An emotion forever
Music is an intangible but fundamental element at the Campus. Every playlist is chosen to evoke particular feelings as campers listen to it and to act as an "amplifier" of memories for when they return home.
Borrowing the title of a famous Eros Ramazzotti song, at Dynamo music is "An emotion forever." Songs are, in fact, an intangible but fundamental element in the life of the Campus: from dances in the cafeteria to evening chats in the cottages, from unifying karaoke sessions among families to moments of focus in activities like art-lab or ceramics, music accompanies every session. Yet, it is never background noise, like in a lounge. Instead, it is a significant presence, at high volume if needed, because every playlist is selected to evoke a particular emotion as campers listen to it and to act as an "amplifier" of memories for when they return home.
«Being able to relive the emotions of the session simply by listening to a song means a great deal to the children,» explains Davide Sartori, head of radio activities, both at the Camp and in the Dynamo Programs. Back home, in their rooms, listening to a song, they have the extraordinary opportunity to recreate the spirit of Dynamo.» These are all famous songs that anyone would sing in the car with friends; quality tracks, in the sense that they have represented something, certainly not fleeting commercial hits. «Music is often the first topic through which children get to know each other, and how I myself manage to connect with them,» Davide continues. «And when we discover we are music lovers, not necessarily of the same genre, that’s where the initial bond is formed, and shyness begins to crumble.»
But how do you get everyone to agree? «We explain to the children that there's nothing wrong with listening to this or that musical genre. The important thing is to talk about it. I like, for example, to play songs they couldn't possibly know due to their age and then ask for their opinion. With one rule: the answer must always be reasoned. So, from listening to 3 or 4 songs and the discussion that follows, we build an hour-long radio program, where we debate why a certain musical genre should or should not be listened to.» Unexpectedly, some children discover they appreciate 1950s rock and roll. But the opposite also happens: «A camper, whose mother is French, introduced me to the singer Zaz, whom I didn't know. It's a continuous exchange, because music is intrinsic to humanity. Anyone who claims not to love it simply hasn't found their genre yet, or lyrics they can relate to, that convey the emotions they need.»
Music, which is also rhythm, allows campers to re-establish harmony with the rhythms of their own lives. During sessions, thanks to a song, they can face any situation with a different spirit, be it a physical or psychological effort. Music is also the absolute protagonist in the video created for Open Day, which often illustrates the chosen song's words with exciting images of the Camp, as happened last year with Negrita's "Che rumore fa la felicità?" (What noise does happiness make?). But even nature sounds, noises, and even vibrations can become music for our soul. Thus, the multi-sensory room was created, allowing an unforgettable experience, even for deaf children or those with severe neurological conditions. «It is an environment designed and built to offer multi-sensory and hyper-sensory experiences, stimulating campers in a controlled manner,» explains Giovanna Santella, head of this activity. «One of the supports we use is the sensory platform, made of multi-layer wood, treated with non-toxic paints: it transforms sounds into vibrations, thus also promoting greater body awareness. Sound stimulates the ear, vibration completes the listening experience. The experience is accompanied, when possible and according to the needs of our guests, by noises and colors. However, we didn't want the sensory room to be considered simply as an "alternative place," so the need for "mobile sensoriality" arose: activity and cottage leaders were trained to recreate this experience through mobile tools (like a small platform that emits sounds and vibrations) and sensory materials (from crepe paper to lentils, from rice to chickpeas). This allows for the creation of ad hoc activities according to individual needs.»
Source: DYBC MAGAZINE
