Songs 4 Nature: 2025 Youth Camp

Are you a songwriter who is 16 to 20 years of age and passionate about nature? Our new Songs for Nature youth camp may be just what you are looking for! This multi-week program will give you a chance to learn about the natural world and hone your songwriting skills by creating and sharing original, nature-inspired songs. You will also be contributing to research about creativity and nature connection.This camp is open to all genres and experience levels, but space is limited. Reserve your spot by April 11.

Our Facilitators

Songs 4 Nature is coordinated by RSM Curator of Human Ecology, Glenn Sutter, a folk-rock singer-songwriter known for his songs about nature, love, and the human condition.

The other songwriting mentors are:

"Megan Nash is writing some of the most beautiful songs in this country right now" - Tom Power on CBC's Q. Nash has been nominated for a JUNO award, four Western Canadian Music Awards, has taken home two Saskatchewan Music Awards.

Kara Golemba, an award-winning songwriter with a voice that can be “sweet and charming or powerfully raised to rattle the teacups.”
 

We will also be hearing from Brad Bellegarde, a nationally recognized Hip Hop artist from Little Black Bear First Nation known as InfoRed.

What's Included?

The camp will start on April 26 and run over the next two Saturdays, with a wind-up concert to showcase the music everyone has created during the camp. Everything will happen at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, taking advantage of our location in beautiful Wascana Park. Camp activities will include self-guided exercises, facilitated writing sessions, one-on-one time with mentors, a guided hike, and a public concert, as outlined below. All lunches and snacks will be provided, so be sure to let us know if you have any dietary restrictions in the comments section when you register.

Program Schedule

DAY 1 / Saturday, April 26

9:30 AM – Arrive at RSM
10:00 AM – Program starts
10:20 AM – Guest speaker: Brad Bellegarde
11:00 AM – Songwriting basics
Noon – Lunch provided
1:00 PM – True Nature Writing session
2:00 PM – Thoughts about the day
2:30 PM – Optional song circle

DAY 2 / Saturday, May 3

9:00 AM – Arrive at RSM
9:15 AM – Encounters with nature
10:00 AM – Hike to Wascana Lake or along creek
11:00 AM – True Nature Writing session
Noon – Lunch provided
1:00 PM – Group song framework and ideas
3:00 PM – Thoughts about the day
3:15 PM – Optional song circle

DAY 3 / Saturday, May 10

10:00 am – Arrive at RSM
10:15 – One-on-one sessions to work on individual songs
Noon – Lunch provided
1:00 – Work on group song
2:00 – Day 3 survey
2:15 – Program ends

SHOWCASE CONCERT / date to be determined

Things to Note and Bring

• You are responsible for getting yourself to and from the Museum.
• We will be spending time outside, so be sure to bring a hat, warm layers, and shoes or boots for light hiking, as well as insect repellent, rain gear or sunscreen, depending on the weather.
• Your instrument of choice (an electric keyboard will be provided).
• Notebook and pens or pencils
• Water bottle
• Binoculars

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