Texas Camp 

Texas Camp 2024: November 28 – December 1

at Greene Family Camp 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 Greene Family Camp, 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, learning in our group-building workshops, and sitting down together for fresh, hearty meals. Add in our lively evening parties, and you have a uniquely festive holiday 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 Thursday, and end with lunch Sunday.
• Arrive any time after 10AM Thursday, and depart by 6PM Sunday.
• 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 Thursday dinner, last meal is Sunday 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.
• Our guest vendor accepts cash and checks, but no credit cards.
• Safety team and first aid kits on site.
• 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.
• A typical day goes like this — breakfast; dance classes; lunch; more dance classes; singing classes, band rehearsals, culture sessions, and afternoon delights; dinner; evening party. Here is the 2024 schedule (subject to change).
• Packing suggestions: please visit what to bring for the best 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 Friday through close of camp)
$330 – Non-dancer

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

Registration Dates

October 1                Deadline for scholarship applications
October 15              Deadline for “family priority” private housing requests
November 8            Deadline for regular camp registration ($25 late fee after this date)
November 14          Absolute last day to register!
November 28          TEXAS CAMP starts!

Financial Assistance

Reduced Rate for Non-Dancers
We offer a reduced rate for non-dancers, i.e., a camper with physical challenges which prevent dancing, or a camper’s family member who does not participate in camp activities (classes, etc.). This 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 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 Gillotti scholarship awardees or call attention to them in any way. Your scholarship is strictly your business. You must apply by October 1 to be considered. Please apply today!

IMPORTANT DATES FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS
Scholarship application deadline is October 1
Applicants will receive a response by October 20
Last date to apply for camp without a late fee is November 8
Absolute last date to apply for camp is November 14 ($25 late fee applies)

Download the scholarship application

2024 Texas Camp Faculty

Couple Dance Teachers

Nick & Melissa Enge – Foxtrot & Other Social Dance Favorites

The Enges are social dance instructors and historians at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to joining UT, they studied and taught with Richard Powers at Stanford University, and collaborated with him on three books. Melissa and Nick co-founded two websites:  Library of Dance and University of Dance. In 2023, they won the Undergraduate Teaching Award in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at UT.

Line Dance Teacher

Joan Bennett – Favorites from the International Folk Dance Repertoire

A mainstay of the international folk dance scene in North America, Joan has been active for more than 50 years as a dancer, performer, director, DJ, teacher, and community builder. She teaches dance at camps and conferences around the country, and presents workshops on building skills as a DJ and teacher, to better serve your local dance group. This is her second appearance at Texas Camp; welcome back, Joan!

Singing Teacher

Shirley Johnson – Folk Songs for Everyone

As an accordionist and singing teacher, Shirley is a beloved member of the Texas Camp family. Her training and experience in folk music and dance is extensive, and her instruction and musicianship are first rate. Whether she’s leading her renowned singing classes, serenading campers during dinner, or kicking up her heels on the dance floor, Shirley helps make Texas Camp a fun and educational experience for all.

Director

Don Weeda – Camp Band & Auxiliary Ensembles

Under Don’s leadership, the Texas 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!

Added Attractions

Culture Corners
Social Dance – Join Melissa and Nick as they present How a Step Becomes a Dance: Footwork, Style, and Musicality, a multimedia lecture/demo exploring steps that repeatedly pop up in the history of social dancing, and how these steps show up in different dances.
Line Dance – Wear your dance shoes to Joan’s interactive workshop, Feel at Home in Any Village. She’ll help you speed up learning, get comfortable with different rhythms, follow “unwritten” dance etiquette, and fully immerse yourself in the magic of dance.

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 coordinator (partyprogram [@] tifd.org).

Balkan Blowout
Get a belt-hold on your neighbor! This lively session offers dances ranging from hotshot to village style, to scratch that Balkan itch.

Hungarian Dance Party for Everyone!
Texas Hungarian dance enthusiasts are keen to share their passion with you! We’ll do improvisational couple dances, sure, but also easy, village-type dances for all to enjoy.

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.

Contra Dance Sets
No room in the schedule this year for an afternoon session, but no worries – expect some lively contra sets during evening parties.

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.

Let’s go shopping at Balkan Bazaar! Find your party costumes right here!

Balkan Bazaar is a pop-up shop full of beautiful and intriguing things to wear, collect, listen to, decorate with, give as gifts, and enjoy. Our beloved Suze Stentz and Richie Leonard always arrive with something for everyone, from opanci to pillows. You won’t find this eccentric and exciting collection of goods anywhere else. For a preview, please visit https://balkanbazaar.com.

REMINDER: Balkan Bazaar does not accept credit cards! (But cash and checks are just wonderful!)

Party Themes

THURSDAY
Polka Dots, Stripes, and Plaid, Oh My!
Wear them one at a time like Minnie Mouse, Waldo, and Paul Bunyan. Or layer them like a laundry basket! Prepare to pile on the patterns for this party; ain’t no such thing as a clash, or too much.

FRIDAY
Eurail Pass – All Aboard!!
Dutch tulips, Spanish tapas, Scottish castles, Norwegian bunads, Turkish bazaars…draw your costume inspo from something, someone, or somewhere in the 33 countries of Eurail Pass. That’s the ticket!

SATURDAY
Carnival in Venice: A Masked Ball!!!
Take a moonlit gondola glide into the glamor and romance of Venezia la Serenissima, for an elegant evening of masked fun and fancy. (Psssst! Meet me at midnight in Piazza San Marco, mysterious stranger!)

Location

TIFD’s annual Texas Camp is held at Greene Family Camp, 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 Greene Family Camp 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 October 15. Families are defined as one or more adults with one or more children age 16 or younger. After October 15, families will be assigned to family dorms (two large bedrooms, with a shared bath between).

Important Camp Rules

• Greene Family Camp 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 for any conceivable weather (25-85 degrees – sun, rain, ice)

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

• Greene Family Camp 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.

Approach to Covid 

Covid is now endemic, like influenza and RSV. From the TIFD Board of Trustees, here is the Texas Camp 2024 approach to Covid:

1. Not required — proof of vaccination
2. Not required — masking
3. Encouraged but not required — acquisition of the most up-to-date available vaccinations
4. Encouraged — self-testing prior to departure for Texas Camp; if you test positive, please stay home
5. Requested — before and during Texas Camp, please protect yourself and others by:
   * Washing hands frequently and thoroughly
   * Using hand sanitizer
   * Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
   * Departing camp if feeling unwell

At the discretion of the TIFD Board of Directors, this approach may change, should changes in public health circumstances and/or federal government guidance emerge between now and camp. As camp nears, please check back here for updates. You attend Texas Camp 2024 at your own risk.

Code of Conduct & Camp Safety Team

At Texas Camp, we prioritize creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all participants. Our Code of Conduct ensures respect, fairness, and kindness among everyone in attendance. To further support this, we have a dedicated Safety Team available at camp. They are trained to confidentially assist with any concerns, answer questions, and promote a positive experience for everyone. Your well-being is our top priority—let’s dance together in a spirit of community and care!

New Camp T-Shirt Design

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 (trimmer body and shorter sleeve). Original T-shirt art by Helen “Dee” McCandless! 

Helpful Links

TEXAS CAMP DANCE TEACHER HISTORY

Ada Dziewanowska 1975
Ahmet Luleci 1990 2016 2022
Alberto Toledano & Loreen Arbus 1993
Altagracia Garcia 1960
Alura Flores de Angeles 1954 1955 1956 1957 1962 1964 1966 1967 1968 1970 1972
Andor Czompo; 1964 1965 1974 1976
Andy Taylor-Blenis 2019
Ann Zavada 1960
Atanas Kolarovski; 1969
Bev & Ginny Wilder; 1969

Bob Allison 1952 1954
Bob Leibman; 1986 2004
Campbell Miller 2015
Celest DiPietropaolo and Marie DiCocco 2010
Cristian Florescu & Sonia Dion 2007 2011 2017
Connie Lambert; 1985
Conny & Marianne Taylor 1968 1971
C. Stewart Smith 1970
Daniel & Gaelyn Beal; 1984
Dave Rosenberg 1958, 1959

David Henry 1983
Dick Oakes 1977
Donna Barker & Ken Haltenhoff 1992
Doug Butcher; 1981
Eleanor Boyer; 1953 1961
Emily Mucha 1957
Ercumet Kilic; 1984 2009
Franklin Houston 2011
George Fogg 2008
George Lowrey 1962 1967 1980

George Tomov 1976
Germain & Louise Hebert 1971
Germain Hebert 1990
Gordon Tracie 1963 1965 1973
Hardeep Sahota 2014
Henry Lash 1954
Holly Plotner & Misi Tsurikov 2015
Huemantzin Lopez 1994
Ingvar Sodal 1978 1982
Ingvar & Sally Sodal 1996

Jaap Leegwater 1985 1998 2010
Jacek & Bozena Marek 1999
Jane Farwell 1st CAMP Jan & Nov, 1949 1950, 1951, 1953, 1959, 1961 1966 1970 1972
Jean Forbes 1969
Jerry & Jill Duke 1995
Jimmy Drury 1984
Jimmy LaVita & Julie Normand 1986
Joan Bennett & John Scott 2023
Joe Graziosi 1988 1995 2001 2014 2020
John Bloom 2012
John Morovich 2003

John & Paula Pappas 1972 1975
John Steele & Sue Hovorka 1981
John Skow; 1964
Kalman & Judith Magyar; 1983
Karin Gottier 1979
Larry Weiner; 1987
Lee Otterholt 2006 2018
Lisa Smith 2012
Madeline Brock 2011
Madelynne Greene 1960 1967

Marcus Koch & Barbara Kaufer 1998
Mary Tymkowych 1956 1958 1960 1962
Matt Jones & Laura Malloy 2002
Michael Cartier 1962
Michael Ginsburg 2000 2021
Michael Seider 2018
Mihai David 2015
Monica Caivano 2003
Monique Legare 2009
Morley Leyton & Monique Legare 1989

Nelda Drury; 1952 1958 1980
Nicolaas Hilferink 1992
Oscar Martinez & Kanosky Munoz 2007
Patrick McMillan; 1981
Per & Margareta Jennische 1977
Petur Iliev 1991
Ralph Page 1954
Richard Powers 2006 2017
Richard Powers & Angela Amarillas 1997
Richard Powers & Melanie Cougarstar 1987

Rikki Nicolae 2013
Roberto Bagnoli 2023
Roo Lester 2001 2005
Roo Lester & Larry Harding 1991 2016 2022
Ruth Browns 1967 1977
Steve Kotansky; 1981 1988 1994 1997
Steve & Susan Kotansky 2004 2013
Sunni Bloland; 1973 1980
Theodor & Lia Vasilescu 1999
Tineke & Maurits Van Geel 2019
Tom Bozigian; 1979 1993

Vonnie Brown; 1981
Vyts Beliajus 1955 1956 1957
Willie Bushnell & Gay Ann Gustafson 2000
Win Hirschmann 1963
Yaakov Eden 2005
Yuliyan Yordanov 2012
Yves Moreau; 1974 1978 1982 1989 1996
Yves Moreau & France Borque-Moreau 2002 2008 2022
Zoltan Farkas & Ildiko Toth 1991