​The Camdenton Pride of the Lake Band served hot dogs and hot chocolate to lake area residents and lake visitors at Camdenton’s annual Christmas on the Square on Saturday, December 3, 2016.  The Camdenton Chamber of Commerce hosted Christmas on the Square and provided the hot dogs and the hot chocolate.  The Camdenton band boosters and students enjoyed giving back to the community that supports the band at the half time of Laker football games and during band concerts throughout the year.

Large crowds came out to enjoy mild weather conditions with low wind speeds and temperatures in the high 40’s.  Consequently, the Pride of the Lake chuck wagon cooks served 820 hot dogs and 30 gallons of hot chocolate.  The line of hungry and thirsty guests was constant.  Just as the marching band students who thank the band boosters for well-needed food and liquid at marching competitions, every guest at the Christmas on the Square was appreciative.  “Thank” and “you” were the most often heard words of the day.

Enjoy the pictures of just some of the band boosters, band students, and guests who enjoyed the great vibes, hot food, and hot cocoa around the chuck wagon at Christmas on the Square on the Camdenton Bands Facebook Page. The band also enjoyed having Destiny, a flautist from the School of the Osage Band, help serve hot chocolate.

Merry Christmas!  Be sure to catch the band’s Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 8 at 7:30 pm at the R.C. Worthan Auditorium at Camdenton High School. 

The McDonald’s Balanced, Active Lifestyle Grant Program is designed to reward schools and educators in the areas of developing unique and educational programs that help support physical fitness and health education to grades K-12.  


With technology being so easily available to students, many members of the band are equipped with various forms of trackers for their activity.  During summer band camp they were amazed at the number of steps they were taking on any given day.  Once school started, marching band practice was from 6:30am to 7:45am. Many students realized they took more steps before the first bell than some kids would take all day.  There was no official program put in place or goals set, just a general interest and realization at how active kids are through the marching program.  Consider that an average person can walk a mile in 17-20 minutes and a very fit person can walk a mile in 13 minutes on average.  That gives students in the Pride of the Lake Marching band time to walk upwards of 4 miles each morning before the 1st bell ever rings and don't forget the 3 weeks of long days at band camp before the first day of school, the Saturday practices and many evening practices they put in to pull a show together each year.  The activity has been complimented by the Booster Club parents taking several steps to ensure the students are being provided more balanced and nutritious snacks. 

Thank you Camdenton McDonald's for being active partners in the community and for recognizing and rewarding the efforts of the Pride of the Lake Marching Band toward a Balanced, Active Lifestyle.  ​