Ignite Imaginations
Build Literacy Skills
Strengthen Communities
About Us
High Prairie Storytellers’ (previously Douglas County Spellbinders®) volunteers are fun-loving and care deeply about the education and development of the children in our community.
Our main purpose is to enhance literacy, encourage character development, and build intergenerational community through the art of oral storytelling for the benefit of both listeners and storytellers.
For 20 years, High Prairie Storytellers’ Volunteers have shared stories with children in Douglas County Schools. High Prairie Storytellers was started by Priscilla Queen and began as a part of the Douglas County Library in 2000. Although we are no longer a part of the Douglas County Library, we continue to receive support in many other ways from them. Our 31 active Storytellers proudly serve in almost 30 schools throughout Douglas, Elbert, and El Paso Counties.
Upcoming Trainings
“Once Upon a Time…
…One Story at a time”
Become part of the Magic!
Four Sessions: Please check this space for our next training session
Location: Ent Credit Union
18700 Cottonwood Dr, Parker, CO
Fee: $60 (Pay to trainer by check, cash, and bring credit card to pay for CBI Background Check Fee (Paid online) during first training class
Ignite Imagination Encourage Literacy Connect Generations
Spellbinder Trained Storytellers share the rich oral tradition of tales that teach and enchant. The National Spellbinders’ Storytelling training will provide you with the knowledge and skills to tell stories to kids of all ages. Working with teachers, volunteer storytellers to enhance literacy, stimulate imagination and broaden multicultural understanding.
A Spellbinders Trained Storyteller:
Learns many types of stories (fables, folktales, and fairytales).
Has access to extensive collections of stories and online resources.
Voluntarily tells stories on a regular self-chosen schedule to students of Douglas County schools.
Shares information and develops relationships with teachers, students, and other storytellers.
Has opportunities to tell at community events, libraries, museums, camps and festivals.
Receives plentiful training and support.
For more information about becoming a volunteer storyteller and upcoming training classes, contact:
High Prairie Storytellers Local Storytelling Group (501(c)(3) non-profit organizations) is licensed by
Spellbinders® National, an award winning 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that enhances literacy, develops character and builds intergenerational community
We meet monthly on the first Wednesday of the month during the school year from 11:30AM-1:30PM at the Castle Rock Library 100 S Wilcox St, Castle Rock, CO 80104.
We invite you to join us for our monthly meeting and meet our High Prairie Storytellers Community! If you would like more information, please email Jo Croall at jocroallhps@gmail.com
Contact Us
Licensee Leader Email:
Jo Croall at jocroallhps@gmail.com
Monthly Meeting Location: Philip S. Miller Library
100 S Wilcox St Castle Rock, CO 80104
Meet Our Board of Directors
The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of High Prairie Storytellers share a love of storytelling and an interest in promoting the tradition of oral storytelling with the members of the High Prairie Storytellers.
The Board of Directors includes, from left to right, Kelly Everitt, Gene Kozleski (treasurer), Sandra Byrd (secretary), Jo Croall (president), Rachel Daberkow-Brogan (vice president), Becky Whitaker, Sally Fynes (absent: Anna Lafferty).
The Board helps support and encourage our members in the art of storytelling, by planning fun monthly meetings with time for fellowship, shared stories, and ideas as well as help in becoming better storytellers.
Meet Our Trainer
Watch this Space!
If you are interested in training to becomc a High Prairie Storyteller please contact our leader, Jo Croall at aqualoni@yahoo.co.nz
Recently Trained Storytellers
Linda Kranz
Pauline Lussenhop
Our Impact
Each year High Prairie Storytellers Volunteers take the time to ignite imaginations, build literacy skills, and strengthen our communities. For the school year of 2023 – 2024, our Licensee had: