stephenwinbaum
Communications Coordinator
/ Moderator
Feb 11, 2007, 10:28 AM
Post #1 of 1
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The Beat of Summer Camp Drums
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Recently, I attended the Ontario Camping Association's (OCA) Annual Conference - February 8 to 11 – in suburban Toronto, ON.
It was great to walk around and see all the camping entrepreneurs.
One booth (besides MySummerCamps.com ) caught my attention. It was a really neat kiosk, featuring hand crafted African and Caribbean drums and percussive instruments of many sizes, constructed of polished wood and tightly stretched skins. Something about hand drums has always caught my fancy, as the most elemental means of communication and music.
I saw how great the concept could be in corporate/organizational settings where workers and management flounder in limited roles and hierarchies, but are equalized, allowed to let loose on drums and percussion. A team leader would have to parachute in to supervise the ceremonies. It's more than drums; it's having an experienced professional to spearhead the invocation.
And the concept would hold true in schools and camps.
At summer camp, professional rhythm experts would arrive with a set of drums and percussive instruments and help kids join together in the spirit of team-building. There could be several places where the drumming exercise could occur.
• activity centers
• forests, woods, and lakeshores
• fireside ceremonies
Drumming is more than team-building – an opportunity to let go of social constraints that campers, staff, and administrators bundle up inside – it's a return to a primal spirit – the recollection of a rhythm that springs from deep within.
Stephen Winbaum is the Communications Coordinator of MySummerCamps.com
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(This post was edited by stephenwinbaum on Feb 13, 2007, 12:14 PM)
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