First Weekend at Pinewoods Camp in Plymouth, Massachusetts offers an exciting program of American and English dance and music, along with a variety of staff-led and camper-led sessions. There's plenty of dancing, singing, jamming, and a variety of other activities for all ages plus additional time for swimming, canoeing and enjoying this beautiful setting.
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Staff: Mary Alice Amidon Peter Amidon Karen Axelrod Doug Creighton Jackson Gillman Linda Henry Liz Rose Brad Sayler Kari Smith Paul Eric Smith Emily Troll Shirley White |
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Linda Henry
Bob Snope
Donna Bednar
Peter Cornelius Sponsored by:
Country Dance Society, Boston Centre
Information about the camp and programming
Application information
Application form (pdf)
Pinewoods Camp
Pinewoods Camp is located between two lakes in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Housing is generally in rustic screened cabins with shared bathrooms nearby. The cabins and outdoor dance pavilions are scattered among pine groves. Schedule
First Weekend opens at 3pm on Friday, with dinner at 6:15. It ends on Sunday with dinner at 6pm and departure by 7:15. Workshops & Gatherings Info
Each morning starts with a camp gathering — a time to share your special talents: lead a song, tell a story, present a skit, share what you've learned in a workshop, etc. The day is filled with staff and camper-led activities, some of which are age specific. (See sample program (pdf file).) In addition there are lifeguarded swims, an afternoon tea and evening after-dance parties. We also hope to have a woodlands walk led by a local naturalist. The sessions that are led by campers greatly contribute to a varied and enjoyable weekend. In past years these have included ritual dancing, singing, arts and crafts, juggling, jam sessions, magic lessons, etc. Campers are encouraged to lead a favorite activity, so please volunteer your skills and/or request an activity on the application form! Evening Dances
Our talented staff will lead a mix of English and American dances each evening. Prior dance experience is not required. Bring clean shoes for dancing. Room, Board, and Camp Arrangements
- Room and board are included in the fees.
- The dining hall accommodates vegetarians as well as omnivores. For those with special diets, please indicate this on the application form.
- Pinewoods Camp provides beds, mattresses and pillows.
- Campers bring sheets, blankets and towels.
- Housing and roommate requests will be honored as much as possible (see application).
- We plan to house family members of all ages near to each other, making loading and unloading of cars as easy as possible.
- No visitors or part-time campers are permitted.
Campers are assigned jobs to help the weekend run smoothly and keep costs down. These include setting tables before meals, sweeping a dance pavilion, etc. Children and adults are assigned jobs by age, ability and preference. On your application form, please write any job preferences or restrictions.
Sample Program for Saturday: (pdf file)
Scholarships
Several half-fee work scholarships are available for campers willing to assist with dishwashing and lifeguarding. Please indicate your interest on the application. Information for Parents
Pinewoods Camp was not originally designed for children; campers under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. More information and a liability release form will be sent to those who apply with children. There are no cribs or other special equipment for children in camp, so please bring a portable crib for small children.
Housing for children will be near their parents, but not necessarily in the same cabin. Families with similar-age children will be grouped together when possible. Walkie-talkies are encouraged for parents' peace of mind in the evenings.
Teams of monitors will be walking through camp in the evenings checking on kids alone in cabins every 10 minutes or so, providing company and notifying parents as needed. We will be housing families that plan to use this service in the same area of camp. Please indicate your interest in this service on the application. Application, Lottery, and Admission
Application Procedure: A deposit of $50 per person, and full payment for children under 4 (see below), is required to reserve a place. If applications received by March 15 exceed available space, a lottery will be held. Applications must be received by March 15 to be eligible for the lottery. CDS-BC members registered as of 3/15 will be given preference. All fees must be paid in full by June 1.
Admission: We will send out notices of acceptance around April 15 via email as much as possible (see application (pdf)).
Cancellation: If you are accepted, but cancel in writing before June 1, we will refund your deposit less $10 per camper. After June 1, we will refund all payments over the minimum deposit only if we can fill your place(s) in camp.
| 2008 Fees: | CDS Member | Non-Member* | Minimum deposit |
| Adults | $171 | $192 | $50 |
| Teens 13-17 | $132 | $153 | $50 |
| Children, 7-12 | $ 96 | $109 | $50 |
| Children, 4-6 | $ 70 | $ 81 | $50 |
| Children, 2-3 | $ 45 | $ 56 | see above |
| Children under 2 | $ 25 | $ 36 | see above |
| Make checks payable to: Country Dance Society, Boston Centre. | |||
| *If you are not a CDS Member, you can take advantage of the above discounted fees by becoming a member today. (A separate form is required from the First Weekend application form.) | |||
Download the entire brochure (pdf): part one and part two.
For further information about the weekend, contact Linda Henry at < firstweekend at cds-boston dot org >.