Frogwarts School of Wizardry

Hi there!  I didn't update the Frogblog in a long time -- because I forgot how to!  Muggle electronics is not my best subject. 

This year's camp site is absolutely the best!  We sent our request for the perfect place out to the universe, and this place magically appeared.  It's like a "Camp of Requirement". 

Please check out the link for the Wapsi River nature center and click on each of the following to view the places we will have to work, live and sleep: 

http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/conservation/wapsi_facilities.php

Red tail lodge, Owl's nest dormitory, Eagle view Eco-center, and the Kestrel cabin.  And that's just the buildings!  The grounds are absolutely fantastic.  We will have lots and lots of places to learn out-of-doors, so be sure to pack some bug repellant.

This is going to be the most exciting Frogwarts, ever!  There was a nice article in the Telegraph Herald (Dubuque) on Saturday, and a really wonderful story about Frogwarts in The Radish Magazine (Quad Cities) both of which detailed the imagination aspects of the camp.  With every passing year, I realize more and more the importance and the power of imagination.  How can there be change -- positive change -- or growth, without the ability to envision it?  Several years ago, I wrote a musical production with my friends Kevin and Noel, called "Imagine and Make It Real!" which has become a great lesson in creating one's future.  The more you hold an idea in your mind as possible -- the more it will manifest in your life.  I know this is true.  It happens to me all the time.  It has happened with aspects of my family, my career, my art forms, even physical things, which seems strange ... but it is.  Some people believe that perception is reality (I'll believe it when I see it.)  But there's more to it than that (I'll see it when I believe it.)  I believe this will be the BEST Frogwarts, ever!  We have an excellent staff lined up of very excited teachers who are planning the most wonderful things -- and the most terrific kids are coming:  creative, intelligent, funny, clever, interesting, imaginative, thinking and writing ... 

An experience we will always remember and cherish.

The Wart Snort is the much-coveted title of honor bestowed temporarily upon a Frogwarter (from one meal to the next, announced at the end of the meal) -- to recognize the young wizard for exemplary kindness, compassion, or sharing ...

The wizard wears a singularly unattractive FROG HAT for the few hours!  Nobody really looks good in this hat, but everybody really wants to wear it!

       The Wart Snort Hat!           

      Exo, one 2006 Wart Snorter, models the hat.

(Actually, Exo makes anything look cute ...)

What is the long form drama all about?  Good question ...

Sustaining a character for a whole week may seem like quite a challenge, but actually it is a lot of fun.  One aspect of the long form drama that is most exciting is the suspense created by an on-going "story" that is initiated in the early part of the week and built upon day by day, including the students AND the professors.  Only a few "staff" know what the initiating conflict is, and the story develops daily, influenced by the characters, situations and personalities involved.

Here is a sample of the 2005 Long Form Drama.  This is a re-telling of the story -- a structure that is created day by day...  CLICK HERE for the STORY.