Walking up the hill towards the dining hall at BEAM Camp, a camper might hear the shouts of fellow campers or staff members planning activities. However, sounds of the fiddle tuning its strings is quite unexpected. Last Tuesday night, BEAM campers and staff enjoyed the first-annual BEAM Barn Dance.

Often when one thinks of a “Barn Dance,” they might imagine a big, red barn with a bunch of folks “do-si-do-ing” and “swinging their pardners ‘round and ‘round.” A BEAM Barn Dance is this classic event with a few twists. First, the dance took place in the dining hall. Second, the dancers were a group of  rowdy campers ranging in age from 6 to 14, along with their counselors. All were in a giddy mood though many, mostly boys, were not necessarily into the “whole dancish thing,” as Corey, 12, put it. The third and final twist was the music. It was provided by the talented counselors, Mike and Julie. The sounds coming from their guitar and fiddle created a beautiful atmosphere in the crowded and sweaty dining hall.

Dave, a math teacher and square dance caller extraordinaire of 15 years, was our guest caller for the night. He began with a “Big Circle Square Dance” as they call it in the south. This dance was done twice due to the fact that many uneager campers felt like causing havoc. For the second dance, the dancers split into four lines of 6 partners for a wild round of “Over the Top.”

After a quick break, Dave called us to order to begin real square dances such as “Red Wing” and “Dig for the Oysters, Dive for the Clams.” Finally, we wound down and finished the evening with incredible chocolate cake, courtesy of Duddana, Lauren and Justin, our fabulous chefs.

At the end of the night, even those campers who were apprehensive at first, decided that they had enjoyed the “Barn Dance.”

—Bess and Becca, both 13, Quarks

Code 46 video

The Mark of Cain movie download