Guitar Camp Offers More Than 'Kumbaya'

Nice story about Jorma Kaukonen & Fur Peace Ranch

By Michael Ventre

MSNBC contributor

Updated: 7:21 a.m. PT March 28, 2007

Michael Ventre

At most camps, they sit around and sing “Kumbaya.” At the Fur Peace Ranch, they’re more likely to sing “Baby, Please Don’t Go” or “Nine Pound Hammer” or just about anything by the Rev. Gary Davis.

Located in the hilly farmland of southeastern Ohio, about two hours from Columbus, the Ranch was not created as a place for kids to hold potato sack races but rather for adults to polish their guitar and music skills. Dreamed up by world renowned guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and his wife Vanessa as far back as 1989, the camp has gradually evolved since then into an oasis for pickers who can escape their jobs and families for a long weekend as they indulge their fretboard fanaticism while eating well and making new friends.