How and when were you first introduced to Folk Camps?
I’ve been coming to Folk Camps all of my life, I think it took a while to realise there was any other type of holiday, but I still think this is the best: fun, friends, community. I’ve made some of my closest friends at Folk Camps.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering as Folk Camps staff?
I like being useful and appreciated. Hopefully I achieve that!
What is your favourite part of Folk Camps?
Chatting to friends, dancing, calling dances where chaos and excitement ensues! There’s a fun video somewhere online of the “Traffic Lights” dance I called in 2022, with fantastic exciting music, dancers and musicians laughing, and huge amounts of energy on the dance floor, from both young, and not-so-young dancers. That’s the best!
And Lemon Jousting too, that’s a thing (See photo!) – and any other silly activity that takes place at camp.
Why do you volunteer as a member of camp staff?
For years I have generally helped out at camp. Then I joined Council and became chair, with lots of responsibility for running the organisation. I call dances, and all of this adds up to feeling that I should also be a member of staff at camp. So here goes!
What do you do when you are not at Folk Camps?
As well as working in IT (semi-retired: building websites like this one), I am also the caller with the Pipley Ceilidh Band. We mostly play for parties with inexperienced dancers, which requires different aptitude than calling at a Folk Camp, but is also great fun. See pipley.uk – available for hire near Bristol and Bath!
What instrument(s) do you play?
None! But that doesn’t stop me enjoying being at a Folk Camp and appreciating the wonderful music all around.
What workshops do you offer or take part in?
I’ve run a ‘calling for beginners’ workshop – and hope to get more Folk Campers willing to call dances. You just need a sense of rhythm, some dance knowledge, a little confidence, some gung-ho – and away you go!