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Camp
2008 |
What to Expect During Your Week at VWCDiversityOur camp encourages and celebrates diversity. We are open to campers of all ages but you must be accompanied by a parent if you are 18 and under. We have special scholarships available for youth under 23.
ArrivalPlease do not arrive before Noon on Saturday. First year campers are encouraged to arrive at Noon. Check-in will run until 3 PM. At check-in there will be a variety of materials given to you including the specific camp schedule, t-shirts will available and breadwork sign-up sheets. Not sure where you are headed? New to Vermont Witch Camp? Just need help moving in? There will be helpers available at Registration during the course of the day! There will be a New Camper Orientation on Saturday afternoon.
The CampCamp is hilly, beautiful, magical. It is spread out over a large area. A map of the camp will be provided upon arrival. There is a lake for swimming, as well as hills for camping and climbing, and beautiful meadows for labyrinths and ritual sites.
VisitorsWe do deep spiritual work during the week. We ask that there are no visitors from the opening all-camp meeting on Saturday, August 23, 2008 until the end of circle on Saturday August 30, 2008. We welcome visitors to join us after the closing circle and to enjoy the waterfront with us that afternoon.
Cabins, Tents and CampingThere are many cabins dotting the hillside here at Farm & Wilderness. They are imaginative, unscreened and 3 sided. Mattresses are provided. A few cabins are set aside for teachers, organizers and those with special needs. All others are first-come, first-served. There is plenty of tenting space, including a designated area at one end of camp. You will need your own tenting and camping gear. If you change your mind, there is plenty of cabin space available! There is no electricity except in one special needs cabin. Bring your flashlight and batteries, no candles are allowed!
BathroomsKybos are imaginative composting outhouses with great views. Imagine quality time with a squirrel scampering by...watching the birds in the trees...or having a conversation about last night's ritual with a co-kybo-er! Kybos are located throughout the camp site. There are portapotties in strategic places where a kybo is too far away. Please don't use the portapotties unless you really need to, we don't want to disrupt the camp by having them pumped out more than once a week!
ShowersThere are several open-air, co-ed showers in the woods, as well as one enclosed shower that is more private and has separate hours for men and women. Please be mindful of the bath products we bring to camp; it all goes from our outdoor showers directly into our amazing lake.
AccessibilityWe do regret that due to the hills of Vermont, our camp is not wheelchair accessible. The rugged terrain is not easy on either the very young or older campers. We are committed, however, to finding ways to make the physical challenges less prohibitive.
ShuttlesThere are three shuttles going to and from the camping area, the dining hall, path sites and the ritual circle. They are available for anyone with mobility problems (the rest of us work on those leg muscles!). All cars - except those used for camping or shuttles - will be in a parking area separate from the rest of the camp and not available for daily access.
Special Needs RequestsIf you have special dietary or mobility needs, please be in contact with us prior to your arrival at camp. The Special Needs Coordinator is addressing the special needs for campers and teachers; whether it be shuttles at camp, working with the kitchen staff, or reserving a space in the special needs cabin - we're working to make camp time healthy time for all of us!
MealsDelicious and nutritious. Much of the food is from the camp's own organic garden, local organic growers or VWC campers' home gardens. Processed food is used as little as possible. The kitchen staff try to accommodate all our special needs as possible, so please contact us if you have any serious allergies or needs. The kitchen staff are kindred spirits, so the food is truly Goddess inspired. Each meal includes vegetarian and vegan options, as well as animal protein several times during the week. We strive to offer the best quality food with loving intention, however we cannot be sure that we will be able to meet everyone's specific dietary preferences. Kitchen space is available for those who need to prepare food they have brought for special diet concerns.
The ScheduleWhile this year's schedule may be different, this is an idea of how we've done things before. The day begins at 7:00 with the ringing of the bell. Breakfast starts at 7:30. Path is scheduled at 9:00 AM. Lunch comes at 12:30, followed by Affinity groups meeting from 2-3 PM. Mid-afternoon is the perfect time for a swim, a quick nap or taking in an optional offering. Twelve-step meetings are offered from 5-6. There is also time for personal practice before dinner. Dinner comes at 6 PM, followed most evenings by an all-camp ritual. Snacks will be available after the evening ritual.
Affinity GroupsAffinity groups are an important part of the Camp experience. These groups meet daily to provide a small, safe, intimate space for intellectual enrichment, discussion about rituals and experiences at Camp.
BreadworkBreadwork is work done to facilitate the conception, cooking, presentation and clean-up stages of the offering of food to the community. It is a time to ground, put our love, energy and intention into physical form and offer it as a gift to the community. Breadwork is spiritual, community-building and relationship work. There is laughter, music and story to make the work fly by. This year, each person is responsible for 3 time slots, but more are welcomed. Many hands make light work.
Can I Go Skyclad?You are welcome to be skyclad (nude) anywhere except near the main road and in the dining hall. The road is public although the camp restricts its use as much as possible during our stay. We've found that being skyclad in the dining hall raises some real boundary issues for many people. Wearing clothes in the dining hall can be looked upon as giving the gift of safety to everyone! If you want to go skyclad at camp, fine. If not, that's fine too! Never tried it before and want to? Go for it. No one is going to treat you any differently either way!
TopWildlifeThey were here first and feel quite free to help themselves. If you bring food and are storing it in your cabin, please secure it. Raccoons and squirrels are crafty about opening storage containers and getting what they want! There is a refrigerator and storage area in the dining hall. Watch for these glorious visitors and learn from what knowledge they have to offer. PhonesThere is one phone available at camp with limited privacy. There is an answering machine attached to this line (802) 422-3446. Outgoing calls must be made collect or using a calling card. Please plan on making only emergency or very brief calls. Cell phone availability is weak due to location. WeatherThe Green Mountains are justly famous for interesting, unpredictable weather. It may be hot, cold, humid, wet or dry. We never try to work the weather, so come prepared for whatever the Goddess has in mind -- especially the cold, as you can always take off unneeded layers. For what it's worth, here's the 10 day forecast. TopSwimmingSparkling, private, wonderful for swimming skyclad. Please respect the lifeguard on duty; they are acting for our safety and are more grounded than we are! The Rope Swing can only be used with lifeguard approval due to variable conditions at the lake. Canoes and lifejackets are available. All water activities are at your own risk. Never swim or canoe alone. T-shirtsEach year there is a truly inspired t-shirt available with a design reflecting the theme of the year. All proceeds from the sales of t-shirts goes directly to the scholarship fund. T-shirts are made available on a sliding fee scale. Drug and Alcohol IssuesVermont Witch Camp is drug and alcohol free (including tobacco) to respect ourselves, the work we are doing, the community we are with. There are also daily 12-step meetings available for those who want. Abiding by this rule helps to create a safe container for everyone to work within.
TopTaking Care of YourselfIf you need time for yourself - take it! Skip path, affinity group, workshop or ritual. Camp can be draining, even for the extroverts among us! Feeling wired, frazzled, spacey? Don't forget to ground! Are you eating or drinking enough? Place your hands on the earth, take a nice long shower, ask someone do give you an aura rub down. Don't be afraid to seek out the "On" person, a buddy, or others in listening roles, if you are in need of support. DepartureCamp ends on Saturday after cleanup. One of our responsibilities as a community is to clean up camp before we leave, so please keep that in mind as you make departure plans. Pay attention to the advice at the closing ritual, particularly if you are a first time camper.One person ignored it the first year and a 2 hour trip became a 5 hour detour over mountains through woods and by way of a rookery because this person drove home listening to chants from camp! Still have questions?
Email us at Information@vermontwitchcamp.net
Copyright Vermont Witchcamp © 2005-2008 - All Rights Reserved
Last update: February 21, 2008 |
