Your son or daughter wants to join Pacific Crest. It’s a big commitment — and an extraordinary opportunity. Here’s what you need to know.
WHAT IS DRUM CORPS
If you’re familiar with travel baseball or club soccer, think of Pacific Crest as the equivalent for marching band performers. Young musicians and color guard performers ages 16–21 come from across the country to compete at the highest level of their craft under the banner of Drum Corps International, our league’s national sanctioning body. Over the course of the summer, they will travel thousands of miles and perform for tens of thousands of fans in some of the country’s most iconic venues.
MORE THAN PERFORMANCE.
A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE.
Pacific Crest is structured around full immersion. From early June through the second Sunday of August, your performer lives, trains, and travels with the corps. That intensity is by design — and the growth that comes from it goes far beyond music.
What parents consistently tell us their kids bring home:
- Discipline — Daily rehearsals, rigorous standards, and high expectations build habits that carry into school, work, and life.
- Grit — Performers learn to push through fatigue, setbacks, and pressure in ways that build genuine mental toughness.
- Leadership — Whether or not they hold a formal role, every member learns to lead by example and function as part of a high-performing team.
- Independence — For many, this is their first extended time away from home. They return more confident and self-sufficient.
- Community — The bonds formed on tour are lasting. With over 2,400 alumni around the world, Pacific Crest is a network as much as a program.
YOUR PERFORMER IS IN GOOD HANDS
Sending your child to us is a big decision, and we take the responsibility seriously. Here’s how we support and protect every member of the corps:
Supervision and staffing. Our 165 performers on tour are supported by approximately 40 instructors and volunteers, including a dedicated administrative team that manages day-to-day tour operations and a health team available to assist with injuries and illness along the way.
Where we stay and how we travel. On tour, the corps stays overnight in school gymnasiums — a standard practice across drum corps. Sleeping arrangements, shower schedules, and bus seating are all managed under clear protocols designed to maintain appropriate boundaries in our mixed adult and minor environment.
Youth protection policies. Pacific Crest maintains comprehensive youth protection policies that include mandatory staff training and background checks for all adults working with our performers. We also have a confidential whistleblower process so that students, parents, and staff can report concerns without fear of retaliation.
READ: Pacific Crest Youth Protection Policies →
We believe that a safe environment and a high-performance environment are not in tension — they reinforce each other. If you have specific questions about our policies or procedures, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
BE A PART OF IT – VOLUNTEER
Pacific Crest runs on parent involvement. Many of the volunteers who cook meals, drive vehicles, manage uniforms, and document the season on camera are parents just like you — people who wanted to stay connected to the experience and contribute something real.
Volunteer roles are available throughout the season, from winter rehearsal camp weekends through the summer tour, and no performing arts background is required. Whether you can give a single day or several weeks, there’s a place for you. Roles include:
- Cook Team (K-Crew) — Preparing and serving the meals that fuel 165 performers through long rehearsal days and cross-country travel.
- Drive Team — Operating vans and support vehicles to keep the corps moving safely from city to city.
- Uniform Team — Helping with fittings and alterations to keep every performer looking their best on the field.
- Merchandise Team — Representing Pacific Crest to fans and families at events in Southern California and at Championships.
- Media Team — Capturing the photos and video that performers and families will treasure for years.
Volunteering is also one of the best ways to stay close to your performer’s summer — you’ll see the work, the growth, and the moments that don’t make the highlight reel.
VOLUNTEER: See all roles and sign up →
WHAT TO EXPECT AS A PARENT
The summer commitment is real — your performer will be away from home for approximately ten weeks. But you won’t be out of the loop. Pacific Crest keeps families informed throughout the season, and there’s an active parent community you can plug into right away.
JOIN: Facebook group for parents →
READ: Frequently Asked Questions →
LEARN: Drum Corps International →
Still have questions? Please contact us →