Dance, Music, & Song Camps“We started by bringing our children; now, our teens bring us.”
–Tom Cole
August 17-23, 2026 // Schwenksville, PA
For Adults & Families
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Program Description
This year, I have been more and more interested in how we group ourselves together, and in the many ways we find to share space through music and dance. Cascade of Music & Dance at Camp Kweebec is an exploration through a musical treasury of experiences. In it, you will find many things: The joy of dancing with your neighbors; small-group instruction insight into playing guitar, fiddle or singing; some fabulous English music and dance calling; some fabulous contra dance music and calling; an opportunity to be coached in making an instrument, crankie, or sculpture in a shared art space; the great, nearly lost art of Stuntology and Tuneology with crack stuntologists and tunesmiths of the day; warm family gatherings and community dancing every day; a chance to jam and sing, listen to a story, and discuss the role of traditional music and dance in our respective communities, while spending a very rich week experiencing some of the best community-building activities out there!
In the morning, the kids will have some activities with their age group, playing music, learning songs, dancing, crafting, and generally staying out of your hair. There are morning dance, instrumental and choral offerings. There’s a community dance and gathering to share some talents, human tricks, and entertainment before swimming and lunch commence.
The afternoon has more class offerings in English dance, art making (crankies, papier mâché, instruments!), Camp Chorale, a discussion of music and tradition in the community, and opportunities to jam, take a nap, or go swimming.
Finally, there will be an evening dance and gathering with entertainment from our talented staff, and camper presentations, with the littles going off to bed with a pied piper as the elders have some more dancing and revelry (some planned, some spontaneous) into the night.
Bring your family, your friend, your loved one, or all the above. Cascade provides a great opportunity for learning new material and insight into community activities, such as dancing, tune playing, art making, and singing. It also makes for a week of connecting with those around you, be they your kin or a brand-new friend. See you in Schwenksville!
Schedule
Monday Arrival Schedule:
| 4:00 p.m. | The earliest you can start arriving at camp |
| 5:00-5:45 | Welcome party / lifeguard on duty for swimming |
| 6:00 | Tour of camp |
| 6:15 | Dinner |
| 7:30 | Community dance and gathering |
| 8:30 | Bedtime for 9 and under |
| 8:30-10:45 | Opening night dance |
| 9:30 | Bedtime for 10-12 |
| 11:00 onward | Opening night party |
Sunday Departure Schedule:
| 8:00-9:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 10:00 a.m. | Final departure |
Daily Schedule
| 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9:00-10:00 | Class Period 1 |
| 10:00-10:15 | Snack |
| 10:15-11:15 | Class Period 2 |
| 11:30-12:20 | Community dance and gathering |
| 12:35 pm | Lunch |
| 1:45-2:45 | Class Period 3 |
| 3:00-4:00 | Class Period 4 |
| 4:15-5:15 | Class Period 5 |
| 4:15-6:00 | Swimming |
| 5:30-6:00 | Adult schmooze / Sing for Your Supper |
| 6:15 | Dinner |
| 7:30-8:30 | Community dance and evening gathering |
| 8:30 | Bedtime for 9 and under |
| 8:30-10:45 | Evening dance |
| 9:30 | Bedtime for 10-12 |
| 11:00 onward | After-dance activities |
Class Descriptions
Period 1
Littles (ages 6 and under)—Maddie Smith, with Kerry Bacon
Come dance, sing, and play! We’re going to get the wiggles out, learn fun songs, games, and dances, and have a great time together. Let’s get moving!
Mediums (ages 7-9)—Mary Alice Amidon
Come enjoy amazing folktales with lots of participation (Jack tales, stories from around the world). We will sing songs that you will not stop singing and play some singing games to keep us moving.
Bigs (ages 10-12)—Mary Wesley and Rosie Newton
This class is all about the joys of dance, music, and song! We’ll look at the ways they are all interconnected and the ways they can help us connect to each other. Together we’ll learn a variety of dances, explore tunes, songs, and stories, and generally have a great time!
Music Intensive—Dave Wiesler
By pre-registration only. More information coming soon.
English Dance—Joanna Reiner Wilkinson, with Karen Axelrod and Ben Schreiber
Whether you’re a beginner and want to learn just exactly why you keep ending up in the wrong place, or a seasoned ECD veteran who would like to polish up on the basics and add some style, this class will break down dance figures and feature them in a variety of English dances that will progress in complexity as the week goes on, all with fabulous music!
Shape Note—Stefan Amidon
In this class we’ll sing as much as possible, but will also take some time to work on the entrance points to participating in one of America’s oldest living polyphonic singing traditions. New leaders will be encouraged, and we’ll look at starting a song, getting starting notes, strategies for improving your sight-reading, and considering decisions such as tempo, repeats, and song selection—all while reveling in the stark beauty of breathing new life into old songs.
DADGAD Guitar Workshop—Bethany Waickman
Period 2
Littles (ages 6 and under)—Stefan Amidon
Come inhabit a world of wild animals and circle dances, silly stories, and singing games. We’ll keep things moving with hand games and acting out songs and stories, and we’ll sing about nature and find ways to all sing and play together. Stars! Cows! Bling! Blang! Come for the zingo and stay for the zango!
Mediums (ages 7-9)—Elizabeth LaPrelle
Class description coming soon!
Bigs (ages 10-12) Eric Schedler and Sam Bartlett
Class description coming soon!
Music Intensive—Dave Wiesler
By pre-registration only. More information coming soon.
ECD Callers Workshop—Joanna Reiner Wilkinson
By pre-registration only. More information coming soon.
Contra Dance—Mary Wesley, with Dave Langford, Glen Loper, and Bethany Waickman
Tap your toes and kick up your heels with a grab bag of great dances from Mary’s collection.
Fiddle—Sally Jablonsky
Come learn some old-time tunes with Sally. We will focus on technique, bowing, and learning by ear.
Writing Simple Songs—Brian Dolphin
Bring in songs and we arrange them (and even perform them later), or we co-write them together—probably a mix of both.
Morning Gathering
Hosted by Karen Axelrod!
Period 3
Camp Chorale: Brian Dolphin and Elizabeth LaPrelle
Songs from around the world.
Couples Dance on the Porch with Karen Axelrod, Ben Schreiber, and Eric Schedler
Class description coming soon!
Cajun Fiddle—Rosie Newton
In this class we will learn some Cajun fiddle tunes and talk about tricks to learn by ear, and simple ways to back up the melody in this double-fiddle tradition.
Mummers Play—Sam Bartlett and Dave Langford
Class description coming soon!
Period 4
Community Art Space—Elizabeth LaPrelle, Sally Jablonsky, and Brian Dolphin
- Make a crankie with Elizabeth!
- Work with clay/papier mâché/painting with Sally!
- Make harps and junky lutes and such with Brian!
Weaving Tradition with Community Discussion—Mary Wesley and Guests
Class description coming soon!
Tuneology—Sam Bartlett, Eric Schedler, and Bethany Waickman
Learn the best fun tunes.
Period 5
ECD with Leaders in Training—Joanna Reiner Wilkinson and Calling Course Participants, with Ben Schreiber, Dave Langford, and Dave Wiesler
Class description coming soon!
Old-Time Jam—Sally Jablonsky, Rosie Newtown, and Sam Amidon
Come learn and play old-time tunes with some great multi-instrumentalist old-time masters. Sam, Rosie, and Sally all have different styles informed by the area they grew up in (Sam in the Northeast, Rosie near Ithaca, NY, and Sally in the Northwest), on fiddle, banjo, and guitar, and they share a deep understanding of this great and multifaceted American music.
Teen Class (ages 13-18)
Class description coming soon!
Community Art Space Open with Host?
Class description coming soon!
Evening Gathering
Hosted by Sam Amidon!
Dance Terminology
| English country dances | TBD |
| Contra dance | TBD |
Registration and Fees
Camp fees cover all accommodation, meals from dinner on the arrival day to breakfast on the departure day, and all of the various dance, music, and song events in the program.
Sliding Scale Adult Fees (2025)
| Standard Fee (2025) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $750 | $900 | $1,025 | $1,100 | $1,250 | $1,400 |
Fees for kids (2025)
| Ages 0-1 | Ages 2-3 | Ages 4-6 | Ages 7-9 | Ages 10-12 | Ages 13-15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75 | $350 | $600 | $675 | $800 | $1,000 |
You can find more information about the registration process here.
Teens ages 16 and up can apply to be part of Teen Crew, taking on a special role at camp! Teen Crew members help establish a culture of community, leadership, and support for all campers, and it is an excellent way to be an active part of the camp community.
Teen Crew tasks include:
- The day before camp starts: arrive early to set up the dance hall, hang signage, and help prepare for campers
- During the week: in teams of two, check in on campers under 12 who have gone to bed and alert parents at the evening dance if they are needed.
- After the week ends: stay after breakfast on the last day to help pack up and clean up camp
In exchange for their labor, the Teen Crew members receive a 50% discount on the standard camp fee. Preference will be given to applicants who are available during the crew service period, which means arriving the afternoon of August 10 and departing the afternoon of August 17.
Staff
