years or decades. Talking from experience (as a newbie myself back in 2012) the joy and excitement of this camp still gives me goosebumps. It’s a mix of anxiety and butterflies for sure, and then it turns to that easy going creative free time once we settle in. So, stay off the gadgets if you can, stare at the ocean, get into the scene and people. Take in the short and sweet moments at meals, and enjoy your songwriting moments, They are all "a thing". We’re in store for a cool thing. How to put it exactly… chill, cool, creative, musical, hilarious at times, and a thing 🙂.

Note to the unfamiliar trekkers: do Revisit Songcamps.org to double check all the PDFs of camping tips, what to bring, directions, teachers, schedule of workshops, etc.

HEALTH NOTE: DO TEST FOR COVID on Thursday Morn before you start driving to camp. If you hae a 2nd test available, please bring it so you can test again on Fri or Sat? Last year we had ZERO covid exposure, due to our tribe taking those simple precautions. We do that for each other, especially for the many who are elder, to be less at risk. We hope that everyone who is coming has been vaccinated.

Michael McNevin / Performing Songwriter
Artistic Director of Pacific Songwriting Camp
Next Gathering Jan 16-20.
Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria, CA
www.songcamps.org
Pacific Songwriting Camp

Pacific Songwriting Camp in Cambria, CA, half way between SF Bay and LA. Jan 19-23, 2023 at Camp Ocean Pines, Thur Afternoon to Monday Noon. 50-60 adults, all levels welcome - beginners to pro. Music, Creativity, Friendship & Fun. www.songcamps.org

01/12/2025

Even though it had closed a year or two ago, a sad day for the LA acoustic music/singer-songwriter scene, as now word is that the Coffee Gallery Backstage was lost in the Eaton fire. So many great shows, so many good memories.

12/16/2024

Pacific Song Camp (Jan. 16–20) is filling up, but there are still spots on and off campus for fence-sitting songcampers! It’s always an inspirational time, and our featured teachers this year are the compelling and dynamic songwriters Johnsmith and Teresa Tudury. Read more about them and our other instructors at songcamps.org and check out this year’s class and workshop offerings. Beginners welcome too!

11/25/2024

Hey, songwriters! If you're within shouting distance of Long Beach on Saturday night, please come by - it's going to be a special concert. And even if you can't, you can livestream it or watch after on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/w6ZvS2-EXJQ?feature=share

https://mailchi.mp/e62767797833/concert-saturday-night

I'm returning to the Music at the Point concert series, but this time will be a little bit different. In addition to singing my songs (including some new one...

10/22/2024

Pacific Songwriting Camp is ON! Reg is open and live at the Camp Ocean Pines website. The camp takes place Thurs eve to Mon Morn over MLK weekend, Jan 16th-20th in Cambria CA, on 13 acres of oceanfront beauty. Also - you can get 10% off of your tuition if you register by November 1st! - https://campoceanpines.org/upcoming-workshops/2024/1/18/pacific-songwriting-camp-8aack

Enjoy many returning songwriting staff, with a wide range of instrument coaching, singing and performance opportumies at the nightly “Coffee House” and late night song circles. Dear frineds JohnSmith from Wisconsin, and Teresa Tudury from New Mexico, will also be joining us! It’s gonna be a great time. Come play and write songs, and stare at the ocean. Here's the Reg Link at Camp Ocean Pines.

Note that prices are up a bit, making up for thin ice through Covid, for years prior and current costs of the property and expenses going up. We are still one of the most affordable games in town compared to sizable camps like ours. Don’t get too much sticker shock - take advantage of the 10% discount - it will feel like a pretty “normal” rate of olde.

A camp for music lovers: whether you want to explore songwriting for the first time or are a seasoned singer-songwriter, come immerse yourself in all aspects of the songwriting craft. Students and instructors make music together and learn together. Click here for more information.