The Value of Dance Camps

[mamboqueen]

How often do you attend dance camps, if at all. Do you generally find them worthwhile, confusing, painful?

I went to one this weekend and it was a great experience for me. Ed Simon and Jean Marc Genereux were there (worth the price of admission right there!). I got a lot of good information and took lots of notes.

The only downside I could see is that sometimes the sessions were so packed, you didn't really get to do some of the exercises or moves they were teaching.

It was exhausting, too. Two straight days (and one night) of dancing, and I was asleep at 6 pm last night. (Managed to be awake for Desparate Housewives, amen!).

It was also a great opportunity to meet new people. I let it be known to a couple of guys that I was looking for an amateur partner, and one danced with me quite a bit at the night-time dance. Of course, in complete Mamboqueen fashion, I managed to injure him during "stop and go" in swing, my elbow to his jaw. (I really know how to reel 'em in, let me tell you!). Anyway, he continued to dance with me, so I think I was forgiven. We'll have to see what happens next time I bump (errr....run) into him!

 

[KevinL]

I went to one of Paul and Sharons swing dance camps back in 2001, and it was great. I don't remember what I learned there, but I do remember after coming back that it was a great experience.

I really want to do one of the week-long Dancevision camps, but I'm having trouble coming up with enough time off to do it...

Kevin

 

[mamboqueen]

I've heard good things about the Dancevision camps; I think a friend of mine went to one in New Orleans a few years ago and met up with Bob and Julia. She had a great time.

Speaking of Bob and Julia, don't they do a week-long gig up in your neck of the woods? I got the brochure and it's kind of pricey, but I'm curious to know how involved they are in the instruction.

You know, I'm curious to know from you DF'ers -- do you think there can be a point of overload on learning? I know there are people who take 5 or 6 lessons a week. I just can't imagine being able to absorb and retain that much new instruction. But, heck, after 2 kids, I'm lucky I can remember where I put my mug down.

 

[dTas]

i think dance camps are great. i used to go to 3 (3-4 day long) camps a year. i wish i had to time to go back.

its great because after the first day you've pretty much met everyone and formed some comradery with the other people. it makes the generald dances really fun. and then the next day and next night etc etc.

i really need to rally some students and instructors together and road-trip to another local camp. we have 3 to 5 (or more) available to us in the immediate area.

there's nothing like intensive dancing to really give your dance spirits a boost!

 

[sunderi]

You know, I'm curious to know from you DF'ers -- do you think there can be a point of overload on learning? I know there are people who take 5 or 6 lessons a week. I just can't imagine being able to absorb and retain that much new instruction.

I'm currently training for a comp in late October, and I took 6 lessons last week as part of my preparation. I feel very overwhelmed. I've done as many as 4/week before, but this is the most, by far for me. I think I'll probably stick with 4/week to prepare for this comp, and then go back to 2/week which is my usual number.

I honestly don't feel like I got as much out of it per lesson as I usually do. It was hard to stay focused, hard to assimilate all the information, and physically hard, as well.

 

[mamboqueen]

Sunderi - Do you take notes? Video? I think 2 lessons/week would be good for me, but any more would probably be wasted. Usually it takes a few days to a week for the concepts to sink in with me, and then I have to practice them again to apply it. 6 a week would physically kill me (not to mention my checkbook)

 

[cl5814]

value of dance camps

I did the DanceVision camp this year in Vegas and it was a blast. 4 days on your feet is a killer, literally not even to talk about information overload. The session that Julia presented for the ladies in the morning was fun, she is great. We had another lesson with her and Bob as well, they are a great couple to teach. If two days were a bit much, then i think 4 days will be waaayy too much. If i get the chance to attend another Vegas camp, i'll be even more selective on the dances i attend. I tried to stick to my favourite dances only. All in all, the sessions are great and the swimming pool and whirlpool great after a long day with tired feet.
If you are an silver or above student the classes are a lot smaller than a beginner student or bronze student. The beginner sessions can really be too big to handle. Lot of it depends on the instructor of the session.

 

[pygmalion]

Cool. Maybe I'll try for next year, since I'll be living a stone's throw away (oh well, at least a lot closer LOL)

 

[mamboqueen]

I would highly recommend dance sneakers for these 3 and 4 day dance-a-thons!

 

[pygmalion]

Good idea, mamboqueen. 8)