www.campswing.com I've been swing dancing since The Revival back in the mid-90s, but hadn't taken the time to make Camp Swing before this year. The Camp (Camp 1 of The Woodlands) is way up there; try more than four hours( (IF there's no traffic!) from Oakland. I'm glad we heeded everyone's advice and left early Friday and travelled the little windy roads during the daylight. When you get close enough, tune in to the local radio station, KZYZ (or KZYX). The djs are really a hoot. The cabins are quite rustic, no electricity, and, strangely, seemingly insect-free. The cabins are from the 30s, and as with anything that ages, some of the boards on the balcony have rotted a bit. One of our bunkmates fell through while we were there. Be careful, 'kay? We won the "Best dressed cabin" competition. We went on Work Study (where you get reduced fees in conjunction with volunteering your time at camp). We worked in the kitchen on Friday for dinner, Saturday at the bar and then kitchen clean-up on Sunday. I ended up missing enough classes because I worked shifts that I wouldn't choose to go to camp that route. Of the classes I did take, I thought the teachers were fabu. They made themselves accessible, when they weren't teaching and at the dances. I was hoping for a hula class again, but to no avail. The biggest thing missing from this camp is camaraderie. They need to have something at the Friday dance that gets people to meet each other. You know, "Snowball" and "Switch" dances; that sort of thing. It seemed people came up in their little groups and didn't deviate. The creators need to make people mix and mingle more. read more

Partner dancing in an old fashioned lodge in the Mendocino Woodlands night is like a time trip to another era. "Dirty Dancing" during Halloween is the closest movie visual I can think of. Camp Swing in October is a fun weekend getaway whether you know how to dance or not. Leave on Friday during daylight so you can enjoy the North Bay drive, wineries and the autumn leaves turning color. Three hours later, you arrive in the town of Mendocino by the coast. You can stroll the town before descending a long gravely road to arrive at Camp Swing. Jenna--one of the organizers--will be there to greet you with a smile. She's the friendly, but yet kick-ass dancer that used to teach swing at Broadway Studios. For the price of admission you get two days of dance lessons including a combination of: Swing......Salsa......Hula......Balboa...... Hustle......Swing......Charleston...... Lindy Hop......Belly Dancing......Swing......Hip Hop...... The instructors are very good, and GOOD-LOOKING! Did I mention swing? because it's the main emphasis. Breakfast, lunch, dinner provided; two nights of dancing, live music from Stompy Jones, cabin decorating contest, Halloween costume party, bottomless drinks and a "talent" show featuring comedians, improv, singing, two stepping cowboys and sexy can can girls.. Lots of lessons, dancing and socializing to be had. In between lessons I drove into town to take in the ocean and walk the town. The diverse attendance is made of singles, married, straight, gays, young and old. There's a sense of camaraderie that comes together at this camp. By the time Sunday morning rolls around, you're exchanging numbers, hugging goodbyes and singing "Time of My Life" from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. About The Accommodations: It's generous to call the 1930s cabins "rustic" (read no electricity and in need of a coat of paint). There are 4 bunks to a cabin, which are built on hilly terrain. The tall redwoods that populate the area keep the cabins mostly in the shade, and I noticed the October air to be warmer outdoors than indoors. Community bathrooms with hot showers are easily within walking distance, as are the dining and rec hall. Candles and propane aren't allowed in the cabins, but the camp provides firewood free of charge to burn in the cabin's fireplace. If you volunteer to help with clean up and meals, you'll receive a good discount on the Camp Swing enrollment fee. read more