There aren’t many places you can travel where you can feel like family among a bunch of strangers. 

Over the years, Camp Zoe has brought together thousands of people to be united by music, art, and a friendly camping experience. A beautiful campground with a river that carves through mountains has been the go-to spot for free spirits since the Spring of 2004 when the site started to host concerts.

Just north of Eminence, Missouri, Camp Zoe is owned by Jimmy Tebeau, a member of the Grateful Dead tribute band The Schwag. The campground holds multiple “Schwagstocks” each year, an annual “Spookstock” during Halloween, and a few other festivals like “Springjam” and “Underground Sound.”  Drum circles, fire dancing, light shows, and more have added unique elements to these woodland concerts over the years.

Triad senior and Schwagstock attendee Logan Dyer said the best part of Camp Zoe is “the freedom of self-exploration through music, nature, and other people.”

On Monday, November 1, 2010 at about 7:30 a.m. what was a great weekend became somewhat of a nightmare for Zoe. During the “Spookstock” festival that was going on during this time period, over 70 police officers came in with a search warrant looking for gate revenue from the weekend and any financial records. The IRS also seized all the money in the Camp Zoe bank account; money that was to be used to pay artists, staff, security, etc. for the 2010 “Spookstock.” The seized cash was also important to the camp because it was supposed to go towards basic bills for Zoe like electric, mortgage, and advertising.

Now, the land has been threatened to be seized. Attorneys have been hired and attendees of the camp are doing everything they can to save the campground.

Katelynn Mueller, a senior at Triad, said “What occurred isn’t fair because they’re being targeted for things that go down at all music festivals.”

Many efforts are being made to save the camp, however. On January 29 2011, a benefit was held for Camp Zoe at the Orpheum Theater in St.Louis. This “Throw for Zoe” costed $20 per ticket and all proceeds went to the Camp Zoe Trust Account to help pay for legal defense and general bills.

If you want to join the effort to save Camp Zoe you can send donations through the Campground’s website.