Imagine a summer camp style experience where you stay in cabins with friends new and old, eat three meals a day and not only have time to eat you have time to chat and network. Then expand that thought with amazing classes on everything from social media and business to foot care, art, and nail structure. Throw in a low pressure competition for good measure, a campfire with smores, and you have the rough idea for nail camp!
Nail Camp began on Vashon Island just off the coast of Seattle at a small campground facility with beautiful views of the sound, resident wildlife like deer just outside your windows, and stunning fall foliage with leaves as big as your head! It has since gone on the road to be held in different locations around the US allowing those that do not fly the opportunity to drive when it comes to an area near them. This year nail camp was held in Woodcreek, Texas, just outside of Austin.
One of the benefits of nail camp is a class called Incredible Improvements. You do four nails, one at a time, getting some advice and a critique on each nail before you start the next one. This allows each attendee to see a great improvement on their skills within a few hours right on the first day. For camp veterans that have been to camp a few times and have been in the industry over five years, there is an alternative class with photography.
Camp offers a selection of free one hour classes to all attendees. There are usually over 40 classes to choose from. In addition to that, you can find some three hour classes, then on Monday a 3,5, or 8 hour class. There are some workshops you can choose to pay for or there are more free classes. In addition to education, there are products to purchase once you have tested them out in class, or if you simply need to stock up for the salon.
Here is just a peek of some of the three hour classes offered at camp on Sunday this year and a photographic glimpse into them!
A to Z Instagram for Nail Techs with Katerina Abourched IG @mokanailclub
Define your style
What should your content be
How to create ads
Tropical Art with Jesse Bruner IG @jessedbruner
Realistic style gel polish painting level 2
Analyzing a reference picture
Blending, shading, and highlights
Luminary Structured Manicure Certification with Tara Robinson IG @tarafiednails
Included a kit
Covered e-file techniques
Went over nail structure
Salon Style Floral Designs with LeChat’s Anastasia Totty IG @anastasia.totty
Painting with gel polish and gel paints
Creating multiple floral styles and looks
Instagram Reels for Nail Fairies with Iryna Zabiran IG @izabiran
Growing your IG with reels
Building an IG community
Make Your Own Gnome with RussAnna Dudley IG @nails_by_russanna
Create a figurine using gel
How to start the skeleton of a fantasy piece
Sassy Salon Nail Art with Jotanna Rowland IG @nailsbyjotanna
Popular salon friendly art techniques
Combine the skills you have to create new ideas
Holiday Characters with Colour Gloss and Rock Hard L&P with Sandy Borges
Sketching on the nail
Mixing colors
Using an inspiration photo
3D Gel Nail Art with Blue Amber’s Anna Wesolowska IG @anna_wesolowska_nail_artist
Art kit included
Learn classic flowers and flat roses
Learn 3D roses and the knit effect
Specialty Shaping with Allie Baker IG @alliebakernails
Refine your shaping skills
Learn the trendy shapes
Learn form application for alternative shapes
Frozen Color Cocktail with Tiffani Cordoza IG @cordozanailsupply
Includes a class kit
How to market yourself
How to charge for art
See Something – Say Something – Save a Life with Brenda Ribble IG @bestfootforwarddistribution
Identifying melanoma
How to bring things to your client’s attention without sounding like a diagnosis
Physician referrals
Hard Gel in a Squeeze Bottle with SoGel IG @sogelnails
One step hard gel in a squeeze bottle
Using forms and an e-file
multiple educators on hand
Becky Bunnell IG @nailinstructorbeckybunnell
Amp Up Your Pedicure Game with Hope Goldman IG @healthtobeautynails
GEHWOL IG @gehwolfootcare
Waterless pedicure
E-file techniques for feet
GEHWOL product knowledge
Ikon.IQ Hypoallergenic Toenail Reconstruction with Lisa Ann Bowles IG @newnailcreations
Starter kit included
Toenail reconstruction gel
Some that offered classes at other times not listed above are:
Akzentz
Jessica Briarmoon IG @luvnailz
Jessica White IG @jessawhitenails
Profiles Backstage
Amy Wilson IG @Amynicolesnailartist
Jade Drost IG @polishednailsiowa
Robin Anderson @badass_birdie
Orly and Gotti
KT Truong IG @yougotnailedbykt
check out the blog on Gotti products here
check out the blog on Orly products here
Client Management
Paula Davies IG @pmdavies1012019
Salon Business
FingerNailFixer Holly IG @fingernailfixer
Mary Chhea IG @marychhea
As you can see nail camp offers a robust education opportunity with a lot of variety. To keep this blog short, I kept it about classes, watch for the follow up with pictures and more on the other experiences, or if you need to see more now feel free to visit the photo album on my Facebook page!