July 27 – August 3 // Lyman, NH

The week children take their families to

Program Description

Join us for a special CDSS family week at Ogontz, where the magic of tradition, humor, friendship and community brings us back year after year. This week is filled with singing, music, dancing and fun for all ages and this year we have an incredible staff of singers, multi-instrumentalists, and dance leaders! And as always, we invite campers to bring their talents to share as well!

Along with our traditional dance offerings of contras, squares, and English country and ritual dance, singers and musicians have the chance to participate in harmony singing, family band, and swap songs and tunes in a relaxed environment. Children’s classes are taught by caring and talented staff and include traditional singing and dancing. Days are full of choices in dance, song, crafts, mumming, fun games, and swimming in the crystal clear lake. Just before dinner we meet at the green chairs for story time. Twice a day campers get the opportunity to come together in a camp gathering to sing, dance, and enjoy entertainment by our talented staff and campers. And as always, our days end with a dance party and late night activities as roving monitors check on little ones asleep in their cabins.

Ogontz Camp offers woodlands and wide-open spaces where children can play, a mountain stream for exploring and a pristine lake that hosts a family of loons – perfect for swimming and canoeing. Whether you are having supper on the outdoor dining deck or simply relaxing in the circle of Adirondack chairs under the old white pine, you will enjoy peace and contentment as you take in the beauty of this piece of heaven in the foothills of the White Mountains. Delicious home cooked meals and fresh baked breads nurture your body and soul, fueling you through an unforgettable week.

Join us for a special CDSS family week at Ogontz, where the magic of tradition, humor, friendship and community brings us back year after year. This week is filled with singing, music, dancing and fun for all ages and this year we have an incredible staff of singers, multi-instrumentalists, and dance leaders! And as always, we invite campers to bring their talents to share as well!

Along with our traditional dance offerings of contras, squares, and English country dance, singers and musicians have the chance to participate in harmony singing, family band, and swap songs and tunes in a relaxed environment. Children’s classes are taught by caring and talented staff and include traditional singing and dancing. Days are full of choices in dance, song, crafts, mumming, fun games, and swimming in the crystal clear lake. Just before dinner we meet at the green chairs for story time. Twice a day campers get the opportunity to come together in a camp gathering to sing, dance, and enjoy entertainment by our talented staff and campers. And as always, our days end with a dance party and late night activities as roving monitors check on little ones asleep in their cabins.

Ogontz Camp offers woodlands and wide-open spaces where children can play, a mountain stream for exploring and a pristine lake that hosts a family of loons – perfect for swimming and canoeing. Whether you are having supper on the outdoor dining deck or simply relaxing in the circle of Adirondack chairs under the old white pine, you will enjoy peace and contentment as you take in the beauty of this piece of heaven in the foothills of the White Mountains. Delicious home cooked meals and fresh baked breads nurture your body and soul, fueling you through an unforgettable week.

~ Lily and Paul Leahy, Program Directors

Staff

Program Directors

Lily & Paul Leahy

Staff

  • Mary Alice Amidon
  • Peter Amidon
  • Karen Axelrod*
  • Rachel Bell
  • Fynn Crooks
  • Nils Fredland
  • Katy German
  • Desiree Melegrito Halcomb
  • Max Newman
  • Sarah Nicholson
  • Kristen Planeaux
  • Roger Reed
  • Joanna Reiner
  • Paddy Swanson
  • Laurel Swift
  • Becky Tracy

* Program Advisor, plus:
Steve Howe

Class Descriptions

9:00-9:55

Little Jammers (2-3) – Desiree Melegrito Halcomb

Our littles will enjoy exploring music through movement, simple songs and fingerplays, and playing instruments. The theme of Animals will tie our experiences together, which will be accompanied by stories and art projects.

Music and Dance (4-5) – Mary Alice Amidon

We will sing lots of great songs and learn chants and finger plays. We’ll enjoy picture books of songs and play favorite singing games. Come have fun with Mary Alice.

Move, Groove, and Create (6-7) – Kristen Planeaux

We’ll sing and dance and move our bodies in fun and creative ways. Passing games, pattycake, and perhaps even puppets will make appearances this week!

Longsword (8-9) – Lily Leahy

Music by: Becky Tracy: A traditional dance from the north of England, longsword dancing is both exciting and fun! We will dance while linked up by “swords”, making cool figures, tying ourselves in knots and magically unwinding again. We will also learn a traditional calling on song and perform our song and dance at the end of the week. Expect some fun teambuilding games to make an appearance as well!

Song and Dance (10-12) – Peter Amidon

Peter will lead the 10-12s in gravity-defying contra dancing, fearsomely sublime English dancing, ethereal choreography, robustly angelic harmony singing and a folktale or two.

English For All: Building Your ECD Toolkit (13 & up) – Joanna Reiner

Music by: Karen Axelrod, Max Newman: If English Dance is not your first language, if you are a new or returning English dancer, or if you want a chance to focus on and build your ECD skills, come to class! We’ll take the time to look at figures, how to dance to the great variety of ECD tunes, and so much more. This class is a great introduction to the joys and variety of English country dancing.

Cotswold Morris (13 & up) – Laurel Swift

Music by: Roger Reed: A class for beginners and experienced dancers alike, getting the basics in order, then exploring some great dances, and some of the finer points of what makes a dance good to watch and satisfying to do. All welcome, we’ll have a great time dancing!

10:15-11:10

Making Music (2-3) – Rachel Bell

WWe will sing, clap, dance, and tell stories! We’ll play drums, boomwhackers, egg shakers, and lots of other instruments! There will be counting and colors, rhyming and rhythm, rubber duckies and purple tambourines, story boards and folk songs. Your little one will feel right at home in this nurturing environment full of smiles, laughter, and creativity.

Musical Explorers (4-5) – Desiree Melegrito Halcomb

Students will enjoy exploring music through movement, songs and rhymes, and playing percussion instruments using the theme “Of the Seasons”. We will incorporate stories and simple crafts to tie our experiences together.

Rhythm Band, Songs and Stories (6-7) – Mary Alice Amidon

Mary Alice will bring lots of instruments for a band. We’ll have fun accompanying songs and chants. We’ll enjoy folktales with musical and dramatic interpretation.

Jest, Song and Dance (8-9) – Katy German, Roger Reed

Sing, dance, and be merry with Roger and Katie! These lucky 8 and 9 year olds will get the chance to learn juggling and other jesting skills from Roger the Jester, while Katie will lead them in song and dance. A lovely, eclectic class sure to bring great fun!

Morris (10-12) – Laurel Swift

Music by: Karen Axelrod: Enjoy learning the bounciest folk dance of all. Sticks, hankies, steps and figures combine to make a fun dance for everyone. Sometimes simple, sometimes complex, there’ll be plenty to learn and you might even create some dances yourself once you have the basics.

Contras and Squares (13 & up) – Nils Fredland

Music by: Becky Tracey, Max Newman: Spend the week dancing your way through the broad and rich repertoire of traditional American social dancing. Contras, Squares, and more! Nils will make sure that everyone – from the newest to the most nimble – feels welcome on the dance floor, and engaged by the selection of dances.

Singing (13 & up) – Peter Amidon

Singing by ear and from written music; a cappella and accompanied by guitar, banjo and piano, Peter will lead a choral harmony singing class steeped in roots American & English traditional songs – arrangements of: ballads, work songs, shape note songs, African American spirituals, songs of love lost and of love found, and more.

12:00-12:20

Games with Fynn for all – Fynn Crooks

Join Fynn between morning gathering and lunch for her silly, crazy games, sure to bring many laughs and work up your appetite!

1:30-2:25

Crafts (All ages, under 8 w/parent) – Sarah Nicholson

Come and play with a variety of materials and discover where your creative process will lead you. Paper, paints, and other inspiration will be provided for making origami, small books, prayer flags, water paintings, envelopes, collages, paper weavings, etc.

All-Comers Ukulele Orchestra (9 and up, younger, if passionate, with parent) – Max Newman

Ukulele is fun for anyone! Get a uke in your hands and join the band. No experience with ukulele required. In fact, no experience preferred.

Advanced English: Complexity/Simplicity (13 & up) – Joanna Reiner

Music by: Karen Axelrod, Rachel Bell: This challenging session will take you beyond simply learning and renewing your acquaintance with English dances. We will examine complex choreographies from various eras to not only learn the geography, but dance them well, perfectly phrased to the music, and in time and in sync with follow dancers to create a harmonious whole. Dancers are expected to be familiar with all ECD figures.

2:35-3:30

Family Band (8 & up, younger, if passionate, w/parent) – Becky Tracey

Becky will get us ready to play for the Community Dance each night. All abilities and instruments welcome! Get ready – you have a gig Sunday night!

Mummers Play (8 & up, younger, if passionate, w/parent) – Paddy Swanson

The artistic director of Revels will lead us in the creation of another spectacular mummers play. Join the troupe and play your part!

Dance Potpouri (13 & up) – various teachers

Music by: Kristen Planeaux, Rachel Bell: Join us for a different flavor of dancing each day, ranging from Singing Squares and contra flourishes, to English Ceilidh, to French Bourees and more!

3:45-4:40

Teen Class (13-19) – Laurel Swift

Create a brand new folk mini-musical in a week! Starting with a gripping folk story, we’ll explore characters, write their songs, make some appropriate dance numbers and sew it together in a seamless story. It’s your show to take in whatever direction you choose, so there’ll be something for everyone whether you like to be centre stage or lurk in the wings.

The Choral Project (10-12, 20 & up) – Nils Fredland

Nothing knits a group of singers together like engaging in the work of bringing a challenging choral piece to life. We will spend the week focused on two large-scale works — one classical and one contemporary — exploring beyond the notes to make some great music. Music-reading is helpful but not necessary — all are welcome!

Circus Fun (8-12, 20 & up, undr 8 w/parent) – Roger Reed, Kristen Planeaux

Acrobatics, hoops, sticks, balls! Join Kristen, master of Acro Yoga, and Roger the Jester, master of juggling and all things jesting for what will prove to be a very exciting class. There will be a wide variety or solo, partner, and group work which will hopefully result in a circus performance at the end of camp! This class is open to all ages but some of the activities within it may not be available to our younger campers.

4:50-5:20

Stories at the Green Chairs – Peter Amidon, Roger Reed

Roger with his interactive juggling and more, Peter with poems and storysongs, Peter and Roger together in their collaborative “We Know Not What We Do” storytelling. Every performance will be a debut.