[Natasha Wang | PWN]

With pole camps taking place year-round and new ones cropping up all the time, how does one possibly pick the best pole camp among all the offerings?

There are a few things you should consider when deciding how to spend your hard earned cash and vacation days.

First of all, ask yourself what kind of experience you’re looking for when attending a pole camp.

 

What are the Goods?

Some camps prioritize the pole training, offering intense immersive education on the pole, while others include yoga, stretching and contortion, other aerial apparatuses, handstands, cardio and other fitness classes in their offerings. Some camps, like the Premium Pole Camp in Marrakech, tout relaxation and massages as part of their package while others, like the Lisbon Pole Camp, set themselves apart with their cultural activities, like optional sightseeing tours after workshops.

Some camps have participants stay at the same hotel and take meals all together, so students really get a chance to know each other. Other camps require participants to oversee their own accommodations (although many have discounts at partner hotels), which allows for more freedom and flexibility. There are also camps in more simple or rustic accommodations but that prioritize the training, while others tout luxurious beachside settings, nightlife or other activities.

 

Who’s Teaching?

While you should always research who is teaching at the camp, I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone when choosing a ‘polestar’ with whom to work. You never know what kind of breakthroughs you’ll have when you work with someone who has a different movement style than you.

You should also think about whether you want the opportunity to take classes from multiple instructors, so you learn a wide range of tricks and styles, or whether you want a more intimate experience with just one instructor. Many camps feature one pole ‘headliner’ for the camp, which allows you to really get to know this instructor’s style and repertoire, and vice-versa. When you spend so much time with one instructor, he or she will be able to build off of what was taught previously, thus creating a more tailored and progressive program for the students.

 

What’s the Damage?

And there’s the question of money. Do you have some skrilla to spend, or are you more budget conscious? When looking at the cost of the camp, note whether the price includes accommodations, food, workshops and extra activities, and take into account how much it will cost to travel to the camp. These costs can quickly add up!

**Side note: make sure and read the cancellation policy and be careful about your payment method. Those who pay by credit card may receive additional protection benefits should something happen and the camp is canceled.

These are just some of the questions you should start asking yourself before you hit the registration button.

We break down some of the popular pole camps that will take place this year so you can decide which one is the right one for you.

 

Aug. 8-16, 2015 (Completed)

Barcelona Pole Camp

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Instructors: Sergia Louise Anderson, Yvonne Smink, Marion Crampe, Samantha Star, Josh Taylor and other local instructors

Number of Hours of Training: 3 hours daily of pole, 90 minutes of another activity, such as Flex factory, Yoga, Acr-o-cean (acrobatics on surfboard), Waves Dance (choreography in the water), Twerk on the beach

Number of Poles: 9, maximum of 2 people per pole.

Package Includes:

• All workshops
• Meet & Greet
• Flamenco concert
• Salsa night (teacher included)
• Watsu massage workshop
• Open-air cinema on the beach
• Karaoke night
• Bikers and Polers-themed finale beach party with free beer, wine and dinner

Cost: 8th -15th August- ADVANCED LEVEL- 730€ (8 days) – accommodation not included

8th-12th August- INTER LEVEL 485€ (4 days) – accommodation not included

12th-16th August- ADVANCED LEVEL 525€ (4 days) – accommodation not included

https://www.facebook.com/events/535569569878743/

 

Aug. 16-23, 2015 (Completed)

Summer Pole Retreat

Location: Mallorca, Spain

Instructors: Lisette Krol, Doris Arnold, Shaina Cruea, Justine McLucas

Number of Hours of Training: 9.25 hours – 21 hours total, depending on length of stay

Number of Poles: 6x 4m poles & 2x 3.2m poles

 

Package Includes (depending on package):

• Beachside accommodation with terraces/balconies in most rooms
• Private minibus transport to all activities and the studio
• Spanish feast
• Fancy Mallorca Nightclub for Showcase & Farewell Party
• Catamaran “Bikini, Swim & Sail Party”

Cost: Ranges from 335 – 1220 British Pounds, depending on # of nights and whether accommodation is selected

http://www.ecoledepole.co.uk/shop/pole-retreats/summer-pole-retreat-2015/ (check this website for other Ecole de Pole retreats in 2016 in London and Singapore)

 

August 17-23, 2016 (Completed)

The Vertitude Summer Pole Camp

Location: The Vertitude in Canoga Park, CA

Instructors: Sergia Louise Anderson, Mary Kolacinski, The Vertitude Instructors

Number of Hours of Training: 17+ hours of specialty workshops + 20+ hours of signature classes (plus additional open pole time)

Number of Poles: 16

Package Includes:

• All workshops
• One meal each day
• Transportation to and from the designated hotel
• Vertitude-hosted group events
• Summer Student Showcase “Vintage Hollywood” (Campers invited to perform)
• Discounted rate in a nearby hotel, which will cost approximately $85 to $99 (+ tax and fees) per night, depending on your choice of amenities.

Cost: $899 USD for 7 days

https://www.facebook.com/events/828822337195395/

August 19-29, 2015 (Completed)

Body & Pole Summer Camp

Location: Body & Pole, New York City, NY

Instructors: Allison Wardwell, Samantha Star Cuomo, Michelle Natoli, Michelle Stanek, Shaina Cruea, Rebecca Starr, Marlo Fisken, Tracee Kafer, Dalijah Franklin, Steven Retchless, Kyra Johannesen, Kelly McLaughlin, Danielle Romano, Jeni Janover, Isaac Pena, Ivory Fox, Annemarie Davies

Number of Hours of Training: 44 hours of total of training over 10 days

Package Includes: 10 days of intensive training, 22 classes per person, 44 hours of total of training

Cost: $1150

http://bodyandpole.com/classes/summer-camp-2013/

 

September 22, 2015

Camp Gravity

Location: Key West, Florida

Instructors: Sergia Louise Anderson, Erika Gonzalez, Kelly Elizabeth Goss, Allison Sipes, Estee Zakar, Carolina Mendivil, Raphaela Montanero, Monica Matroci

Number of Hours of Training: Up to the students; they can train 8 hours a day if they’d like

Number of Poles: 8

Amenities:

• Hotel and breakfast
• All workshops, including Pole, TRX, Crossfit, Aerial Yoga, Lyra & Flexibility
• All activities, including Snorkeling, Kayaking, Treasure Hunting, Parasailing

Cost: Ranges $1,200 usd, $1,350 usd, or $1,600 usd depending on room arrangements; early bird rates available

https://www.facebook.com/events/1634180873486576/

SOLD OUT

Sept. 24-27, 2015

Croatia Pole Camp

Location: Hotel Brioni, Pula, Croatia

Instructors: Michelle Shimmy, Marion Crampe, Maddie Sparkle

Number of Hours of Training: Up to the student; 8+ hours a day max

Number of Poles: 18

Package Includes:

• Accommodation for Thurs, Fri and Sat night (double rooms)
• Breakfast and dinner buffet included each day Fri morning – Sun morning (+ lunch in package 2)
• Transfer to and from the airport/bus station
• One workshop with a star guest of your choice per day (Fri, Sat and Sun)
• All other sports activities, talks and seminars from early morning to the evening each day (yoga, pilates, strength and flexibility classes, self-defense, showgirl, chair dance, sensual pole and more)
• Thursday welcome dinner
• Pole Theatre Croatia Ticket + transfer to the theatre
• Water provided through workshop time
• Insurance for every participant for all 4 days
• Medical care
• Gift bag
• Beach and pool

Cost: 400-450 Euro

http://croatiapolecamp.com

 

Sept. 28 – Oct. 4, 2015

Ibiza Summer Pole Camp 2015

Location: Hotel CielAzul, Ibiza, Isla Baleares, Spain

Instructors: Danielle Romano, Yatzin Kosom

Numbers of Hours of Training: 12h over 7 days

Number of Poles:

Amenities:

• 6 nights accommodation
• Breakfast buffet
• All workshops
• Pole party dinner
• Pool & beach access
• Optional bookings available for boat trips, Ibiza Closing Parties, additional hours of classes

Cost: Ranges from 1245 Euro for a Solo Package to 480 Euro for only pole classes (no housing, food, etc.)

www.ibizapolecamp.com

 

Oct. 15-18, 2015

Australian Pole Festival

Location: Twin Towns Coolangatta, Gold Coast, Australia

Instructors: Bendy Kate, Kelly Yvonne, Jedda Jordan, Kristy Sellars, Maria Cossia

Suzie Q and Toby J, Rodney James aka Mister Burlesque, Marlo Fisken, Kenneth Kao, Carlie Hunter, Enchanted, Mindi B

Number of Hours of Training: 12 hours per day, with 3 yoga sessions

Number of Poles: 30 poles, 10 poles in 3 rooms, maximum of 2 people per pole

Package Includes:

DELUX ACCOMMODATION PACKAGE – SOLD OUT

• Includes 3 Nights 4.5 Star Accommodation Twin Share
• Healthy Breakfast and Lunch each day
• 14 Workshops (choose your own workshops or one of our workshop plans)
• POLEFEST Entry PASS with PARAGON Ticket which includes:
• Gift Bag full of Goodies and Special 2015 Pole Festival Shirt
• Access to all Pole Fest Events

NO ACCOMMODATION PACKAGE

• Special wrist band for entry to workshops
• Access to all the Exhibitors
• Lunch Daily
• Gift Bag full of Goodies and Special 2015 Pole Festival Shirt
• Access to Pole Fest Events

Cost:

• Delux Accommodation Package: $1096 AUS
• No Accommodation Package: $149 AUS
• Packages for only workshops: 5 Workshop Pack $295 AUS; 10 Workshop Pack $595 AUS; 15 Workshop Pack $895 AUS

http://www.polefestival.com.au

 

Oct. 23-25, 2015

Sexy Flexy Camp

Location: The Chrome Bar, Nashville, TN USA

Instructors: Alethea Austin, Pink Puma, Badazz

Number of Hours of Training: 2-12 Hours, depending on package

Package Includes: Workshops, hotel link for discount rates (camp apckages do not include accommodations)

Cost: $162.50 USD – $730 USD, depending on package

http://www.thechromebar.com/pole-camps/

 

Dec. 16-19, 2015

South Africa Pole Camp

Location: Valverde Eco Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa

Instructors: Heidi Coker, Julie Swart, Kelly Yvonne, Lisette Krol, Michelle Shimmy, Natalie Vargas, Orlando Vargas, Robyn Eastes, Ryan Matheson, Terri Fierce and Venessa Clack

Number of Hours of Training: 8 hours per day, subject to package purchased

Number of Poles: 18 fixed poles. 2 pole rooms and 1 outdoor Chinese pole area with 2 poles

Package Includes: Depends on the package, see http://www.summerpolecampsa.com/#!packages/citr for details

Cost: Ranges from 7500 ZAR (without accommodations) to 12250 ZAR (including 5 nights’ accommodation, transfers and all meals)

http://www.summerpolecampsa.com

 

Jan. 4-10, 2016

Pole Dance Academy Summer School

Location: Pole Dance Academy Redfern & Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia

Instructors: 25 total Pole Dance Academy instructors, including Michelle Shimmy, Maddie Sparkle and Yung

Number of Hours of Training: From 5 hours – 25 hours depending on package

Number of Poles: 18 in Bondi, 21 at Redfern

Package Includes: Choice of workshops, which include Angry Stripper, Power Tricks, Acro Lap Dance, Spinning Tricks and Combos, Acting for Pole Performance, Contemporary Pole, Lyrical Pole, Dirty Sexy Floorwork, Booty, Handstands, Basic Acro, Doubles, Splits, Contortion and so on.

Cost: From $160 AUS to $450 AUS depending on how many classes

http://www.poledanceacademy.com.au/Intensive-Summer-School.html

 

Feb. 6-13, 2016

Pole Beach Camp Cabo

Location: Dolls Kingdom Pole Dance, Los Cabos, Mexico

Instructors: Marlo Fisken, Kenneth Kao, Michelle Natoli, Derick Pierson, Millie Robson

Number of Poles: 6 (13-foot ceilings)

Package Includes:

ROYALTY POLE CAMPER PACKAGE:

• 1 week in 5-star resort
• 14 workshops
• 1 Photoshoot on the beach w/6 retouched digital images
• 1 Pole Camper Pass for our cruise
• 1 Pole Camper Pass for our dinner
• 1 Pole Camper Outfit (pants, t-shirt, hat, bag, water bottle, towel)
• 1 free pass for snorkeling class
• Group Dinner
• Glow-in-the-Dark Party

POLE CAMPER PACKAGE:

• 14 workshops
• 1 photoshoot on the beach with 6 retouched digital images
• 1 Pole Camper Pass for our cruise
• Glow-in-the-Dark Party

Cost: $1399 USD dollars for Royalty Pole Camper Package; $1199 USD for Pole Camper Package

 

Feb. 19 – 27, 2016

East Coast Pole Cruise

Location: Departing & Returning to Sydney, Australia; Porting at Isle of Pines, Lifou & Noumea

Instructors: Charlee Wagner, Suzie Q & Toby J, Amy Hazel, Lisa D, Lou Landers, Andrea Ryff

Number of Hours of Training: 20

Number of Poles: 10 (max 2 people per pole)

Amenities:

• 8 nights accommodation
• 3 meals daily
• All workshops
• Pole Cruise pack full of lots of goodies
• Entry to our Welcome cocktail party
• Entry to our Themed showcase night
• Access to all on board facilities on the beautiful Voyager of the seas
• Taxes, fees and gratuities

Cost: Prices range from $1675 – $2625 AUS

http://www.eastcoastpolecruise.com.au

 

20-27 February, 2016

23-30 April, 2016

9-16 July, 2016

16-23 July, 2016

6-13 August, 2016

Premium Pole Camp

Location: Marrakech, Morocco

Instructors: TBD

Number of Hours of Training: 6 hours/aday

Number of Poles: 12

Package Includes:

• Accommodations at an all-inclusive resort
• All meals included (European & Moroccan food)
• Airport transfers
• 1 hour massage
• Unlimited access to the pool, jaccuzi and hammam
• Excursion to Marrakech
• An evening at La Mamounia Palace
• Appetizer at Beldy Country Club
• Optional club nights

Cost: 1280 – 1480 euros

https://www.facebook.com/premium.pole.camp?fref=ts

 

May 1-22, 2016

Corsica Pole Camp

Location: Hotel le Ressac, Campomoro, 20110 Belvedère-Campomoro, Corse, France

Instructors: Marion Crampe, Natasha Wang, Maddie Sparkle, Michelle Shimmy (each teaching a separate week)

Number of Hours of Training: 10.5 for the week

Number of Poles: 7 X-Stage Lights / 40mm Chrome

Package Includes:

• Hotel accommodations
• Food
• All workshops
• Hot spring visit
• Pole Jam Party
• Photoshoot with ocean view

Cost:

https://www.facebook.com/events/434258326754689/

 

July 14-21, 2016

Barcelona Yoga & Pole Retreat

Location: Feeling Woman Pole School, Barcelona, Spain

Instructors: Vee Niz & Special Guest (announced soon), Raphaella Rose (yoga)

Number of Hours of Training: Up to 25hrs

Number of Poles: 15 per studio. Max 2 per pole

Package Includes:

• Pole Workshops (Pole Story, The Art of Seduction, Sexy Tricks, Acro & Props, Sexy Flexy, & Spin Spin Sugar)
• Yoga Classes
• Handstand Workshop
• Stand up Paddle Board class- try your acro tricks on the sea!
• Welcome Dinner
• SUP Yoga, and more

Cost: 670 EUROS (€) or 510 GBP(£) (does not include accommodation); Earlybird special before Oct 10th 2015: €550 or £390; Bring a friend/ non poler cost: 225€ * Includes the welcome dinner & city activities; Contact for accommodation discounts & recommendations ranging from 25-135€/night

http://www.yogaishtastyle.com/retreats/polecamp

 

June 1-30, 2016

Alex Pole Camp

Location: Lloret de Mar, Spain

Instructors: Alex Shchukin Olga Koda, Eva Bembo, Anastasia Sokolova, Bendy Kate, Phoenix Kazree, Marion Crampe and more coming soon.

Number of Hour of Training: 16 hours per week

Number of Poles: 15 poles (X-pole X-pert, 3.5 meters, NO stage poles), 2 people per pole

Amenities:

• Accommodations in 4-star hotel
• breakfast and dinner buffet
• two beach parties with X-stage and wide choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails
• excursion to Dali Museum and Pubol castle
• welcome pack with personal fitness mat and lots of presents
• Available for additional cost: Privates with all the instructors, photoshoots on the beach (sunrise and private), pole goodies.

Cost: full week package 1000 euros for a poler, 550 for non-poler, weekend package – 600 euros for a poler, 350 for a non-poler

http://www.alex-pole.com/index.php/en/