Texas Camp 

Texas Camp 2026: October 9-12

at Greene Family Camp (GFC) in Bruceville!

About Texas Camp

Since its start in 1949, Texas Camp has grown into one of the longest-running and best-loved international folk dance camps in the U.S. Our camp offers a unique opportunity to join in a celebration of music and dance from all over the world, in an informal and supportive atmosphere. The setting is GFC, a modern facility in the beautiful countryside of central Texas, near Waco.

In addition to dance instruction by world-class teachers, Texas Campers enjoy participating in the camp band and singing classes, attending special dance and folklore sessions, and sitting down together for fresh, hearty meals. Add in our lively evening parties, and you have a delightful experience full of dancing, learning, feasting, music, fellowship and fun. Please join us!

New to Texas Camp? Here’s what to expect! 

• Activities start around 1:30PM Friday, and end with lunch Monday.
• Arrive any time after 10AM Friday, and depart by 6PM Monday.
• No smoking, pets, or drop-in campers allowed.
• Parking allowed on pavement only.
• Register on arrival, and get your housing assignment, name badge, etc.
• First meal is Friday dinner, last meal is Monday lunch.
• Meals are buffet style, no assigned seating, and begin and end at scheduled times.
• Coffee and limited snacks are available around the clock; you may wish to bring your own.
• GFC is a no-peanuts facility.
• Bring cash and checks to pay for things you might buy at camp (camp t-shirts, review materials, teacher sales items, and so on).
• We have a safety team and first-aid kits onsite.
• Please follow the TIFD Code of Conduct while at Texas Camp — find it on our website, on posters around camp, and in the camper handout distributed when you register.
• Typical days at camp include meals, dance classes, singing classes, band rehearsals, culture corners, special dance sessions, and themed evening parties.
• Packing suggestions: please visit what to bring for some tried-and-true options.

Registration Rates

Children (age 0-16) attend Texas Camp at no charge!

Adults (age 17 and older)

$450 – Full time

$380 – Part time (after lunch Saturday through close of camp)

$120 – NEW! One day (Saturday or Sunday, after breakfast through midnight)

$330 – Non-dancer*

*A non-dancer is an attendee with physical challenges that prevent dancing, or a dancer’s family member who does not participate in camp activities (classes, etc.). The non-dancer rate is not available to part-time campers, scholarship recipients, or anyone receiving a staff discount.

Registration Dates

August 21             Deadline for scholarship applications
September 4         Deadline for “family priority” private housing requests
September 18       Deadline for regular registration ($25 late fee after that)
October 2              Absolute last day to register!
October 9              TEXAS CAMP starts!

Financial Assistance

Reduced Rate for Non-Dancers
We offer a reduced rate for non-dancers. A non-dancer is an attendee with physical challenges that prevent dancing, or a dancer’s family member who does not participate in camp activities (classes, etc.). The non-dancer rate is not available to part-time campers, scholarship recipients, or anyone receiving a staff discount. Please see registration form for rate.

Scholarships Available — Don’t Let Money Keep You from Texas Camp!
In memory of beloved longtime dancer, Ms. Bobbi Gillotti, TIFD offers full or half scholarships to full-time campers in financial need, regardless of age. If money is holding you back from camp, know this: WE REALLY, REALLY WANT YOU TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP!

Please note – TIFD does not announce the names of scholarship awardees or call attention to awardees in any way. Your scholarship is strictly your business.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS
The scholarship application deadline is August 21.
Applicants will receive a response by September 11.

Apply online

2026 Texas Camp Faculty

Lee Otterholt – Line & Couple International Dances

Born in the US to Norwegian-American parents, Lee worked most of his life in Norway, as a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. In the last 20 years he’s been active on the international scene, teaching at festivals, workshops, and camps in Europe, the US, and Asia. Lee’s teaching emphasizes dancing well, not just “getting the steps”, and he also tries to bring improvisation and spontaneity back into the folk-dancing traditions. Lee never loses sight of the fact that we dance because it’s fun – just as it was fun for the village dancers before us!

Don Weeda – Camp Band

Under Don’s leadership, the Camp Band is a musical marvel! Don is an accordionist, pianist, and band leader who has spent nearly 40 years immersed in the world of international and Eastern European folk music. The versatile Don leads his own band, Slavadillo, and is an in-demand accompanist, performer, recording artist and workshop conductor at festivals and camps all over North America. Come join the band with Don!

Sue Hovorka – Singing

Sue Hovorka has a passion to get the whole room of folk dancers singing. She has been an organizer of the Austin Balkan Singers for 50 years (and still going strong). When possible, she travels to the east and west coasts to learn more from the masters of folk dance song. Sue especially loves harmonies, uneven rhythms, witty texts, and songs that include stamping feet.

Added Attractions

Singing Classes
All are welcome here, where novice and expert singers come together to master folk songs old and new, explore vocal styles from around the globe, and share what they’ve learned in an informal performance that always brings smiles.

Camp Band
Texas Camp has a strong live-music tradition. Musicians are welcome and encouraged to play in our friendly Camp Band during evening dance parties. Tell us when you register that you’ll play music with us – we will get in touch to help you prepare.

Expert Local DJs
Party music also includes beloved recorded tunes, spun by experienced DJs. Want to be considered for a turn as a DJ? Or recommend someone? Please alert our party program coordination team (partyprogram [@] tifd.org).

Dance Rewind Classes
Be sure to attend these fun sessions where we review, refresh, and revive classic dances from the international folk repertoire, under the leadership of talented campers from our area.

The Bruceville Roadhouse
Club and couple dancing from Texas and other planets! Grab a partner, snag a cold drink, and join our boot-scootin’ bunch for a honky-tonk good time.

Sprung-Wood Dance Floor
Our custom floor is famously comfortable. These days, we use mostly hired labor to install it and store it away. To the many volunteer “floor elves” who valiantly handled this huge task for decades, TIFD offers heartfelt thanks – you are heroes in Texas Camp history!

Dance Review Digital Download
TIFD produces a review video of the teachers demonstrating the dances taught at camp. Order during registration, or while you’re with us. We’ll send a link after camp.

Party Themes

FRIDAY

Do You Know Gnomes? – Bet your pointy hat you do! Don your nicest gnome duds or your wildest woodland-creature garb, and join the fantasy forest fun.

SATURDAY

Wow, It’s a Luau! – While the palm trees sway, you can wear your lei. Come party on the beach the Hawaiian way.

SUNDAY

Dances of Planet Earth – It’s fiesta time on the third rock from the sun! Let’s celebrate with folk dance and costume from all over the globe. Opa and cowabunga, amigos!

T-SHIRT

Pre-order your T-shirt when you register for camp, and get a discounted price of $22! We’ll have a few extra shirts for purchase at camp for $25, while supplies last. Order standard men’s cut (classic boxy shirt) or women’s cut (slightly scooped neck, trimmer body and shorter sleeve).

Location

GFC is at 1192 Smith Lane in Bruceville, Texas, just south of Waco. The closest major airports are in Austin (AUS) and Dallas (DFW). Click here for driving directions on GFC’s website.

Housing

All housing at GFC has central heating and air conditioning. There are two housing types:

Dorms
Basic camp housing is in duplex dorms. Each has six twin bunk beds on each side, with a shared bath between. Most campers sleep on the lower bunks, and stow gear up top.

Private Rooms with Private Baths
Each private room sleeps up to two campers, and has a private bath. There is an extra fee of $100 for single occupancy, or $50 per person for double occupancy. Beds may be twin or queen size – let us know if you have a preference, and we’ll try to accommodate it.

NOTE: Private housing units are available to families at no extra fee, but only until September 4. Families are defined as one or more adults with one or more children age 16 or younger. After September 4, families will be assigned to family dorms (two large bedrooms, with a shared bath between).

Important Camp Rules

• GFC is a non-smoking facility.
  Smoking is prohibited anywhere within the camp grounds.
• The camp kitchen is off-limits to campers.
• No pets are allowed anywhere within the camp grounds at any time.
• A confirmed reservation is required to attend any part of Texas Camp.
  No visitors and no drop-ins.

Comfort and Safety at Camp

What to Bring

Linens
Pack your own sheets, pillows, blankets, towels, etc., or rent them for a fee (see rental option on our camp registration form)

Essentials

• Toiletries
• Medications
• Shoes and clothes (Texas weather is notoriously changeable; check the forecast carefully before you pack!)

Also nice

• Clothes hangers
• Umbrella/rain gear
• Flashlight
• Shower shoes
• Extra dance shoes
• Dance belt
• Party costumes
• Paper folding fan
• Ear plugs
• Bedside rug
• Night light

For dorm dwellers
Sheet to hang for bunk privacy

Important Camp Rules

• GFC is a non-smoking facility.
  Smoking is prohibited anywhere within the camp grounds.
• The camp kitchen is off-limits to campers.
• No pets are allowed anywhere within the camp grounds at any time.
• A confirmed reservation is required to attend any part of Texas Camp.
  No visitors and no drop-ins.

Code of Conduct & Camp Safety Team

TIFD is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all participants at our events. Our Code of Conduct ensures respect, fairness, and kindness toward each person present. To further support this, we have a dedicated Safety Team available at Texas Camp. Team members are trained to confidentially assist with any concerns, answer questions, and promote a positive experience for all attendees. Your well-being is our top priority. Let’s dance together in a spirit of community and care!

About the Date Change

Helpful Links

TEXAS CAMP HISTORY