Countdown
Explorations
This is a list of the Explorations workshops and recreations for Summer 2004. Each year new workshops emerge, and recreations come and go. Workshops are scheduled to provide the best availability for the greatest number of students on a given day.
Workshops
Why Movies Need Music
A couple of film buffs screen memorable examples of the magic
worked by music in the movies.
Blood From A Stone: Initiation Into the Eternal Sacred Order of Lithographers
A demonstration of the occult mysteries of the lithographic
process. As a member of our amazed audience you will marvel
as a printable image is called forth from a cold slab of limestone.
See the invention that revolutionized the printed image! Thrill
to the snap of ink on the roller! Learn of the irresistible
power of the press! Ask questions! Join the circle of the initiate!
(This is a studio demonstration of lithographer printmaking,
the process used to create almost all print material that you
see.)
One Sweet World: The Politics and Poetry of Dave Matthews
Analyze selected lyrics and songs from the Dave Matthews repertoire.
We will examine the modern poet and troubadour who is Dave Matthews.
Crazy About Cranium!
Are you a creative cat? data head? word worm? or a star performer?
Come play Cranium--"The Game for Your Whole Brain".
Movie Stars and Movie Actors
Being a look at the mysterious transformance that happens
when acting passes through a lens onto the screen. Why are many
brilliant and versatile actors not stars? Why are many stars
almost fragile in their limitations. We'll explore the mix of
magic and technique that create memorable screen performances
while watching a wide variety of great scenes.
Gossipop!
The rise and fall of Bennifer? What happened to ____? Will
it last? Did he really do that? We will spend time discussing
the juicy lives of the stars of today. You may or may not envy
the glamour, fame, money or limelight, but we like to talk about
it. Bring your favorite gossip magazine and gossipop the afternoon
away.
Auditioning for Theatre
Come and learn the dos and don'ts of auditioning for the theatre.
From choosing the right monologue or 16 bars of music, to preparing
your resume, to how you dress and slate yourself, we will cover
the ins and outs to help you make your best impression from
the moment you walk onto the stage. Bring resumes, headshots,
monologues, etc. if you have them. (Not a requirement)
Dream On
Come explore your own subconscious, as we talk about why we
dream and what our dreams might mean. We will discuss dream
journals, dream symbols, and dream interpretation.
Can You Swing?
Come have fun, get some exercise, and learn the basics of
traditional swing dance. No partner or experience is needed.
But a sense of humor is. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
that you can move in. No sandals or open heeled shoes please.
Back to Hogwarts
Come join other Harry Potter fanatics for an afternoon of
reminiscing through all five released Harry Potter books. We
will have Harry Potter trivia competitions, open floor discussions
and an opportunity to compare the books to the movie. Participants
should be very familiar with the Harry Potter series.
Box It Up
Come learn to turn those greeting cards you just can't part
with into tiny origami boxes. Using the ancient Japanese art
of paper folding, we'll create perfect boxes to hold small gifts
or good wishes for special friends.
Creative Writing as Meditation
Discover surprising truth about yourself and your spiritual
life through the use of journaling, freewriting and poetry.
Try out a variety of writing prompts, explore nature and dream
imagery, and feel writing help you to heal and play. Come expecting
to write, read, relax and enjoy.
Don't Point that Thing at Me!
Discover the genius of George Seurat, Stephen Sondheim, and
Pointilism. We will explore Seurat's painting, "The Island
of La Grande Jahe" and Stephen Sondheim's musical, "Sunday
in the Park with George." We will also explore Seurat's
pointilism technique. This workshop is open to all students
and no art experience is necessary.
What Did He Say?
Discuss the hidden, or not so hidden message in music. We
will talk about the deeper meaning in songs. Let's discover
the story behind the music. *Warning--this session may contain
explicit lyrics, if you find this objectionable, this may not
be the exploration for you.
Do You Know How To Study?
Do you have the skills needed to study effectively? Come join
me in learning specific strategies on how to study and manage
your time. This workshop will be valuable for college preparation.
D-Day: The Greatest Day
It was the Greatest Generation's greatest day. Learn and discuss
how rubber tanks, the Higgins Boat, "Ruperts" and
incredible acts of bravery enabled the Allies to successfully
mount the largest invasion in history.
Oh I Loved That Book!
Do you remember reading Dr. Seuss for the first time? What
children's books do you remember? Which ones were your favorites?
We will be looking at different classic books and creating Top
Ten Lists of our favorite chapter and picture books. Take a
break from your AP Reading--there will be numerous titles for
you to borrow.
Comic Books/Feminista
Does your idea of a comic book woman begin and end with M.J.?
Come and participate in this discussion of the ever changing
depiction of women in comics & sequential art and the people
who draw them. Explore the visions of Trina Robbins, Frank Miller,
The Hernandez Brothers, Jessica Abel, and others in both "alternative"
and mainstream comics. Also, feel free to bring your own stack
of comics for the discussion.
Beyond the Wave
Enjoy a 45 minute film about a high school history experiment
gone awry. When a conformity experiment causes some students
to fall right in line, others seize the opportunity to stand
up for what they believe in. What would you have done? How do
these themes apply to situations at your school? How does conformity
operate at the Governor's School?
Campaign Strategy 101
Every wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a political
campaign? Do you want to know what a "campaign manager"
REALLY does? In this exploration we will answer these questions
and more as we walk through an actual, real life House of Delegates
campaign!
Women who Run with the Wolves
Explore the hidden meanings behind the stories we tell our
children. Take a journey into our fairy tales to uncover the
messages that lie inside. What is Bluebeard's castle? What does
Cinderella tell us about ourselves? Does Prince Charming tell
us how to live our lives. Let's pull apart the stereotypes and
then rewrite our fables.
Reasons You Shouldn’t Hate Opera?!?
Find the passion in this exciting musical form through listening,
studying libretti, and acting out. What could be more fun than
lust, deception, and death? Students enrolled in the morning
music topic of the same name should not enroll in this workshop.
Forensics Picnic
Fingerprinting and DNA...or competitive speech and drama?
For our purposes, let's assume the latter. We'll discuss the
art of cutting a piece and discuss the art of cutting a piece
and sample from the vast Forensics buffet of events! No forensics
experience is necessary, but bring a towel or blanket.
Females, Fairy Tales and Fables: A Journey Beyond Women's Roles in Fantasy
From the Wizard of Oz to the Lord of the Rings this workshop
will explore the changes, challenges, and conflicts in women's
roles in fantasy novels, film, and folklore.
The Rainbow Show
Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender persons are gaining
attention in mainstream media--but how are they being portrayed?
Look at clips from popular television shows and movies and examine
the stereotypes that are being projected. Participate in a discussion
about the ways the GLBT community is perceived and uncover common
misconceptions.
Bored Games
Help! I'm bored! Have you ever found yourself with nothing
to do on a roadtrip or on the green? Come find out how to have
fun with others, your mind, and your imagination.
Oyez, Oyez, Oyez: A Review of Recent Supreme Court Decisions
Highlights from recent Supreme Court decisions. Come with
questions about the law and the Supreme Court. Plenty of time
will be set aside for discussion.
Journey Beyond The Myers Briggs: Personality Inventories and You
How much do you really know about yourself? Do personality
profiles really measure the whole person? Through some simple
on line inventories, find out you thinking, feeling, and working
style. This workshop will explore different types of personality
inventories and the validity of their measurements.
How to Sound Like a Twit
Impress your date's parents. Intimidate waiters. Sound preposterous
and intelligent at the same time. Impossible? Not for speakers
of Her Majesty's English. Master the High British Dialect in
one simple lesson and get ready to take your proper place among
the Greeks at Harvard!
Wonderful World of Chapstick!
In your car, on your neck, and on your lips, chapstick is
everywhere and in any flavor imaginable! Come learn about chapstick
history and evolution. We will even make our own lip balm.
Sign Me Up!
Is there a universal language? Come learn some sign language
basics, how to "talk with your hands", and how to
sign a song.
Erin Go Bragh: A Journey through Ireland
Journey through Ireland! Enjoy the music, the brogue, the
landscape, the mythology, and the poetry of Seamus the Famous.
Hey, Big Spender!
Learn the basics of financial planning and money management.
Special emphasis will be placed on the "do's" and
"don'ts" for young investors. Come prepared to invest
in your own future.
On the Spot! An Improvisation Workshop for Non-Drama Geeks
Learn the basics of improvisation and test your creative juices
by engaging in various improvisation activities. You'll mix
it up for some collective insanity as we work on various types
of improvisation games. Sometimes serious, sometimes wacky,
wonderful things can happen when you follow some basic rules
and explore this dramatic form.
The Pilates Powerhouse
Learn the fundamentals and basic exercises of this disceptively
simple appearing, yet consistently challenging form of body
conditioning. Based on the methodology developed by Joseph H.
Pilates, and focused mainly on the core abdominal region, one
can dispell the common practice of the "the crunch"
and learn to initiate and utilize muscles more efficiently and
effectively to create a longer, leaner body line, and improve
overall strength and flexibility. Wear comfortable exercise
clothing; bring a mat or large towel to cushion the spine, and
leave refreshed and revived.
You Gotta Yoga
Learn the philosophy and benefits of yoga. We will also get
"down and dirty" with some basic yoga moves. Wear
comfortable clothes and bring a towel or yoga mat if you've
got it!
The Games they Play: From Italy to France
No matter what you call it. . . Bocce, Petanque, Boules. .
.it's fun to play. Come learn the national pastime of people
from Italy to France so on your next visit you'll fit right
in with the locals. Whether you're an aspiring couch potato
or the next David Beckham this is the game for you * Ciao!
Kabuki Theatre
Let's expound on our journey beyond and travel through the
ancient and enchanting world of Kabuki Theatre--an age old art
form that combines stylized vocalization, caricature movement,
romance rituals, and of course samurai/warrior fight sequences.
Passed down from generation to generation, participate in cleansing
ceremonies, find the calm in Zen true center, and the intensity
of snapshot swordsmanship int he 400 year old treasure that
is KABUKI. Please wear shorts or pants, no skirts.
Mail Art!
Mail art utilizes marginalia (envelopes, postcards, flyers,
mailings, packaging, etc.) as a means to create a sometimes
personal yet very public/circulating form of art. "Trash"
bound objects and ephemera will become central to the process
of social/self expression. Workshop includes slides, and students
will be provided with materials (envelopes, inks, rubber stamps,
etc.) to create their own piece of avant garde.
I'm rotfl r u 2?
Someone on the other end not quite getting your message? Discover
the lost art of letter writing. Make your own "letterhead",
fold your own envelope and write a note to someone you're thinking
about.
The Human Beatbox: A Lesson on Vocal Percussion
Mother never let you pick up drumsticks? Drum set too heavy
to carry around on the regular? Come learn the art of vocal
percussion and create your own beats with your own mouth.
The Mind-Body Connection
Stressed out? Tense? Need some relaxation? This exploration
will introduce some basic, easy to use stress reduction techniques
such as guided imagery, relaxation, mindfulness, breathing,
and basic yoga. Your body will be glad you listened to it!
"That's Entertainment...19th Century Style"
Tableaux Vivanti, the Figi Mermaid, Vivarious and Magic Lanterns.
Find out how those crazy Victorians whittled away their free
time and how you may have entertained yourself 150 years ago.
Be prepared to dance, sing, and frolic.
When I Grow Up...
Take a trip in the past to a time when you wanted to be ...anything.
(THINK KINDERGARTEN) We will explore the concept of careers
and make a fingerpainting of your "perfect" career.
Extreme Scavenger Hunt
Take an afternoon off and reconnect with primal instincts
to run around and find stuff. Win fabulous prizes and meet fabulous
people. Well, the prizes may not be all that fabulous but fun
is virtually guaranteed!
Journey Journals
The best way to get a journal as unique as your Governor's
School experience is to make it yourself! Add your personal
touch through collage-no experience or skill required. Afterwards,
you can use it to keep a record of your summer journey. (Bring
$1 to purchase a journal to decorate, or bring a plain composition
book or your Governor's school journal.)
A Brief History of the Fountain Pen
The fountain pen was the world' first self-contained writing
instrument, making it the laptop of 100 years ago. In this workshop,
we look at history, design, and materials. Come examine and
use approximately 20 fountain pens dating from 1890 to 2003.
"Warrior Within"--Violence Choreography
THE MATRIX, GLADIATOR, STAR WARS, HENRY V, LORD OF THE RINGS,
BLADE--What have these performances given you time and time
again? If you said some of the best fight scenes of the century,
you're absolutely right! NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO GET IN ON THE
ACTION!!! Join me for an introduction to stage combat. Find
out how the stars tumble, participate in hand to hand combat,
basic weapon skills, and finally choreograph your own violence
sequence. Hope to see you there and don't forget your attitude.
Please wear comfortable sneakers & workout attire.
Has the Future Really Changed Because of the Past?
Come examine equality through the civil rights movement and
whether or not its impact has had a positive influence on modern
society. We will view clips of "Eyes on the Prize",
a documentary explaining the different events that occurred
during the Civil Rights Movement. We will then discuss how issues
that you see today relate to the issues faced during the Civil
Rights Movement.
This is Jeopardy...Movie Style
Think you know movies? Well, come prove it! Test your movie
knowledge in a rousing game of Movie Jeopardy. Questions will
cover a broad spectrum of cinema art, history, and entertainment.
From box office bombs to the screen's blonde bombshells, from
action stars to oscar gold, and everything in between. Everything
from the obscure indie hit and cult classics, to the most recent
summer blockbusters are all fair game. So put down the popcorn
and test your movie IQ!
Garbage Can Percussion Ensemble
This session is designed to give percussionist the opportunity
to play in an unorthodox ensemble. Basic knowledge of sticking,
rudiments, and music reading is a necessity. Participants should
bring their own sticks, including a bass drum mallet if available.
Also a willingness to bang on things is required!
Ask a Music Teacher
This session will give any interested students the opportunity
to find out from a recent music graduate what being a music
major is like. Topics can range from practice habits, theory
requirements, music schools or anything else that comes up.
Music careers in both performance and education may be discussed
including life as a military musician. Non musicians are encouraged
to sign up as well.
Backcountry (Wilderness) Living for Dummies: A Crash Course in "Leave No Trace"
This will be a demonstration and "hands on" introduction
into the basics of low impact camping. Skills to be covered:
water treatment, waste disposal, cooking & fires, sleeping
comfortably, and campsite selection.
Going In Circles
This workshop will focus on the development of the fugue.
We will listen to music from the early development of the fugual
(J. S. Bach) through more modern versions by Bernstein.
Creative Concoctions: How to Build an Edible Meal in the Dining Hall
Tired of mystery meat and limp French fries? Is your dining
hall experience going from the lips to the hips? Come turn your
d-hall disaster into an epicurean delight.
Support Our Troops
Uncle Sam wants YOU to support our troops in the Operation
Iraqi Freedom. Come and join on the fun of creating a banner,
making yellow ribbons, and learning what things you and your
community can do after Governor's School in supporting our military
forces overseas.
Art Jobs
We don't have to live up to the stereotype of "starving
artists"! In this workshop we will be exploring the 10,000
possibilities that an artist has to make a living.
Media & Ideology
We live in a time when the communication industry is making
giant strides towards the digitization of the planet. This exploration
will consider how the media controls popular belief and perception
and even covers up a few things too. Clips from the movie "Wag
the Dog" will precede discussion.
The VW Bug: A Cultural Icon
We will look at the culture and the man who produced the VW
Type I and the culture which adopted it.
Finding Your Inner Grandma--Knitting 101
What do Julia Roberts, Madonna, Iman, Cameron Diaz, Winona
Ryder, Kate Moss, Madeline Albright, Sarah Jessica Parker, and
Russell Crowe have in common? They love to tap into their creativity
and relieve their stress by knitting! Come learn the ancient
craft of knitting, make something beautiful and useful, and
have fun too! Knitting--it's not just for grandma's anymore!
Who Are Your Friends?
With the FRIENDS phenomenon coming to a close, we will discuss
the history and evolution of this television sitcom. Come prepared
to share your own theories and insights into the show. Participants
should be familiar with the show.
Recreations
Basketball
Nothing but net! We'll hit the courts and pretend we're as
good as the great MJ himself. We'll be playing games almost
all of the time, so be prepared to get in shape. Bring a water
bottle if you have one.
Exercise Room
It's time for us to pump (clap) you up! Come strengthen and
tone your body in the campus exercise room. Row, tread, lift,
and pedal to your heart's content.
Group Exercise (Aerobics)
No prior aerobic experience necessary. No street shoes or
dark soled athletic shoes, please.
Oversize Fun
Get bowled over in non-competitive sports using giant equipment:
40" soccer ball and 40" basketball with inflatable
giant hoop. What could be more fun than oversized fun?
Racquetball
We'll highlight the basic rules and strategies, then we'll
play. Wear cool, comfortable clothes and athletic shoes (no
black or dark soles, please). All levels of experience welcome.
Sand Pit Volleyball
Bump, set, spike! Volleyball for the more competitive player.
We will play on sand but no beach chairs please. Bring a water
bottle if you have one.
Ultimate Frisbee
Dude! Up for some Ultimate? If you know what we're talking
about (or even if you don't) come out and play frisbee where
you actually have to run.
Volleyball on the Lawn
Volleyball for the less competitive player. We will be outdoors
so wear cool, comfortable clothing.
Cycling
Pedal your way to health. A member of the recreation staff will
lead you in a group stationary bike class. Limited to 10 students.
Frisbee Golf
Calling all Tiger Woods wannabes! Stroll around the Westhampton
Green making amazing shots. Frisbees provided, but if you happen
to have one, bring it. Limited to 20 students.
Walking
Release your stress and frustration with a walk/jog/run around
the lake and campus.
Fun & Games
Board games and card games, games of luck and games of chance,
all available for your gaming pleasure. Bring your own if you'd
like.
Tennis
Have fun, bring water, play tennis! (Don't forget your racket
and balls)
Kickball
Recess!! Do you rembember that? Now you can by playing everyone's
favorite playground game - kickball. Remember to wear the right
shoes for kicking!!!