Ark Valley Spellbinders

We believe that Oral Storytelling:

• Is a natural avenue to help children develop literacy skills by engendering a love of stories, both oral and written, enabling them to dream and hope.
• Builds connections between generations, eye to eye and heart to heart.
• Shares the wisdom, values, humor, and sense of community embodied in stories coming from many cultures throughout time.
• Fosters awareness of the importance of virtues such as mutual respect, integrity, perseverance, empathy, and cooperation.

Our Spellbinders® community is composed of a Council of Trustees (sometimes referred to as Spellbinders® National),  and nonprofit Licensed Local Storyteller Organizations (LLSO). The LLSOs train volunteer storytellers using Spellbinders® Certified Trainers and Licensed Spellbinders® Intellectual Training materials. Spellbinders® Council of Trustees and Spellbinders® Trained volunteer storytellers represent Spellbinders® in ways that are consistent with our Preamble, Purpose and Principles and the Standards and Guidelines. They share best practices and talents with each other to strengthen our entire storytelling community. Together we strive to share the art of oral storytelling in accordance with the Spellbinders® Preamble, Purpose and support our Spellbinders® trained volunteer storytellers to realize and share their love of storytelling and the joy and power of stories.