- National Square Dance Campers Association
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National Square Dance Campers Association logo
The National Square Dance Campers Association (NSDCA) is a non-profit organization, with well over 100 chapters spanning the continental United States and Canada.
Contents
Early history
The NSDCA formed in 1964 after several successful meetings between square dance callers, and campers. A separate organization, the Wolf River Area Callers' Association (WRACA), began workshops for square dance callers during the weekends, while smaller square dancing groups held weekend gatherings at inexpensive camp grounds. Through word of mouth, campers heard about the WRACA's weekend workshops, which welcomed visitors. Starting in 1958, the WRACA held a successful combined camporee annually in Shawano Lake, Wisconsin, for three years.
In 1961, the WRACA approved a motion to sample pins, which would culminate in a badge design by the end of the year. The design was registered in Wisconsin, and to this day, is still used in NSDCA camporees. The badges also consist of connected bars inscribed with the year and location of an international camporee, used to denote which camporees a member has attended.
Membership
In order for one to become a member of the NSDCA, they have to have completed a prescribed course in the Modern Western Square Dancing style. They are also expected to camp in a recreational shelter, such as a tent, motorhome, or trailer. Once inducted as a member, they are given a membership card, and assigned to a chapter closest to their proximity.
Children are admitted without having to complete a square dancing course, but by the age of 18, they must complete a course themselves, if they haven't already, to maintain their membership.
International Camporees
In addition to an individual chapter's monthly camporee, an annual combined camporee between every chapter in the NSDCA is held in the summertime, often in rural areas. Activities during the week span from arts and crafts, to competitive games like horseshoe tossing and ring tossing, and programs for the youth. Square dancing parties are held on a nightly basis, and the daily newsletter is sent out during the day for the full week, along with door prizes randomly given to members.
Year Location Year Location Year Location 1958 Shawano Lake, WI 1978 Spencer, IA 1998 Midland, MI 1959 Shawano Lake, WI 1979 Bowling Green, OH 1999 Elkhorn, WI 1960 Shawano Lake, WI 1980 Elkhart, IN 2000 Ancaster, ON 1961 Cedar Lake, WI 1981 Huron, SD 2001 Spencer, IA 1962 Cedar Lake, WI 1982 York, PA 2002 Douglas, WY 1963 Cedar Lake, WI 1983 Hamburg, NY 2003 Horseheads, NY 1964 Bear Lake, WI 1984 Des Moines, IA 2004 Oshkosh, WI 1965 Bear Lake, WI 1985 Pueblo, CO 2005 Hastings, NE 1966 Bear Lake, WI 1986 Sarasota, FL 2006 Crescent City, IL 1967 Bear Lake, WI 1987 Augusta, NJ 2007 Middle Amana, IA 1968 Bear Lake, WI 1988 Wauseon, OH 2008 Coldwater, MI 1969 Pecatonica, IL 1989 Huron, SD 2009 Rayne, LA 1970 Pecatonica, IL 1990 Spencer, IA 2010 Orlando, FL 1971 Monroe, MI 1991 Crescent City, IL 2011 Huntingdon, PA 1972 Monroe, MI 1992 Farmington, MN 2012 TBD 1973 Spencer, IA 1993 Hamburg, NY 2013 TBD 1974 Bowling Green, KY 1994 Ancaster, ON 2014 TBD 1975 Bloomsburg, PA 1995 South Bend, IN 2015 TBD 1976 Des Moines, IA 1996 Centre Hall, PA 2016 TBD 1977 Elkhorn, WI 1997 Augusta, NJ 2017 TBD The next international camporee will be held in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania in 2011.
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