ROCK OUT INFO PAGE

Parents of Rock Band Land (RBL) Rockers:
Thank you for enrolling your rocker in Rock Out. Please be sure to read through all of the info below.

Important Note About Communication
At RBL we strive to be as clear as possible in our dissemination of information (see the novel below). Because parents / caregivers are not allowed in RBL before, during, or after class time, it is crucial that we have the correct contact info for parents / caregivers and that you parents are kept up to date on all the fun that occurs within the castle, as well as have access to the materials that your rocker will need to rehearse and get the most out of their experience. ALL of this information will be shared via email. Please double check that only parents are listed as Parents #1 and #2 in your rocker’s ActivityHero profile. If you do have to update a partner’s / spouse’s info, please also email me at Brian@rockbandland.org and send me their name, phone #, and email address so that I can add them to our email lists and emergency contact info. 

Class Times & Dates
Below are the class days, times, and dates. Please note each group’s show & UGLY BABY wrap party is scheduled on the Sunday after their last class (see below). Yes, on a Sunday. No, that’s not a typo. Sunday the last day of the week and, in clinical trials, Sundays have proven to be the best day to host a show, throw a party, and participate in RBL’s UGLY BABY’s Dirty Diaper game show.

April May 2023 Session
Monday, April 15 - Saturday, May 11 // Show: Sunday, May 12 (Yes, we know it’s Mother’s Day)

Mondays 2:30 - 4:30 // 4.15 / 4.22 / 4.29 / 5.6 live performance show & UGLY BABY game show Sunday, May 12.
Tuesdays 3:30 - 5:30 // 4.16 / 4.23 / 4.30 / 5.7 live performance show & UGLY BABY game show Sunday, May 12.
Tuesdays  4:30 - 6:30 // 4.16 / 4.23 / 4.30 / 5.7 live performance show & UGLY BABY game show Sunday, May 12.
Wednesdays 2:30 -4:30 // 4.17 / 4.24 / 5.1 / 5.8 live performance show & UGLY BABY game show Sunday, May 12.
Thursdays 3:00 - 5:00 // 4.18 / 4.25 / 5.2 / 5.9 live performance show & UGLY BABY game show Sunday, May 12.

Live Performance & UB Dirty Diaper Party Dates 2023 - 2024 School Year
September Session: Sunday, October 8
October Session: Sunday, Sunday, November 5
Nov / Dec Session: Sunday, December 10
January Session: Sunday,  February 4
February Session: Sunday, Sunday, March 3
March Session: Sunday, Sunday, April 7
April / May Session: Sunday, Sunday May 12

Day Of Live Performance / UB Game Show Schedule Per Class
Each band will be invited to come to RBL on the Sunday following their last after school class for a two hours and fifteen minutes in which we will run a soundcheck, rehearse the song as a full band, participate in the filming of our game show (UGLY BABY’S Dirty Diaper), and the put on a super fun live show for you fine parents. The shows usually occurs in 2 different groupings (listed below) but depending on enrollment that might be shifted to 1 or 3 groupings.

Parents, caregivers, friends and fans will be invited to the live performance portion of the day only (the last 30 minutes).
Example of 2 Group Show:
Group 1 // Sunday 9:30 - 11:45
Drop off 9:20 - 9:30 / Parents & Guests Return @ 11:15
Group 2 // Sunday 12:00 - 2:15
Drop off 11:50 - 12:00 / Parents & Guests Return @ 1:45

Please note, groupings will be based on enrollment numbers and your rocker’s show time will be announced in the Week 1 Class Recap email (after the first class). Don’t freak out if you have a conflict with your rocker’s group’s scheduled time. We run the same program 2Xs on in a row and, as long as there are enough instrument spaces available, we can move your rocker to another time that works better for your family’s schedule. However, please do not email me until Week 4 of the session to request a time slot change.

Also, yes, it’s okay if your rocker has to miss the show. Obviously we’d prefer if everyone was present, mostly because our shows are both alot of fun and a great experience for our rockers, but we understand there are family trips, and birthday parties, and sports, and important stints when you are on the run from the law that might impede your rocker’s ability to attend their band’s show. All I ask is that, if you know your rocker will be absent, that you let me know in advance so that we can plan accordingly as well as offer your rocker’s instrument spot to another family that might be requesting a time change.

Where is Rock Band Land?
Rock Band Land is located inside Castle Bing Bong at 400-E Treat Avenue. The castle is hidden from the street, it’s a secret for your rockers to discover. To throw spies from other kingdoms off our trail we have hung a sign for a fake business out front. You’ll know it’s us when you see it.

When is Rock Band Land?
Whenever the class occurs in which you enrolled your rocker. See Class Times & Dates above.

What Class Is My Kid In?
Please allow me to answer that question with a question: What class did you enroll them in? That's the one.

If you are still not sure you can check your inbox for a receipt from ActivityHero, the enrollment service we employ to make all of our lives easier, or log in to your ActivityHero account and check your registrations. If, after trying that, you still don't know, go ahead and shoot an email to enrollment@rockbandland.org. After Rebecca, our enrollment coordinator, is done teasing you for not being on top of your own stuff, she'll gladly remind you which class your rocker is in.

Do I have To Drive To Your Stinking Castle Every Stinking Day?
I know this seems obvious, but every session some folks get confused. Your rocker only shows up to RBL once a week, at their Rock Out class time (unless of course they are in another class as well).

Rock Band Land Contact # 415-568-7643 / When to Text / When to Call (and When To Not Call)
Stop right now and put my (Brian's) number in your phone and list it as Rock Band Land. You will need this number to contact us if you are late or if there is an emergency. It’s not the number for asking me questions when your rocker is not with us, that’s what email is for.

Seriously though, put my number in your phone. Trust me, I hate using the phone as much as any other busy, self-involved person in the 21st century, but this is important. If there is an emergency or a serious issue (i.e., a 911 call, sickness, emotional distress, physical expressions of violence, etc...) that involves your rocker or artist, I will be calling you - not texting or emailing. If you mistake me for a robo-spam call and let my call roll to voicemail that's time wasted. For reals, this has happened when we had incidents that involved ambulance rides and ER visits. Rest assured, I will not be calling to talk about the new Netflix series nor to ask your opinions on self-driving cars, nor your thoughts on pickleball — I don’t care what you think about pickleball, or self-driving cars, or most things actually. If I call you, it's important. If I don't - which will be your experience 99.99999% of the time, then you can trust everything is cool with your rocker.

• General Rule For Contacting Me:
  If your rocker is physically with us at RBL and you have a question or issue, then text me. Do not call unless it is a true emergency. I can not always answer my phone, especially if I'm leading an activity, but I will reply as soon as I am free to do so.
  

  If your rocker is not physically with us at RBL, email is king or queen, or a democratically elected, socialist leaning prime minister.

  Do not text me late at night. Do not text me on weekend mornings, or any early mornings for that matter. Seriously. This happens ALL THE TIME and has been happening for over a decade now. I love the work I do, but I do not work for you. I rarely take a day off, and I sleep-in even less frequently. However, when I do take some time to myself or try and sleep an extra half hour or so, a parent will reliably text me about something fun like, "Have you seen my angel’s water bottle?", or something that they easily could have sorted out had they read my emails — worse, they send me picture or video of their kid. Rest assured, while they are in RBL I am your kid’s biggest champion, but when I’m drooling and farting in my bed, trying to not crash while lucid dream flying, the last thing I want is a picture of your kid doing something “cute”. I guarantee I won’t think it’s cute if you wake me up and I am no longer polite in my replies.
  
  Let’s all close our eyes and envision a nice moss-covered, pastoral, stone fence. Mmm, boundaries are nice, aren’t they?

Who Will Be Teaching My Rocker?
All RBL classes are led by RBL Directors, Brian Gorman and Marcus Stoesz. We are the directors, the teachers, the recording engineers, the bookers, the windbags, the storytellers, the janitors, the performers, the backing band, TV producers, and the recipients of so many ridiculous jokes, touching comments and curious, amazing thoughts from your rockers. We each have decades of teaching, childcare, and direct care experience and we have written, recorded, and toured extensively with our fancy pants rock bands.

We have a small but amazing staff of talented and caring musicians and artists who tirelessly support our rockers and help make RBL a truly unique place.

What Will My Rocker Do In Class?
Rock Band Land is a creativity program that focuses on imaginative thought, play, and collaboration through rock music and storytelling. In Rock Out, young rockers will form a band, help write a killer song and story, record vocals on the song, learn their parts on an instrument of their choosing, and perform their song in front of an audience fo screaming fans. They’ll also work on various visual art projects, and be invited to participate in the production of RBL’s tv show, UGLY BABY. We’ll eat pickles, make friends, and make some cool art.

Medications / EpiPens / Inhalers
If you rocker will be taking medication during class time, or if they arrive with EpiPen, inhalers, etc…, a parent must fill out our RBL Med Form. Please send with your rocker, or email the completed form as a pdf to brian@rockbandland.org.

Special Concerns, Medical, Behavioral, and Developmental Issues
If something is happening in your rocker's mind or body that might effect their experience or their behavior in our class, please be sure to share this information with us. Our staff has vast experience working with kids (and adults) with special needs. We will do everything in our power to help accommodate your rocker and give them the best experience possible.

I include this section because in the past there have been numerous examples in which parents who, for whatever reason, have chosen to withhold this kind of information from us and, if they had shared it, we could have significantly improved their child's experience. Sometimes they simply forgot to tell us, sometimes they weren't sure, and sometimes they were either in denial, embarrassed, or afraid of stigmatizing their rocker with a label that might accompany a doctor's diagnosis.

This is your reminder to not forget. If you are dancing with denial or embarrassment, get over it. This is about your kid and not your feelings. And if you are concerned about stigmatizing your rocker with a label, please do not worry - we have your kid's back.

Here's the thing:
Every single one of us has issues of some sort. We all come rocketing out of our mothers a perfect blend of completely awesome and totally messed up. Some issues are major, some are minor, and together they make us who we are.

Here's the other thing:
Whether or not you tell us, we almost always know when something is going on developmentally with one of our rockers. We are not therapists or medical professionals - and we don't claim to be, but we know kids. Though we are fully capable of accessing and reshaping a situation to accommodate specific concerns that we see in a child, it's eight million billion times better for your child if you share information with us from the get-go so that we can work together to make sure they have everything they need to succeed.

Can My Rocker Bring Their Own Instruments?
Yes and no. Though we provide all the instruments for the bands (drums, mics, guitars, bass guitars, keyboards, and percussion), rockers are welcome to bring smaller instruments from home if they have them. Guitars and percussion instruments are fine, but please no keyboards, sousaphones, pipe organs, upright basses, full drum sets, or giant mountain horns. If your rocker's "instrument" is a gassy dad who only makes sounds when squeezed, definitely leave that man at home.  

On the first day of class it's best to leave their instruments at home.

Hmm, Should I Stay or Should I Go?
You will go!

Rock Band Land is a parent / caregiver free zone (see below). We are extremely strict on this rule. Nope, you can’t come in. If you’d like a tour I’ll happily show you around the castle outside of class times, or just keep an eye open for RBL Open House events.

RBL is a Parent / Caregiver Free Zone
Parents, I've some good news and some bad news.

-- The good news: your rocker is about to embark on a completely bonkers, creative adventure at Rock Band Land.

-- The bad news:you won't be on that adventure with them, in fact you won't even be in the building (until their show).

Though we have enormous respect for good parenting and believe that it is the cornerstone for building a decent society, Rock Band Land is here for the rockers and their needs, not for you. When you are in our space during class time you are at best a distraction for our staff and the other rockers, and at worst you are completely in the way, and potentially a safety hazard. From the second the rockers arrive our staff will be engaging with them and observing the social dynamics and behaviors among the rockers. When parents are in the space, they interrupt that process and take our staff's attention away from our rockers.

That went well, how about some more good news and bad news? This time, bad news is first. 

-- The bad news: if you are a player (this goes out to dads especially) and think that you will be coming in for 30-40 minutes of “sick jam time” on the instruments with your kid each day, please reshape your thinking. That's not happening.

-- The good news: remember, Guitar Center will always love you. 

Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a real thing. If your rocker experiences separation anxiety please connect with me in advance and follow our lead during drop off. If you are the nervous sort, please rest easy, we've had thousands and thousands of rockers and artists in RBL and have helped many of those young rockers overcome their separation anxiety. Within minutes we'll have your rocker laughing and joining in the fun. If your rocker does experience separation anxiety, it's crucial that you be on time for drop off. Tardiness simply worsens their experience, amplifies their anxiety, and makes it harder for us to smoothly integrate them into the fun that's unfolding in the castle. 

The key to successfully integrating a rocker who is experiencing separation anxiety is to first have the parents inform them in advance that parents are not allowed in RBL. This should be done not while driving to RBL on the first day, but a few days / weeks in advance and then with regular follow ups so they can be prepared. It should also be framed a positive for the rocker, be excited about it when you share the info with them. Then, on the first day,  when dropping off you should make a swift and clean, unemotional goodbye. Give them a quick hug and then off you go. Don't linger, and definitely don't come back to "check in". You'd be surprised at the number of folks who sabotage their child's own success by trying to "check in" on their kid. Almost always that's all about the parent's issues and not the kid's anxiety and I run hard defense on those folks so that their rocker can have the best experience possible. Believe me, we get it - it's hard to leave when your child seems upset or nervous, or is in tears, but sometimes leaving is exactly the right thing to do to help them grow and develop. 

If you know now that a rolling drop off (see below) is not going to work for your rocker and you are expecting tears or a meltdown on day one. Here's what you do:
-- On Day One arrive early enough to park and be waiting outside when we open doors (10 minutes prior to the class’s start time). We'll greet you and your rocker and if they need an extra minute or two with you that's fine.
-- Either myself or one of our staff will keep checking in with your rocker, when we see an opportunity to integrate them into the rest of the class, we'll encourage your rocker to give you a hug and then tell you it's time to go. Please respect that and go when asked.
-- As mentioned, there may be tears and that can be part of the process. 

Food, Drinks, and Snack
Rockers are encouraged to bring water bottles (filled with water only), but please send your rocker to class fed. No food will be consumed inside the castle.

With the exception of offering pickles once per session (Week 3), and popcorn offered to rockers on our free & walking van pick ups, we do not provide snack during Rock Out. Pickles have become something of a thing in RBL (get used to it!). If your rocker has an allergy to pickles (mustard seeds) or to green food (not boogers, obviously), please be sure to let us know.

Weekly Mailers
Each week we send out a mailer documenting the band's progress and providing parents with info for the coming week. Some of these emails will be super important as they will include materials that your rocker will need to get the most out of their RBL experience. 

As our email list for each class is created simply by copying and pasting the info that you provided in your ActivityHero account, if you or your spouse are not receiving emails from us this is most likely due to 1 of 3 reasons:

1. The info that you provided in ActivityHero was only partially filled out (ie., only one person's info was included).

2. There was a typo/s in the emails provided.

3. Your email account has redirected our correspondence to Promotions, Social, or Spam folders. Please check there and mark us as safe.

Additional email addresses can be added to the list by sending an email requesting the addition to Brian@rockbandland.org.

Expectations
In the Rock Out classes the teachers are the producers for the bands. You are the managers. The rockers are the stars - though we don't tell them that to avoid making them susceptible to contracting big head syndrome. Like all great bands, the success of the band is dependent on all of us doing our respective jobs and doing them well. 

We will do everything in our powers to see to it that each rocker has an amazing, creative experience with us. We will challenge and push your rocker creatively and provide everything they need to succeed in Rock Out.

We expect you, as parent managers:

1. To be on time for drop off and pick up (and to stay in your car!).

2. To provide your rockers with all of the song materials that we send home (via email).

3. To practice with them as often as possible, and to be sure they are prepared for their recording and video shoot.

4. To communicate directly with us if ever concerns or issues arise.

5. As the session wraps we expect you to download and make accessible to your rocker the final recorded versions of their song as well as the episode of Ugly Baby that they will contribute to.

We will provide you with all of the materials required to do your job well.

If we all do our part each rocker will leave Rock Band Land feeling like the rockstars that they are. If we don't, then we adults are all like broken vacuum cleaners and suck just a little bit.

Not Afraid of The Dark
We want to be sure that everyone is absolutely, completely, totally, without a doubt, one hundred thousand million percent checked out on the amazing experience your rocker is about to participate in. 

We write and produce only original material with our rockers. We do so with great care and passion, and sometimes our subject matter is dark. Actually, it’s usually dark, and I can tell you with certainty in this post-pandemic world, our kids have developed an uncanny appreciation for dark material.

We write this to you because we believe entirely in our process and our creations, but just so that you are completely aware of what we do. We know everyone is crazy busy and a lot of folks sign up for programs simply because their friends' kids are in it. There is nothing at all wrong with that, but Rock Band Land is definitely not T-Ball.

If you have yet to listen to some of the songs and stories, or watched any episodes of UGLY BABY, we encourage you to do so now. We do what we do and we do it well, and though a creativity program, we are also art and media creators. As with all media and art it's your responsibility as parents to determine what is right for your rocker to participate in and to consume.

Sicky Sick Sick & RBL Covid Safety Protocols
I used to write a whole jokey bit about sick kids here, but, since Covid, it’s not that funny. Just like in school, if your rocker is ill in any way and/or has a contagious or spreadable condition such as lice, measles, chicken pox, impetigo, pink eye, oh, I don’t know, maybe Covid, or any others, KEEP THEM HOME. If they have a fever or diarrhea, please keep them home for at least 24 hours after it passes. For the record: if your kid has pink eye, then they are sick. Pink eye is like eye lice to a family-centric business. Kindly keep your eye lice away from RBL. And, if you family, or members of the family are sick (with Covid, RSV, flu, or whatever) and can’t isolate from your rockers, please keep your rockers home. This is not an ask or a polite request—this is our policy. If a rocker shows up sick, or becomes sick while at RBL, they will be sent home immediately. No exceptions, no arguments, they are going home.

We have a stellar record of health and safety among our staff, rockers & artists, and participating families. We were masked (while indoors) at RBL from Oct 2020 through May of 2023, and we are so incredibly grateful to finally be able to show our revolting faces to the world. We have no plans to return to masking, but, then again we never planned to be in a global pandemic or to wear masks in the first place. Should there be future developments with Covid, or other easily transmissible and potentially dangerous viruses, bacteria, etc…, we reserve the right to reimplement mask mandates or any other measures that we see fit to best ensure the health and safety of our rockers, their families, and our staff. These rules will be non-negotiable. As with all RBL policies and protocols, I will be more than happy to discuss or explain my reasoning with you, and if you disagree that’s great, I welcome debate and having my ideas challenged, but, no, I will not be refunding you if you disagree with my policies. Feel free to curse my name or to scream and yell, but please know in advance that you’ll only be stressing yourself out. When dealing with so many families, it’s all about the greater good.

If your rocker should test positive for Covid, they can not return to RBL without a negative test.

Lice Aint Nice
I have also long tried to joke about lice and keep it light, as is our style at RBL, and yet some folks have still tried to leave their kids at RBL when they had lice. Seriously, don't do it. We always find out, the kids are always sent home, and the parents are always embarrassed for either being selfish or for trying to pull a fast one on us. Save yourself the hassle. 

I know some folks think that lice and the other contagious and spreadable conditions listed above are no big deal, but when you run a family-centric close-quarters business like RBL it is in fact a huge deal. Out of consideration for the well-being of all of our rockers, their families, and our RBL staff, if your rocker is sent to class/camp/event with any of the above or similar conditions (whether you are aware of it or not) and/or we even suspect your rocker has any of the above or similar conditions, RBL reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to send your rocker home immediately. Please also be aware that it will be necessary for us to separate your rocker from the group to contain any spread while they wait for you to arrive. Your rocker will not be allowed back to RBL until they have been cleared by a medical doctor or professional lice service (whichever is applicable) and you have provided RBL with documentation. Further, refunds will not be given for any missed class/camp/event days.

Potty Trained Humans
This one seems like a no-brainer and yet here we go: all rockers must be able to use the restroom without assistance from teachers.

I have many years working in the direct care field with adults with developmental disabilities, and I've helped to raise three kids. Even if you took all the feces that piles up on the street each day outside RBL and saved it for a year (believe me, it's a lot), it would still pale in comparison to the amount of butt-butter and slurm-snakes that I have wiped off of other humans. Those days are done. 

Obviously if your rocker becomes ill or has an accident while in our care, we will help them and make sure they are safe and clean, but, in general, they have to show up with a solo plan for toilet navigation.

Crocs Do Not Rock
First of all, it’s 2023. Why oh why are you still buying Crocs? They are the junk food of shoes. Please do not send your rockers to Rock Out in Crocs, flip flops, wheeled shoes, sandals, or those weird sock-like shoes that leave your toes wiggling in public like maggots. They are all crappy versions of footwear and not safe. We use real instruments that can be heavy and unwieldy, and there are often many cables on the stage that the rockers will need to navigate through, on top of that we have several teaching rooms on the second floor (stairs). Your rocker needs to have reliable footwear (that covers their feet) to help keep them safe in the castle. Also, just stop buying Crocs. They are dumb.

Cell Phones / Smart Phones / Dumb Phones / Wrist Phones
All communication at RBL will go through me. Your rocker will need exactly zero phones / devices while at RBL. Not zero plus one or one minus zero. Just zero.

We can’t possibly monitor everyone’s phone activity nor do we want to. Phones in RBL are a complete and total unnecessary distraction. To keep it simple all phones / devices that are brought to RBL will go in a pickle jar in my office. This includes Apple Watches, Gizmos, and other wrist style phones. I’m not sure if AppleCare covers damage caused by pickle brine, so please check your plan before sending your rocker to RBL with a phone.

Managing our rockers’ unnecessary devices will be at the lowest end of my priority list, so just leave them home. While they at RBL, if you need to connect with your rocker, please do so through me. If your rocker needs to bring a phone to camp (ie., if they self-dismiss or take the bus to and from RBL), they can connect with me at the end of the class to collect their device. 

If you are the type of parent who needs to constantly check in with your kid, here’s your chance for some personal development. 

If your rocker walks or takes the bus to camp and has a cell phone to connect with you, that’s swell, we’ll collect their phone at drop off and return it to them at dismissal. 

RBL Drop Off & Pick Up Protocols
RBL employs rolling drop off and pick up protocols. Simply pull up in front of RBL beside the orange traffic cones, put the car in park, leave the car running, stay in your car, drop off / pick up your rocker from the passenger side of the car, on the first day be sure to introduce your rocker to us, and then go bye-bye.

This is one of those simple things that otherwise intelligent people are regularly baffled by. In the hopes of minimizing issues I’m going to lay out our protocols in a simple DOs and DON’Ts format.

DOs:
- Have your rocker ready to go. That includes having them dressed (with shoes on). If your rocker is eating a bowl of cereal when you pull up, go around the block. We’re not waiters at an IHOP.
- Stay in your car. We will assist your rocker out of the car and into RBL.
- Introduce us to your rocker on day one, even if we know them. Most of you drive nice cars with heavily tinted windows and 9 times out of 10 we can not see your rocker until they are out of the car.
- Acknowledge our staff. We only hire cool, capable folks at RBL. We are friendly and fun. Say hi. That’s all. It’s easy and makes everyone’s day better.
- Get off your phone. If you happen to be on a business call when you pull up, first, try and schedule better - we might have some important info to share with you about your rocker. Second, at the very least give us the respect of some sign language to say you are on a call. I can't tell you how many times parents have pulled up and treated our staff like they were their servants and ignored them completely while our staff dutifully helped load the rockers into the car. All the while mom or dad rambled on about synergistic opportunities, or ramping up the integration to make scaling feasible, or their cohesive cranial-rectal navigation, or some other bullshit that had nothing to do with their kids. I promise you if I see that in the pick up line I will interrupt your call with my world renowned crow caw show.
- Relay any important info. This could be that your rocker was attacked by your pet mountain lion in the morning, that they got in a fight with their sibling and are in a crap mood, that their knees are bothering them because kids have no respect for the miracle that is the young human body, that someone else will be picking them up, or that you need to pick them up early to take them to the vet to put them down.

(In a comfy chair. Put them down in a comfy chair. Geez, come on people. 1) I’m not a monster 2) It’s seriously bad business were I to run an arts program for kids and be an advocate for youth euthanasia.)
- GO. No, seriously, go. We have to keep the line moving. If you need to text someone or floss or add wiper fluid to your car, please drive away and find a nice spot to pull over away from RBL. 

DON’Ts:
- Double park in front of RBL. If you need to to park, please find an actual parking spot.
- Don’t block our neighbors’ driveways. Some of our neighbors are cool and others, not so much. Those “not so much” neighbors do not care that you are dropping your precious babies off at RBL and they are quite skilled at dropping targeted F-bombs with military precision.
- Don’t get out of your car.
- Don’t let your rockers exit or enter your car from the driver’s side. Treat is a one way street which some folks blast down at ridiculous speeds.

Walking / Bicycle Drop Off
We do not have bicycle (or scooter or skateboard) storage for rockers at RBL. There is no bicycle parking in front of RBL (we tried to have racks installed but the sidewalks are too narrow). Down the block, closer to 18th St, there is a series of bike racks. Please lock up your rocker’s bike there. If you bike regularly in the city I’m sure you know the deal, but for those new to the thrill of urban bike parking, our neighborhood is a great spot to get your bike parted out. Be sure your rocker’s bike is as theft proof as possible. Otherwise lean into that nice walk or car ride.

If you are dropping off on bike or foot one of our staff will greet you outside, in front of RBL. Please understand that, for safety reasons, we need to keep the car line moving. Even if you arrived first, we might need to greet a few rockers from cars before we can get to you. Thanks for your patience. 

Non-Parent Pick Ups / Authorizing Others To Pick Up
The majority of rockers will be picked up by one of their parents, however, if someone else will be picking up your camper on a given day please be sure to:

1. Let us know that person’s name and relationship to your rocker at drop off, or text me during class, before pick up.
2. If you are running late, in a jam, or have a last minute change of plans, text me the name and relation of the person who will be picking up.
3. Yes, there is an Authorized Pick Up Persons list in your ActivityHero profile, but connecting with me directly is always the best bet - especially on busy days when I may not be able to check AH for last minute updates. If you know in advance that someone else will be picking up your rocker, please email me the day of with the person’s name and relationship to your rocker.

We don’t worry about who drops off because, wherever they might be coming from, they ended up in the right place and kidnappers aren’t usually known for respecting the class schedules of their captives.

Early Pick Up Party Crashers
Often many new parents will try and arrive early for pick up to either get our attention and talk for a minute or to get a sneak peek at the inner workings of RBL. Obviously if you need to pick up early for an appointment or something that is of course ok, lmk in advance, but if you are trying to get our attention, this is the absolute worst time to do so. We always have lots of little details to tend to to get our rockers out safely each day. Please do not come early if you can help it. 

If you'd like to speak with me, or ask any questions, I'll be more than happy to talk with you after we dismiss the band or later in the day via email.

RBL Free Van Pick Up
If your rocker is participating in our free van pick up from their school, you will receive a detailed email with all van info about one week prior to the class’s start.

Doors / Prep Time
Rock Out requires a great deal of class preparation on our part, often this preparation runs right to the start of class. We will do our best to open the doors 10 minutes before each class start time - at that time your rocker is welcome to come in, but if the doors are closed please be patient. We will absolutely open at each class's scheduled start time. Also, at the end of class, we will open the doors on the minute, if they are closed please don’t ring the bell. We know you are out there.

Future Enrollments
Thanks to all you nice people and your cool kids, RBL has become a popular destination for local weirdos. We tend to fill up well in advance for our classes and camps. If your rocker is enjoying their time with us, we encourage you to look at our Rock Out & Day Camps schedules now and reserve their spots for the future - especially if they participating in a free van / walking pick up option. Don't make the mistake that many parents have made by waiting till the end of the session to enroll, only to find that we are full. Those parents rarely make that mistake twice because instead of a happy rocker spending 4 weeks with us, they end up with an inconsolable, crying child for a solid month. The parents feel guilty, they try and buy their kid's affections back, there are daily ice cream parties and cakes, the kids become another statistic on the childhood obesity charts, and the parents, if they manage to stay together and alive during this ordeal, age gracelessly and in despair. Please don't let this happen to you.

Questions?
If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to write to me at Brian@rockbandland.org.

Thank you.

Brian