Lava Hot Springs in the Winter
JanLava Meltdown Contra Dance Weekend
Lava Hot Springs, Idaho
February 27 - March 1, 2026 Music by: Drive Train
Calling by: Christine Merryman and regional callers
Early Bird Pricing for Full Weekend Passes (purchased on or before Jan. 31, 2026)
-$150 adults
-$75 Youth (17-25 yrs.)
-$25 Children (12 yrs and under)
*Prices do not include housing.
*Prices include Saturday continental breakfast and lunch, Sunday continental breakfast and lunch.
Full Weekend Pass (purchased on or after February 1, 2026)
-$165 adults
-$85 Youth (17-25 yrs.)
-$25 Children (12 yrs. and younger)
*Prices do not include housing.
*Prices include Saturday continental breakfast and lunch, Sunday continental breakfast and lunch.
About Lava Meltdown
Lava Meltdown is a dance weekend in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho held the last weekend of February 2026. The weekend kicks off with a potluck dinner, followed by a welcome contra dance session on Friday night. On Saturday, there is a continental breakfast followed by more contra dancing and workshops. Lunch is provided and followed by more contra dancing and workshops. Dinner is on your own, followed by our evening contra dances. The final dance follows a continental breakfast and concert on Sunday ending at noon. Lava Meltdown features all-day dancing, plus a concert, jamming, and caller's and music workshops by featured musicians and callers.
LOCATION:
Lava Meltdown is held at Lava Seniors & Community Center in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho is, centrally located between Salt Lake City, Utah and Yellowstone National Park. Just 11 miles East off I-15.
COVID POLICY:
Check back for final details, but assuming community COVID levels remain low, we will not have any COVID restrictions for Lava Meltdown 2026. We still encourage all attendees to be vaccinated and to test before attending camp to be on the safe side.
Masks will be required for all participants when indoors if community levels of COVID in the region begin to surge. All participants will be notified of such a criteria prior to camp.
TERMINOLOGY:
We are joining camps around the country in the effort to make our language more inclusive. Lava Meltdown is moving forward with a goal of all workshops and dances offered during the weekend using gender-neutral language, using Larks & Robins, and terms like partner, neighbor, shadow, etc. All Lava Meltdown participants should look over our Code of Conduct before registering and see if it is a good fit for them.
WORK TRADE POSITIONS:
We offer scholarships and half-scholarships for Work/Trade Positions. Some of the needed jobs are: kitchen help, set-up, break down, water station setup, registration assistant, and cleaning. To apply for a Work/Trade position contact Carrie Dayton-Madsen and wait for confirmation prior to registering. We request that anyone interested in Work/Trade register prior to January 1st.
CHILDREN:
Lava Meltdown loves being a family-friendly event! All activities are family-friendly. We offer reduced rates for children who love to dance and non-dancing children get in free.
OPPORTUNITY DRAWING:
Each year, our raffle raises funds for our financial aid program. Please bring arts & crafts, musical instruments, gift baskets and other fun items for the opportunity drawing. You can also donate directly with your registration.
FRAGRANCE FREE:
We ask that our attendees try to be Fragrance-Free in consideration for other attendees. Many dancers are sensitive to fragrances. Please refrain from using any scented products such as perfumes, colognes and scented after-shave liquids, fragrant deodorants, or fragrant lotions for the health of your fellow dancers. Instead try to find fragrance-free alternatives! Allergic reactions include headaches, sneezing, scratchy throats, watery eyes and a few other symptoms that can ruin a dance experience.
LOCATION:
Lava Hot Springs is a beautiful mountain town along the Portneuf River in eastern Bannock County, Idaho, United States. This dance is held in the Community Center that is centrally located to historic Main Street, many hotels, Air bnbs, and restaurants. There are many spa services offered in the town, many shops, and a small museum. The dance will begin on Friday with a potluck gathering and an evening dance. Saturday will be full of dancing, workshops, and plenty of time to soak up the scenery. Sunday will be more dancing and a concert to finish the day. I have included some links to local things here:
Lava Hot Springs, Idaho
February 27 - March 1, 2026 Music by: Drive Train
Calling by: Christine Merryman and regional callers
Early Bird Pricing for Full Weekend Passes (purchased on or before Jan. 31, 2026)
-$150 adults
-$75 Youth (17-25 yrs.)
-$25 Children (12 yrs and under)
*Prices do not include housing.
*Prices include Saturday continental breakfast and lunch, Sunday continental breakfast and lunch.
Full Weekend Pass (purchased on or after February 1, 2026)
-$165 adults
-$85 Youth (17-25 yrs.)
-$25 Children (12 yrs. and younger)
*Prices do not include housing.
*Prices include Saturday continental breakfast and lunch, Sunday continental breakfast and lunch.
About Lava Meltdown
Lava Meltdown is a dance weekend in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho held the last weekend of February 2026. The weekend kicks off with a potluck dinner, followed by a welcome contra dance session on Friday night. On Saturday, there is a continental breakfast followed by more contra dancing and workshops. Lunch is provided and followed by more contra dancing and workshops. Dinner is on your own, followed by our evening contra dances. The final dance follows a continental breakfast and concert on Sunday ending at noon. Lava Meltdown features all-day dancing, plus a concert, jamming, and caller's and music workshops by featured musicians and callers.
LOCATION:
Lava Meltdown is held at Lava Seniors & Community Center in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho is, centrally located between Salt Lake City, Utah and Yellowstone National Park. Just 11 miles East off I-15.
COVID POLICY:
Check back for final details, but assuming community COVID levels remain low, we will not have any COVID restrictions for Lava Meltdown 2026. We still encourage all attendees to be vaccinated and to test before attending camp to be on the safe side.
Masks will be required for all participants when indoors if community levels of COVID in the region begin to surge. All participants will be notified of such a criteria prior to camp.
TERMINOLOGY:
We are joining camps around the country in the effort to make our language more inclusive. Lava Meltdown is moving forward with a goal of all workshops and dances offered during the weekend using gender-neutral language, using Larks & Robins, and terms like partner, neighbor, shadow, etc. All Lava Meltdown participants should look over our Code of Conduct before registering and see if it is a good fit for them.
WORK TRADE POSITIONS:
We offer scholarships and half-scholarships for Work/Trade Positions. Some of the needed jobs are: kitchen help, set-up, break down, water station setup, registration assistant, and cleaning. To apply for a Work/Trade position contact Carrie Dayton-Madsen and wait for confirmation prior to registering. We request that anyone interested in Work/Trade register prior to January 1st.
CHILDREN:
Lava Meltdown loves being a family-friendly event! All activities are family-friendly. We offer reduced rates for children who love to dance and non-dancing children get in free.
OPPORTUNITY DRAWING:
Each year, our raffle raises funds for our financial aid program. Please bring arts & crafts, musical instruments, gift baskets and other fun items for the opportunity drawing. You can also donate directly with your registration.
FRAGRANCE FREE:
We ask that our attendees try to be Fragrance-Free in consideration for other attendees. Many dancers are sensitive to fragrances. Please refrain from using any scented products such as perfumes, colognes and scented after-shave liquids, fragrant deodorants, or fragrant lotions for the health of your fellow dancers. Instead try to find fragrance-free alternatives! Allergic reactions include headaches, sneezing, scratchy throats, watery eyes and a few other symptoms that can ruin a dance experience.
LOCATION:
Lava Hot Springs is a beautiful mountain town along the Portneuf River in eastern Bannock County, Idaho, United States. This dance is held in the Community Center that is centrally located to historic Main Street, many hotels, Air bnbs, and restaurants. There are many spa services offered in the town, many shops, and a small museum. The dance will begin on Friday with a potluck gathering and an evening dance. Saturday will be full of dancing, workshops, and plenty of time to soak up the scenery. Sunday will be more dancing and a concert to finish the day. I have included some links to local things here: