"Mother Goose's Character Camp" Musical Play by Bad Wolf Press
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Bestseller!
    • 5-to-15-minute musical play for grades K-3
    • Includes the script, teacher's guide, and audio recording (which contains a vocal and instrumental version of each song)
    • Simple to do - no music or drama experience needed!

    Written specifically for younger students, Mother Goose's Character Camp is the perfect simple introduction to character issues, including sharing, kindness, perseverence, honesty, apologizing and forgiving, and following rules. It's designed so that any scene/song can be omitted to make a shorter show.

    Please scroll down to read the script, listen to the songs, read reviews, and get all the details about the play (plot, curriculum/content, educational standards, and vocabulary).

    Item # Description Availability Qty Break Price Quantity
    PLAY - For individual teachers or directors
    Order 1 copy of play for each teacher/director who will be using it. Includes permission to print/photocopy for all participating actors. Mix and match 2 or more plays to get them for $35 each.
    MOTH-PL-DIG
    Downloadable Version of Play
    - You will receive a PDF and MP3 files
    Download 1
    2+
    $45.00
    $35.00
    MOTH-PL-PRI
    Printed Version of Play
    - You will receive a Spiral-Bound Book and Audio CD
    In Stock 1
    2+
    $45.00
    $35.00
    MOTH-PL-DUO
    Duo Version - Download AND Printed Book
    - You will receive 1) a PDF and MP3 files, and 2) a Spiral-Bound Book and Audio CD
    In Stock 1
    2+
    $55.00
    $45.00
    SITE LICENSE VERSION OF PLAY - For whole schools or grade levels
    Order 1 site license per school/site. Includes permission to print/photocopy for all participating students AND teachers. Why a site license? Because it's cheaper than ordering 3+ individual copies of the play.
    MOTH-SL-DIG
    Downloadable Version of Site License
    - You will receive a PDF and MP3 files
    Download 1 $90.00
    MOTH-SL-PRI
    Printed Version of Site License
    - You will receive 3 copies of the Spiral-Bound Book and Audio CD
    In Stock 1 $90.00
    Extra/Replacement Audio Recordings
    MOTH-AU-DIG
    Downloadable Audio Files
    - You will receive a ZIP file containing individual MP3s
    Download 1 $12.00
    MOTH-AU-PRI
    Audio CD
    In Stock 1 - 9
    10+
    $12.00
    $6.00
    MOTH-AU-DUO
    Downloadable Audio Files (MP3) + Audio CD
    In Stock 1 $20.00
    Sheet Music
    MOTH-MU-DIG
    Downloadable Sheet Music (PDF)
    Download 1 $12.00
    MOTH-MU-PRI
    Printed Sheet Music
    In Stock 1 $8.00
    MOTH-MU-DUO
    Downloadable Sheet Music (PDF) + Printed Sheet Music
    In Stock 1 $16.00

    $0.00



    Synopsis

    It's the last night of Mother Goose's Character Camp, and our Nursery Rhymers are eager to share what they've learned. Will Miss Muffet and the Spider be able to make amends after that whole curds-and-whey incident? Did Pussycat really go to London to visit the Queen, or was she covering up an afternoon snooze? And it's okay to bring farm animals to school if it makes the children laugh and play, right? Right? Maybe not. Find out from the Nursery Rhymers as they sing all about important character lessons.

    Key Concepts

    Character Education
    Mother Goose's Character Camp covers the following character-building topics:

    • Kindness
    • Perseverance/Trying Hard
    • Honesty
    • Apologizing/Forgiving
    • Sharing/Fairness
    • Following Important Rules
    • The Golden Rule

    Language Arts/Social Studies
    Mother Goose's Character Camp also refers to and reinforces students' familiarity with the following famous characters and nursery rhymes:

    • Mother Goose
    • Little Bo Peep
    • Jack and Jill *
    • Peter Piper
    • Itsy Bitsy (or Eensy Weensy) Spider *
    • Pussycat (where have you been?) *
    • Jack Be Nimble
    • Mary Had a Little Lamb *
    • Mary Mary, Quite Contrary
    • Humpty Dumpty
    • Little Miss Muffet *
    • Baa, Baa, Black Sheep *

    (The major messages and characters in Mother Goose's Character Camp come from the rhymes asterisked above, which are included as part of the script. The other rhymes are referenced in the dialogue.)

    Filled with catchy songs and simple, humorous lines, Mother Goose's Character Camp is a great way to introduce character education to younger students and explore nursery rhymes in both language arts and social studies contexts. And, like all of our plays, this show can be used to improve reading, vocabulary, reading comprehension, performance and music skills, class camaraderie and teamwork, and numerous social skills (read about it!) -- all while enabling students to be part of a truly fun and creative experience they will never forget!


    Publication Information

    Author: John Heath and Lisa Adams (Book and Lyrics) and Mike Fishell (Composer)
    ISBN: 978-1-886588-62-2
    © 2014 Bad Wolf Press, LLC

    Song Samples


    Casting

    Flexible casting from 8-40 students. All songs are sung by the entire cast. There are four Counselor parts and thirteen lines for Campers, but these roles can be changed and lines distributed any way you like. One student can play several roles if needed, and individual roles can be doubled up. Mother (or Father) Goose can be split into two parts or even played by the teacher. And all roles can be played by either boys or girls.

    CHARACTERS:

    Mother Goose
    Camp Counselors (4)
    Campers (13)
    Spider
    Pussycat
    Miss Muffet

    Script

    This is the first third of the script.

    (CLASS enters and takes its places, perhaps with a bit of noise and excitement. CAMP COUNSELORS step forward.)

    CAMP COUNSELOR #1 (wearing baseball cap, with a whistle around neck. Blows whistle, and CLASS comes to order): Okay, campers. Settle down. This is your last night at Mother Goose's Character Camp. Please give it up for Mother Goose!

    (CLASS applauds as MOTHER GOOSE steps forward)

    MOTHER GOOSE: Thank you, Nursery Rhymers. You've made me very proud this week, trying so hard to treat each other well. Let's give a round of applause to your amazing camp counselors!

    (ALL except COUNSELORS applaud)

    CAMP COUNSELOR #2: Thank you, Mother Goose. Our campers can't wait to share with you everything they've learned.

    CAMP COUNSELOR #3: So let's get started right away with Little Bo Peep.
    (pause as everyone looks around)
    Hey, where's Little Bo Peep?

    CAMPER #1: Looking for her sheep. She lost them.

    COUNSELOR #3: Again? That's seven times!

    CAMPER #2: It's what she does.

    CAMP COUNSELOR #4 (looking at clipboard): Okay, let's go with, uhÉ Jack and Jill! What happened to them, and what did we learn?

    CLASS (chants):

    Jack and Jill
    Went up the hill,
    To fetch a pail of water;
    Jack fell down,
    And broke his crown,
    And Jill came tumbling after.

      Song 1 - Listen to a clip now!

    CLASS (sings):

    We know the tale of Jack and Jill
    They slipped and took a nasty spill
    They fell and let out quite a yelp
    Come on, let's go, they need our help.

    Let's help them both back on their feet
    And give them something good to eat
    We'll mend their pail as good as new
    And fix Jack's crown with Super Glue*.

    Be kind
    Be kind
    Help folks in a bind
    Step on up and do what you can do.
    Be kind
    Be kind
    Soon you're gonna find
    Other people will be kind to you.

    So what's the moral of this tale
    Of Jack and Jill and their sad pail?
    Next time they're eager for a drink
    Maybe they should use the sink!

    Be kind
    Be kind
    Help folks in a bind
    Step on up and do what you can do.
    Be kind
    Be kind
    Soon you're gonna find
    Other people will be kind to you.
    Other people will be kind to you.

    COUNSELOR #1: As we've seen at camp, there are many ways to show good character.

    COUNSELOR #2: One is working hard and trying your very best.

    COUNSELOR #3: Take Peter Piper. He didn't stop until he'd picked a whole peck of pickled peppers!

    CAMPER #3: What IS a peck?

    (ENTIRE CLASS looks at each other and shrugs.)

    MOTHER GOOSE: Nobody knows, dear. The important thing is that he kept trying.

    COUNSELOR #4: Just like our Itsy Bitsy Spider.

    CLASS (chants/sings):

    The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout
    Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
    Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
    And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.

    SPIDER: That's right! You think a little rain can stop these lightning-fast legs? (runs in place) Not a chance!

      Song 2 - Listen to a clip now!

    CLASS (sings):

    The spider kept on trying
    When the raindrops washed him out.
    The spider kept on trying
    And he didn't quit or pout.
    If the spider can do it
    I can do it too
    Try my hardest every time is what I have to do.

    (CLASS rocks out)

    You're too little is what they said.
    Give up now, go back to bed.

    No! said the spider, no no no!
    I can do it and I'll show you so!

    Get the memo, it's time to stop.
    You're washed out and you're washed up.

    No! said the spider, no no no!
    I can do it and I'll show you so!

    The spider kept on trying
    When the raindrops washed him out.
    The spider kept on trying
    And he didn't quit or pout.
    If the spider can do it
    I can do it too
    Try my hardest every time is what I have to do.

    COUNSELOR #1 (looking at clipboard): Now let's hear from the Pussycat.

    COUNSELOR #2: I haven't seen Pussycat today.

    PUSSYCAT (standing up/entering): Here I am!

    CLASS:

    Pussycat, pussycat,
    Where have you been?

    PUSSYCAT:

    I've been to London
    To visit the Queen.

    COUNSELOR #3: Really? You've been in London?

    COUNSELOR #4: Did you get the Queen's autograph?

    PUSSYCAT: Well, no. I lied. I've been in the mess hall sleeping under a table.

    CLASS (shouts): Pussycat! You need to tell the truth!

    (This concludes the first third of the script.)

    Overall Customer Rating:
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    Customer Reviews: 3


    Rating:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star

    Pros:
    Cons:
    Such a fantastic play!

    I am on the administrative team of a homeschool group in Alabama. We do an Elementary play every fall and a high school play every spring. This year, we had 70 elementary kids sign up, so we had to split off the 1st and 2nd grade. I agreed to direct that group of 23, and scrambled to find a musical. I ran across “Mother Goose’s Character Camp” and ran with it.

    This was such a fantastic play! There were plenty of parts evenly spread out. I was able to have small ensembles do some of the song bridges, or quote the nursery rhymes, so everyone had their moment in the sun. The kids loved the variety of music styles represented in the play, the parents loved the values that were creatively taught, and everyone enjoyed the costumes as each child dressed like a different Mother Goose Character. (And as director and purchaser, I thoroughly enjoyed the humorous writing regarding properly handling copyrights.)

    We will certainly be looking at Bad Wolf Press each year for future productions. Thank you so much for providing quality inexpensive theater materials!

    Vevay Indiana

    Rating:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star

    Pros:
    Cons:
    I love your materials.

    I have the Drama Club at Jefferson Craig Elementary School in Vevay, Indiana. I use students from grades 3-6. I have about 30 students who meet after school. I have done it for 20 years. I have used Bad News Press for many of them. I like the fact that all students are on stage at the same time, which avoids chaos backstage and allows parents/ audience to see their child on stage a lot.
    I tried the easier stories this year so our performance might appeal to our younger students.
    I like the story, but I did not have the students sing the roles. We are chanting, rapping, or simply saying the nursery rhyme and using the songs as speaking roles. I've found the audience does not love song after song after song. ( See my review of Anansi...)
    We will perform this at the end of February.

    Iowa

    Rating:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star

    Pros:
    • Easy to learn
    Cons:
    FABULOUS!!!!!!!

    I just used "Mother Goose's Character Camp" with 27 Preschool through 1st grade students for one of our school's Summer Camps. We only had class for three hours each afternoon for one week - and the script/songs were so easy to learn that they had it mastered for their final show on Friday! It was a HUGE success with rave reviews from both the students and the parents. Thanks for yet another great musical! A new favorite!



    Common Core and Other National Standards

    Character Education

    Language Arts

    • Common Core Reading Standards for Literature: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
    • Common Core Reading Standards: Foundational Skills:
      • K and 1st: Phonological Awareness, Phonics and Word Recognition
      • 2nd: Phonics and Word Recognition
    • Common Core Speaking and Listening Standards: Comprehension and Collaboration - K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
    • Common Core Language Standards: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use - K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
    • Common Core Standard 10: Range, Quality & Complexity: Range of Text Types for K-5th

    History/Social Studies

    National Core Arts Standards


    Vocabulary

    General Vocabulary-Building (words and expressions)

    peck (n.) washed up autograph mess hall (get the) memo
    stopper whopper stressed fireproof contrary
    rutabaga tuffet dame generosity curds and whey
    recap clout swap
    Number of questions: 1
    Questions About "Musical Play: "Mother Goose's Character Camp""
    Q: Will the digital download have an audio recording for the play, which has all the songs both WITH and WITHOUT vocals or is it just the songs?
    December 15, 2014 11:42 PM
    A: Yes, the digital download includes all tracks that are on the CD—the vocal versions first, then the instrumental versions.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Wolf Products and Licensing

    How does your pricing and licensing work?

    A: In short: each teacher/director using the play should have a copy of it. That's it! Your purchase gives you the right to use the play with as many classes as you wish, to photocopy the script for your actors, and to put on as many performances as you wish. This one-time purchase gives you a lifetime license. See below for more information on site licenses (for 3+ teachers or whole schools).

    Q: What comes in the package?

    A: Every musical play comes with the script and a 12-page Teacher's Guide that provides lots of tips and advice for using the play from start to finish. It also includes the audio recording for the play, which has all the songs both WITH and WITHOUT vocals. Sheet music is NOT included with the basic package, but it is available for $12. Extra/replacement CDs are also available for $12.

    Every non-musical play comes with the script and the 12-page Teacher's Guide.

    Q: I'm just one teacher putting on a play. If I use the play with multiple classes, do I have to purchase multiple licenses?

    A: No! Your purchase gives you a lifetime license to be used with as many actors and classes as you wish. If other teachers/directors wish to use the play as well, they will need to purchase their own licenses.

    Q: Do I need to purchase scripts for students?

    A: No! Your purchase includes permission to photocopy the script for your actors.

    Q: What is a "site license"? How do I know if I need one?

    A site license is the economical choice when a whole school or grade level wants to put on the same play. Instead of each teacher/director having to purchase a script, the school/site can purchase a site license. This comes with three copies of the play (or one digital download) and permission to make copies for any additional participating teachers, as well as all the actors. You do NOT need to purchase both a site license and individual copies of the play; just buy one or the other.

    Q: I understand that I can get two or more scripts for $35 each. Do they have to be the same play?

    Nope! The discount applies whether you are purchasing multiple copies of the same show or single copies of multiple shows.

    Q: What is the difference between the printed and digital versions? Which one should I get?

    There is no difference in terms of content. The printed version of a musical play comes with an audio CD in a plastic sleeve in the back of the book. The digital version comes with two downloadable files: the script (PDF format) and the songs (individual MP3 files compressed in ZIP format). The advantage of the digital version is that you will not pay shipping and you can start using it instantly. Please read the question following this one about the technical requirements for digital files.

    Non-musical plays are available in the form of a printed book or a PDF file.

    Q: What are the technical requirements for the digital version?

    1. You will need to have Adobe Reader (free) or another software application that can open PDF files.
    2. You will need to be able to open ZIP files. The vast majority of computers should be able to do this without difficulty. If you wish to download the music directly to your phone or tablet, you will need to download an app that will open ZIP files. Many free ones are available.
    3. You will need to have some kind of audio player (such as iTunes or Windows Media Player) that will play MP3 files.

    Advanced technical knowledge is not required; but please note that we do not have the ability to offer technical support for issues related to digital files. If you are unsure, it is probably best to stick with the printed version.

    Q: What is your return/exchange policy?

    A: Bad Wolf proudly offers a 100% guarantee. You can always exchange a product for another or get a full refund. No time limits, no questions.

    Q: Is it OK if I edit the script?

    A: Yes! Consider the play to be a jumping-off point. You are always welcome to change or omit anything that doesn't work for your class, administration, or parents. You are welcome to rewrite lyrics, lines, or jokes -- or add your own! (The kids love doing this, by the way.)

    Q: How long does shipping take?

    A: We say that you should allow for one week within the U.S., but most orders are shipped the same day and arrive 1-3 days later. International orders usually take around two weeks to arrive.

    Q: Do I need to pay any performance royalties?

    A: As long as your admission price is less than $5 per ticket, you never need to pay performance royalties with a Bad Wolf show. If you decide to charge more than $5 a ticket, or if you are using one of our plays for a PAID workshop, camp, assembly, etc., pay only a low 1-2% royalty on gross revenues. See our royalty page to view the rates and pay.