June 14-21, 2026
Current Hey Days News
Updated October 20, 2025
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“I loved the spirit of the week — high standards, good dancing, and plenty of humor and kindness”
Come join us June 14-21, 2026, for Hey Days, the annual BACDS English Country Dance and Music Week, at Green Mountain Retreat in the Santa Cruz mountains near Los Gatos, California. We look forward to a wonderful week of dancing, singing, music-making, and friendship, with a good dose of merry abandon.
“The whole week was deeply satisfying. For starters, just being removed from the news and from traffic, surrounded by all these friendly interesting people . . . and I found the dance instruction excellent.”
We offer classes in English country dance, ritual/display dance, song, and a music track. We promise a program that will challenge and delight both new and experienced participants, complete with campers’ night, parties, and a daily gathering for campers and staff to share hidden talents.
This year we are offering a special course: Gene Murrow will lead a Music Intensive for experienced English Dance Leaders. Participants will spend three class periods a day: a class with Gene, a recorder class, and a calling practice class. This intensive is by application.
“The friendliness of the people, the level of teachers at the classes, being with friends, the music (musicianship) was magic!”
Throughout the day, you’ll have ample opportunities for both learning and leisure, with time to explore new skills and enjoy new friends. At night there will be more dancing, plus opportunities for after-hours diversions.
“I loved the friendly forgiving dance environment and the explicit leadership in that direction. Good to laugh over mistakes and go on dancing.”
Hey Days will open on Sunday afternoon, June 14. Dinner will be served that evening and will be followed by a dance. The week will close at 10:00 a.m. after breakfast on Sunday, June 21.
“Hey Days was one of the most awesome experiences of my life!”
Staff 2025
English Country Dance
- Kalia Kliban
- Gene Murrow
- Sharon Green
Longword and Border Morris
- Kalia Kliban
Storytelling
- Charles Adams
Singing
- Jacob Chen
- Cynthia Shaw
Musicians
- Karen Axelrod (piano, accordion)
- Eric Martin (violin, viola)
- Shira Kammen (violin, viola)
- Jacob Chen (piano, accordion,
guitar, violin) - Cynthia Shaw (piano)
- Jim Oakden (multi-instrumentalist)
- More TBA!
Sound Engineers
- Christopher Jacoby
Program Director
- Juliette Webb
Special Workshops and Events
- Music for English Dance Leaders —
a special intensive with Gene Murrow
— by application - Camper-Led Grab Bag sessions
- Gathering for staff and camper
performances - Music track
- Late afternoon merriment
- Evening after-dance parties
- Opportunities for jamming
- Singing wherever voices are gathered
BACDS is an affiliate member of The Country Dance and Song Society. If you are not a CDSS member, this is a great time to join!
Read about this year’s Program.
Read about our Staff.
Read about Camp Culture and Special Events.
Find out about Registration.