Barbecue Bootcamps

A Hands-on BBQ Learning Experience

2025 Bootcamps

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Classes

All Bootcamps are limited to the first 24 people to sign up. We cook on 14 different types of grills and smokers so you can duplicate what you learn in camp with what you have at your house. Camps include EVERYTHING you will need; all you need to do is show up. At the end of the camp invite your loved ones in for the feeding frenzy and try everyone’s barbecue!

Turkey & Tailgate Bootcamp

This is class is my favorite! It has been a HUGE hit since we began it in 2014! So by popular demand—and just in time for Thanksgiving—we’re again doing a smoked turkey class! Be the hero at your holiday table with this delectable bird! And to keep things moving we (meaning YOU) will be smoking and grilling an additional 20–25 tailgate dishes! Bring your appetites, because there will be a lot of great food to eat! Oh yeah, and there’s beer! Woohoo!

(2 classes in 2025)

Pork Bootcamp

Pork Bootcamp is the ultimate hands-on pork barbecue experience. Featuring bone-in and boneless Boston butts (if you think those are hams from the Northeast, you really need this camp!). We will teach you the ins and outs of prepping, injecting, seasoning, and slow cooking the perfect pork. Dee-licious!

Better yet, if you've always wanted to cook a whole hog and never knew how, this is your chance to get in on a whole hog cook! 

Prep is Friday from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. You can either stay overnight or return Saturday morning for wrapping, spraying, pulling, and eating. Woohoo!

(One class in 2025)

Brisket Bootcamp

The meat that separates the men from the boys! By far the hardest barbecue meat to master, brisket will no longer be a mystery to you once you've attended Brisket Bootcamp. You’ll get the whole packer to work with. Then we’ll teach you about the point and the flat, about trimming the meat down, about burnt ends, about Secret Injection X—and more. When this camp is over, you’ll be the Bull of the House, just like my Grandma, who cooks one of the meaner briskets I've eaten.

This is offered as both a one-day and a two-day class to fit all schedules.

(4 classes in 2025)

Ribs and Chicken Bootcamp

Our most popular Bootcamp, especially with the ladies! Everyone agrees, there's just something about a woman who can cook great ribs! This Bootcamp is offered three times over the course of the summer. In this one-day camp, we go over the differences between baby back and spare ribs. We’ll cut the spares St. Louis-style, then talk about the membrane, trimming, seasoning, and other great rib secrets.

After that, we’ll show you how to make some chicken. That’s right, two meats in one day; it's how we roll! Sign up quick, this one fills up fast!

(3 classes in 2025)

Description

• Most years, you'll be able to choose from 10 barbecue Bootcamp dates, from from May to October. Select the category that interests you most: pork, brisket, ribs/chicken, or turkey. 
• In addition to the main meat focus, you'll have opportunities to cook breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks during the day.
• You'll get to cook on 12 different types of grills/cookers: GMG pellet cookers, Webers, Big Green Eggs for homeowners; Backwoods Smokers, 270 Smokers for competitors, and Meadow Creek units for caterers. If you have a cooker and want to bring it you can, but please make prior arrangements with us.
• You're invited to come and observe a Bootcamp even if you're not in the class! 

Schedule

• Most classes are one-day Saturday classes and will start around 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning and run through 4:00 or 5:00 in the evening (BBQ is fickle and times vary). 
• The pork and brisket classes will run overnight, starting at 5:00 or 6:00 pm on Friday through Saturday morning around 11 am.
• There is plenty of room and RV’s and tents are welcome. You are also welcome to recall your youth and stay up all night! Woo-hoo!

Location

For now, we are hosting these Bootcamps at our location in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, because of new neighbors around our Frederick location and the limitations of our lease there, we are not able to host Bootcamps at that location. We are looking at other places that might work but, as of now, all classes will be in Greencastle. I apologize for any inconvenience!

What Is Provided

Everything is provided, so all you have to bring is yourself and a good attitude! If you think you already know everything about barbecue, we kindly ask you not to come. These classes are a ton of fun and everyone—from the beginner to the caterer to the competitor—will learn something. In every class you'll hear from experienced pro competitors, caterers, and pitmasters, each with their own unique ways of cooking barbecue. Their friendly arguments will make it even more fun and informative for you.

Items provided in the $300 registration fee:

• Meat (it ain't cheap!)
• Smoker to use during the event
• Rubs and sauces to use on the meat
• Meals (breakfast and lunch)
• Snacks (think wings at midnight!)
• Drinks (soda, water, and beer—yes, beer!)
• Free stuff you get to keep: A knife, an injector (or thermometer), and a pair of hot gloves
• And last, but not least, it's going to be a party with lots of fun!

How to Register

• After registration opens, click the button under the description of the Bootcamp you want to register for. You'll be taken to an application form to register and buy your tickets. 
• After we get your application, we’ll send you a confirmation email to let you know you are in the class. If you do not get an email confirmation, it means we did not receive your registration and you should contact us to work it out.
• The classes fill up very quickly, and registrations are offered on a first come, first served basis.