Eric 'RicStar' Winter In-Person and Virtual Music Therapy Camp

The Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp will take place in-person this year and CMS is offering the magic of RicStar's Camp online as well!

The Eric 'RicStar' Winter In-Person and Virtual Music Therapy Camp is a one-of-a-kind, inclusive day camp that provides opportunities for musical expression, enjoyment, and interaction for all persons with disabilities and their siblings. To ensure the health and safety of our campers, families, and therapists, this camp will be held in-person AND in a secure virtual setting using Zoom for those wishing to attend remotely. 

Organized in two sessions, based on age.

GO WHITE Session: June 13-15, 2024 (for ages 30+)
GO GREEN Session: June 17-19, 2024 (for ages birth - 29)

More Than Just a Camp

The Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp was created to honor Eric Winter, a 12-year old CMS music therapy client with cerebral palsy who had a passion for music and a dream of starting a music therapy camp. Shortly after his passing in 2003, Eric’s parents, Dick and Judy Winter, along with Cindy Edgerton, CMS' Director of Music Therapy Clinical Services, made the dream a reality and founded RicStar's Camp. Eric's parents continue to honor their son as advocates for individuals with disabilities, with his mother, Judy Winter, leading the way as an author, speaker, and nationally recognized voice on parenting individuals with disabilities. Learn about Judy's commitment and work.

Discover more stories about Eric and RicStar's Camp through news articles, past camp videos, and awards.

Eric 'RicStar' Winter

What to Expect at RicStar's In-Person AND Virtual Music Therapy Camp? 

In-Person and Virtual Music Making and Fun!

During camp, campers will be grouped together according to their ages. Each day, the groups will engage in sessions, consisting of a mixture of Guitar Jam, Rock 'n' Roll Combo, Song Requests, Dance/Movement, Musical Theatre, Songwriting, and more! These sessions will be led by past and present CMS music therapists.

Getting Ready for Virtual Camp

Prior to camp, CMS will email all virtual campers with ideas for making instruments at home and finding household items that can be used as instruments during camp! To make this camp even more fun and unique, campers will be asked to list song requests and dance song requests in their registration forms. More detailed information about using Zoom will also be emailed to all virtual campers. 

Be A Star Showcase

The Be a Star Showcase for the GO WHITE Session will be held on Saturday, June 15 at 1:30 p.m.

The Be a Star Showcase for the GO GREEN session will be held on Wednesday, June 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Take a look at the camp feature from 2019 to see the fun that happens at camp!
 

 

Ready to Register?

2024 Online Camp Registration Forms
2024 Paper Camp Registration Forms

Completed paper registration forms can be returned to CMS:

  • By mail to 4930 S. Hagadorn Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 with checks payable to Michigan State University
  • By email to commusic@msu.edu

To pay camp tuition online, please  click on this link, then click on ‘Camp Tuition Payments,’ and select ‘Eric ‘RicStar’ Winter Music Therapy Camp Payment.

 

The Secret to Our Success: Camp Volunteers!

The success of RicStar's camp would not be possible without amazing volunteers. Focused on ability and inclusion, this incredible camp provides life-changing experiences for everyone involved, including volunteers. There are two volunteer options: 

Become a Volunteer or BuddyUp

There are different music therapy groups, all divided according to age, which require volunteers and BuddyUps to help them run smoothly. What's the difference between a volunteer and a BuddyUp?

  • Volunteers are those who have graduated from high school (as of 6/13/24)
  • BuddyUps are volunteers who are in middle school or high school

To become a volunteer or BuddyUp

  • Complete the Volunteer Application or BuddyUp application online
  • If you are 18 years or older, you must also complete the Background Check and return it to MSU Human Resources (address and email are listed on the form)
  • Attend the MANDATORY volunteer training for 2024 on Wednesday, June 12, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

For more information, contact Cindy Edgerton at edgerto3@msu.edu

More on RicStar's Camp Over the Years

Discover more about the history and successes of the Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp.

Eric 'RicStar' Winter with original music therapists

Judy Winter LOreal Women of WorthJudy Winter, 2019 L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth Honoree

October 15, 2019, Judy Winter was named a 2019 L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth Honoree for her selfless advocacy for children with disabilities and commitment to the ongoing success of RicStar's Camp. Judy was one of ten women from across the nation to be selected for this prestigious award and recognized for her extraordinary work to make a difference in the world. In support of Judy's mission, she was awarded $10,000 to go toward RicStar's Camp. Through November 15, 2019, supporters from across the country participated in an online/social media campaign to vote for the L'Oreal Paris National Women of Worth. Although this honor was awarded to another incredibly deserving woman, Judy Winter has brought national recognition to RicStar's Camp and will continue to inspire and change lives in not just our community, but the world. Read Judy's story.

Watch the 2019 L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth feature on Judy Winter.


November 30, 2019, Judy Winter was recognized by Governor Gretchen Whitmer for being the second Michigander selected as a L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth honoree and the influential work she has done to empower young people in Michigan through RicStar's Camp.
View letter of recognition from Governor Gretchen Whitmer (PDF)



Dick and Judy Winter, Cindy Edgerton, and Jaime DeMott with State of Michigan Tribute2017 State of Michigan Special Tribute to the Eric "RicStar" Winter Music Therapy Camp - 15th Anniversary

On June 15, 2017, State Representative, Samir Singh, along with State Senator, Curtis Hertel Jr., signed an official State of Michigan Special Tribute commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Eric "RicStar" Winter Music Therapy Camp as well as commending Dick and Judy Winter, the MSU Community Music School, and the many selfless individuals for making this camp a success and providing the life-changing benefits to individuals of all abilities throughout Michigan. View the State of Michigan Tribute


2013 Advocate of Music Therapy Award

Dick and Judy Winter, co-founders of RicStar's Camp were awarded the Advocate of Music Therapy Award at the 2013 American Music Therapy Association conference in Jacksonville, Florida. The purpose of this award is to honor a person(s) who is not a music therapist, but who has significantly contributed to the music therapy field. Nominated by the Michigan Music Therapists Executive Board, the Winters have been recognized both state-wide and nationally for their advocacy. 
Learn more about the American Music Therapy Association
View full list of American Music Therapy Associations award recipients
Couple receives music therapy award (Michigan Music Therapists, Feb. 2014)


2012 City of East Lansing Crystal Award

Congratulations to RicStar's Camp at the MSU Community Music School - winner of a 2012 City of East Lansing Crystal Award. This program honors individuals, groups, organizations, and businesses that have gone above and beyond to enhance the quality of life in East Lansing. RicStar's Camp was the recipient in the Business category.  
Read the full recipient bio 
Community Music School, Professor Dale Bartlett Recognized with City of East Lansing Crystal Awards (MSU College of Music, 2012)

Articles

Videos

Help make camp possible for everyone! 

Give to the Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp Scholarship Fund.

Follow RicStar's Camp

 @RicStarMTCamp      @RicStarMTCamp

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