Arrival
Plan to arrive 3:30 to 5 PM, register, unpack, and meet by the registration sign at 5:30 pm for a brief orientation. The Welcome Reception is at 6pm.
Typical Day
Morning
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Warm-ups followed by dance classes with our featured guests, plus mid-morning snacks
Afternoon
1:00 PM Lunch, followed by specialty dance sessions, advanced dance classes, music classes, sing-alongs, other cultural activities, swimming in the river or pool, pickleball, decorating the hall, and free time.
Evening
6:30 PM Dinner
8:00 PM “Once Over Lightly” review of dances taught that day
8:30 PM Evening dance party with requests
11:00 PM Evening snack
11:15 PM Late night dancing some nights for those who wish to continue to dance informally
Cultural Themes
From Monday through Thursday, a different culture is celebrated each day depending on the week’s featured guests, with special dances, food, cultural activities, and optional costuming. Many dress up for evening dancing; there is absolutely no requirement to do so.
Free Time
In addition to swimming, people sometimes offer yoga or meditation, sing rounds, play music, take a walk along the river, relax into conversation on the front lawn, etc. Also, our Internet Hall (near the room where you registered) is always available.
Purchases
We use IOUs for all camp purchases during the week—store items, etc. This does not include purchases from featured guests who generally require cash at the time of purchase. At the end of the week, you settle up with us by cash, check, or credit card.
Departure
The last meal is breakfast at 8:00 AM Saturday. Please vacate your cabin by 10:00 AM unless you are staying for both sessions. After vacating your cabin, you are welcome to remain and enjoy the facilities.
Experienced folk dance teacher?
We like to encourage many different people to lead dances each evening and at late night dancing.
New to folk dancing? Some tips…
Folk dances are traditional dances from countries all over the world, from hundreds of years ago as well as recent times. Many dances are danced in lines or circles; others are for pairs or individuals. In some dances, called mixers, the dancers change partners during the dance.
Here at Mainewoods, we strive for a mix of easy and harder dances. If a particular dance seems to be too much, enjoy watching it. There’s no need to try to learn all the dances taught. Eventually patterns of steps become familiar. When experienced dancers can’t remember a dance, they simply follow what the leader does.
— Adapted with the kind permission of Janice Rayman
Tips for Beginners
1. In the beginning, don’t worry about styling and grace. Nearly every dancer started clumsy and three-footed. Concentrate on learning the steps first.
2. If you’re not familiar with a dance that’s being done, don’t get in the line unless you are told, “This is a good one for beginners,” or you have someone who knows the dance guiding you. Otherwise, stand behind the line of dancers and follow the steps.
3. When dancing with others, try to relax your arms and hands. A tight grip is uncomfortable for those next to you, and experienced dancers are willing to help move your arms for you.
4. Don’t try to follow the person next to you unless they are guiding you. Instead, watch someone four or five dancers ahead of you in the line. Don’t try to copy someone across the circle from you—you’ll wind up mirroring them and doing everything backward until you get more practice.
5. Use your head while you dance. As you learn a dance, try to identify the steps and say them to yourself (“grapevine… step, hold… turn left…”).
6. In partner dances, ask to dance with someone more familiar with the dance than you are. If you don’t have a partner, don’t sit down. Stand off to one side and practice your part. Sometimes a friendly dancer will notice you and offer to be your partner.
7. Relax. Smile. Contrary to what you might think, all eyes are not focused on you. But everyone on the floor is rooting for you because we’ve all been where you are now. And be patient with yourself. Remember, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers weren’t all that great at first either!
Welcome to the international family of folk dancers! — Adapted with the kind permission of Loui Tucker
