education | Holistic ArtVentures

Hey everybody! It’s getting to be that time when folks start making their summer plans so I’m ready to take registration for our 2017 summer camp season. Last year we were selling out of spots by mid March so I recommend registering as soon as you are able. I’ve posted an update schedule below and there is a registration button on the right hand side bar that you can click on. Please download and/or print your own version of the document before typing info on it. This way it stays blank for everyone to use. You may also pay your $50 deposit using the paypal link or mailing to Havilah Rand 1500 Lakeway Drive Bellingham, WA 98229.

This is going to be our best summer yet and I can hardly wait to meet all of our young songwriters and hear what we create. Thanks and see you soon!!

“As the director of our arts education program I coordinate many camps each summer. Rarely have I seen a camp so engaging for the kids involved. Each day of camp I would see kids sitting alone or in groups working on writing their songs. Havilah was great with the kids and came prepared with all the equipment she needed to record camper’s songs. This camp was a hit and I’m excited about having Havilah back to teach again next summer.” – Director of Arts Education, Vashon Center for the Arts

Young Songwriter Summer Camp Schedule 2017

April 29th Private Songwriting Workshop in Los Angeles. Email havilahrand@gmail.com if you’d like more info and to register.

May 8 – 10 Parkrose Middle School in Portland, OR. Havilah will lead a songwriting workshop through the SUN program guitar class. Contact them directly if you would like to participate.

June 3-5 Private Songwriting Workshop on Whidbey Island, WA. 10am – 3pm ages 7 – 12. Contact Havilah at havilahrand@gmail.com if you would like to participate.

June 12 – 15 Methow Young Songwriter Summer Camp at the Methow Valley Community School. 10am – 3pm ages 7 – 13 $225. Register through the document on the sidebar or email havilahrand@gmail.com.

June 26 – 30 Whidbey Island, WA hosted by Full Moon Rising Camp. Contact Full Moon Rising Camp directly to register.

July 10 – 13 Vashon Island, WA. Contact our hosts Vashon Center for the Arts to register.

July 17 – 20 Bellingham, WA. We are back at Camp Cody in Fairhaven complete with swimming pond and treehouse!! We are also lucky to have Johann Wagner as a guest teacher. 10am – 3pm ages 7 – 13 $265 (partial scholarships available). Register through the document on the sidebar or email havilahrand@gmail.com.

July 24 – 28 Seattle, WA presented through Bertschi School. Contact them directly to register.

August 1 – 4 Ferndale, WA. Hosted at a private location on a beautiful farm! 10am – 3pm ages 7 – 13 $265 (partial scholarships available).Register through the document on the sidebar or email havilahrand@gmail.com to learn more!

August 17 – 20 and 21 – 24 Southington, CT hosted by Southington Community Cultural Arts Center. Please contact our hosts directly to register and learn more.

“My kids, who were initially both reluctant participants, absolutely LOVED the Songwriter Camp. I am so impressed with the creativity you inspired in them, how you showed them that they can take everyday events and turn them into songs, and how songwriting is an organic process. They also loved the silly fun elements like swimming and observing humans in their natural habitats. I hope you’ll offer the camp again next June!” – Methow Arts Alliance Director and Parent

“You did an incredible job bringing out her creativity. I was in awe of the song you composed together. I am making a CD to come out by October 1st, and I want to include her song.” – Recording Artist and Grandparent

Five camps, over sixty young songwriters and over a hundred songs and I’m sitting here in a coffeeshop in Oregon City feeling so much gratitude towards every kid, parent, assistant and host who have participated in this project over the last three years. Writing songs with kids has reminded me of the joy that comes from the process of creating with spontaneity and curiosity. The list of benefits that I witness these programs providing continues to grow and instead of learning from what didn’t work, I spend most of my time examining what exactly is making these programs so successful!

The strong connections and empathy that build between campers as they allow themselves to be vulnerable in front of each other is a testament to the true nature of human beings to be compassionate towards one another. Many of our songwriters this summer experience anxiety and a variety of challenges when it comes to reading, writing and focusing for long periods of time. We observed these anxieties alleviated to a high degree as they were given the freedom to use words in whatever way they chose, whether it was nonsensically, as poetry, as improvisation and then set in an artistic framework of melody and rhythm. Campers are also provided a variety of choices as to how they’d like to spend their time whether it be sound engineering, writing lyrics, drawing in their journal, working with a group, playing an instrument, mentoring younger participants and so much more. Songwriting can be a tedious process so we make a point of getting out of our heads with spontaneous dance parties, nature walks, theater games and even meditation. Parents who swore their child was too shy to perform in front of an audience were delighted to watch them describe the process of songwriting and then perform an original piece in front of a crowd of peers and strangers. Most importantly, we had so much FUN! From swimming in freezing cold rivers, to spying on shoppers in the local supermarket, to long walks in the woods, to using paint and recycled materials to make instruments, to our end of the day listening sessions.. every day ended with smiles and excitement for what the next day would bring.

Thank you again to each and every one of you who has participated in making these camps such a transformative and enjoyable experience for myself and for the young songwriters I’ve been so blessed to work with. I’ll be spending part of the fall in Europe and then back in October to offer home school programs, private and small group sessions and planning next summer. Enjoy these pictures and please reach out to me with testimonials, comments, suggestions and requests for a Young Songwriter program near you! My email is havilahrand@gmail.com or fill out the form..