Stockton Folk Dance Camp
University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95201
About
Stockton Folk Dance Camp brings together world dance and music enthusiasts to learn and celebrate traditional dances and music from around the globe. Participants learn new dances, enjoy dancing together, hear great music, create music together, and take part in singing classes, workshops, review sessions, parties, afternoon cultural assemblies, and impromptu late night acoustic jams. The camp offers a mixture of partner and non-partner dances, with a class schedule designed to maximize learning opportunities, and treasured live music for review sessions, parties, and late night jams.
• Schedule: Participants can choose to attend one or both weeks; on a typical day of camp, participants can dance 10–12 hours (or longer) if they attend all classes, workshops, review sessions, and after-parties.
Founded in 1948 by Lawton Harris in collaboration with other key volunteers, Stockton Folk Dance Camp has taken place every summer for more than 70 years. It was envisioned by the founders as not only a healthy way to socialize, but also a valuable way to learn about international cultures. As the first folk dance camp on the West Coast, it has been characterized as “the largest and most comprehensive camp in the country,” and has presented over 5,800 traditional dances with the help of more than 210 teachers and thousands of students. Afternoon cultural assemblies are offered throughout each week, and each Saturday features an elaborate Saturday night party that celebrates a particular country.
The program is led by the Stockton Folk Dance Camp Board of Directors: Kamrin MacKnight (Director) – California; Bobi Ashley – Oregon; Adony Beniares – California; Wendy Brown – California; Gordon Deeg – California; Julie East – California; Bob Harris – Georgia; Karlene Kjerstin – Utah; Greg Lund – Indiana; Cricket Raybern – Oregon; Stacy Rose – Oregon; Stephen Turner – North Carolina; Dave Uggla – California; and Ellie Wiener – California. Bruce Mitchell was on the committee/board and was Director for 25 years.
Last updated June 11, 2026.
• Schedule: Participants can choose to attend one or both weeks; on a typical day of camp, participants can dance 10–12 hours (or longer) if they attend all classes, workshops, review sessions, and after-parties.
Founded in 1948 by Lawton Harris in collaboration with other key volunteers, Stockton Folk Dance Camp has taken place every summer for more than 70 years. It was envisioned by the founders as not only a healthy way to socialize, but also a valuable way to learn about international cultures. As the first folk dance camp on the West Coast, it has been characterized as “the largest and most comprehensive camp in the country,” and has presented over 5,800 traditional dances with the help of more than 210 teachers and thousands of students. Afternoon cultural assemblies are offered throughout each week, and each Saturday features an elaborate Saturday night party that celebrates a particular country.
The program is led by the Stockton Folk Dance Camp Board of Directors: Kamrin MacKnight (Director) – California; Bobi Ashley – Oregon; Adony Beniares – California; Wendy Brown – California; Gordon Deeg – California; Julie East – California; Bob Harris – Georgia; Karlene Kjerstin – Utah; Greg Lund – Indiana; Cricket Raybern – Oregon; Stacy Rose – Oregon; Stephen Turner – North Carolina; Dave Uggla – California; and Ellie Wiener – California. Bruce Mitchell was on the committee/board and was Director for 25 years.
Last updated June 11, 2026.
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