Songwriting With Soldiers Training

SW:S Retreat Facilitation

Training Videos

This video series was designed as a training tool for those who will be directing or assisting with facilitation of SongwritingWith:Soldiers® retreats. These videos complement the more detailed facilitation instructions located in the SongwritingWith:Soldiers® Manual.

Each video outlines specific retreat components, beginning with program background and pre-retreat preparation, moving through retreat delivery and ending with post retreat follow-up and community building.

Welcome and very brief story about how SW:S program was inspired in 2012. Coaching-based Program — Goal oriented – using collaborative songwriting to build creativity, connections and strengths. Watch Video
This video gives an overview of The How and Why behind the retreat structure, the inspiration, experience and evidence-based tools from Positive Psychology that inform the program. Watch Video
This video emphasizes the importance of WITH (not FOR or ABOUT) in SongwritingWith:Soldiers. Watch Video
This video covers:
  • Getting Veterans TO our retreats (They don’t just appear in a chair ready to write a song.)
  • Initial & Pre-retreat contact with potential participants – positive, succinct, clear.
Watch Video
  • First contact tone
  • Introductions – Basic Facilitator Script Overview
    • Acknowledgment – Showing Up – from all different places and circumstances
    • SW:S– What we are / What we are not
    • Weekend overview – What’s in store (building excitement)
    • Individual introductions / ice breaker activity
  • Songwriter Performance – Connections deepening
  • Group Songwriting – creativity spark for all (often nervous or skeptical) participants
  • Closure
All systems go! – Conducting a full day of activity – Micro Moments of Connection
  • Songwriting Pairings
  • Creativity Workshops – expanding possibilities
  • Relaxation – encouraging ease
  • Dinner & Performance
  • Closure & Acknowledgment & Gratitude of all
Watch Video
  • Moving forward – acknowledging what’s been done so far. Awareness of our strengths / others’s strengths (Seeing the good)
  • Empowering for continued creative expression
  • Facilitator admin
  • Final Performance
Positive Ending (remember Peak & End theory? The ending matters!) Facilitator Script –
  • Closure Circle / One-on-one acknowledgment, gratitude – remembering the good
  • Steps for self-care, building community – what’s in store after the retreat
  • Departure
Watch Video
  • The retreat is over – but a new beginning is underway – Post Traumatic Growth & Resilience
  • The importance of community – combatting loneliness
Retreat follow-up – community maintenance. Watch Video
Key culture concepts from Mary. Watch Video