Here's the press release that just went out about the youth camp.
Caddo Youth Camp Set for June 22 through 28
BINGER, Oklahoma – Children from communities throughout Oklahoma, as well as Arkansas and Texas, will soon begin packing their bags and heading to the Binger area. The Hasinai Society of the Caddo Nation has announced that it will hold its annual summer youth camp from June 22 through June 29 at the tribal complex just east of Binger. This camp is a wonderful opportunity for children to reconnect with and learn more about Caddo tribal traditions.
An exciting schedule of activities is planned for this year’s camp. Campers will be instructed by experienced craftspeople, tribal elders, and volunteers from the community. Daily classes will include Caddo songs and dances, beadwork, basket making, pottery, stomp dance, traditional games, Caddo language, and traditional cooking. The evening meal each night is prepared by the campers in their afternoon cooking classes and often includes traditional dishes such as pork and hominy, corn soup, fry bread, and grape dumplings.
The highlight of the camp is the closing dance on June 28. This event allows the campers to demonstrate all of the things they learned throughout the week to their parents and the community. The dance will start at 4 in the afternoon with the Caddo Turkey Dance, followed by a traditional meal at 6 PM. Social dances and stomp dances will resume after the meal and last throughout the night. The dance is free and open to the public; it will be held at the Caddo tribal dance ground, located at the intersection of State Highways 152 and 281, just east of Binger and north of Anadarko. Wayman Wells will be the Master of Ceremonies for the dance. The 2007-2009 Hasinai Society Princess is Naomie Paddlety, and the Hasinai Society Little Miss Princess is Shayna Howery.
The youth camp is open to all children between the ages of 7 and 18, space permitting, and is free to participants. It will take place at the Caddo Nation tribal complex. Campers will stay at the camping area at the dance ground throughout the week. Campers are asked to arrive at the dance ground on Sunday, June 22. At that time, they will set up their tents and meet with their assigned group leaders. Activities will start bright and early on Monday morning. Instructors, chaperones, volunteers, and other camp staff are asked to arrive by noon on June 22 for a preliminary meeting and planning session.
To receive an application or for more information, please contact Shirley Gouge, the leader of the Hasinai Society and main organizer of the camp. She may be contacted at 405.656.2344 or 405.247.1895. An application must be completed and accepted before campers can participate. Applications must be returned to Ms. Gouge by 5 PM on June 20, 2008.
The Hasinai Society of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma sponsors the youth camp each year and holds numerous fundraisers in order to provide financial support. They also receive donations and rely on the hard work of many volunteers.
Additional financial support is provided by the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Hasinai Society was awarded a matching grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council to assist in the funding of this event. Through state appropriations and grants from the National Endowments for the Arts, the Oklahoma Arts Council funds over 1,200 projects annually with an estimated total attendance of over 3.5 million. Projects funded by the Oklahoma Arts Council generally account for over $20 million in grants and matching funds distributed throughout Oklahoma’s economy. For information regarding the Oklahoma Arts Council, contact OAC’s Public Information Director at 405.521.2931.
For more information about the Hasinai Society, please visit the organization’s website at www.hasinaisociety.com, or contact Ms. Gouge at 405.656.2344 or 405.247.1895.
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