Country Dance and Song Society Campers' Week at Pinewoods July 26 - August 2, 2003

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Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & Schedule

Campers' Week at Pinewoods July 26 - August 2, 2003 Program Director: Kathy Reid-Naiman Staff: Kathy Anderson Sandy Byer Shona Kearney Jody Kruskal Robin Kynoch Hannah Naiman* Jesse Naiman* Sue Ribaudo Brad Sayler Patty Tarter Kathy Torrey * Advisors, plus: Steve Howe Karen Mueller-Harder Jennifer Smith

Program Description: [Back to Top]

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

The more things change, the more they stay the same. There is no place where this saying is truer than at Campers' Week. This is a place where families come year after year, and where they continue coming until their children come with children of their own. Each year, new faces and friends are welcomed, and each year they too become a part of this continuously evolving family. Each camper brings with them something unique: be it a song, a dance, a story, a craft, or a refreshing character. There are some things that can be counted on every year -- there will be a great English dance caller and a wonderful contra and square dance caller, there will be talented children's class teachers, and there will be lots and lots of singing and storytelling. But the rest of the schedule is always a surprise since the campers are invited to not only participate in classes, but to lead them. There might be morris dancing, rapper, clogging, step dancing, self defense lessons, waltzing, swing dancing, salsa dancing, Scottish dancing or yoga. Or, for those who prefer to not strain their bodies, campers can enjoy afternoon singing or beading on the Camphouse porch, accompanied by the cool breeze from Long Pond, or perhaps lying in a hammock by Round Pond. Somewhere between Round Pond and Long Pond you will find everything you need.

During the evening, campers share songs and stories at the evening gatherings, and the children under nine are escorted to their cabins by the Pied Piper. After a melange of rowdy and elegant dance, with music supplied by some of our talented campers, there are many festivities, some organized, some spontaneous, in the Camphouse. Keeping with the general theme of the week, these festivities usually involve some variation of singing and dancing. Campers' Week has developed some cherished traditions such as the Ball, the all-camp morris tour, the show and tell, wishboats, skit night and of course the auction. When you come to Campers' Week, be prepared to bring something you love -- an instrument, a song, dance, story, craft, game or special interest -- and share it with the rest of us. Perhaps you'll start some traditions of your own while you're here.

Staff: [Back to Top]

Kathy Anderson likes fun in all forms, but especially squares and contras with a twist. Old-time banjo and piano led her to dancing, which she loves to share with all kinds of groups and communities. Her years of experience in every kind of dance venue from Canada to the Virgin Islands, will ensure an enjoyable dance experience for all.

Sandy Byer has been sharing traditional songs and stories with young audiences large and small for more than 25 years. She particularly delights in encouraging people to participate and create their own stories and songs. She has produced one recording, A Bedtime Story and created the "Kidsbeat" column for Sing Out! magazine.

Shona Kearney is a goldsmith, step dancer, teacher and leader of Toronto Women's Sword. In the recent past, at Ogontz, she delighted in teaching stepdance and rapper to all ages.

Jody Kruskal is a composer, performer, freelance educator and musical inventor. He plays Anglo concertina, sax and percussion with the contra dance bands Grand Picnic, Squeezology and Jaybird; he has composed extensively for the gamelan (Indonesian style percussion orchestra), and writes tunes for country dancing, as well as scores for theater and dance companies. He teaches music and traditional dancing in schools, museums, summer camps and arts organizations He is also director of Brooklyn's Public Works Orchestra.

Robin Kynoch has been playing tinwhistle for contras, English and ritual dancing for over 20 years. She also knows lots of tinwhistle tricks and is currently taking Irish music lessons, a "truly humbling" experience.

Hannah Naiman has been a loyal Campers' Week attendee since before she knew how to spell. Her dance background is an eclectic one that covers American and English dance, Ontario step dancing, swing, tap, ballet, modern and jazz.

Jesse Naiman has been coming to Campers' Week for more than half of his life. He spent two summers volunteering on the Pinewoods crew and is now ready to share some of the songs and dances he learned along the way. Jesse will once again be our Pied Piper to lead the young ones off to their cabins at bedtime.

Kathy Reid-Naiman teaches early childhood music and movement classes in Ontario and has five recordings that are used extensively as teaching aids in classrooms across North America. This year's Program Director, she has been coming to Campers' Week since 1989 as a teacher or a camper and has frequently been on staff at Ogontz and Pinewoods family weeks. She is the fiddler for Toronto Women's Sword and is one half of an old-time duo Ragged but Right (the other half will be there too).

Sue Ribaudo, an accomplished singer and song leader, loves to build community through music. Sue offers vocal classes at various music programs during the summer, and works as a music teacher and choral director in New York City during the rest of the year. Sue is also a songwriter and recording artist.

Brad Sayler has been leading English and American folk dances around the country for the past 20 years or so. When teaching, he likes to emphasize the elements of good dancing -- phrasing, movement and interaction with other dancers.

Patty Tarter of Berea, KY is a long time country dance and folk music enthusiast. She enjoys sharing with young and old alike the singing games and Appalachian folk songs she has learned from her family, the Ritchie's of eastern Kentucky, as well as those from other traditions.

Kathy Torrey has been dancing in the Monadnock, NH 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. She is the founder of The Orchard School, a preschool and community center in Alstead, NH.

Campers' Week at Pinewoods Daily Schedule
7:45 - 8:15	Breakfast
9:00 - 9:50	Class Period I, divided by age group
10:00	Refreshments
10:15 - 11:00	Morning 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	Evening 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 by age group -- 9:00 and 2:30

The age groupings for children's classes are tentative; they will be set after registration is complete.

Littles (ages 5-6)
In Patty's class you'll learn songs, singing games and play party games from the Appalachian and other traditions and discover the link between those games and the style and formation of the country dance. You will do a lot of skipping, singing, hand clapping and toe tapping. In the afternoon with Jody, you'll re-enact Buzz Buzz Busy Bee with singing, dancing and costumes; you'll build and play instruments and play games!

Smalls (ages 7-8)
In the morning you will learn the Shetlands Foula Island Dance as well as make and play homemade instruments with Jody. In the afternoon Kathy Torrey will share a great mix of song, dance and fabric crafts with you.

Middles (ages 9-10)
In the morning Shona will teach a traditional longsword dance and help you make a costume for the team. In the afternoon, with Sandy, you'll explore Pinewoods traditions from the past to guide you in the establishment of new traditions. Along the way, you'll sing and write songs, explore your own family stories and traditions and learn some traditional string games. The focus will be to create something new out of the old. Everyone will be encouraged to see themselves as creators and contributors.

Talls (ages 11-12)
This group will do some writing of dances, some felting and banner making for the parade with Kathy Torrey in the morning. In the afternoon, Brad Sayler will teach them ritual and social dance.

Teens
In the afternoon teens will have their own class with Hannah and Jesse who have had the pleasure of learning the most rowdy, raucous and full body contact set dances from Jim Morrison for the past five years. This year they plan to unleash the wild cat that is Kerry Set dances onto the young souls of Campers' Week. These dances, gathered from North and West villages of Ireland, will make you stomp, pant and beg for more. And as if that weren't enough, Jesse and Hannah have got swing moves and songs in their trick bag as well. If still capable of walking after that, teens are welcome to take adult classes too.

Adults (13 and up)
Join Brad each morning for English country dances with an opportunity to learn the basics the first day or so and then move on to more challenging repertoire -- a mixture of the older Playford dances and other more recently composed dances. In the afternoon, Kathy Anderson will lead Squares and Contras -- dances with a little twist, old traditions and new creations to lift the feet. She'll also lead a callers' class giving an opportunity to call squares and contras and get style critiques whether you're an experienced learner or a first-timer. You can also accept the challenge of the Haxby longsword dance with Shona. Or bring your ideas and add a class to the program since the schedule leaves lots of room to share your interest and your expertise.

Community Gatherings
Everyone in camp gathers twice each day to share songs, stories, games and group activities. Our morning gatherings will be hosted by Sue Ribaudo, and the evening gatherings by Kathy Reid-Naiman. 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.

Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & 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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