The activity of group drumming is experiencing a resurgence in today’s educational and recreational environments. Summer camp is an ideal place to expose children to group drumming and rhythm making. Below are five reasons why a summer camp should consider implementing a drumming program.
Rainy Day Activity
Drumming can be done indoors or outside in nature. On rainy days, drumming can be done indoors and only requires a small amount of space per participant. It provides campers with a low impact physical activity that can provide a necessary outlet for pent-up energy from not being able to be outdoors. (And we all know how campers can get after that third straight day of rain.)
Music Making Activity
Group Drumming and drum circles provide a low barrier entry into music making. Campers are able to follow a group rhythm and participate in the way that they are comfortable contributing. No prior experience is necessary in order for the camper to be able to enjoy group music making.
Educational Activity
There has been a recent focus and push by parents for camps to have educational programs and activities for their children. With the guidance of a facilitator or instructor, campers will be participating in an educational activity that is also recreational. Music making increases children’s capacities for learning.
Unity and Community Building
When people drum together it can create a sense of unity and connection among the group. Drumming with a group requires playing, listening, and interacting with others. These are all important skills involved in being a member of a community, team, bunk, or division.
Fun
Drumming is contagious. Rhythm is infectious. Campers love it because it is fun.
There are many varieties of drumming programs. Whether you have an experienced facilitator that comes to camp for one day, or you implement your own daily activity that is run by your staff, drumming can be a practical addition to any camp’s schedule of activities and events.
Read more about the programs that Path To Rhythm offers for summer camps here. And feel free to email me or find me on Twitter @pathtorhythm.
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