2026 Band Camp is Here!
Hi Everyone!
Band camp is almost here! 🎺🥁
This is one of the most important weeks of our season. It is where students start building the habits, confidence, friendships, and work ethic that will carry us through the fall. We will learn a lot, move a lot, sweat a lot, laugh a lot, and begin turning this group into the 2026 Regiment of Gold.
Please read through the information below carefully so students are prepared and families know what to expect.
Band App
The Band App is one of the main ways that we communicate with you throughout the year. Make sure you are signed up for the new one (Cerritos High School Band 2026-2027) and have NOTIFICATIONS TURNED ON please!
Join the band app by clicking here: https://band.us/n/abafb379V0rfR
Quick Overview
Here are the big things to know:
✅ Band Camp Summer Session 1: June 1-5 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm at Cerritos High School
✅ Uniform fittings: June 2-June 5 (make sure you are there on your assigned day-more info below)
✅ Knott’s trip: Saturday, June 6 🎢
✅ Required every day: instrument/equipment, water, athletic clothes, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, hat, food/snacks as needed, and a ready-to-work attitude
✅ Forms and payments due by: Your uniform fitting day (some items will be sent in a separate email)
✅ Athletic Clearance due by: June 1
Week at a Glance
Monday, June 1
Band Camp: 10:00 am-5:00 pm @ CHS (lunch break 1:00 pm-2:00 pm)Color Guard: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm @ CHS
Each day, we will focus on marching basics, protocol, music warm-ups, team building, and music that we will play in the fall.
June Booster Meeting: 6:30 pm in the band room
*****Please note that the start time means being in the right place, with all equipment set-up, ready to go at that time! You should arrive at least 15-20 minutes before to ensure that we start at the listed time.*****
*****Along the same lines, the listed time is the time we conclude rehearsal. Please allow students time to pack their equipment, and make sure the campus and band room are clean and properly maintained.*****
Tuesday, June 2
Band Camp: 10:00 am-5:00 pm @ CHS (lunch break 1:00 pm-2:00 pm)
Color Guard: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm @ CHS
Uniform fittings: SENIORS, 5:30 pm start
Wednesday, June 3
Band Camp: 10:00 am-5:00 pm @ CHS (lunch break 1:00 pm-2:00 pm)
Color Guard: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm @ CHS
Uniform fittings: JUNIORS, 5:30 pm start
Thursday, June 4
Band Camp: 10:00 am-5:00 pm @ CHS (lunch break 1:00 pm-2:00 pm)
Color Guard: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm @ CHS
Uniform fittings: SOPHOMORES, 5:30 pm start
Friday, June 5
Band Camp: 10:00 am-5:00 pm @ CHS (lunch break 1:00 pm-2:00 pm)
Color Guard: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm @ CHS
Uniform fittings: FRESHMEN, 5:30 pm start
Knott’s Trip – Saturday, June 6 🎢
We will conclude the week with our Knott’s trip on Saturday! This is a chance for students to spend time together outside of rehearsal and celebrate the work they put in during camp.
Ticket ordering has concluded. If you have any questions, please contact Grace Walters at outreach@cerritosrog.com
Hang out with friends and make new ones! We are thinking of some small organized activities throughout the day, but mostly, this is an excuse to have fun and get to know each other better.
Students should bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Water
Sunscreen
Money for food/snacks, if needed (Knott’s is cashless; they only accept credit/debit cards, Apple Pay or Google Pay. However, free cash-to-card kiosks are available.)
While this is not a school-sponsored event, students are representing Cerritos High School and the Regiment of Gold throughout the trip. We expect students to be respectful to park staff and other guests, and make good choices.
What Students Need Every Day 🎒
Students should come prepared for both indoor and outdoor rehearsal. Please bring:
Instrument and all needed equipment (reeds, valve oil, etc.)
Music, coordinate sheets, dot book, pencil, and binder/folder (more info to come regarding this)
Large water bottle (most students have a gallon jug of ice water)
Athletic clothes appropriate for movement (shorts and t-shirt that are comfortable)
Closed-toe athletic shoes
Sunscreen
Hat and/or sunglasses (it is bright and hot- hats are REQUIRED)
Lunch/dinner/snacks as needed
A few “please don’t make future-you regret this” reminders:
🚫 No sandals
🚫 No Crocs
🚫 No slides
🚫 No boots
🚫 No small water bottles
We will be outside, and students need to be dressed in a way that allows them to move safely, stay healthy, and actually rehearse well.
Attendance and Rehearsal Expectations ⏰
Band camp is where we learn the foundation of the show and build the habits that make the season possible. It is very difficult to make up the information from a missed rehearsal, especially when we are learning drill, music, and ensemble responsibilities at the same time.
Please remember:
Students should arrive early enough to be ready to start on time.
“On time” means ready with instrument/equipment, water, music, and materials.
Students are expected to communicate ahead of time if there is a conflict.
Students should take care of themselves: hydrate, eat, sleep, and come ready to work.
We will work hard, but we will also take care of each other.
If your student has a conflict, please contact robert.westphal@abcusd.us as soon as possible.
Uniform Fittings 👕
Uniform fittings will take place during band camp on June 2-5. Students will be fitted for their band uniform and marching shoes.
Students should wear:
Athletic clothes that are easy to change in/out of
Socks
Appropriate underlayers for trying on uniform pieces (lightweight shorts and t-shirt)
Uniform fitting schedule:
Seniors: Tuesday, June 2 @ 5:30 pm
Juniors: Wednesday, June 3 @ 5:30 pm
Sophomores: Thursday, June 4 @ 5:30 pm
Freshmen: Friday, June 5 @ 5:30 pm
Parents, we may need help with uniform fittings. If you are available to assist, please contact Kelly Ha (uniforms@cerritosrog.com).
Uniform questions can be directed to: Kelly Ha at uniforms@cerritosrog.com.
Parent Help Needed 🙋
Band camp takes a lot of support behind the scenes. Thank you in advance to everyone helping students stay fed, hydrated, organized, and ready to work.
We will need help with:
Uniform fittings
Water/snack donations
Camp meals
Knott’s chaperones
General parent volunteers
Be on the lookout for signup details
Athletic Clearance 💪
All students participating in the music program next year need a new Athletic Clearance on file with the school.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uO7AWi0VgI_yITFgupmi-zyokhcFR0yN69h9lu2BNNs/edit?tab=t.0
✅ General Overview
All athletic clearance is done online via HomeCampus.com.
Required for all students participating in sports or auxiliary units.
Only one clearance packet per school year, even if the student participates in multiple activities.
New packet and physical are required each year and expire at the end of the school year.
Physicals must be dated on or after April 1, 2026, for the 2026–2027 school year.
Allow up to 5 school days for processing a complete packet.
📝 Clearance Process
Go to HomeCampus.com→ Select California.
Login or create an account with parent/student emails.
Select “Start Clearance Here!” → Search “Cerritos” → Choose the correct school year/sport.
Fill out student info → Click “Save and Continue”.
Upload documents:
Physical form (with physician’s stamp, dated/signed)
Medical history questionnaire
Optional: Private Vehicle Use form (if student drives themselves)
Confirmation email sent when clearance begins.Clearance completed once reviewed. Status viewable online.
📄 Physicals
Signed, dated, and stamped by a physician.
Performed after April 1, 2026 (or within one year of submission).
Forms downloadable from the school's site or accepted electronically (e.g., from Kaiser, if questionnaire is also uploaded).
🏥 Insurance Requirement
All students must have health insurance.
Low-cost options available via Myers-Stevens & Toohey.
💲 Transportation Fee
Mandatory annual fee (yes, it is cheaper to get the ASB card!):
Option A: $175 (includes ASB card)
Option B: $225 (transportation only)
Payable to the ASB office via cash or check.
📧 Contacts
Ana Herrarte (Athletic Secretary): ana.herrarte@abcusd.us – For help completing the form.
Todd Denhart (Athletic Director): todd.denhart@abcusd.us – Response times may vary.
Final Reminders 📌
Students and parents should check the Band App regularly.
Families should make sure all forms, payments, and clearance items are completed by their Uniform Fitting date.
Please label water bottles, binders, and personal items.
Students should start hydrating before camp, not just during camp.
Get sleep. Band camp is much harder when students are running on empty.
Thank you for helping us start the season strong. I’m excited to see the students come together this week and begin building the version of the Regiment of Gold that we will become this year.
See you at camp!
Mr. Westphal
Director of Instrumental Music
Cerritos High School
