History Friends Music Camp began in 1980, organized and directed by Peg Champney and Jean Putnam. It has met, since its inception, on the campus of Olney Friends School in Barnesville, Ohio. Seventeeen campers attended the first session. The number of campers has gradually increased over the years. In the 1990s around 75 campers and 20 staff people have attended each summer.
Enrollment is open to young people of any race or religion.
In recent years, they have come from about 20 states and several foreign countries. Relationship to Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting has sponsored the operation of Friends Music Camp throughout the camp's existence. The Yearly Meeting makes an annual contribution to the camp's scholarship fund. A Board of Directors to govern the operation of Friends Music Camp is appointed by Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting. According to the Friends Music Institute by-laws, the Board of Directors should include 5 members appointed by the Yearly meeting.