Dance, Music, & Song Camps“I mused over the last year that re-starting the music and dance scene would involve more kitchen junkets and porch gatherings than big dances and festivals.”
–Andy Davis
August 17-24, 2024 // Plymouth, MA
Where YOU are the defining ingredient
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Program Description
Campers’ Week is a multi-generational week propelled by the talents, curiosity, and skills of its campers. Every camper—whether they have decades of history or are brand new to the community—is invited to teach, offer, learn, and share as our week progresses.
We revel in rediscovering the delights of our year-after-year traditions and eagerly look forward to the new songs, dances, crafts, and stories each new year brings. A small staff of Campers’ Week veterans guides campers in specific activities and provides expertise to help camper-led offerings come to life.
Each day is book-ended with all-camp gatherings, where campers of all ages sing, dance, and share together. A variety of classes are offered by both staff and campers during daylight hours, and we close out each evening with a dance, which often leads into camper-led late night entertainment.
So pack your instrument, your voice, your dance shoes, your costume supplies, and your sense of adventure. There is room at the mic for everyone at Campers’ Week, and we hope to see you there!
Come join us! We can’t wait to see you in the woods!
~Anna & Dennis Soloway, Program Directors
Staff
Program Directors
Program Staff
Class Descriptions
9:00-9:50
Ages 0-3: Music, Nature and Movement with Rotating Leaders– Coordinated by Dennis and Anna Soloway
We will rotate through various talented camper/teachers to welcome the morning with the littlest campers as they learn to appreciate the sensory experience that is Campers’ Week.
Ages 4-6: Dancing and designs with Hannah Naiman
We’ll fill the hour together with dances, artwork and songs!
Ages 7-9: Song, Dance, and Story with Andy Davis
This class will be a potpourri of stories, songs, dances and games. We will be active participants in the folk traditions by learning, creating and sharing. Bring an instrument, a song to share, a joke or a family story. And don’t forget some good shoes for dancing and going on adventures!
Ages 10-12: Morris Dance with Gillian Stewart
Learn the chestnuts of Cotswold morris for mass dances and Dancing With the Elders. Those who began working on their skills last year get to welcome new dancers and master their skills. New morris dancers will learn the basics and be ready to participate in the Friday morris tour!
Ages 13 & up: English Country Dance For All with Sue Rosen
We’ll explore the wide range of wonderful and accessible English country dances from the traditional barn dance to the treasured Playford repertoire and the more recent gems from both sides of the pond. With glorious music, we’ll have fun and dance beautifully.
Ages 13 & up: Camper-led classes
All are encouraged to join. Those under 13 may join with a parent or guardian!
10:00-10:45
All-Camp Gathering
11:00-11:45
Ages 4-6: Songs and Stories with Sally Rogers
We will sing songs, listen to stories and play singing and dancing games!
Ages 7-9: Longsword and Crafts with Sarah Henry
Learn the ancient art of English longsword dancing, blending teamwork, patterns, and music, with lots of room for our own creativity. A special craft project is in store as well!
Ages 10-12: Social Dance, Song, and Story with Andy Davis
Social dances old and new (square, contra, and English), songwriting and group storytelling. Bring an instrument if you have one. Be prepared to create!
Ages 13-18: Ritual Dance with Gillian Stewart
Ritual dancing is a living tradition of performance dance and music which began in England. Dances are done in groups with some variety of swords, bells, sticks, etc. which emphasize and enhance the dancing. What type of ritual dance will we choose? Bring your shoes and show up to find out! We’ll spend the week learning new skills and working up a dance or two to share during the morris tour.
Ages 13 & up: Contras and Squares Workshop with Hannah Naiman
Let’s revisit old favourites, try out some new ones, and most importantly, relish in dancing together. the focus of this week’s class is to connect and rejoice! All levels are welcome. We’ll have a mixture of contras, old-time and New England squares, and there will be opportunities for camper callers to take the mic each day. For a special treat, we’ll work towards learning a set number of dances over the course of the week to be danced without a caller – like in the oldest of days!
Ages 13 & up: Camper-led classes
All are encouraged to join. Those under 13 may join with a parent or guardian!
1:30-2:20
Quiet Hour
Ages 3-12: Community Choir with Sally Rogers
Children’s Choir for Campers aged 3-12. This is an exciting opportunity to bring the youngest campers together in song. Parent/Guardian accompaniment may be necessary depending on the camper age. More details to come!
Ages 13 & up: Camper-led classes
All are encouraged to join. Those under 13 may join with a parent or guardian!
2:30-3:20
Ages 13 & up: Callers Workshop with Sue Rosen
Do you think you might want to be a caller? Have you written a dance you’d like us to try out? Come and hear what callers talk about, take a turn at the mic, ask questions, swap ideas and resources or just come and dance with us.
Singing & Crafts on the Porch
This is a casual sing while we quilt, knit, bead, paint, etc. Bring a craft project to share and a song to ease the labors.
Ages 13 & up: Camper-led classes
All are encouraged to join. Those under 13 may join with a parent or guardian!
3:30-4:20
All Ages: Community Choir with Sally Rogers
We will sing multi-part songs. All participants are encouraged to bring songs to share as well!
Ages 13 & up: Camper-led classes
All are encouraged to join. Those under 13 may join with a parent or guardian!
4:30-5:20
All ages: Community Band with Kathy Talvitie
A daily gathering to explore ways to make the music more dance-able and playing more joyful. All instruments welcome.
Ages 13 & up: Camper-led classes
All are encouraged to join. Those under 13 may join with a parent or guardian!
7:00
Community Dance organized by Andy Davis
Andy will coordinate this all-camp dance. Do you call community dances? Do you like playing for lively multi-generational dances? Bring your ideas to camp, and see Andy.
