WillowGlen
The Branches of WillowGlen is a non-profit organization created by high school and college students. Here teens can learn about the medieval and renaissance periods from the point of view of their own ages. One of the aspects that WillowGlen emphasizes is the way children of the renaissance learnt from their elders. The primary teaching method was through stories and fables. WillowGlen is a fantasy historical group made up of the storytellers and cast of many of these fables and legends. A smaller branch of WillowGlen, SilverBirch, based in Palomar College, also follows the same ideas. Another branch, CrystalOaks has just started its fledling roots and will also bring in more people from neighboring areas.
WillowGlen’s goals are to help its participants to learn more about the renaissance periods, the importance of stories and storytelling and more about themselves. Through interaction in and out of character, the members of WillowGlen will learn to communicate effectively to a large group of people among other more basic skills like sewing and crafting.
Other than participating in Renaissance Fairs, WillowGlen is in the process of organizing events in neighboring parks for the children of Penasquitos and Poway. Through these storytelling sessions and other fundraisers the members of WillowGlen will gain abilities in organizing and other public relation skills.
