Click here to download a pdf of the 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.

Most, though not all, campers are regular attendees at the children's Irish music session I run the first Tuesday of every month at McGinty's Public House in Silver Spring, MD.

Summer Camps 2008

Click here to download a pdf of the camp flyer.

NEW! Sprouting Celts I & II!
July 21-25
SC I - 9:00-11:30 a.m. for children ages 6-7 (must be 6 by January 1, 2008). SC II - 1:00-3:30 p.m. for 7-9 year olds. The children will sing, learn a little Irish, play games, Celtic crafts and poetry. Cost $150 if registered by April 15th. Aftercare for the SC II class will be available. NOTE: These two camps have been combined and there will only be an afternoon session.

Teen Celtic Band Week
July 28- August 1 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. For ages 13-18. 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.)

Intro to Irish Music & Arts Week
August 4-8, 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.) EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT EXTENDED through June 30! Still pending.

Musicians' Week
August 11-15, 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. We will learn new repertoire and spend time jamming in addition to the above activities. CANCELED FOR 2008. Contact me if interested for 2009.

COST: Full-day camps - $300 if registered by April 15. Sprouting Celts costs $150. A $150 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 (EXCEPT FOR INTRO WEEK).

For more information contact me.

From previous camps:
Performance notes, Triads, Poetry on Tea, Blessings, Pangurban