Country Dance and Song Society Campers' Week at Pinewoods July 28 - August 4, 2001

As of April 10, there is a long wait list at this week.

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Program Description Class Descriptions Staff & Schedule Programs Homepage

Campers' Week at Pinewoods July 28 - August 4, 2001 Program Director: Scott Higgs Staff: Betsy Blachly Chapin Henry Chapin Anne Glover Leah Gordon Steve Hickman David Millstone Karen Mueller-Harder* DeLaura Padovan Bob Pasquarello* Clara Rubin-Smith Tim Shaw Leslie Talon Kathy Talvitie* * Advisors, plus: Erik Mueller-Harder Jennifer Smith Sam Rubin Steve Howe

Program Description: [Back to Top]
Look up our Family Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.

Campers' Week is unique among CDSS summer programs in the opportunities it provides for initiative and leadership. Those who come are not just participants, they actively plan and lead many of the classes and activities of the week. With 140 campers eager to share their enthusiasm, the daily schedule offers a rich smorgasbord of possibilities. Traditional music, dance, storytelling and crafts form the core of the program, but its breadth knows no limits.

The professional staff takes care of certain necessities: top-notch dance and music leadership and a first-rate program for children. Twice each day, kids from 3 to 12 meet in age-grouped classes with master teachers. The teens have their own special session, too, and are welcomed at all the adult classes. Each day's program for adults includes dynamic contras (and squares), lively English dances, and the magic of longsword. Last year, campers supplemented this mix with Scottish country, waltz, morris (beginning and experienced), swing, rapper, and molly dancing. These dance sessions are just the beginning: last year's campers led classes in over two dozen themes, ranging from juggling to musical instrument making to Ukrainian eggs. Every year is a new adventure: long-time campers delight in their 'regular' classes, but save schedule space to eagerly explore the new offerings.

Music-making ranks high among popular Campers' Week activities: campers play in the bands for dance classes and for the evening dance. We are thrilled by the array of professional caliber musicians who share their skills, but also welcome neophytes, who will find encouragement and coaching in the Community Band class. Singers enjoy at least one "official" session, and usually find many other occasions to assemble. All-camp Gatherings each morning and evening provide venues for sharing songs, dances, games, and stories with the entire camp. It's easy to get caught up in the non-stop excitement and activity -- but also important to take a break, enjoy a relaxed conversation ... or even a nap. You need to conserve your strength for the evening party!

Each night, after the Pied Piper leads the youngest children to bed, musicians and dancers kick-off the dance party. Roving babysitters keep an eye on sleeping children, allowing parents to enjoy the dance. If you're a night owl, you'll find plenty of lively companions in the Camphouse after hours. A surprising number of these revelers will join with the early birds at breakfast, enthusiastically anticipating the new day's delights.

Did we mention the ball, skit night, parties, swimming in the crystal clear ponds, and just plain relaxing? What about Pinewoods' beautiful cabins, magical forest atmosphere, and sensational food? Best of all, come to experience the Campers' Week community. Find your niche in our friendly, inclusive environment, where all are welcomed and encouraged to share their talents. It's a great place to be - please join our party!

Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
Children's Classes
The age groupings for children's classes are tentative; they will be set after registration is complete.

Littles (age 3 - 5)
The Littles meet with DeLaura in the morning for a mix of singing, dancing and fun. The afternoon class is a parent-supported co-op, hosted by Leslie, featuring stories, crafts and nature themes.

Smalls (ages 6 - 7)
This group begins their day with Betsy and a lively mix of music and movement. In the afternoon, Bob leads them in singing, stories, music games and play-party dances.

Middles (ages 8 - 10)
In the morning, the middle age group will enjoy stories and games with Anne. DeLaura leads this group in music, dance and nature activities in the afternoon.

Talls (ages 11 - 12)
The oldest group starts their day with Henry, with music and dance. In the afternoon, they meet with Anne to explore group games, theatre improv, and storytelling, using the amazing art of string games. During the afternoon period, all campers aged 11 and up have the option of joining longsword.

Teens from age 13 and up are welcome in all of the adult classes. Leah and Clara will host one class each day that gives the teens their own exclusive space for discovery and fun.

Community Gatherings
Everyone in camp gathers twice each day to share songs, stories, games and group activities. Our morning gathering is hosted by DeLaura and Karen. In the evening, Henry and Tim are the masters of ceremony. In each case, the focus is not on our hosts, but on you, the campers. Bring an assortment of songs, dances and activities to share.

Adults
David will lead contras and squares, Scott will lead English country dances, and Henry will teach longsword. Campers usually supplement this dance offering with everything from morris and rapper to swing. On the musical side, Betsy will host a song session every day, and Steve welcomes musicians on any instruments to join the Community Band. Staff and campers will join together to present a series of leadership workshops, to develop skills in a wide range of pursuits. The schedule leaves lots of room for you to share your interests and expertise. Bring your ideas and add a class to the program!

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
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 - 8:25	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]

Betsy Blachly Chapin is a singer and music-maker extraordinaire with young children, who was on staff at the original Pinewoods Family Camp. She teaches early childhood music at Bank Street School for Children in New York City.

Henry Chapin cut his teeth at Pinewoods Camp, washing many dishes and sweeping many dance floors. This week he'll draw on his experience in Revelry and teaching of the arts, serving as musician, fiddler, caller and master of tomfoolery.

Anne Glover is a storyteller, dance leader and string artist from Victoria, B.C. She has performed to spell-bound audiences across Canada and the Northwest U.S. for years, incorporating her love of languages, dance and folklore.

Leah Gordon draws on over a dozen years of Campers' Week experience to co-lead the Teens session. While in college, she founded a contra and folk dance club, and wrote her thesis on CDSS and Ralph Page.

Steve Hickman has been playing fiddle for dance events around the country for over 25 years. He is also a master of harmonica and a virtuoso of the most portable instrument of all: hambone.

Scott Higgs leads English, contra and couple dancing. His welcoming style helps dancers discover and delight in beautiful, joyful dancing.

David Millstone has been calling dances for more than 20 years. He has also danced longsword and coached mummers. His video documentary, Paid To Eat Ice Cream: Bob McQuillen and New England Contra Dancing, received its premiere showing this January.

Karen Mueller-Harder has been coming to Pinewoods since she was 13, and to Campers' Week since its inception. She is proud to bring her children to camp, helping to launch the next generation on this delightful path.

DeLaura Padovan is a family dance leader, singer and organic farmer. She and Steve Hickman will come to us full of fresh energy and ideas just one week after co-directing Family Week at Buffalo Gap.

Bob Pasquarello has been a dance musician since 1980, featured in A Band Named Bob, Colonel Mike's Dance Band, and many others. When Bob is not playing music himself, he is teaching it to young children at the Miquon School.

Clara Rubin-Smith first came to Pinewoods at the age of three weeks. Besides American and English dance, her background includes modern, African and Latin dance. While in college, she founded a folk dance club, and polished her salsa and merengue techniques in South America.

Tim Shaw hasn't missed a summer at Pinewoods since he was 2. He plays trumpet with The Velveteens, and has toured with them in both the midwest and southeast U.S.

Leslie Talon is a free-lance artist, working primarily with natural materials. She has led after-school enrichment programs, developed exhibits for Briar Bush Nature Center, and run children's programs for libraries and community groups for over 20 years.

Kathy Talvitie plays for both English country and contra dancing. She plays piano with Hold the Mustard and A Joyful Noise, and guitar with Raise the Roof. She has been a regular at Campers' Week for over a dozen years.

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

http://www.cdss.org/