Important info about the event

Please read this page and the Camp Clog 2024 page then go to the Booking page to make your booking.

Camp Clog is a diverse, inclusive, safe-space event.
We invite everyone to explore their own relationship with music and dance in a non-judgemental, accepting and friendly environment.

Camp Clog is about community, sharing, dance, and music so we prioritise people who want to fully engage in the whole weekend’s activities. Space is very limited; non-participating partners may attend, but unfortunately there may not be space to accommodate larger family groups (see children below).

We may offer tickets to people only wanting to attend one day nearer the time if there is space.

Tickets for the Saturday evening music and dance party (food included) are, however, available.

See below for information on Location, Daytime activities, Saturday evening party, Schedule, Accommodation, Food & drink, Children, and Dogs.

Have a look at the photos on the previous years’ Camp Clog pages to get an flavour of what it’s like.

Any more questions, just ask campclog@gmail.com. And please let us know if there’s anything missing from this page.

Location

We are lucky enough to have exclusive use of Camp Plas, a glorious rural campsite at a farm just inside Wales, not far from Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Welshpool.
More about the campsite here

Who it’s aimed at

Camp Clog is aimed at musicians interested playing for step dance, and dancers with some experience of step/clog dancing. It’s very much mixed ability, but for beginner step/clog dancers please note there won’t be a set schedule of classes for you to learn the basics, however there will be dance activities you can join in with and we often have a more advanced and easier session running at the same time.

Daytime activities

At Camp Clog our ethos is that musicians and dancers are equal participants therefore musicians’ input into dance is as important as dancers’ input into music.

You won’t be doing one thing all weekend but doing a variety of things, perhaps you’ll even help deliver a session.

We’ll do a bit of pre-planning based on what people say in their booking forms, we’ll also have a group chat at the start of the day and at break times to decide exactly what we are going to do. We really encourage activities for musicians as well as dancers, and especially activities where both work together.

Over the weekend there are six timeslots for sharings, jams, sessions, labs and discussions. Our aim is always to have more than one person leading a session so there’s scope for dialogue and exploration. We can break up into any size groups in different spaces; there will be bigger and smaller groups, but if you just fancy working one-to-one that’s fine – or you can even find a quiet space to work on something on your own!

Don’t forget to bring your ideas and enthusiasm for things you’d like to do or offer!

Dancers

This is an opportunity to expand your step dancing horizons and do something a little bit different. You won’t be learning a whole routine but might investigate some different step dance styles, have go at some freestyling, experience dancing to different musical rhythms, develop your technique, or explore how you express yourself as a dancer.

Musicians

For musicians this is a chance to explore and develop your playing for step and clog dance, but we also encourage musician-led sessions with dancers and sessions focussing on the music itself.

Past sessions have included

At previous Camp Clogs, we’ve explored the music and dance styles of Welsh clog/step, Southern stepping, Dartmoor stepping, Appalachian flatfooting, Irish set dancing, Rapper, North-east hornpipes, Sam Sherry clog steps, Elsie Brookes steps, body percussion, Lakeland hornpipes, Sean-nos and more.

We’ve also looked at one-to-one musician/dancer creative relationships, efficient dancing technique, new step sharings, playing for dance, dancing to unusual music rhythms, different dancers’ interpretation of the same tune, freedom in performance of historical repertoire, ‘stepping face’, and creativity in traditional music/dance.

Evening music and dance party

The focal point of the weekend is the Saturday evening music and dance party with food (please bring your own drink). There will, of course, be lots of music and step dancing, but we might add the occasional steppy social dance or informal performances.

Local musicians usually join us for the Saturday evening.

Schedule

Friday

Tea time onwards: arrival and socialising, music and dance whenever you feel like it, we expect it will really get going by about 8pm.
Food: Since people will be arriving at different times we won’t be providing food on the first evening so please bring your own, there are kitchen facilities at the campsite.

Saturday

Breakfast: cereal and toast with a variety of spreads (included in price).
Welcome: introductions and planning the weekend’s activities
Warm-up
Morning: music and dance activities
Lunch: picnic-style lunch (included in price)
Afternoon: music and dance activities
Evening: Music and dance party (food included, bring your own drinks)

Sunday

Breakfast: cereal and toast with a variety of spread (included in price).
Warm up
Morning: music and dance activities
Wrapping up: Feedback, discussion and sharing
Lunchtime: more picnic-style food etc…
Goodbyes: unless you plan to stay another night or two …

Monday

Some of us will be staying over for another night or two, you are welcome to join us for some more informal socialising and no doubt more music and dance.

We advise you to book this in advance directly with Camp Plas – this is not an official part of Camp Clog.

Accommodation

The campsite is suitable for tents, campervans and motorhomes, but there is no electric hook-up. Please note, it is not our decision not to accept caravans but Camp Plas policy.

For large vehicles please note the lanes are quite narrow in places. There is a reduced price if you wish to find your own accommodation off-site.

There are some Bell Tents and the ‘Little Hideaway’ for hire, ideal if you don’t fancy putting up a tent when you arrive. Beds and bedding provided, more info will be provided in booking info.

Food and drink

  • You’ll need to bring your own food for Friday night.
  • Meals are included on Saturday and Sunday including a simple breakfast, lunch and evening meal on Saturday.
  • We cater for different diets and allergies, please specify this on your booking form!
  • Please DO NOT add your own food to the communal food provided due to the risk of allergies.
  • Please DO NOT bring anything which needs to be stored in the Camp Plas fridges, this does not apply to properly labelled, essential items such as medicines.
  • We’ll provide tea and coffee throughout the weekend.
  • Please bring your own alcohol and any special drinks.

Children

  • The event is primarily aimed at adult participants.
  • Young children are welcome to attend with their parents, older children wishing to take part will need to be reasonably proficient in either step/clog dancing or playing music.
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

Dogs

  • This event is not particularly suitable for dogs, but well-behaved ones are welcome if they are not disruptive and you keep them under control at all times.
  • If your dog is sensitive to loud, high-pitched or unexpected noises and their behaviour might be disruptive then please do not bring them. The event will be noisy, including loud clogs and musical instruments.
  • Please note, the campsite is a working farm with livestock (sheep, lambs and chickens etc.).

Questions?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any more questions, email us at campclog@gmail.com or via our Facebook page facebook.com/campclog
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