Stockton Folk Dance Camp Preserves Cultural Traditions

By Zoee Flores Riggio

The Stockton Folk Dance Camp is still going strong after more than 75 years and ushered in the new year with Winter Weekend 2025, an online Zoom event featuring dance classes, presentations and parties. This summer, it will once again host its summer camps at Raymond Great Hall on the University of the Pacific campus.

Since its formation in 1948, the Stockton Folk Dance Camp has served as a backbone of cultural celebration and connection in Stockton, California. Founded by Lawton Harris, the camp emerged as the first folk dance camp on the West Coast, aiming to promote international folk dance and foster cross-cultural understanding. Following the end of World War II, Harris recognized the need for healthy leisure activities that would heal communities, build relationships and encourage learning. Thus, the camp was born; it is held annually on the University of the Pacific campus.

Camaraderie and Learning
Over the years, the camp has experienced significant growth and evolution. By the 1950s, it welcomed dance instructors from around the world, introducing folk dances from cultures as diverse as Nigeria, Greece and Japan. In the 1970s, the camp introduced live music, featuring ensembles such as the Tamburitza Orchestra from San Francisco and Stockton’s own mariachi band. With the help of more than 210 teachers and thousands of students, the camp has presented over 5,800 traditional dances thus far. The live and silent auctions that take place on Thursday afternoons are a more recent custom. The money raised from the auctions is essential for scholarships that will inspire upcoming folk dance leaders to become involved in the community.

The heart of Stockton Folk Dance Camp lies in its immersive experiences. During the two one-week sessions in the summer, summer camp participants don’t just learn steps; they delve into the history, costumes and music that make each dance unique. Students can learn styles from many countries from award-winning guest artists and professional dancers. This year’s lineup includes the artistic director of Folk Dance Ensemble at Brigham Young University, who will teach classic dances. Another guest artist is a renowned figure in the preservation and teaching of Mallorcan folk traditions. Of course, there wouldn’t be dancing without music and a slate of renowned folk musicians also perform over the course of the camp. The schedule is designed to maximize learning opportunities, with attendees able to master dances for 10 to 12 hours each day through classes, workshops, review sessions and social events such as the highly anticipated After Party.

Social Recreation
In addition to vocal traditions in singing classes, participants can enroll in instrumental music workshops for the Wednesday night after party. Campers are invited to dress traditionally from diverse cultures during costume night. At the thematic banquets, such as a for a Croatian theme in 2023, campers get dressed up on their last night to commemorate a successful week.

Stockton Folk Dance Camp continues to expand their program to the annual Winter Weekend, which took place January 31 through February 2. The vibrant online weekend consists of live music, dance classes and cultural cuisine. They were even able to embrace the challenges of modern times by hosting virtual workshops, ensuring its usual services remain accessible to participants worldwide. These adaptations have cemented the camp’s relevance in a rapidly changing world.

The Stockton Folk Dance Camp has evolved into not only a recreational camp but an institution keeping cultural traditions alive. By connecting people through the universal language of movement, it has preserved folk traditions that might otherwise fade away. It continues to inspire new generations of Stocktonians to come together and share their passions.

For more information, visit stocktonfolkdancecamp.org.