Fall is upon us and the trees are in full display of reds, oranges, and yellows! Join us and Falmouth Land Trust at Underwood Springs Forest to enjoy the fall foliage, learn tree ID, and do some fall crafts.

Sign up here!

Maine Gear Share is one of Khmer Maine’s amazing partners, helping us to access free and low-cost gear for our outdoor program! Join us at their annual Gear Again Festival to browse the maker’s market of local vendors who prioritize sustainability, score some great deals on used outdoor gear, get gear repaired for free, and visit our Land and Justice outdoor program table.

Learn more about the Wabanaki tribes who have always called this land home and join us for one or both of these experiences:

Burnuwurbskek Singers will be performing and sharing stories outside at the Childrens’ Museum + Theatre of Mainefrom 10am - 11am. Khmer Maine will cover the cost of museum admission. More info.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Open House at the Portland Museum of Art 10am - 6pm. Free museum admission and activities such as art-making, story-telling, and a film festival. Full schedule

Sign up here!

Join us and Portland Trails to savor the peak of autumn in Maine with a pencil in your hand. Local printmaker, Jordan Kendall Parks will lead a drawing practice inspired by the sights, sounds, smells, patterns, and emotions you experience in the heart of Evergreen Woods. Drawing materials provided.

Sign up here!

This Fall 2025, every Sunday, Khmer Maine will host the Arts and Cultural Program for Khmer Dance Classes, giving youths a meaningful opportunity to engage with an art form that is both deeply rooted in history and thriving in the present.

Khmer traditional dance reflects the beauty, discipline, and storytelling of Cambodian culture while serving as a powerful way to preserve and promote this heritage for future generations. Through this program, youth ages 7–18 are invited to experience the elegance of Khmer dance while developing confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that extend far beyond the stage.

This program goes beyond dance instruction. It is designed as a holistic youth development initiative where participants not only learn traditional movements and cultural practices but also build personal resilience, leadership skills, and meaningful connections with their peers. By integrating cultural engagement with structured youth support, the program creates a safe and nurturing environment that empowers students both on and off the stage.

Weekly Class Structure

• 10:00 – 10:30 AM: Support & Well-Being
  All youths gather for structured activities focused on the well-being of girls and young women. This session provides a safe and supportive space to discuss challenges such as self-doubt, loneliness, academic pressure, social expectations, and personal issues. Through guided support, participants learn strategies to build resilience and confidence.

• 10:30 – 11:00 AM: Costume Preparation
  Students receive instruction on the proper way to dress in traditional Khmer dance attire, learning the cultural and symbolic significance of the costumes.

• 11:00 – 12:00 PM: Dance Instruction (Ages 13–18)
  Older students review previously learned dances and begin new choreography, deepening their technical skill and artistic expression.

• 12:00 – 12:50 PM: Dance Instruction (Ages 7–12)
  Younger students review prior dances and begin learning new ones, developing creativity, discipline, and teamwork in a supportive environment.

• 12:50 – 1:00 PM: Community Responsibility
  All students participate in cleaning and organizing the facility, reinforcing values of responsibility, cooperation, and respect for shared spaces.

Extended Learning at Home

To reinforce weekly lessons, by 5:00 PM on each program day, the coordinator will send parents a video of the teacher dancing up to the point covered in class. This resource allows students to practice at home, reinforce their memory of the steps, and ensures that students who may have difficulty recalling steps can continue learning successfully.

This Fall 2025, every Sunday, Khmer Maine will host the Arts and Cultural Program for Khmer Dance Classes, giving youths a meaningful opportunity to engage with an art form that is both deeply rooted in history and thriving in the present.

Khmer traditional dance reflects the beauty, discipline, and storytelling of Cambodian culture while serving as a powerful way to preserve and promote this heritage for future generations. Through this program, youth ages 7–18 are invited to experience the elegance of Khmer dance while developing confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that extend far beyond the stage.

This program goes beyond dance instruction. It is designed as a holistic youth development initiative where participants not only learn traditional movements and cultural practices but also build personal resilience, leadership skills, and meaningful connections with their peers. By integrating cultural engagement with structured youth support, the program creates a safe and nurturing environment that empowers students both on and off the stage.

Weekly Class Structure

• 10:00 – 10:30 AM: Support & Well-Being
  All youths gather for structured activities focused on the well-being of girls and young women. This session provides a safe and supportive space to discuss challenges such as self-doubt, loneliness, academic pressure, social expectations, and personal issues. Through guided support, participants learn strategies to build resilience and confidence.

• 10:30 – 11:00 AM: Costume Preparation
  Students receive instruction on the proper way to dress in traditional Khmer dance attire, learning the cultural and symbolic significance of the costumes.

• 11:00 – 12:00 PM: Dance Instruction (Ages 13–18)
  Older students review previously learned dances and begin new choreography, deepening their technical skill and artistic expression.

• 12:00 – 12:50 PM: Dance Instruction (Ages 7–12)
  Younger students review prior dances and begin learning new ones, developing creativity, discipline, and teamwork in a supportive environment.

• 12:50 – 1:00 PM: Community Responsibility
  All students participate in cleaning and organizing the facility, reinforcing values of responsibility, cooperation, and respect for shared spaces.

Extended Learning at Home

To reinforce weekly lessons, by 5:00 PM on each program day, the coordinator will send parents a video of the teacher dancing up to the point covered in class. This resource allows students to practice at home, reinforce their memory of the steps, and ensures that students who may have difficulty recalling steps can continue learning successfully.

This Fall 2025, every Sunday, Khmer Maine will host the Arts and Cultural Program for Khmer Dance Classes, giving youths a meaningful opportunity to engage with an art form that is both deeply rooted in history and thriving in the present.

Khmer traditional dance reflects the beauty, discipline, and storytelling of Cambodian culture while serving as a powerful way to preserve and promote this heritage for future generations. Through this program, youth ages 7–18 are invited to experience the elegance of Khmer dance while developing confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that extend far beyond the stage.

This program goes beyond dance instruction. It is designed as a holistic youth development initiative where participants not only learn traditional movements and cultural practices but also build personal resilience, leadership skills, and meaningful connections with their peers. By integrating cultural engagement with structured youth support, the program creates a safe and nurturing environment that empowers students both on and off the stage.

Weekly Class Structure

• 10:00 – 10:30 AM: Support & Well-Being
  All youths gather for structured activities focused on the well-being of girls and young women. This session provides a safe and supportive space to discuss challenges such as self-doubt, loneliness, academic pressure, social expectations, and personal issues. Through guided support, participants learn strategies to build resilience and confidence.

• 10:30 – 11:00 AM: Costume Preparation
  Students receive instruction on the proper way to dress in traditional Khmer dance attire, learning the cultural and symbolic significance of the costumes.

• 11:00 – 12:00 PM: Dance Instruction (Ages 13–18)
  Older students review previously learned dances and begin new choreography, deepening their technical skill and artistic expression.

• 12:00 – 12:50 PM: Dance Instruction (Ages 7–12)
  Younger students review prior dances and begin learning new ones, developing creativity, discipline, and teamwork in a supportive environment.

• 12:50 – 1:00 PM: Community Responsibility
  All students participate in cleaning and organizing the facility, reinforcing values of responsibility, cooperation, and respect for shared spaces.

Extended Learning at Home

To reinforce weekly lessons, by 5:00 PM on each program day, the coordinator will send parents a video of the teacher dancing up to the point covered in class. This resource allows students to practice at home, reinforce their memory of the steps, and ensures that students who may have difficulty recalling steps can continue learning successfully.

This Fall 2025, every Sunday, Khmer Maine will host the Arts and Cultural Program for Khmer Dance Classes, giving youths a meaningful opportunity to engage with an art form that is both deeply rooted in history and thriving in the present.

Khmer traditional dance reflects the beauty, discipline, and storytelling of Cambodian culture while serving as a powerful way to preserve and promote this heritage for future generations. Through this program, youth ages 7–18 are invited to experience the elegance of Khmer dance while developing confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that extend far beyond the stage.

This program goes beyond dance instruction. It is designed as a holistic youth development initiative where participants not only learn traditional movements and cultural practices but also build personal resilience, leadership skills, and meaningful connections with their peers. By integrating cultural engagement with structured youth support, the program creates a safe and nurturing environment that empowers students both on and off the stage.

Weekly Class Structure

• 10:00 – 10:30 AM: Support & Well-Being
  All youths gather for structured activities focused on the well-being of girls and young women. This session provides a safe and supportive space to discuss challenges such as self-doubt, loneliness, academic pressure, social expectations, and personal issues. Through guided support, participants learn strategies to build resilience and confidence.

• 10:30 – 11:00 AM: Costume Preparation
  Students receive instruction on the proper way to dress in traditional Khmer dance attire, learning the cultural and symbolic significance of the costumes.

• 11:00 – 12:00 PM: Dance Instruction (Ages 13–18)
  Older students review previously learned dances and begin new choreography, deepening their technical skill and artistic expression.

• 12:00 – 12:50 PM: Dance Instruction (Ages 7–12)
  Younger students review prior dances and begin learning new ones, developing creativity, discipline, and teamwork in a supportive environment.

• 12:50 – 1:00 PM: Community Responsibility
  All students participate in cleaning and organizing the facility, reinforcing values of responsibility, cooperation, and respect for shared spaces.

Extended Learning at Home

To reinforce weekly lessons, by 5:00 PM on each program day, the coordinator will send parents a video of the teacher dancing up to the point covered in class. This resource allows students to practice at home, reinforce their memory of the steps, and ensures that students who may have difficulty recalling steps can continue learning successfully.

Orientation (Required for Students and Parents)

• 11:00 -11:30 AM: Program Overview

Students and Parents will receive an overview of the program goals and structure.

• 11:30 -11:45 AM: Program Ground Rules & Expectations

Students and Parents will receive an overview of ground rules and expectations regarding timeliness, professionalism, attendance, and respect for each other and the instructor.

• 11:45 -12:00 PM: Program Q&A

• 12:00 -1:00 PM: Lunch provided by Khmer Maine

Learn how to mountain bike with us! We’ll explore some easy, forested trails in Bethel with Inland Woods and Trails, and families from the Maine Association for New Americans. Bikes and instruction will be provided. Alternative activities will be available for folks who want to come, but don’t want to bike (short hike, field games, etc.).

Sign up here!

Khmer Maine is sponsoring free bus rides to help lower barriers for Southeast Asian elders and community members.

A bus will depart from Marginal Way Park and Ride in Portland at 9AM, stop to pickup passengers at Biddeford Park and Ride at 9:30AM, and proceed to Lowell, MA. Bus will depart Lowell, MA, at 2pm to return to Maine.

Due to limited space, signing up does not guarantee a ride. Please wait for a confirmation email or call with details.

Join Friends of the Presumpscot River at Riverbank Park in Westbrook to connect with community & the waters that sustain us! No paddling experience necessary. Kayaks, paddle boards, PFD’s, and expert tips from Portland Paddle are all provided!

Sign-up here!

In partnership with Casco Bay Estuary, we will be going on a boat tour of Casco Bay. Come see the beautiful islands off the coast of Portland, enjoy some seaweed snacks, and maybe spot a harbor seal!

Sign-up here!

Join us for a walk with Portland Trails’ Healthier Neighborhoods Program! We’ll be going on a walk on a flat, easy forested trail in Westbrook. Sign up here!

Join us for our annual potluck picnic and grill out at Sebago Lake. Come enjoy food and games by the lake with us! Sign-up by July 21st to receive a free park entrance voucher for the event.

Sign-up here!

What is SEAFEST 2025?

SEAFEST 2025 is a vibrant celebration of Southeast Asian heritage, born from the success of the Khmer New Year Festival and a collaborative effort among Maine’s Khmer, Thai, Filipino, and Vietnamese communities. This dynamic event showcases the rich traditions, art, music, dance, and culinary delights of Southeast Asia, offering an immersive cultural experience for people of all backgrounds.

SEAFEST 2025 is not just a festival; it’s a testament to the strength of Maine’s diverse communities and the power of cultural exchange in fostering understanding and unity. By celebrating Southeast Asian heritage, SEAFEST highlights the contributions of these communities to Maine’s social, cultural, and economic landscape, promoting inclusivity and shared pride in the state’s multicultural identity.

Join us in celebrating the colors, flavors, and traditions of Southeast Asia and their vital role in shaping Maine’s vibrant community!

Join us on April 17, 2025, as we mark the 50th anniversary of the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge regime. This presentation offers a critical update on the Khmer Rouge Tribunal’s judicial phase, completed in 2023, highlighting the convictions and life sentences handed down to three senior leaders deemed most responsible for these atrocities.

Our speaker, Theresa de Langis, PhD, is currently developing a curriculum on the Tribunal’s legacy for university students in Cambodia. With over two decades of experience in teaching, research, and practice within the U.S. government, the United Nations, and academia, Dr. de Langis is an expert in trauma-informed oral history and its role in transformative meaning-making and family history. Her work, focusing on women’s rights in conflict and post-conflict scenarios, bridges law, political science, literature, and film to provide deep insights into genocide, gender, and historical memory.

This event will explore not only the judicial outcomes of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal but also the ongoing efforts to support survivors and engage the younger generation in understanding this dark chapter of human history. The session will include a question-and-answer segment, inviting participants to reflect on how these historical events resonate with today’s uncertain global future.

We invite community members to join us for an evening of thoughtful dialogue and remembrance as we link the lessons of the past with the challenges of our present.

Join us for a fun afternoon of ice-skating at the rink at Thompson’s Point. Admission is free and skate rentals provided if you need them. Food will be potluck, so bring a dish to share!

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/T5SN4n2T4K5c2Gs16

Join us for a potluck/picnic at Sebago Lake State Park on June 29th, from 11am-4pm. Bring your choice of meats to BBQ and an extra dish to share with other families!

Space is limited. Sign-Up required.

Join Khmer Maine for its first Annual Dinner, a special evening to celebrate the work of the organization, its board and staff, volunteers, and contributions of  supporters of the Cambodian community  since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

About event

Attendees will have the chance to meet community members, partners, supporters, donors, board members, staff, and volunteers during our check-in and networking; witness Cambodian dance, music, arts, and vendors; and taste Cambodian food!

Khmer Maine will also recognize several individuals, organizational leaders, and business leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting the Cambodian community in the past several years. We will release more information about our awards and recognitions in the coming weeks.

Tickets

Tickets are $45 to help cover costs of food, stipends, etc. Discounted tickets are available for students and seniors at $30.

Sponsorships

Event Sponsors ($250/3 Tickets), Table Sponsors ($500/6 Tickets), and Presenting Sponsors ($1,000/6 Tickets + Marketing), please reach out to marpheen@khmermaine.org.

Financial Assistance

A limited number of Free and Comp tickets are available upon request, please contact events@khmermaine.org. Thank you in advance!

Get Tickets

Khmer dancing is making a comeback in Maine! Did you know? Over a decade ago, there was a thriving Khmer dance community spearheaded by Pirun Sen and Tania Sturtevant? Cambodian youth and families were able to take dance classes from experts and perform all over Maine. Join Khmer dancer Sokheun Sok for a series of introductory Khmer social dance classes. Learn the basics of movement, rhythm, and interaction in Khmer dances often seen in social and celebratory settings… just in time for Khmer New Year in April! 

Classes are for all ages and genders and families are encouraged to learn together.

ABOUT THE DANCES

Romvong: Romvong is a type of Southeast Asian dance where both females and males dance in a circle. It is a popular folk-dance in Xishuangbanna (China), Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand. It is a slow round dance continuously moving in a circular manner, and incorporates graceful hand movements and simple footwork. Both men and women participate in the same circle. (Wikipedia)

Kbach: Ram kbach dance is generally similar to ram vong in terms of circle arrangements, as well as hands and legs gestures. But the movements in ram kbach are slower and more gentle.

Lamleav: Lumleav has a similar form as Romvong and Kbach in terms of circle arrangement; the moments are faster than the first two. It also has slightly different hand and leg gestures.

Sarawan Khmer: Sarawan is unique from Ramvong, Kbach, and Lumleav. It does not go around in a circle, and it has its own leg and hand gestures. Two partners dance facing each other- one person moves four steps toward as the other person moves backward and they go back and forth. 

LOOKING FOR INFO ON KHMER NEW YEAR 2024? VISIT: KNY2024.com.

Join Watt Samaki Temple and Khmer Maine on Saturday, April 15th, from 10am-4pm for Khmer New Year Festival and Parade held at Riverbank Park in Westbrook, Maine. Blessing and Buddhist ceremonies will be held from 10-12pm. The festival with food and vendors will begin 12pm and last until 4pm, with a small parade at 1pm.

Cambodian New Year is a widely celebrated holiday among the Cambodian population and marks the end of the traditional harvest season. In Cambodia, it is a time of rest and leisure for farmers who return to their home communities to celebrate with relatives. Although not exclusively a religious holiday, many Cambodians observe the New Year through purification ceremonies, visits to the local temple, parades, and by playing traditional games.

Unlike other Cambodian holidays that follow the lunar calendar, Cambodian New Year is set in April according to the Gregorian calendar. The official dates for observation are April 14 thru April 16.

KHMER NEW YEAR 2023 FESTIVAL MAP WITH LEGEND

(To download, press the download button at the top left of the map window below)

Khmer dancing is making a comeback in Maine! Did you know? Over a decade ago, there was a thriving Khmer dance community spearheaded by Pirun Sen and Tania Sturtevant? Cambodian youth and families were able to take dance classes from experts and perform all over Maine. Join Khmer dancer Sokheun Sok for a series of introductory Khmer social dance classes. Learn the basics of movement, rhythm, and interaction in Khmer dances often seen in social and celebratory settings… just in time for Khmer New Year in April! 

Classes are for all ages and genders and families are encouraged to learn together.

ABOUT THE DANCES

Romvong: Romvong is a type of Southeast Asian dance where both females and males dance in a circle. It is a popular folk-dance in Xishuangbanna (China), Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand. It is a slow round dance continuously moving in a circular manner, and incorporates graceful hand movements and simple footwork. Both men and women participate in the same circle. (Wikipedia)

Kbach: Ram kbach dance is generally similar to ram vong in terms of circle arrangements, as well as hands and legs gestures. But the movements in ram kbach are slower and more gentle.

Lamleav: Lumleav has a similar form as Romvong and Kbach in terms of circle arrangement; the moments are faster than the first two. It also has slightly different hand and leg gestures.

Sarawan Khmer: Sarawan is unique from Ramvong, Kbach, and Lumleav. It does not go around in a circle, and it has its own leg and hand gestures. Two partners dance facing each other- one person moves four steps toward as the other person moves backward and they go back and forth. 

Khmer dancing is making a comeback in Maine! Did you know? Over a decade ago, there was a thriving Khmer dance community spearheaded by Pirun Sen and Tania Sturtevant? Cambodian youth and families were able to take dance classes from experts and perform all over Maine. Join Khmer dancer Sokheun Sok for a series of introductory Khmer social dance classes. Learn the basics of movement, rhythm, and interaction in Khmer dances often seen in social and celebratory settings… just in time for Khmer New Year in April! 

Classes are for all ages and genders and families are encouraged to learn together.

SCHEDULE

Sat. Jan. 28, 2023 (1-3pm) - Orientation and Introduction

Sat. Feb. 11, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session I: Ramvong and Kbach Dances

Sat. Feb. 25, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session II: Sarawan and Lamleav

Sat. Mar. 11, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session III: Practice Session

Sat. Mar. 25, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session IV: Practice Session

Sat. Apr. 8, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session V: Final Practice Session

To Be Announced - Community Performance

ABOUT THE DANCES

Romvong: Romvong is a type of Southeast Asian dance where both females and males dance in a circle. It is a popular folk-dance in Xishuangbanna (China), Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand. It is a slow round dance continuously moving in a circular manner, and incorporates graceful hand movements and simple footwork. Both men and women participate in the same circle. (Wikipedia)

Kbach: Ram kbach dance is generally similar to ram vong in terms of circle arrangements, as well as hands and legs gestures. But the movements in ram kbach are slower and more gentle.

Lamleav: Lumleav has a similar form as Romvong and Kbach in terms of circle arrangement; the moments are faster than the first two. It also has slightly different hand and leg gestures.

Sarawan Khmer: Sarawan is unique from Ramvong, Kbach, and Lumleav. It does not go around in a circle, and it has its own leg and hand gestures. Two partners dance facing each other- one person moves four steps toward as the other person moves backward and they go back and forth. 

Khmer dancing is making a comeback in Maine! Did you know? Over a decade ago, there was a thriving Khmer dance community spearheaded by Pirun Sen and Tania Sturtevant? Cambodian youth and families were able to take dance classes from experts and perform all over Maine. Join Khmer dancer Sokheun Sok for a series of introductory Khmer social dance classes. Learn the basics of movement, rhythm, and interaction in Khmer dances often seen in social and celebratory settings… just in time for Khmer New Year in April! 

Classes are for all ages and genders and families are encouraged to learn together.

SCHEDULE

Sat. Jan. 28, 2023 (1-3pm) - Orientation and Introduction

Sat. Feb. 11, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session I: Ramvong and Kbach Dances

Sat. Feb. 25, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session II: Sarawan and Lamleav

Sat. Mar. 11, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session III: Practice Session

Sat. Mar. 25, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session IV: Practice Session

Sat. Apr. 8, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session V: Final Practice Session

To Be Announced - Community Performance

ABOUT THE DANCES

Romvong: Romvong is a type of Southeast Asian dance where both females and males dance in a circle. It is a popular folk-dance in Xishuangbanna (China), Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand. It is a slow round dance continuously moving in a circular manner, and incorporates graceful hand movements and simple footwork. Both men and women participate in the same circle. (Wikipedia)

Kbach: Ram kbach dance is generally similar to ram vong in terms of circle arrangements, as well as hands and legs gestures. But the movements in ram kbach are slower and more gentle.

Lamleav: Lumleav has a similar form as Romvong and Kbach in terms of circle arrangement; the moments are faster than the first two. It also has slightly different hand and leg gestures.

Sarawan Khmer: Sarawan is unique from Ramvong, Kbach, and Lumleav. It does not go around in a circle, and it has its own leg and hand gestures. Two partners dance facing each other- one person moves four steps toward as the other person moves backward and they go back and forth. 

Khmer dancing is making a comeback in Maine! Did you know? Over a decade ago, there was a thriving Khmer dance community spearheaded by Pirun Sen and Tania Sturtevant? Cambodian youth and families were able to take dance classes from experts and perform all over Maine. Join Khmer dancer Sokheun Sok for a series of introductory Khmer social dance classes. Learn the basics of movement, rhythm, and interaction in Khmer dances often seen in social and celebratory settings… just in time for Khmer New Year in April! 

Classes are for all ages and genders and families are encouraged to learn together.

SCHEDULE

Sat. Jan. 28, 2023 (1-3pm) - Orientation and Introduction

Sat. Feb. 11, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session I: Ramvong and Kbach Dances

Sat. Feb. 25, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session II: Sarawan and Lamleav

Sat. Mar. 11, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session III: Practice Session

Sat. Mar. 25, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session IV: Practice Session

Sat. Apr. 8, 2023 (1-4pm) - Session V: Final Practice Session

To Be Announced - Community Performance

ABOUT THE DANCES

Romvong: Romvong is a type of Southeast Asian dance where both females and males dance in a circle. It is a popular folk-dance in Xishuangbanna (China), Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand. It is a slow round dance continuously moving in a circular manner, and incorporates graceful hand movements and simple footwork. Both men and women participate in the same circle. (Wikipedia)

Kbach: Ram kbach dance is generally similar to ram vong in terms of circle arrangements, as well as hands and legs gestures. But the movements in ram kbach are slower and more gentle.

Lamleav: Lumleav has a similar form as Romvong and Kbach in terms of circle arrangement; the moments are faster than the first two. It also has slightly different hand and leg gestures.

Sarawan Khmer: Sarawan is unique from Ramvong, Kbach, and Lumleav. It does not go around in a circle, and it has its own leg and hand gestures. Two partners dance facing each other- one person moves four steps toward as the other person moves backward and they go back and forth.