Country Dance and Song Society Campers' Week at Pinewoods August 14 - 21, 1999 as of 6-9-99: there is a long wait list for this program.

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Campers' Week at Pinewoods August 14 - 21, 1999 Program Director: Jennifer Smith Staff: Andy Davis Leah Gordon Nat Hewitt Scott Higgs Steve Roderick Sue Rosen Louise Sherman David Smukler Katy Tarter Advisors: Steve Howe Beth Murray Vince O'Donnell Julia Rubin-Smith Bill Smith Sarah Gregory Smith

Program Description: [Back to Top]

There's an air of enchantment about these woods, a feeling that almost anything is possible and that, while you're here with family and friends, time really does stand still. This is part of the magic of Campers' Week.

Look up our Family Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.

Shared leadership is a hallmark of this unique week: while a core of classes in traditional English and American dance and song is offered by our talented and resourceful staff, a lot of the week's success is due to the campers and what they bring. In previous years, campers have led classes and workshops in everything from rapper, Scottish country and salsa dance to nature walks, old-time string band and juggling. And there's always a craft activity or two on the camphouse porch. Campers' Week folk play hard, but they also leave time in their schedules for a swim in the pond, a leisurely chat, or even an afternoon snooze. Children ages 4-12 have two classes a day divided by age group, taught by Andy, David, Katy and Jennifer, with an afternoon parent co-op for those aged 4-5. Kids 13 and up can participate in any of the adult classes, and there's a special period in the afternoon for teens only.

All the ages come together several times a day, and no time is more magical than the evening. After family games and an early evening program, the music of the Pied Piper signals bedtime for children 8 and under while dancers and musicians begin to gather under the lights in the main dance pavilion. Roving babysitters check on sleeping children, allowing parents to enjoy the dance.

Each Campers' Week is filled with cherished traditions - the ball, skit night, the all-camp morris tour, wish boats - and the pleasure of being with old friends and making new ones.

If you come to Campers' Week, be sure to bring something you love - an instrument, a dance or song, a story, craft or special interest - and plan to share it with the rest of us.

Campers' Week at Pinewoods Daily Schedule
7:45 - 8:15	Breakfast
9:00 - 9:50	Morning classes, divided by age group
10:00	Refreshments
10:15 - 11:00	All Camp Gathering
11:00 - 12:00	Swimming/Singing
12:15	Lunch
1:30 - 2:20	Quiet activities/Rest time
2:30 - 3:20	Afternoon classes, divided by age group
3:30 - 4:20	Swimming
4:30 - 5:20	Late afternoon classes
6:00	Dinner
6:45	Singing Games
7:30 - 8:30	Camphouse Gathering
8:00	Pied Piper/bedtime for children 8 and younger
8:30 - 11:00	Evening Dance Party
9:20	Bedtime for 9-12 year olds

Staff: [Back to Top]

Andy Davis is an accomplished dance caller and musician, an experienced teacher and inspiring song leader. A favorite with children of all ages, Andy tours with the group Nowell Sing We Clear and, as a co-founder of New England Dancing Masters, presents traditional dance workshops in schools and communities.

Leah Gordon, celebrating her 12th year at Campers' Week, is well-qualified to be mistress of ceremonies for the evening gatherings. While a student at Brown University, Leah founded the Contra and Folk Dancing Club and wrote her thesis on CDSS and Ralph Page. When not teaching high school history, she is an active dancer in the Boston area.

Nat Hewitt, who hails from New Hampshire, has won rave reviews from Ashokan to Alaska for his fiddle and banjo playing. He also plays mandolin, guitar, bagpipes and cello! A dance musician since the age of 14, Nat currently performs with Reckless Abandon, a contra dance band. He and his wife, Liza Constable, make up the duo Crazyblues, playing an eclectic repertoire of jazz, vintage blues and "swampy Cajun". Nat will be our lead musician for the evening dance and will offer a children's band class.

Scott Higgs, a caller and teacher from Philadelphia, is a favorite with dancers all over the country for his high-energy contras and elegant country dances. Scott has a special knack for making the mysteries and beauties of English dances accessible to all. Early One Morning, a collection of his dance compositions, is now in its second printing.

Steve Roderick's merry troupe of mummers was one of the highlights of camp last year, and we're glad he's returning to lead both our intrepid teens and an adult longsword class again this summer. When not teaching biology or enjoying time with his family, Steve dances with the Pinewoods Morris Men and Orion Longsword and leads a children's morris team.

Sue Rosen is one of the Boston area's most popular contra and square callers and has been featured at Pinewoods, NEFFA, the Down East Country Dance Festival, and the Ralph Page Legacy Weekend. Sue specializes in programs which combine the best of new and classic material and is also active as a Cape Breton step dancer.

Louise Sherman is a storyteller and children's librarian. Her retellings of Ropenose and Molly Whuppie - among many others - have endeared her to Campers' Week audiences. Her work has even won unofficial endorsement from the wise men of Chelm. Louise will offer campers of all ages the opportunity to learn how to tell stories, polish their developing skills or just sit back and enjoy listening to a good tale well told.

Jennifer Smith is a storyteller, folklorist, singer and teacher. As founder of Magic Circle Programs, she performs for school and family audiences and leads training workshops in arts education for teachers, parents and childcare providers. Jennifer also teaches singing and recorder to adults and has performed with numerous music and dance groups in the Boston area.

David Smukler was a favorite of children and parents last year and we're delighted to have him back. In addition to being a gifted teacher, he is active as a contra and family dance caller, musician and morris dancer. David's family can be expected to share their talents as well, with everything from medieval bombard tunes to border morris capers.

Katy Tarter "grew up dancing" in Berea, KY. A member of the Ritchie family, she brings with her a wide repertoire of traditional Appalachian songs and singing games. Katy was a member of the Berea Festival Dancers for seven years, is an avid clogger, and has taught children's classes at Buffalo Gap and the Berea Christmas Country Dance School. Currently she is a student at Presbyterian College in South Carolina.

Program Description Staff & Schedule Top

413-268-7426 FAX: 413-268-7471

Country Dance and Song Society 132 Main St/PO Box 338 Haydenville, MA 01039-0338 Office Hours M-F 9:30am - 5:00pm EST

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