2005, May 19-22, Thursday-Sunday KCON Poongmul Camp, Hancock, NY   Poongmul Camp Recap -ChanHyuk Ko (KCON/HanNooRi)- At its 7th year of Poongmul Camp, it had better be filled with more people than ever. The Poongmul Fever was high during the 4 days at Hancock, NY. Over 120 people from all over the East Coast had attended the camp. Everyday was filled with new thrills, new things to talk about and new people to meet. Faithful Poongmulians joined from all over the Tri State region: Sorimori (SUNY Buffalo), Cheon Ji In (Syracuse University), ShimTah (Cornell University), SulPoong (SUNY Binghamton), NYURI (NYU), HoHeup (Columbia/Barnard University), DDKY (SUNY Stony Brook), Oori (MIT/Babson), Han Ool, Han So Ri (Fort Lee HS), Han Noo Ri, 149 Poongmul Place, DaDeRaeGi, and SUNY Albany. Classes were divided into 10 divisions lasting 6-9 hours each day: Beginners (Instructor: Chris Chung), Intermediate Beginners (Instructor: Don Lee/ HeeYoung SunWoo), Intermediate Jang Goo (Instructor: SooHyun Chung), Advanced JangGoo (Instructor: KyungHee Kang), PilBong SulJangGoo (Instructor: BoRa Houng), Udo SulJangGoo (Instructor: ChanHyuk Ko), Beginner KwaengGaRi (Instructor: HyunDon Choe), Advanced KwaengGaRi (Instructor: YoungSam Yoon), Intermediate Bhook (Instructor: SeJong Moh), Advanced Bhook (Instructor: SungFeel Yun). Some people had never played Poongmul before, some had come to learn Poongmul in order to start a new group, some had many years of Poongmul experiences but there were still lots to learn. And in the end, everyone had a great love for Poongmul and its people to bring back home. Thanks to the volunteering teachers and staffs, everyone had great time during 4 days of stay. People were well fed even for the food during the Dwit Poo Ri's each night. They are the pioneering poongmul generation whos names are never heard of and face never seen. We call them the "Poongmul Sunbae's" Thanks to them, each year, KCON had been able to keep the cost down for the participants. BaekChon Yun, SeJong Moh, WonYoung Lim, SungNam Jun, YongSung Kim and JongHyuk Lee had volunteered graciously to work behind the scenes to make everything move smoothly as planned while people were learnig the beats from experienced instructors. Poongmul Camp was not only a Poongmul learnig camp, it was an opportunity to think and express each others thoughts regarding the Poongmul culture. This year's theme was Poongmul past, present and future. To move on to a better Poongmul future, one ought to know its past. SeJong Moh, and HyunDon Choe had given short lectures briefing the past Poongmul in the Tri State region. Actually they were just telling their Poongmul stories because they are the poongmul history. Then I had told stories on current Poongmul events and what had been happening in recent times. I had been traveling all over the Tri State visiting, performing, teaching, and helping other Poongmul groups throughout the year. KyungHee Kang had ended the lecture series with concluding thoughts on what should be done to spread Poongmul and help struggling Poongmul groups. On the last day of the camp, it was time to show off what people had learned. It took hours to finish but was never bored. Each presentation ended with cheers and shouts. There are no judges, nor no rules here at Poongmul Camp. As long as you show your love for Poongmul, it's all that matters.  And in the end, everyone mingled for a grand PanGhoot with 100+ "Chi Bae's." It's an experience you can never have other than at the Poongmul Camp. There were couple of facility staffs who had never seen Korean Drumming before and they came each night after their work just to see us Poongmuling. Fortunately, there had never been any incidents or accidents at Poongmul camp for 7 years. Our ancestors must have been watching our backs. We thank everyone for sparing their time and efforts to learn, and teach not only Poongmul but the culture itself. I would say that it was the best 120 Poongmulians we had ever had!! 2005년 풍물캠프를 다녀와서 -Banya Kim (Cheon Ji In, Syracuse University)- This was my second time experiencing this Poongmul Camp. Both times were great: meeting more than 100 COOL people, learning how to play Poongmul instruments (the basics + new skills), and having FUN for 4 days and 3 nights. My memories from this Poongmul Camp are unforgettable and will be very valuable in my life. From this camp, I learned many valuable lessons. First of all, I learned Sul Jang Gu and how to play Gi-Dahk the RIGHT way (even though I am still struggling ^_^;). Also very importantly, I was reminded that Poongmul is not only about playing instruments. It is about people and how Poongmul becomes part of each person ' s life. It is about making a great bond between one and another. It is about having a great time being in a circle and feeling the unity of people who have the same interests. Upon thinking deep into the Poongmul, I think the most valuable part of Poongmul is simply the FUN of it. “ FUN ” is the answer for me at least. “ FUN ” is the reason why I am in a Poongmul Club and furthermore why I am a part of this togetherness: Poongmul. There are of course many other reasons why people play Korean traditional instruments (Jang Gu, Buk, Jing, and Swae) and many other reasons why WE (College students or young generation off Korea) seek Poongmul. However I personally think the FUN of Poongmul has pulled many of us together into Poongmul and this Poongmul Camp. If it weren't fun, I don't think that we could practice all day long under the sun and in the rain, I don ' t think we could play sitting in a big circle late into the night (and especially after all the hard and tiring practices), and I don ' t think we could do this over and over for 4 days and 3 nights (it was just 4days and 3nights in the camp, but it will repeat over and over in our life 365days and 365 nights ^_^). There are things that we can ' t live without: oxygen, water, maybe money, for sure Poongmul, our loving friends and family, and more than anything (very IMPORTANTLY) FOOOOOOOOOOOOOD. (^_^;) So we all thank our savior, 성남 형님 (our super cool COOK, Sung Nam Hyung Nim). Also we thank 경희 형 (aka 149 Poongmul organization ' s 얼짱 형님 (which translate into “ Super Face ” ??)), who organized 2005 Poongmul Camp as the leader. We all thank the year 2005 Poongmul Camp officer STAFF, “ TEAM AMIGO ” (no offence to anyone … ), 원영이형 and 종혁이형 (Won Yung hyung and Jong Hyuk hyung) who worked for the camp to run smoothly. We thank the tallest, wisest, and oldest Poongmulian, 세종형님 (Se Jong Hyung Nim) who prepared our day 1 meal, taught Buk class, and more than anything, initiated this Poongmul togetherness so many years ago. Also many thanks to KCON ' s president, 백천형님 (Bek Cheon Hyung Nim), Swae class teachers, 현돈형님 and 영삼이형 (Hyun Don Hyung Nim and Yung Sam Hyung), Buk class teacher, 성필이형 (Sung Pil Hyung) who also prepared the fun group activity, and finally to our hero, 찬혁이형 (Chan Hyuk Hyung) who taught Sul Jang Gu class and who needs a big applause for traveling everywhere to teach Poongmul on the east coast wherever there is a Poongmul group. There are so many people who need to be thanked: basic class teachers, Chris, Hee Yung, and Don Hyungs, Sitting Down Sul Jang Gu teacher, Soo Hyun nuna, Standing Up Sul Jang Gu teacher, Bora, and all of you who had fun at this year 2005 Poongmul Camp (you are the ones who made it happen so successfully and so enjoyably!!)!! It was a great chance to meet Poongmulians and Poongmul clubs from many different places: Sorimori, DDKY, SimTa, NYUri, SulPoong, HanNuRi, 149pl, HanSoRi, HanWool, DaSeuReGi, HanPan, Albany team, my school SU CJI, and so on. Also I was so excited to see many non-Korean Poongmulians enjoying Poongmul at this camp. Of all my memories from the year 2005 Poongmul Camp, the most memorable moment would be when I saw Sunny and Isabel dancing with the Jang Gu beat. They did not know how to play any instruments and anything about Poongmul before they came to this camp. However when I saw them dancing with the Poongmul rhythm, I knew they were truly enjoying the Poongmul (not only the beat or the music of the Poongmul, they were enjoying THE Poongmul!)! I am so grateful to have Sunny and Isabel in Cheon Ji In from this fall. I hope this experience at the year 2005 Poongmul Camp stays with me for a long time. I wish to see everyone next year at the year 2006 Poongmul Camp having more FUN! Don ' t forget there are more opportunities to meet up with more Poongmulians and actually play Poongmul with more than 100 Poongmulians at BK Party and Korean Parade this FALL in NYC!! I wish you all good luck in your work and studies, and I will see you all soon!! It was nice to meet you all! (ps: I love getting Poongmul Camp T-Shirts every year!! They look so cool!! ^_^ Thank you, Yung Sam hyung~ and I am sorry if there is any misspelling of group names or individual ' s name.)