The Rushmore Music Camp was founded in 1970 by Paul and Lois Hedge when he was the Band Director at Lead High School in Lead, SD, and she was the school librarian. Their vision was to provide a musical experience in the Black Hills of the highest calibre. To do this, the most recognized conductors and performer/teachers were enlisted to provide an unforgettable musical experience in one of the most beautiful settings in the country.

Soon after the Rushmore Music Camp was established, a location that could accommodate performances, facilitate group and individual instruction, provide comfortable housing, and serve delicious meals was identified as being Baptist Camp Judson on the Old Hill City road a few miles from Keystone and on the back side of Mt. Rushmore. Affiliated with the American Baptist Convention, the South Dakota Baptist Convention established Camp Judson (1926) history of Camp Judson as an outreach of its Christian ministry. Over the years, Camp Judson has developed into one of the most spectacular encampments in the Black Hills.

In 2004, the Junior High Camp was relocated to the campus of Northern State University, a more central location in South Dakota, to encourage younger students to be able to become involved in an exceptional summer musical experience.

Ultimately the Hedges moved to Powell, Wyoming, where he became the Band Director at Powell High School, yet they continued to administer the Rushmore Music Camp almost single handedly for many years. Some time later the Hedges founded Hedge Music Company in Powell to which both Paul and Lois devoted their full-time effort. During those years, Rushmore Music Camp continued to flourish year after year bringing hundreds of music students to the Black Hills. The Hedges continued to administer the camp through the 32nd year at which time an Executive Committee of the Board assumed that responsibility.

 Paul Hedge fought cancer bravely for many years, and lost the battle in November 2006. He and Lois were in attendance for the Final Concert of the 35th Annual Rushmore Music Camp in 2005, and in fact, the entire Hedge family was at Camp Judson to participate in the celebration. During the Senior High Music Camp in August 2006, Paul and Lois spent most of the week at the music camp interacting with students and faculty. In fact, Paul even volunteered to teach lessons, and Lois resumed her morning cabin inspections with then Camp Nurse, Genevieve Skogberg. The Hedges also spent time in their picturesque cabin in Spearfish Canyon Creek, South Dakota, in a village known as Elmore, and hosted a Rushmore Music Camp wrap up for their many years in August, including 2006.

Making Music . . . Making Friends!

Lois Hedge was the co-founder of Rushmore Music Camp along with her husband Paul Hedge. It was their dream to begin a music camp in the beautiful Black Hills where area musicians could come to be inspired, study with talented staff and get opportunities not already offered in the area. Rushmore Music Camp has continued for more than half a century and has been the inspiration for several other regional music camps across the United States. Rushmore Music Camp was set up by the Hedges to be successful far beyond their years at camp. 

Both Paul and Lois were talented musicians, dreamers and organizers.  Lois had a professional career throughout her entire lifetime as a librarian at schools, communities and even senior housing libraries.  This made her uniquely qualified to organize people, schedules, budgets and funding.  She wanted students at Rushmore Music Camp to study with the best teachers, perform in beautiful settings, make friends and have recreational opportunities.  Recreation included hiking, volleyball, water slides, swimming, riding the 1880 Train, basketball and "Olympic games" that were noted on the charts she regularly created.  She instituted the inspection of Clean and Dirty cabins with winners either earning rewards or extra duties.  She watched carefully for students or staff who needed a kind word or additional assistance during busy camp weeks.  She truly cared about everything ranging from the need for a bandage to home-sickness, a broken reed or more difficult life-problems.  

In her retirement years, Lois always kept track of what was going on at the camp.  She paid attention to recitals and concerts, printed brochures, camp promotion and the lives of all who had been a part of RMC.  She enjoyed seeing the continued success of the camps and attended whenever she was able.  She was very happy to be a part of a 50th year anniversary celebration recognizing the start of Rushmore Music Camp.  Lois passed away in 2024 knowing that the camps were set up for continued success.  A legacy  fund has been established in tribute to Lois , helping with the needs of the camp as well as with scholarships.  Donations continue to be gratefully accepted through RMC Camp Registrar Peggy Letcher or any of the RMC Board members.