What kind of holiday are you excited to create this
summer? Would the sight of kids playing freely, running across an open field
waving colourful scarves make you smile? What about spending three days
relaxing in a lush forest complete with pond as swimming hole? Taking a
midnight stroll only to come upon a field full of fireflies? Does dancing,
creating art, and spending time in a vibrant multi-generational community fill
your heart?
If you said “Yes, please!” to any of the above ideas, then
consider making this the summer you check out the 4th Annual Big Heart DanceCamp. Held at Unicamp in Honeywood, Ontario, Big Heart is a fabulous
stay-cation option for residents of Dufferin County and the surrounding area. A
great opportunity to come and play in the beautiful Mulmur hills.
Big Heart Dance Camp is a multi-generational, multi-arts
gathering aimed at creating conscious, creative community among artists from
near and far. While it’s primary emphasis is on dance, Big Heart Dance Camp
welcomes artists of all media to contribute and strives to offer a space for
creative self-expression for participants of all ages.
The visionary behind Big Heart Dance Camp is local artist
Ayrlie MacEachern. For many years, Ayrlie attended Dance New England, a summer
family dance camp in the northeastern US. Ayrlie was inspired by Dance New
England to create a similar gathering locally. As a result, Big Heart Dance
Camp was born. Big Heart is located at Unicamp, a 50-acre camp just outside the
hamlet of Honeywood, Ontario. Accommodation choices range from dorms and
cottages to tenting, and there are both indoor and outdoor spaces for
workshops/classes. There is also a large pond and lovely walking trails. All
three previous Big Heart Dance Camps have taken place at this location, and
this year the camp runs from Thursday, June 21 to Sunday, June 24. You can come
for a day or the whole weekend, and participants who live locally are welcome
to stay at Unicamp, or stay at home. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided
and all meals are wholesome, nourishing and prepared with love by local cook
Alta Wilbur.
Big Heart Dance Camp is truly a one of a kind experience
that offers something for everyone. Dance workshops are varied year to year,
and in 2012 participants can enjoy Nia, Contact Improv, Yogadance,
Journeydance, Sacred Circle dance and, of course, Barefoot Boogies in the
evening. The best part about it is that you need NO dance experience to join
in! Because of the diversity of dance provided, Big Heart is the premier local
attraction for anyone interested in exploring all kinds of dance.
For the less dance-enthused, Big Heart offers much, much
more! For instance, you might enjoy taking part in personal growth workshops
not related to dance. There will be lots of opportunity to enjoy a diverse
array of live music, whether in a workshop or impromptu setting, from hand
drummer Jamie Andrews, to fiddling, strumming, plastic comb playing Eric
Nagler. Big Heart is also a wonderful opportunity to take in the beautiful
nature surrounding Unicamp, from a hike along the Bruce Trail, to a dip in the
pond, or perhaps a meditative walk in the labyrinth. You can bring your art
supplies and go off painting or creating “en plein air”! Worried about bored
kids? Kids Camp at Big Heart Dance Camp is always action-packed, with time for
kids to play, create, explore, make music, and, of course, dance!
At Big Heart Dance Camp, a creative community comes together
and it is not uncommon to find a circle of older adults and children gathered
on the porch for a Backporch Jam as the sun sets. For three days and three
nights, people can be immersed in creative conscious community, where it’s easy
to let your big heart shine and find a sense of belonging.
For more information about Big Heart Dance Camp, including
rates and registration information, please contact Julia Petrisor at 519 925
8598 or jpetrisor@gmail.com.
Julia Petrisor is a local writer, yoga teacher and dance
enthusiast. She teaches private yoga classes in the Mulmur area and yoga to
teens in recovery at the Pine River Institute.