Spellbinders Oral Storytellers of Larimer County was established in Fort Collins, in 2004 by experienced storytellers, Nora J. Heaton and Dora Hildebrand. The Larimer Chapter is the 10th Colorado Chapter formed out of a national non-profit organization founded in 1988 by Germaine Dietsch, now headquartered in Carbondale.
Partnering first with the Poudre School District, Spellbinders introduced volunteer storytelling into Fort Collins classrooms, and expanded to other districts in Larimer County in 2004-2005. Last year, trained Spellbinders volunteers told stories in 278 classrooms at 37 schools reaching more than 6,221 students.
Spellbinders Oral Storytellers of Larimer County now has over 70 active members and are continuing to train new volunteers to reach even more children with their character-building, multi-cultural tales.
Volunteers receive 12 hours of storyteller training, help in classroom placements and the assistance of a mentor if desired. Enthusiasm, a love of stories, and a desire to inspire student literacy attainment are the only qualifications for the job.
Spellbinders Oral Storytelling of Larimer County (Fort Collins) meets the first Wednesday of every month, October thru May, from 12:45 to 3 p.m. at LifePointe Church, 900 E. Prospect, Fort Collins.
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