Square Dancing in Colleges and University Grants

Goal: To support efforts at colleges and universities whose aim is to establish a continuing series of squares dancing.

History: In the 1960's and 1970's many colleges and universities had programs of regular square dancing. For example,

    * Johns Hopkins and Goucher College, Gouchkin Hoppers
    * Brown University, Bear Squares, ~1975 - ~1988
    * Rice University
    * Texas A&M, Aggie Allemanders, ~1970 - 1995
    * MIT, Tech Squares, 1967
    * University of Massachusetts, Haymakers
    * Colorado State University
    * Northern Colorado University
    * Denver University
    * Colorado University
    * Utah -- there must have been some at Brigham Young University
    * Purdue University, Folk-a-Whirlers (later Krazy Eights), 1942
    * Yale University, Bulldog Squares
    * College Town Twirlers, drew from several colleges in Amherst Mass. area, ~1965 - ~1980
    * Springfield College, ~1949 - ~1951
    * [we should list all we know of here]

Often these clubs were associated with, or an outgrowth of, the institution's Outing Club. Many of those who danced in college, are still dancing today. Some learned to call while in college, and continue to call square dances.

Today, square dancing is offered in any form on campus in only a few colleges or universities:

    * MIT (club Tech Squares, 1967)
    * Purdue University (club Krazy Eights, 1967)
    * North Central College (course VER EXP D4: Mathematics of Square Dancing)
    * Brigham Young University (course DANCE 172: Country Western and Square Dance)
    * [others?]

The following clubs, still dancing, started at a college or university but have since moved off campus, greatly reducing their ability to attract students.

    * Stanford University, Stanford Quads, 1983
    * Rutgers University, Rutgers Promenaders, 1953
    * [others?]

CALLERLAB's Foundation and the CALLERLAB SDCU committee stand ready to support anyone who wants to start or continue a series of regular squares dances at a college or university. Download an application and get the process started.

Why Square Dancing?
As one type of American folk dance, square dancing provides a recreation in which peoples cooperate in groups of 8 to dance through patterns of choreography provided by a caller. The initial steps are simple, and can be learned in a few minutes by anyone. The dancing provides exercise, social interaction, and, while generally non-competitive, can also stretch the mind.

In his book Bowling Alone: The Collapse And Revival Of American Community Robert D. Putnam documents how we have become increasingly disconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and our democratic structures—and how we may reconnect. Putnam warns that our stock of social capital, the very fabric of our connections with each other, has plummeted, impoverishing our lives and communities.

Square Dancing, and other forms of group social dance, provide a positive way for people to meet, interact, and begin to build new social connections. Both freshman and new graduate students are ready and willing to try something different. Once it has caught on, the upperclassman who already dance encourage the new freshman to give it a try, and it becomes self sustaining.

There is a great breadth in the ways that square dancing can be offered. Most college clubs teach CALLERLAB's Mainstream dance program in a single term. Some choose to teach the Mainstream and Plus programs together. Another alternative would be a series of "open" dances, perhaps based on Square Dance ABC. This provides a non-progressive way to introduce students to square dancing. Each meeting is different, and newcomers are always welcome. Some choose to emphasize the mathamatics behind the dancing. Others head towards the performance aspect. Whatever you do, it will be a benefit to those involved and enriching your students and their community.

How is this offered?
You have to figure out what will work at your institution. Some schools offer it as a class for students in physical education or dance. Others have it as a student activity or club. Some offer it as an intense course as part of their intersession or independent activities period. At least one school allows students to take square dancing for physical education credit. In the old days, many square dance clubs were created as offshoots of the Outing Club.

What can the grant be used for?
Whatever it takes to start or support a series of square dances that will lead to continuing, self-supporting square dancing on campus. While you should probably be able to get your dance space for free, perhaps you need to hire a caller, purchase calling equipment, square dance recordings, or square dance music, or even publicity. Some groups grow their own callers while others hire outsiders.

How do I get started?
Download a grant application, fill it out, and send it in. We have made the process as simple as possible. If you have the enthusiasm and will to start a dance series on your campus, we stand ready to support you.