Find Your Song: An Exploration of Storytelling and Music-Making for Children (5-day series)

In this 5-day camp program, children will gather to hear stories, explore ways to create music together, make up songs and art, and even tell some stories of their own. Throughout the series, facilitator Timothy Simmons will lead participants through his storybook guide to finding your own song, Serafine Finds a Song.

Serafine Finds a Song tells the story of a young girl named Serafine who goes on an enchanting journey in which she learns to find her very own song. She encounters magical talking trees, makes a special friend in a curious cat named Birdy Girl, and ultimately discovers that her own music lives inside her. She learns about melody from wolves, rhythm from insects, and harmony from whales, and at the end of her journey, she returns home with a song that she shares with the world.

Each day, children will gather to read from the story, and engage in musical play inspired by the events of the story. We will begin each session with collective drumming, then we will read together, make our own music inspired by the story, and then close with a storytelling activity or simple art project.

This class is for children ages 6 – 12.

Please be sure to fill out the Child Safety Requirements checklist in your registration. Your child will be provided with a morning snack. If your child has a food allergy you must email Mandie (Program Manager) at mbanks@cranaleith.org with details. Please have your child bring a labeled water bottle.

Sequence

Class One – One Authentic Sound

• Opening Drum Circle
• Storytime
• Musical Games – “One Authentic Sound,” “The Charm Bracelet”
• Art Project – Make Charm Bracelets
• Closing Circle Song

Class Two – The Escalator

• Opening Drum Circle
• Storytime
• Musical Game – “The Escalator,” “The Infinity Loop”
• Art Project – Draw a Magic Tree
• Closing Circle Song

Class Three – Drop It!

• Opening Drum Circle
• Storytime
• Musical Game – “Drop It!”, “Catch Me If You Can!”
• Art Project – Make an “Insect Shaker”
• Closing Circle Song

Class Four – Ocean Waves

• Opening Drum Circle
• Storytime
• Musical Game – “Ocean Waves,” “The Two Energies”
• Art Project – Make an “Ocean Drum”
• Closing Circle Song

Class Five – The Polyphonic Dance Party!

• Opening Drum Circle
• Storytime
• Musical Game – “The Polyphonic Dance Party!”
• Closing Circle Song and Dance Party!

Needs and Miscellaneous Details

• Your child can jump in or out at any point in the sequence. There is no need to attend every session in a specific order. The program is circular in nature, not linear. We will always review and rebuild each session.
• No musical experience is necessary to take this class. All musical abilities will be honored and valued.
• I will bring musical instruments each week, however, if families have instruments they can bring or even share with the group, that would be great. Pots and pans, homemade instruments, and singing voices all make wonderful musical instruments!

This page registers you for the entire 5-day (7/15 – 7/19) camp program. If you wish to only register for individual sessions, you can find the links below for each camp day.

CLICK HERE for Monday’s Class Only!
CLICK HERE for Tuesday’s Class Only!
CLICK HERE for Wednesday’s Class Only!
CLICK HERE for Thursday’s Class Only
CLICK HERE for Friday’s Class Only!