Click here to download a pdf of the 2009 camp flyer.

Hedge Schools came into existence during the Penal Law years in Ireland when Catholics were not allowed to be educated or to speak the Irish language. They were schools held in secret any and everywhere that kept the Irish language, culture and history alive.

is an Irish music and culture day camp for children. It is taught out of my home in Silver Spring, MD, just a few blocks from Sligo Creek. The camp day includes learning Irish tunes and songs, pennywhistle & bodhran (the Irish drum) instruction (Intro and Musicians' Weeks), Celtic art projects, playing at the creek, eating potatoes and most important of all a daily Tea & Poetry Break where over tea and sweets we first read, then write on various topics. Camp runs daytimes Monday through Friday and ends in a Friday performance for the families.

NEW! Sprouting Celts
July 6-10
3:00-5:30 p.m. for 7-9 year olds (must be 7 by January 1, 2008). The children will sing, learn a little Irish, play games, Celtic crafts and poetry. Cost $160 if registered by April 15th.

Intro to Irish Music & Arts Week
July 20-24, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. For children ages 9-14. The children will sing, learn bodhran (the Irish drum), accordion and pennywhistle in addition to learning about Irish culture, crafts and poetry. No music experience necessary! (Drop-off time is 9:00-9:30 a.m.) Cost $325 if registered by April 15th.

Musicians' Week
June 22-26, 9:30-4:00. For children ages 9-15 who already play some of the tunes in the Sligo Creek Hedge School's session book, or are ready to start learning! We will learn new repertoire and spend time jamming in addition to the above activities. Audition required. COST: $325 if registered by April 15.

Teen Celtic Band Week
June 28- July 3 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (The Sunday session will meet 10-4.) For ages 12-19. Co-taught by Paul Oorts, for teens already seriously invovled in music. This week will work on developing ensemble skills, presenting traditional and contemporary Celtic music for concert audiences. Layering, dynamics, creating intros and endings, crafting performance arrangements will be the focus of the camp. Music theory to help understand and develop skills creating ensemble parts will be taught. The group will record a CD of their newly created large and small ensemble arrangements. Audition required. (Drop-off time is 9:00-9:30 a.m.) Cost $400 if registered by April 15th.

COST: If registered by April 15: Intro and Musicians' Weeks - $325, Teen Week (6 days) $400, Sprouting Celts costs $160. A $160 deposit is due for all camps by April 15, balance due June 1. A late registration fee of $50 is added for deposits received after April 15.

For more information contact me.

From previous camps:
Teen Week Poetry, 2000, Triads, Poetry on Tea, Blessings, Pangurban