Penny's Band Camp Founder Retires

For 41 summers, Penny Janowski has been the inspiration – and chief organizer – for one of the top summer band camps in the Sunshine State.

While Penny's Band Camp will continue next year at Eckerd College, it will be minus the woman who made it flourish.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Janowski is retiring as director of the band camp, as the annual week-long band camp ended for this summer.

But the goal is for Penny's Band Camp to continue for another 40 years – perhaps longer – because of the foundation and reputation that Janowski built.  

Janowski, 73, said that she wants younger leadership to take over the popular camp, which not only builds skills but also enthusiasm. 

Janowski said, in an understated way: "It's quite a responsibility to take care of other people's kids. I've done it a long time.''

Hundreds of marching band kids in Florida attend the camp each summer, from Daytona Beach to Orlando.

Janowski credits the camp's success to the high caliber instructors it draws from throughout the U.S.

To read the complete story, see Founder of Penny's Band Camp at Eckerd Retires.