Camp paGungwa 2026

Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center is pleased to announce the 21st annual Camp paGungwa (“by the ocean”), a four-day mbira intensive on the Oregon Coast with a pair of exceptional mbira teachers in 2026: Jennifer Kyker and Moyo Rainos Mutamba. Moyo will be coming from University of Waterloo, Canada, and Jennifer from University of Rochester, USA. More information about them can be found via the links.

Camp paGungwa will be held at the usual beachfront home north of Florence, Oregon, USA, on Labor Day weekend (Friday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 7, 2026). Check-in begins at 7PM on Sept. 4, with departure at 1PM on Sept. 7. In addition to a full schedule of learning and playing Zimbabwean music, there will be communal living, three delicious meals per day, cultural presentations and enjoyment of the beach, dunes and forest just steps outside the door.

Housing is available onsite either indoors (shared bedrooms) or outdoors (deck space or in a small yard). Alternatively, commercial lodging (Airbnb, VRBO, motels, etc.) can be booked nearby, with meals taken at Camp. Please email me if you’d like input on local accommodations. The cost of Camp paGungwa includes all instruction, cultural presentations, meals, snacks and onsite accommodation. The fees cover camp expenses (mostly food), a small percentage to Kutsinhira, and the remainder to our teachers. Based on past experience, we recommend registering early to guarantee your spot at Camp.

• Early-registration discount through July 15, 2026: $500 ($550 for Kutsinhira non-members). A $100 deposit is due on or before July 15 to reserve your spot (payment info below).
• Regular rate starting July 16, 2026: $550 ($600 for Kutsinhira non-members). This rate applies to those who submit their $100 deposit on or after July 16.

Annual membership in Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center is $50 for an individual or $75 for a family. We also offer lifetime membership for $500. Yearly membership begins on Sept. 1 each year.

There are two options for submitting your deposit:

• Submit payment online (PayPal, Venmo, debit or credit card) at the Kutsinhira payment portal.
• Mail a check made out to Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center, to P.O. Box 50823, Eugene, Oregon 97405.

The balance is due on or before the first day of Camp. I suggest that you email me when you submit your deposit. Registered participants will receive a confirmation and further information.

Cancellations on or after Aug. 21, 2026, will receive a 50% refund; no refunds will be made for cancellations on or after Aug. 28, 2026. A full refund will be given for cancellations before Aug. 21. Exceptions to the refund policy may be possible if a vacated spot can be filled by someone on the waiting list. If interested, please enquire about rates for “accompanying persons,” who attend meals and/or social events but not the instructional sessions or drop-in instructional options. These are offered on a space-available basis.

Questions? Send an email to janis.weeks@gmail.com (Janis Weeks) to inquire.