Class Descriptions

FUNDAMENTALS: This course is for new, recent or returning dancers, as well as anyone who is interested in working on the basics of good feet, arms and hands, and eye contact. Build your confidence and your knowledge of the central formations of Scottish country dancing.  Dancers will become more comfortable dancing from talk-throughs only and develop the ability to smoothly transition between steps and formations.  This class will teach and improve the following steps and formations:

BASIC STEPS

BASIC FORMATIONS

INTERMEDIATE: This course requires a working knowledge of all the basic steps and formations (see above). Dancers should be able to dance a simple dance from a talk-through only, and achieve some continuity between basic formations. The intermediate class will focus on teamwork, handing, eye contact, phrasing, deportment, and covering. This class will concentrate on improving the basic steps and formations and learning and improving intermediate steps and formations:

INTERMEDIATE STEPS

Highland Schottische setting            Glasgow Highlanders setting

INTERMEDIATE FORMATIONS

EXPERIENCED: This course is for experienced dancers with an extensive knowledge of most of the figures listed above and who wish to expand their repertoire of dances. The focus will include a balance of technique and dances.

CHALLENGE: This course is for dancers who perform at a high level and wish to be challenged further. This will be a physically demanding class requiring a good level of physical fitness. Dancers should be proficient in all of the steps and formations listed above. The class aims to expand the repertoire of advanced formations and dances; polish individual technique with continued emphasis on teamwork, phrasing, and covering; and increase the quality of dancing physically demanding formations and dances.

All classes except Challenge will incorporate low-impact techniques and will be suitable for anyone who is injured, needs to be careful, or is simply interested in exploring ways to keep dancing as long as possible.

A list of the dances and cribs can be downloaded from this link:

https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/55532/

A list of the dances and cribs can be downloaded from this link:

https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/56316/

A list of the dances and cribs can be downloaded from this link:

https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/56317/

A list of the dances and cribs can be downloaded from this link:

https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/56318/

A list of the dances and cribs can be downloaded from this link:

https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/56319/

How to Register for Summer Events 2025

We are so excited that you plan to attend one of our Summer Events this year. The hardest part, I promise, is registration! When you get to the registration form, there are so many options that a little pre-planning will help.

1    Review what event you wish to attend.

There is a week of Scottish country dancing for dancers of all levels and nationalities that begins with a dance on Sunday night and ends with a Ball, the following Saturday. Summer School includes two morning classes, optional afternoon classes, evening activities, three meals daily, and accommodation. (Sunday morning breakfast after the ball is also included.) Most of our dancers and the success of our summer school come from this pool of dancers. No matter what your dancing level, we have a class for you.   August 3 - 10, 2025

Some dancers may feel that a full week of dancing is too much and may opt for the Half Week option, which begins with dinner on Wednesday. All classes, meals, evening events, Saturday ball, and accommodation are included starting Wednesday evening.    August 6 - 10, 2025

There is also an option for non-dancers to attend as companions*. This is a great option for partners and/or a friend who cannot participate in everything but would like to attend the evening dances and events. The companion rate includes all meals (for the selected time frame), accommodations, and access to all evening events, including the Ball.

There is also an option to attend everything but live off campus. The Non-resident option includes morning, afternoon, and evening activities, but the only meal is lunch. This works well for people who may live locally or have friends who do.

Before Summer School begins, a Teachers' Conference Weekend is held for SCD teachers who are TAC members. The weekend includes workshops, dancing, the AGM and a Ball. Teachers may bring a companion who can attend the dances and ball but will have the days free for other activities. (Sightseeing or shopping, to name two). Teachers also have the option to extend their stay until Tuesday lunch to attend the first two days of Summer School. This is called TCW Plus.  August 1 - 3 or August 1 - 5, 2025

Some teachers may wish to stay for the entire week and would then sign up for TCW & Summer School. This gives you the most opportunities to dance and socialize with new and old friends. August 1 - 10, 2025

This is the biggest decision you need to make!

Resident or Non-resident

Summer School or Half-Week

TCW or TCW Plus or TCW/SS

*Companion—There may be people coming as Companions for the Teachers’ Conference Weekend who will then be attending either Summer School or TCW Plus as dancers. If you are going as a TCW Companion but staying for the Plus, select TCW Plus Companion/SS Dancer on the registration form. If you are coming as a companion for TCW and staying to dance at Summer School, then select TCW Companion / Summer School Dancer on the registration form.

2  Review the class levels.

During Sumer School, there are two classes every morning with two different teachers. Over the course of the week, everyone gets classes from every teacher. We strive to offer classes where the dancers can learn and move forward in their dancing. This requires all participants to think about what they want to achieve at Summer School and the best place (class) in which to do it. It sometimes means that friends are in different classes, and that's okay. Making the best choice for your current dancing level and your desire to learn means that the teachers leading the classes can move you in a positive direction. Don't be afraid to ask someone which class to take. Match it with what you want to learn, and you will have a great time. The website includes samples of figures and formations at each level.

3 Collect your personal information.

The registration form will ask questions people often don't consider, so take a few minutes to collect the information. After the common name (as you are called), address (street), email, and phone number (where we can contact you), we need emergency contact names and phone numbers (of people NOT at Summer School), any dietary or medical conditions that may require some accommodation, who you might share a bathroom with (see if they are going too), and whether or not you are willing to share your contact information with the other participants at Summer School. Many of us have kept those lists over the years, and it's a great way to jog memories or reach out and contact people after Summer School. You can download and fill in this PDF 2025 SE Registration Worksheet before starting the registration process.

4  Payment choices

Every year, there are some issues with how to pay. PayPal is the easiest; however, we know that not everyone uses it. We have offered the choice of e-transfer to our Canadian participants. Our Treasurer has also made paying by credit card, NOT in PayPal, an easier choice this year.

You qualify for the Youth discount if you are under 35 years old. Please check that box at the end of the registration form to get your 20% discount. If you are a member of the RSCDS Youth Branch, click the Youth Branch button only to get your 30% discount. The Youth options are on the registration form. The additional Youth Branch discount will be processed as a refund.

For offline payments: If you don't want to pay your registration online, you can send your registration along with your credit card details (Name on card, card number, expiry date, CVC number, postal code) to Craig Williams, TAC Summer Events Treasurer, and he will process the payment. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cancellation Policy

If you register during the early bird period and change your mind before April 8, your refund will be 100% minus a $100 administration fee.

If you register and change your mind before June 15, you will get a 50% refund minus a $200 administration fee.

If you cancel your registration between June 15 and July 1, you will receive a 25% refund minus a $200 administration fee.

There are no refunds after July 1. Period.

Please consider cancellation insurance as well as travel and health insurance before registering.

5   DAA - Dancing Achievement Awards

We are offering the DAA course this year. If you are interested in taking the course and exam, please select it at the end of the registration process. For more information on this option, please read the information on the RSCDS website: https://rscds.org/learn/dancing-skills-assessments/dancing-achievement-awards

If you still have any questions or concerns, please contact a member of the 2025 Summer Events Committee. We are happy to help you.

Vicky Zeltins, TAC Summer Events Registrar This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Sheila Careless, TAC Summer Events Director  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Craig Williams, TAC Summer Events Treasurer  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Jody Kulas, Hospitality  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Joyce Lindsey, DAA coordinator This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A list of the dances and cribs can be downloaded from this link:  

https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/57076/

A list of the dances and cribs can be downloaded from this link:

https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/57078/