What Programs Do You Need?

We're in the middle of planning our web chats and camp intensive courses for 2024 and beyond. We'd love to hear what would be most useful to you on this quick, two-question form!

We've Got You Covered!

Need insurance? You can now add insurance online if you've already renewed your affiliation. If you haven't renewed, you can renew online and add insurance at the same time.

Already have insurance and need certificates for new locations? Just email ben@cdss.org with the name and address of the venue.

Sliding Scale Success at Camp

Last summer, we piloted sliding scale payments at American Dance & Music Week. Overall, we made $625 over our expected camper revenue for that week because more people chose to pay an increased rate rather than a reduced rate. While most campers chose to pay the standard fee, offering a sliding scale for camp is one step toward reducing barriers for camp participation. We plan to extend this model to three additional camp weeks in 2024.

From the Mic with David Smukler

In this month's episode of From the Mic we hear from the most excellent David Smukler, dance caller, scholar, organizer, choreographer, teacher, champion of chestnuts… the list goes on. David grew up singing folk songs with his mom and began dancing contras in New Hampshire as a teen. In 1981, he was drafted to call for his local dance and has been calling ever since. David helped create an innovative Central New York gathering for callers, as well as the world’s first Contra Prom. David has recently returned for another term on the CDSS Board and is next in line to serve as board president.

Listen at fromthemic.cdss.org or wherever you get podcasts!

Promote Your Upcoming Events

Our crowd-sourced community calendar is one of the most-visited pages on the CDSS website. It's a great place to let folks know about your group's winter events!

List your events here! Local dances, special events, festivals, concerts, and more are all welcome.

Ad reservations in the CDSS News will be back soon! Look for more info in January. The first issue of 2024 will be published in April.

Throughout the past year, we’ve worked hard to provide you, our affiliates, with resources, opportunities to share struggles, solutions, and successes, and a sense of shared support as we collaborate in guiding our communities into a new era.

Many of you stretched already thin budgets to maintain your membership, for which we are deeply grateful. If you can contribute more so that CDSS can continue its important work, please consider a gift to our year-end appeal. We count on the support of members and affiliates to keep us going!

Umbrella photo by Taylor Wright on Unsplash. David Smukler photo courtesy of David Smukler. Bottom photo by Lisa Nelick, Yuletide Frolic, Lawrence, KS.