About Summer Camp
The Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies is excited to present the 11th annual Worship Lab at Baylor University. This high-quality musical learning experience will take place on our campus July 20-24, 2026. This camp will be geared towards young, aspiring worship leaders and instrumentalists (rising 9th graders through just-graduated 12th graders).
This summer’s camp will be led by our staff and visiting leadership team, with assistance from many Baylor music students. Topics during the camp will include worship leadership, technology, music writing, instrumental techniques, choral traditions, healthy singing, and many others. The breakout bands will be equally balanced with vocalists and instrumentalists, and they will participate in separate and combined rehearsals throughout the week. The camp will end with a combined worship service where each worship band leads a portion of the service. Parents & friends are encouraged to attend this closing event.
Date and Location
The 2026 Worship Lab will take place on the campus of Baylor University Monday, July 20th at 2pm through Friday, July 24th at 5:00pm. The camp utilizes facilities across the campus.
Camp Activities
Students participating in Worship Lab will have the opportunity to participate in the following activities throughout the week:
- Daily Devotionals led by guest leaders
- Band Rehearsals
- Small Groups
- Breakout Classes on Music, Worship, leadership, and more
- Evening concerts and events
- Combined Worship Gatherings with the Alleluia Conference
- Artist Q&A Showcases
RETURNING IN 2026!
Pre-Camp Songwriting Experience ($350/person)
This year, we are offering a pre-camp songwriting experience. Students will be divided into songwriting teams with dedicated time to write worship songs. There will be sessions with experienced songwriters about how to write songs and collaborate with others.
The pre-camp begins on Saturday July 18th, and leads directly into the Worship Lab Summer Camp. Participants must register for full-week camp to participate in pre-camp experience.
NEW IN 2026!
Camp Choir
Spaces for vocals at Worship Lab typically fill within a few weeks of registration opening. This summer, we are exploring how we can engage and accommodate more singers at camp without adding to the overall number of bands present at the event. Starting in 2026, first-year participating vocalists must sign up for the Worship Lab Choir during registration. This group will join together for rehearsals, learn supporting harmony parts for all bands’ 16-18 songs, work alongside a team of choral leaders dedicated to equipping and encouraging young musicians. The Worship Lab Choir participants will still have full access to breakout sessions and all other camp experiences. The key difference for this summer is that first-year singers must sing with the choir. Returning vocalists will have the opportunity to sign up for the choir or a band vocalist spot.
Three Different Options for Camp
Choir Experience (NEW)
The Choir Experience is designed to give campers intensive vocal training. By learning the 16-18 band songs, vocalists will learn to blend their voices with others and sing harmonies well. This option is REQUIRED for FIRST-YEAR singers; however, anyone is welcome to sign up for the choir!
The Choir Experience will be led by the Luces, who were guest artists last year. Carey Luce and Geraldine Latty-Luce (from London, England) are experienced songwriters across multiple published sung genres including Hymns, Psalms and Congregational Songs, Story Songs and Spirituals, and most recently collaborating on the Baylor Class Song ‘29. They are visiting International Scholars in Research, Music, and Gathered Worship hosted by the Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies in Baylor’s School of Music, and they also serve in Truett Seminary Chapel. Geraldine specializes in choirs and is excited to work with the young people at our camp!
Band Experience
The Band Experience is designed to give campers training in making music in a band setting. Each band learns two songs to lead in the final worship service. Bands focus on playing together, each instrument’s role in the band, and how learning your part is important for everyone to succeed. This option is available for any instrumentalist who has played their instrument for a minimum of one year. Vocalists can sign up for the band experience after they have attended for one year in the choir.
The Band Experience is led by multiple leaders from across the United States who serve in local churches and have years of experience in worship leading. Some people include Jacob Sensenig, Sam Johnson, Kristi Noel, Ricky Johnson, Dylan Reese, Art Wellborn, and Sylvia Jones. They are excited to work with our youth this summer, and you can learn more about them here.
Tech Experience
The Tech Experience is designed to give campers intensive training in the technical aspects of worship. Each tech person will learn how to run a sound board, create lighting designs, operate ProPresenter and campers, and how to produce a worship service. This option is available for anyone who wants to learn more about tech whether they are currently serving on their tech team now or not.
The Tech Experience is led by Jacob Lackey. Jacob serves as a freelance audio engineer, production manager and consultant based in Waco for several clients, currently including; Breakaway Ministries (Production Manager), Vertical Ministries (Production Manager), Passion City Church (Production Manager/Producer), Passion Conferences (Producing & Production Coordinator) & Jennie Allen Ministries/IF Gathering (Video Producer) as well as one-off events with several other artists, churches and organizations (including: Maverick City, Shane & Shane, Elevation Rhythm, JWLKRS Worship, Concerts at Magnolia & more). In addition to his expertise, Jacob often brings in other professionals to train the students and answer questions.