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Country Dance and Song SocietyCampers' Week at Pinewoods
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Country Dance and Song SocietyCampers' Week at Pinewoods
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Campers' Week at Pinewoods August 17 - 24, 2002 Program Director: Staff: * Advisors, plus: |
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 its flexibility and spontaneity. Many of the activities are planned and led by campers, who enthusiastically initiate others in areas of their interest and expertise. Almost every day some new classes appear. Traditional music, dance, storytelling and crafts form the core of the program, but its breadth knows no limits.
Our professional staff makes sure that we start with a solid foundation. The dance and music leadership is first-rate, and provides reliable support for campers who want a chance to play or to call. Twice each day, children from 3 to 12 enjoy engaging, age-grouped classes with teachers who are proven favorites. Teens have a daily session that is all their own, and are also welcomed at all the adult classes.
The dance program for adults includes some of America's best-loved leaders: contras and squares with Lisa Greenleaf, English dances with Brad Foster and Cotswold morris with Jan Elliott. Last year, campers supplemented this mix with Scottish country, waltz, English clog, swing, Appalachian clog and rapper. These dance sessions are just the beginning: last year's campers led classes in over two dozen themes, ranging from song swaps to didgeridoo, and from juggling to group construction of a giant marble machine. Every year is a new adventure: long-time campers delight in their "regular" classes, but save schedule space to explore the new offerings.
After dancing, music-making is the most popular Campers' Week activity. Campers play in the bands for dance classes and for the evening dance. Singers gather at almost any hour of the day to share rounds, sing favorites and explore new repertoire. Folks with a creative bent participate in a wide range of crafts, sharing knowledge, materials and inspiration.
Everyone in camp comes together each morning and evening at Gathering, to share songs, dances, games and stories. Evening Gathering includes a lovely tradition and transition, as the Pied Piper leads the youngest children to bed. Afterward, dancers and musicians assemble in the pavilion for the evening dance, as roving babysitters keep an eye on sleeping children.
No text about program activities can capture the real magic of Campers' Week. For seven days, 140 people form a single extended family. As a community, we celebrate our diversity, and applaud each individual's contribution. We'd be pleased to help you find your niche; please join us!
Andy Davis is an accomplished dance caller and musician. His inspirational teaching of traditional dance and music to young folks makes him a perennial favorite with children and their parents.
Sally Denmead is a singer, actress and impressaria to the stars. She is known in New York City for organizing events that showcase fabulously talented people. Sally will be doing the same for us: hosting Evening Gathering. Come to camp with something fun to share.
Jan Elliott has been active in ritual dancing since she founded Ha'penny Morris of Boston in 1978. She has danced with or played for over a dozen Cotswold teams in the U.S., Canada and England, and wrote her masters thesis on the relationship between music and dance in morris.
Brad Foster is the Executive and Artistic Director of CDSS and a renowned dance teacher and musician. He has shared his love of dancing in sessions all over the world, with people of all ages and abilities.
Lisa Greenleaf has been treating dancers across the country to her high spirited, witty calling. Her rich repertoire and commitment to community-building make her a favorite with experts and novices alike.
Scott Higgs has been teaching dance and organizing events for over 25 years. His primary role this week will be directing the program, but he's sure to appear on stage at times, to help convey the joy of beautiful dancing.
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.
Bob Pasquarello has been a dance musician since 1980, featured in A Band Named Bob, Colonel Mike's Dance Band and many others. Bob has been an integral part of the Brasstown Folk School's Contra Dance Musicians Workshop since its inception in 1995.
Susie Petrov plays piano and accordion for Scottish, English and contra dances with her band, Local Hero. She is also an internationally-acclaimed music teacher, presenting music, dance and theater to students ages 3 to college.
Louise Sherman is a longtime Campers' Week attendee, who is both a professional storyteller and a children's librarian. She has been telling traditional folktales and literary tales for over 30 years.
Jennifer Farley Smith is a song leader, community builder, storyteller and teacher. She performs for school and family audiences and leads training workshops in arts education. Jennifer has been dancing down Pinewoods paths for almost three decades.
David Smukler and his family are familiar faces at Campers' Week, and we're delighted he'll be co-ordinating our evening dance. David dances and plays with a Border morris team and is active as a dance caller and organizer.
Kathy Talvitie plays English dance piano with Hold the Mustard and A Joyful Noise, and propels contra dancers forward with her rhythm guitar in Raise the Roof. She has been a regular at Campers' Week for over a dozen years.
Kathy Torrey has been dancing in the Monadnock area since childhood. She is a teacher, school director and roving dance caller. Kathy presents dance, natural history, storytelling and crafts to people of all ages.
| Campers' Week at Pinewoods Daily Schedule |
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| 7:45 - 8:15 | Breakfast |
| 9:00 - 9:50 | Class Period I, divided by age group |
| 10:00 | Refreshments |
| 10:15 - 11:00 | All Camp Gathering |
| 11:00 - 12:00 | Class Period II/Swimming |
| 12:15 | Lunch |
| 1:30 - 2:20 | Class Period III, quiet activities |
| 2:30 - 3:20 | Class Period IV, divided by age group |
| 3:30 - 4:20 | Class Period V/Swimming |
| 4:30 - 5:20 | Class Period VI |
| 6:00 | Dinner |
| 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 |
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 (ages 3 - 5)
The morning class for this group will be a mixture of song and story, led by Kathy Torrey. Children will make simple puppets and tell some tales with them. The afternoon class is a parent-supported co-op, hosted by Karen, featuring games, songs and music.
Smalls (ages 6 - 7)
These children begin their day with Louise. They will hear stories from many lands and do related crafts, dramatizations and songs. In the afternoon, Susie will lead a lively session of music, dance and games.
Middles (ages 8 - 10)
This group joins Susie in the morning. They will explore dancing that connects with songs, with an emphasis on African-American and Caribbean traditions. In the afternoon, Andy will teach longsword.
Talls (ages 11 - 12)
Andy starts the day with this group, offering a mix of song, dance, storytelling and rhythm games. Instruments are welcome. Kathy Torrey emphasizes creativity in the afternoon session, Playing with Form. The focus will be on writing new dances, based on experience with traditional forms.
Teens are welcome in all of the adult classes. Lisa will host one class each day that gives the teens their own exclusive space for discovery and fun. She is calling it Teen Potpourri, drawing on the talents of many campers to present such delights as swing dancing, rhythm games, creating cool contra choreography, wacky couple dances and much more.
Adults (13 and up)
Join Brad each morning for a delightful session of English country dances. In the afternoon, don't miss Lisa with contras, squares and more in The Joy of Dancing, American Style. Delight in the strength and grace of morris dancing with Jan. Bring your instruments and sharpen your ears to explore Musicianship with Bob. The schedule leaves lots of room to share your interest and your expertise. Bring your ideas and add a class to the program.
Community Gatherings
Everyone in camp gathers twice each day to share songs, stories, games and group activities. Our morning gathering is hosted by Kathy Torrey. In the evening, Sally is the mistress of ceremonies. 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.
Staff
Class Descriptions & Schedule
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413-268-7426 |
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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