Those who decry "the state of today's youth" and are looking for "family values" need look no futher than the traditional music and dance community. I think you might like what we have been doing since well before the American Revolution.

Look at this letter that we received from a Nomad 2003 Participant:

WOW!!! What a great time!! Thank you for all your good jobs - and I know you all worked so very hard to pull this one off this year. I met a police officer standing at the far craft area on the way to New Haven Hall, late Sunday afternoon. We started talking as I aksed him (as I had asked every officer I met) how it was going for them? Any troubles? He was so enthusiastic about the festival he said he wasn't going to pull duty next year - he was just going to come and enjoy the festival. He said that this is the very thing that todays youth should experience - that they should see many types and groups of people coming together - talking, working, playing and laughing together. I said "exactly!" I know he is going to spread the good word about us!! I liked the school and all the pockets of areas for different things to happen - still a few bugs to work out probably - like the elevator. One nice thing about the upstairs was that nice big hallway near the elevator. There was room to try extra dance workshops, jam or just hang out. It was like it's own little baby NOMAD all by itself. Bothe dance and song venues were there so it wasn't just devoted to one type of activity. I liked the cafeteria. It was central but separate enough to have a whole group of musicians and not disturb the activities in the hallway. The curved glass walls gave the illusion of lots of space -bright and airy. There were lots of good places to jam and it looked to me like a lot of musicians were in attendance.

This note was unsolicited and unexpected. Personal details and references were removed. No other changes were made.