It never ceases to amaze me – what I fear about an event is NEVER as bad as I pictured it. Call me crazy, but I create a worst- case scenario in my head that almost never tracks with reality. For example, today’s demo-presentation on the last day of camp was fun and successful for …

The LBI camp where we are working has eight weekly sessions per summer. Parents or grandparents sign up their kids for one or more weeks depending on how long they are present on the island. I think it’s pretty evenly split between families who opt for a single week and those who send their kids …

Today, I celebrate our decision to change our minds, to adapt, smile and move on rather than howling at the moon with self-pity. When working with a bunch of five and six year olds, this is the way to stay sane and, yes, even happy. Last night, it rained cats and dogs, so when we …

Day two of LBI summer camp felt like an improvement over day one. As is almost always the case, Beth and I get progressively more relaxed the days go by and so do the children. I think that’s true of all groups – adults or children – that we have ever been a part of. …

A Gray Catbird is singing again outside our camper. She was here yesterday, too. Her melodies are rich and varied. I think she must love making up songs. This reminds me of yesterday’s sessions with our new group of five and six year olds. Like the Catbird, most of the kids LOVE to make sounds. …

We have reached the second stop on this year’s adventure- a town called Love Ladies – home of the arts foundation summer camp we help lead on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. This is our fourth year here and it feels great to be back. As I write this, I can hear and smell the …

Lately, I have been really enjoying our children’s concerts. Having grown more accustomed to songwriting programs with upper elementary and mindfulness workshops with middle schoolers, the return to our performing roots has been wonderful on a different level. Energetically, it takes more out of Beth and I to drive to a gig, unload our tuck, …

My least favorite part about summer on the east coast is the high humidity. In July, we will have a pool at our RV camp. I can hang out in a pool for hours without a care in the world. In August we will be steps from the Atlantic Ocean. I look forward to early …

It’s Monday, 3:30 pm, and the Bierko team has been rocking the ready-set-go! Today we organized our kitchen and pantry in the RV. As any traveler will tell you, creating an ergonomic environment is one of the keys to success on the road. Whether you are car camping or RV glamping, I think there’s serenity …

I am writing this on a humid Sunday afternoon, three days before we shove off for one hundred days of travel. Our little cabin in the woods will sit mostly empty save for three weeks in July when a concert violinist, his cellist spouse, their two teenagers and a dog call this spot home. The …