The camp was founded in 1937 by Lee Wallick, the band director at Arkansas A&M College in Monticello, and R.B. (Scrubby) Watson, former director at Pine Bluff High School. After 28 years in Monticello, the camp moved to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro in 1965 and was held on that campus through 1988.

Destination Band Camp is a private camp governed by a board of directors made up of active and former public school and college band directors.  Since the camp was founded by band directors and continues to be operated by band directors, the emphasis is, and always has been, the students. DBC was founded on these principles and continues to support this student-oriented approach.

The camp consists of 7 high school bands and 10 junior high bands. Students participate in band rehearsals, sectionals, master classes, theory classes, conducting classes, college prep class, sight-reading classes, leadership class, ensembles, jazz improv class, jazz band, auxiliary/color guard instruction, and many recreational activities. All bands are featured in concert on the final day of camp.

In addition to the musical activities, DBC includes a full activity calendar, with multiple afternoon and evening social activities planned for the students. Night activities such as concerts, movies, dances, swimming, and karaoke make for a well rounded social experience for all campers.

We believe our combination of challenging musical experiences in concert and jazz band, as well as the varied social activities, make for a well-rounded camp experience for our students.