Summer's End
Summer's End 2024 is now in the past. Watch this page for news of the 2025 event, or subscribe to our email list for breaking news about Boston Branch events, including Summer's End.
The following information is from the 2024 event.
Scottish Country Dance Weekend: Saturday August 24 - Monday August 26, 2024
Hulbert Outdoor Center
Fairlee, VT
Flier
Online Registration Form
Saturday Evening Party Dance List
Sunday Evening Party Dance List
Saturday Party Cribs and Diagrams
Sunday Party Cribs and Diagrams
We reserve the right to make changes to this policy in response to potential changes in COVID conditions.
VACCINATIONS
COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are not required. However, we do encourage all eligible participants to get the most recent vaccine/booster.
TESTING
- Participants are required to bring a minimum of 3 tests. Please note that this minimum amount includes an extra test in the event of the need for additional testing.
- Participants will test twice: 1) upon arrival at camp, and 2) 24 hours after arriving at camp.
- We strongly encourage testing prior to departing for camp, especially for those traveling long distances.
MASKING
- Masks are optional for the 2024 season however they are strongly encouraged for the first 24 hours of the session. Masks are welcome for as long as an individual wants or needs to wear them.
- Please bring a supply of high-filtration masks (N-95, KN-95, etc) in case COVID conditions change and wearing masks is required.
- If a participant tests positive for COVID, other participants may be required to wear high-filtration masks.
PRIOR TO COMING TO CAMP
- By attending Camp, participants agree to the points on the attestation form. Anyone not able to say “yes” to each point should have a conversation with a Summer’s End Committee member.
- In the week prior to arriving at camp, we kindly ask participants to wear high-filtration masks in indoor public areas (grocery stores, movie theaters, concerts, public transportation, dances, etc).
Contact: Loren Wright: lonwright@comcast.net or Roberta Lasnik: rlasnik@verizon.net
Staff for 2024:
Teachers:
Beth Birdsall, Boston, MA
Arthur McNair, Pittsburgh, PA
Musicians:
Terry Traub, music director and piano
Catherine Miller, fiddle
Malka Traub Pomerantz, fiddle
Howard Lasnik, percussion
Nate Silva, piper
- Dormitory (double occupancy — limited availability) — $395 *
- Dormitory (triple- or quad- occupancy) -- $300 *
- Tent -- $275
- Participation, including meals, but with housing you arrange offsite -- $265
- Linens -- not included, but available for an extra $10
About Summer's End
Summer’s End, formerly New Hampshire Highlands, is held the fourth full weekend in August at the Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT.
This is a camp run year-round by the Aloha Foundation, which also runs a number of other camps in the area. It is set overlooking Lake Morey, where swimming, boating and fishing are available. There are hiking trails nearby.
Housing is in modern bunkhouses, divided into four rooms, each housing four campers. Just down the hall, you’ll find sinks, flush toilets and hot showers. Platform tents are also available for a lower cost.
For dancing, there are two larger spaces, one of which hosts the evening parties, and several smaller spaces, suitable for classes.
The camp session runs from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning, and includes five meals. [Note: For 2024 only, the weekend will be held Saturday through Monday.] There are three class sessions on Saturday where you’ll have the choice of a graded or special-interest class. On Sunday morning there’s another, mixed-level class, open to all. There is live music for all classes and the two evening dance parties. There is an evening ceilidh on Saturday, where participants are encouraged to contribute a short musical or dance performance, skit, story, or joke. In addition, there’s a welcome party, an ice cream social, and an afternoon tea.
The original “ancestor” Scottish Country Dance weekend began in late 1980’s at Hillsboro Camp and was called “Summer’s End,” and with the move to Vermont, we’re returning to that name. In 1995 a new, separate organization began running a similar weekend event at the same location called “Hillsboro Highlands.” One of the goals of that organization was to provide live music for all classes and evening parties. When Hillsboro Camp closed to outside groups in 2007, the event was moved to the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center, run by the Boston Archdiocese of the Greek Orthodox Church, in Contoocook, NH, and the name was changed to New Hampshire Highlands.