Dance Camp 2025
Friday, May 23rd - Monday, May 26th
King’s Lake Camp in Wasilla, Alaska
Join us at beautiful King’s Lake Camp in Wasilla, Alaska with guest callers Will Mentor and Lindsey Dono and guest musicians River Road (Jesse Ball, Sarah-Hadley Yakir, Kristin Planeaux) and Rhys Jones and the Imaginary Beings (Rhys Jones, Nokosee Fields, Mandy Booth King, Brian DeMarcus). And as usual, our wonderful Alaskan musicians and dance instructors will fill the rest of your dance weekend. We are lining up great playshops and entertainment, with something for everyone!
Please review this year’s COVID-19 policy. Campers are strongly encouraged to test prior to arrival at camp. Vaccination and masks are supported but not required.
Table of Contents
Dance Camp Guest Artists
Caller: Lindsey Dono
Washington-based Lindsey Dono is a serene and sunny caller for contra and other social dance. Passionate about the user experience, Lindsey leverages a background in cognitive science and a career in tech to continually hone her teaching skills. When not at the mic, Lindsey can be found mentoring up-and-coming callers, geeking out over choreography, and working on dance floor-craft.
Caller: Will Mentor
Will Mentor is a sensational contra and square dance caller from Northern Vermont known for his clear teaching, upbeat wit, and relaxed stage presence. He loves to choreograph evenings with a variety of dances and tempos that at times surprise and always delight. His guiding principle as a caller: “It’s about the dancers!”
Band: River Road
River Road delivers beauty, power, and groove to contra dances with a highly revered mixture of contemporary and traditional tunes influenced by Quebecois, New England, & Maritime traditions. Sarah-Hadley Yakir plays fiddle, Kristen Planeaux plays piano, flute, and accordion, and Jesse Ball plays mandolin, guitar, accordion, and foot percussion. While they are geographically divided by the Connecticut river in Western Massachusetts, an aptly named River Road connects them to create an energy that is highly sought after in the contradance scene.
Band: Rhys Jones and the Imaginary Beings
Rhys Jones and The Imaginary Beings will wow you with top drawer Southern Old-Time music. Rhys Jones on fiddle will be joined by Nokosee Fields, Brian DeMarcus, and Mandy Booth King.
Fiddle, banjo, guitar: Rhys Jones
Rhys has been playing traditional Appalachian, Irish and French-Canadian fiddle music for 30 years. Born in Chicago, he began fiddling at age 7. His family moved to southern West Virginia where he learned from the older generation of fiddlers. Rhys continued his musical education while living in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland. He has won both fiddle and band contests at The Appalachian String Band Festival (Clifftop) and is regarded as one of the best fiddlers of his generation. Rhys is also an accomplished banjo and guitar player.
Fiddle, bass: Nokosee Fields
From Stillwater, Oklahoma, Nokosee Fields is another fiddling sensation. With a background in Classical, Country Western, and Old-Time music, he’s placed in numerous fiddle contests and won first in the 2019 Clifftop Fiddle Competition. Nokosee’s lengthy and diverse experience in the performing arts gives him a unique approach to creating, listening, and facilitating music. He tours as a bassist with the Country band Western Centuries and an Old-Time/Bluegrass band called Steam Machine, among others.
Banjo, guitar, bass: Brian DeMarcus
A short list of spectacular local musicians round out the band. Brian DeMarcus is a cornerstone in the Dancing Bears’ Square and Contra dance scene as both a caller and musician. He is originally from North Carolina, where he learned Old-Time music and calling from the leaders of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region. He plays banjo, guitar, and bass and plays in Old-Time, Cajun, and Zydeco bands in addition to many other talents.
Bass: Mandy Booth King
Mandy Booth King grew up in a well known musical family in Anchorage. Versatile as a bassist and singer, she presently plays in a Western Swing band with her husband, in an all-woman Acoustic Folk band, and in numerous local Old-Time and Bluegrass bands. She is the mother of two small children and teaches Geography at the college level.
Timing, Location, and Logistics
Dance camp starts Friday evening, May 23, 2024, with check-in beginning at 3:00 PM. A light dinner will be served for all campers 6:00 – 7:30 PM, and the Friday evening dance will begin at 8:00 PM. The farewell dance on Monday, May 26, will end at 3:30 PM.
King’s Lake Camp is located at 3313 E Lakeview Road, Wasilla, AK 99654. The turnoff is on Lakeview Road between East Seldon Road and North Kings Ridge Circle. The camp has a beautiful view of Pioneer Peak across the lake. We dance on a wonderful rustic wooden floor.
Registration and Fees
Getting into Camp: There are 140 adult openings at camp, so we encourage you to register early. We sold out in 2024! We make no attempt to create a gender balance.
Ticket costs: Tickets to Dance Camp are $350; discounted tickets are available for young dancers and scholarship dancers ($0 - $250). The full-price ticket covers the full costs of dances, workshops, nine meals (Friday dinner through Monday lunch), and lodging. Registration is for the entire weekend only.
Confirmation and waitlist: When you buy a ticket to dance camp, you will receive a confirmation letter and camp information by email. If there are no tickets left, you can join the waitlist, and we will notify you if a spot opens up. As camp approaches, we will send additional camp information by email.
Cancellation: Registrations are non-transferable. If you need to cancel, we will offer your spot to the first person on the waitlist. Your registration fee may be refunded, minus a cancellation fee, depending on the timing of your cancellation: $30 if canceled by April 30, $70 if canceled between May 1 and May 15, and no refunds will be issued for cancellations after May 15. However, if your cancellation is due to illness or extraordinary circumstances, we may consider a refund.
Scholarships
Scholarships: Bears on a tight budget who are willing to give time and effort may apply for a scholarship. In exchange for approximately seven hours of work (in the kitchen, washing dishes, etc.), you may attend camp for half the registration fee ($175). Important guidelines: You must first communicate with Barbara Rowland of your wish to receive a scholarship. Call or text 907-223-2327 or email at barbara@alaskabike.com. Verbal, text, or email confirmation is required before you register. Scholarship acceptance does not guarantee you will get into Camp. Register immediately - scholarships are awarded on a first-come first-served basis.
Lodging, Meals, and Activities
Delicious meals: Returning to our camp this year is catering by Turkish Delight, a sister and brother team who will feed us wonderful authentic cuisine from their home country. (Anchorage folks, if you haven’t had their food, dine-in or take out! It’ll knock your socks off!) The chefs will plan the menu to accommodate basic dietary preferences. The menu will be available here prior to camp.
If you have very specific requirements, we suggest you bring food items to support your needs. There is limited space in the dancing hall kitchen’s refrigerator for your shared use, as well as a microwave oven. Vegetarian soup and PBJ fixings will be available in the dining room for campers arriving after the Friday dinner.
Accommodations: Campers can choose to sleep in rustic, shared cabins or in their personal tents or RVs. There is limited space in the cabins, which are outfitted with bunks and mattresses. Some have electricity and heating. Cabin space is available on a first-come, first-claim basis. Come prepared for possible cold nights. As campers arrive, women-only and family cabins will be designated according to demand. Sleeping bags and pillows are not provided. There are heated bathhouses with hot water. Bring your own towels and toiletries. For more packing suggestions, see our packing list.
A Lifeguard will be on duty at various times throughout the weekend.
Absolutely no pets, unregistered guests, or alcohol are allowed at King’s Lake Camp, not even in the parking lot.
Kids and families
If you are planning to be a guardian for a friend’s child at camp, please complete and notarize the following document. Please bring the form to camp.
Guidelines for Families
Some families bring full-time caregivers for young children. Non-dancing caregivers may attend Camp for a reduced cost. Childcare is not provided. Caregivers are responsible for supervising children at all times.
Each evening will start with two all-ages dances; after that, callers will move on to dances designed for experienced dancers. Front packs or “snugglies” that are soft are welcome on the dance floor.
Lake activities are at the discretion of the parents; children may not venture near or in the water unless a caregiver is physically present. Please bring a personal flotation device for any child that will be playing on the dock or on or in the lake.
Toys and clothing should have name tags, and toys should be removed from commons spaces after use.
Unregistered guests are not allowed at camp.
Dance Camp COVID-19 Policy
Looking out for each other comes first
All campers are strongly encouraged to test for COVID-19 prior to joining the Thursday Dance and Dance Camp. A small number of tests will be available at check in.
We encourage all campers to get the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks prior to camp. Dancing is a close-contact, aerobic activity. The vaccine reduces the risk of infection and severe symptoms. Vaccination supports members of our community who are at high risk for complications of COVID-19.
Masking will be supported. Please bring a mask in case you develop symptoms.
We encourage hand washing before, during and after dancing. Surprise us with your 30 second songs!
Campers who have cold or flu symptoms or who test positive for COVID-19 should not attend camp. If you test positive just prior to Dance Camp, please immediately contact akdancingbears@gmail.com to arrange a refund.
If you attend any of the events and subsequently test positive for COVID within five days, please email akdancingbears@gmail.com so we can inform other participants in a timely way.
In addition:
We recommend that folks tighten their exposure circle in the days before camp.
We encourage you to wear a mask while at airports and while on the plane.
If you leave the grounds during camp, please be considerate of your community and practice precautions.
You will be asked to acknowledge you have read and accept this policy when you register.
Camp rules! Yes it does!
And here are some we need to follow...
The Salvation Army requires that the Dance Camp Community abides by the following rules:
Keep King’s Lake Camp facilities and buildings alcohol-free and drug-free, including a tobacco-free and smoke-free environment - no smoking in the cabins.
Pets are not allowed in camp, not even in your car or RV.
The speed limit is 5 mph on the Camp Road.
Do not drive beyond the gates. No parking is allowed at the cabins. Cars are to be parked in the designated parking area only.
Fire lanes cannot be blocked at any time.
The use of firearms, BB guns, slingshots, bows & arrows (anything that shoots projectiles) and fireworks is prohibited. Don’t bring them.
Don’t harass the wildlife.
All cabin users will sweep and clean their cabins prior to leaving.
Any water activity, such as swimming or boating, is done at the individual’s own risk. Personal flotation devices are required for all boaters and all children playing on or in the lake.
Dance Camp Auction
As you are doing your spring cleaning this year be sure to save the good stuff for the Dance Camp Auction! We are looking for unique, unusual, divine, one-of-a-kind items that will create a bidding frenzy and raise money for Dancing Bears!
Even if you are not going to camp this year, you can offer items for the auction.
Many of us are getting to a stage in life where we have enough stuff but may be needing a little help with things that are outside our skill set. In addition to the great gems you’re bringing to camp for the Auction, here are some ideas that you may be especially gifted to offer!
Specialized services
Legal, Electrician, Plumber, Massage, Computer lesson/assistance, Set up your new TV, Genealogy, Music lessons
Household help
Handyperson/odd jobs/minor home repair, Help cleaning garage/basement/shed, Deep clean refrigerator, Lawn mowing, Snow shoveling/snow blowing, Raking, Weeding, Planting, “Marie Condo” your closets or drawers, Wash/detail car, Tire changeover, Bike tune up, Lawnmower tune up/blade sharpening
Crafts How-to
Knit, Sew, Crochet, Scrapbook, Bead, Arrange flowers, Calligraphy, Braid hair
Outdoor adventure
Canoeing on local lake, Try out my fat tire bike, Birding, Fly a kite, Fishing lesson
Food
Fresh eggs one time only or once a month, Cookies/bread, baked goods/soup - one time only or once a month, Basket of fresh lettuce/berries/veggies from your garden
Made-to-order items
Knitted hats, mittens, felted slippers, etc., Dance skirt, Wood handcrafted coat rack, etc., Hand sewn gear, Baked goods
Other
Take a load to the dump, Water your garden while you’re out of town, Ride to/from airport, Pet Sitting, Dog walking, Feed your chickens, Hem your pants/skirt/etc., Fresh flowers from your garden
Decadent Desserts
You can also contribute to the Dancing Bears by donating and/or buying Decadent Desserts during the weekend. An assortment of donated treats (baked goods, mixed nuts, dried fruits, etc.) will be available each evening in the dance hall. You can record "purchased" treats on a tally sheet that will be totaled up at the end of camp.
Even if you're not able to join us for camp, you can still send Decadent Dessert donations with other campers. Pre-portioned items are appreciated. Don't feel constrained by the label "Decadent Desserts" -- hungry dancers love sweet, savory, and salty treats!
Packing list!
Please see the attached list for suggestions for packing.