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 traditional dances from around the globe, hear great music, and create music together. Participants take part in dance classes, workshops, review sessions, singing classes, afternoon cultural assemblies, parties, after-parties, and an elaborate Saturday night party that celebrates a particular country. Live music is provided for review sessions, parties, and impromptu late night acoustic jams, and the class schedule is structured to include a mixture of partner and non-partner dances and to maximize learning opportunities.
• 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 and has presented over 5,800 traditional dances with the help of more than 210 teachers and thousands of students. 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.” The Stockton Folk Dance Camp Board of Directors includes Kamrin MacKnight (Director) – California; Bobi Ashley – Oregon; Adony Beniares – California; Gordon Deeg – California; Julie East – California; Bob Harris – Georgia; Karlene Kjerstin – Utah; Greg Lund – Indiana; Cricket Raybern – Oregon; Stephen Turner – North Carolina; Dave Uggla – California; and Ellie Wiener – California.
Last updated March 13, 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 and has presented over 5,800 traditional dances with the help of more than 210 teachers and thousands of students. 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.” The Stockton Folk Dance Camp Board of Directors includes Kamrin MacKnight (Director) – California; Bobi Ashley – Oregon; Adony Beniares – California; Gordon Deeg – California; Julie East – California; Bob Harris – Georgia; Karlene Kjerstin – Utah; Greg Lund – Indiana; Cricket Raybern – Oregon; Stephen Turner – North Carolina; Dave Uggla – California; and Ellie Wiener – California.
Last updated March 13, 2026.
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