The John C Campbell Folk School Philosophy: "I Sing Behind the Plow"
My brother, David, taught leather craft at the John C. Campbell Folk School back in the 1970s. Thinking back on those times, I'm reminded of the magic of that place and I'd like to share a bit about it with you. Nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina, the John C. Campbell Folk School is a truly unique educational haven. It's a place dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional crafts, music, art, and dance, but it's not a school in the traditional sense. You won't find grades, credits, or competition here. Instead, its focus is on fostering a vibrant sense of community, hands-on learning, and the joy of self-discovery. A Philosophy of Purposeful Learning The school's roots go back to 1925, when it was founded by Olive Dame Campbell and Marguerite Butler. Olive's husband, John C. Campbell, was an educator who, along with his wife, traveled the Southern Appalachians to document mountain life. He believed in the power of education to improve q...
