Frequently Asked Questions – Practical Details:
When is camp?
Friday evening, August 17, through Sunday afternoon, August 26, 2012.
Where is camp?
Our site is a half-hour east of Eugene, OR. Details will be sent after registration. There will be no registration on site, and no “drop-in” options.
When can I arrive at camp?
You can arrive any time after 4 PM on Friday 8/17/2012. Please notice that the first meal served will be Saturday breakfast, so arrive fed, or bring your own dinner.
I only have time to come to part of camp. Is that OK?
In order to create the safety necessary for deep emotional work and personal transformation, we hold camp as a “closed container.” We ask all campers to be on-site and present no later than 8:30 am on Saturday morning, in time for the orientation and culture-creating workshops; drop-ins and latecomers are not allowed. If you only have time to stay for part of camp, that is fine, as long as you start camp with the whole group and are present for the opening sessions. Since camp is meant to be a complete experience, we do not pro-rate the cost of camp for those who leave early. However, all campers, including those who have to leave before the end of camp, are eligible to be considered for scholarships,
Can I come earlier or stay later?
Yes! If you would like to help with camp set-up and/or take-down, you can join us during Pre-Camp, August 14-17, or Post-Camp, August 26-28.
Practice New Culture values and processes in an integrated work & play experience! Please contact us at sc12co@cfnc.us or 800-763-8136 if you are interested.
PLEASE DON’T ARRIVE BEFORE 4 PM ON FRIDAY AUGUST 17 at 4 PM UNLESS YOU HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HELP OUT WITH PRE-CAMP.
What will the weather be like?
The site is in an area that has an average daytime high temperature of 80 degrees and an average nightly low of 53 degrees; of course, on any given day, temperatures could be 10 degrees either way. The record highs are in the mid 90’s, and the record lows are in the mid 40’s, so we don’t expect long stretches of uncomfortably warm or cold weather. In this region, rain is *very* rare at this time of year.
Where do we sleep?
Most people camp in their own tents. There are many comfortable, flat campsites on the land. We also have indoor dorm-style spaces available for an extra charge, including some rooms with queen-sized beds, and some with two twin beds. You can indicate your interest in these spaces on the on-line registration form.
How many people will be at camp?
We expect around 60-75 this year. If necessary, we will cap enrollment at 90 people, so that everyone will have a chance to get to know everyone else during the 10 days together.
Will it be a diverse group of people? What sort of age ranges, backgrounds, etc.?
Summer Camp participants are generally intelligent, thoughtful seekers after a “better way.” We welcome people of all ages, genders, sexualities, race and ethnicities, and lifestyle choices. We range in age from 20 to 80, with large numbers of people in their 30′s, 40′s, 50′s, and 60′s. The majority of campers are white, with some black, Latino, and Asian campers as well. We have a wide range of incomes and life situations. Most of us are heterosexual or bisexual, with a small and growing number of gay men and lesbians. Many campers are polyamorous, practicing ethical non-monogamy; all consensual relationship choices are honored. Some of us are Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, pagan, eclectically spiritual, or atheist.
Will camp be “gender balanced”?
Many groups “gender balance” their events by requiring an equal number of men and women to participate. One reason for this practice is to make sure that women do not feel overwhelmed by aggressive male energy; another reason is to have roughly equal numbers of potential partners for “both genders.” We deliberately choose NOT to gender balance Summer Camp. For one thing, many of our participants are not heterosexual — with a mix of straight, gay/lesbian, and bi people, the calculus of who might be open to relationships with whom becomes too complex to control. More crucially, though many people do find romantic connections at camp, that is not our main purpose. Our goal is to increase emotional intimacy and deep heart connection among people of all sorts: between men and men, and women and women, as well as between men and women. We give extensive training in boundaries and respect; at camps where men were in the majority, women reported not even noticing that they were “outnumbered”. Finally, a number of our participants do not identify with traditional genders, so the traditional notion of “gender balance” does not apply well to our group. Every mix of campers provides its own set of opportunities and challenges; we choose to work with the people who choose to show up.
What kind of bathrooms and showers are available?
There are conventional bathrooms and showers that are available. Since the septic system is limited, we ask all campers to be *very* conservative of their water use. Depending on the number of campers, we may need to use porta-potties as well.
What should I make sure to bring?
For tent campers: tent, sleeping bag, and pad/air mattress
For those with dorm-style accommodations, sheets, pillows, pillowcases and blankets will be provided, but campers will make their own beds, and strip them before they leave.
For everyone:
Flashlights, extra blankets for cool nights, towels, easy-to-carry water bottle, toiletries, biodegradable soap, shampoo, and conditioner, safer sex supplies, poison ivy remedy, biodegradable insect repellent, rain gear, unscented sunscreen, sunglasses, hat for sun protection, water shoes for stream walking, a watch or other timepiece, earplugs
Summer clothes or sarongs for hot days (or you may choose to wear nothing in the clothing-optional areas of camp), warm clothes for possible cool weather
Personal backjack or chair
Personal snacks or food items to prepare for yourself in the Personal Foods Kitchen if you have special food needs.
Your sense of humor and willingness to co-create an incredible experience
What else might I want to bring?
A donation for the auction (see below), acoustic musical instruments, face paints, your favorite dance music, fun and outrageous clothing or costumes for festive dance parties, something for the altars in the men’s and women’s tents and/or the sacred sexuality temple, an object for show & tell that reveals something about you, a personal journal and pens/pencils, books to share in our lending library, flyers about related events.
What should I leave at home?
Alcohol or recreational drugs, valuables of any sort, non-biodegradable soap, shampoo, or conditioner, *any* scented products or perfumes, pets of any size. Some campers are allergic to scents so please do not wear any scented products at camp, including essential oils.
Is there a program for children and/or teenagers?
Yes. We organize a co-op children’s program with assistance from the parents and other campers. The program is designed around the needs of the children at camp each year. Please get in touch with us right away if you would like to bring your kids to camp.
Are certified service animals allowed at camp?
Yes. Please get in touch with us if you would like to bring a certified service animal to camp. No pets, please.
Are chemical, natural, and aromatic enhancement allowed?
Coffee and tea, both caffeinated and decaf, are available. Please leave alcohol and recreational drugs at home. There is a designated smoking area. Please leave perfumes and other scents, including “natural” scents, at home to accommodate for allergies.
Is there phone and internet service at camp?
Yes, though we suggest that you spend as little time as possible on the phone or internet, in order to be present with the community-building and emotional work of camp. Cell phone service is spotty throughout the site,. We will have limited landline availability onsite, for urgent calls only. Wireless internet will be available in some areas. The bandwidth is limited, so no file downloads or streaming music or videos, please!
What kind of food will there be?
All of the meals are vegetarian and vegan, with a lot of variety. Please let us know if you have a food allergy; we will do our best to accommodate you. Snacks, leftovers, fruit, and tea are available at all times. We also have a Personal Foods Kitchen for those with special food needs to store and prepare their own foods. Note that we take special pride in the quality of the foods that we prepare; most campers, even those who regularly eat meat, find that they need little or nothing to supplement the camp fare. Dishes, cups, and silverware will be provided; you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. The first meal served will be Saturday breakfast at 8 AM
Will I need to do community service at camp?
Creating a New Culture means bringing awareness to all aspects of life: relationships, communication, play… and work! We ask all campers to help co-create the experience with about 10 hours of community service during their stay – kitchen duty, clean-up after meals, keeping our meeting spaces orderly, etc. All service contributions at camp will take into account any physical or other limitations you may have.
Can you explain the camp “auction?”
Every year we hold a fundraising auction at camp. Auction proceeds help to provide scholarships and improve future Summer Camps. Campers have had a lot of fun offering goods and services in the auction, so think about what you might want to contribute. Previous auctions have included such offerings as 1000 kisses, a morning serenade, or a week-long time-share in Hawaii.
Do people play music and sing at camp?
All music-making is greatly appreciated. Bring your instruments and talents. Be part of the live music celebration and share your music at our cabaret as well as possible open-mike opportunities on site.
What should I do with my car during camp?
There is limited parking near the site, so please carpool if possible; we will have an e-list for participants to work out arrangements, etc., You can easily access belongings you might leave in your car. If you have a special need that requires your car to be near you, let us know. Please plan to use your car as little as possible during camp, to reduce fumes and preserve our connections to each other and nature.
Can I bring an RV to camp?
In general, no. If you have special needs that require using an RV, please get in touch with us to see if we can accommodate you.
What airport should I use if I am flying to camp?
The closest airports are Eugene (EUG) (45 minutes) and Portland (PDX) (2hrs 45 min). If you are flying in, plan either to rent a car or find a carpool from there to camp. We have an e-list to assist in helping campers find rides with each other.
I don’t want to drive to camp. Can I get there on public transportation?
We encourage as many people as possible to carpool to camp. Once you have registered, we will add you to an online group where you can network with other campers and arrange carpools. The organizers will help out with carpools as much as possible.
I see that there is a sliding scale for camp. What should I pay?
We encourage you to pay as much for camp as you feel comfortable paying. Even the high end of the sliding scale is an excellent price for 10 days of meals and high-quality workshops. None of the organizers receive any money for putting on camp – all of the money goes back into making camp and other New Culture events happen, including providing scholarships for campers with financial need. Bottom line, we want you to feel good about the amount you contribute. We do have worksheets available to help think about this issue, if you would like!
I would like to contribute additional money to camp. Is it tax-deductible?
Yes. Camp is run by the Center for a New Culture, a non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. If you would like to contribute to CFNC, please get in touch with us. You can also contribute items to our fundraiser auction, held at camp every year.
I can’t afford the low end of the sliding scale – is there scholarship or work exchange available?
Yes. We are committed to making camp financially accessible, and we have scholarship funds available. We are also open to barter arrangements. We do not have work exchange at camp; see below for further discussion on this. Regardless of your financial situation, please get in touch with us – if you want to be there, we’ll do what we can to get you there!
Who runs Summer Camp? Is it a business or what?
Camp is run by a group of camper volunteers. The “Scamps” (or Summer CAMP organizers) take responsibility for all aspects of camp, including the finances; the “Imps” (or IMPlementers) take responsibility for a specific part of camp, such as the Compassion Cadre. No one gets paid for organizing camp. All funds are held by the Center for a New Culture, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with tax-exempt status, and are used to create camp and other New Culture events.
Can I help organize camp?
Yes! We are always looking for more volunteers. Please get in touch if there is some aspect of camp that you would like to help out with.
Why don’t you have work exchange at camp or at set-up and take-down?
We do not offer work exchange at camp, because we do not want to create a “second class” of campers who do not get to go to as many of the workshops and events. Similarly, we do not offer work exchange for camp set-up and take-down, because we want all the volunteers to be there because they want to be there, not because they feel obligated to be there. If you are available before pre-camp or after post-camp, we are open to work exchange arrangements at those times.
Can I smoke, light fires, or use candles at camp?
We ask you not to use candles and any other open flames in your tent or cabin. Since this is the dry season, open flames outdoors are also too hazardous. There are dedicated smoking areas at camp; please do not smoke in or near any of the other public spaces at camp.
Is the whole camp clothing-optional?
Some but not all of our space will be clothing-optional. We’ll provide a map at registration with the boundaries of the clothing-optional space. There will also be signs posted at the boundaries of the clothing optional areas. Please respect these boundaries.
I have a disability. Will camp be accessible for me?
The site will be accessible for most people with some types of disabilities, but may be challenging for others. If you have questions about disability access, or have any special food, medical, or other needs, please get in touch with us to see if your needs can be accommodated.
I would like to donate items to camp. What do you need?
If you would like to donate any of these items, please contact us at sc11o@cfnc.us or 800-763-8136. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.
Clean (like new) carpeting.
Wall hangings and artwork for the common areas
Back jacks or other low chairs
Sleeping bags and pads, pillows, blankets
Large pillows
Costumes, lingerie and dress-up clothes, especially large sizes for men
Computer projector
Sound equipment
Frequently Asked Questions – Cultural Details:
What is “New Culture” all about?
Click on the “New Culture” link for more information, or visit www.nfnc.org.
What are the core values of New Culture Summer Camp?
New Culture Summer Camp seeks to build a sustainable, violence-free culture through exploring intimacy, personal growth, transparency, radical honesty, equality, compassion, sexual freedom, and the power of community.
Please explain transparency and radical honesty. Do we have to tell everyone everything?
Transparency and radically honest communication means being open to verbalize anything that is in your heart, including the parts that you are most reluctant to verbalize. Of course, you are always at choice as to whether you want to be a little honest, radically honest, or not honest at all; at the same time, we suggest you be aware that radical honesty is one of our core values.
What does “at choice” mean?
It means that you get to choose, minute by minute, what you will do or not do. There are only a few rules at camp, and these help make a safe container for us (e.g., no drugs or alcohol, no drop-ins, no violence, no nudity in the clothing-required zones); beyond those rules, everyone is empowered to choose their own course. We encourage people to check in with themselves and how they are feeling at the present moment. Sometimes people make plans or try activities that don’t turn out as they expected. Follow your joy and excitement, rather than a sense of obligation.
I’m feeling left out – a lot of people here seem to know each other. What should I do?
Since so many of us have experienced rejection and carry wounds from those experiences, you are unlikely to be the only one with these feelings. Luckily, you have many options. You can sit with your feeling and see what you might learn from it. You can ask for support from a Compassion Cadre volunteer. You can offer to help with the work of camp – the cooks and the organizers are always happy for more help, and it’s a great way to meet people. You can decide that you are welcome and include yourself in conversations or ask for hugs. You can be transparent and tell people you are feeling left out and want to connect.
Why aren’t alcohol and recreational drugs allowed at camp?
We will be exploring deep healing and intimacy together during our ten days at camp. In order to ensure that people are able to be truly present and available for themselves and each other, we ask everyone to maintain clear minds and bodies by abstaining from drinking alcohol and taking recreational drugs during camp. Also, the site has strict rules against recreational drugs that we wish to respect.
Do I have to take my clothes off at camp?
No. You are always “at choice” about what you wear or don’t wear in the clothing-optional areas. Typically, depending on the weather, some people will be fully clothed; others will be shirtless or semi-clothed; and a few will be wearing nothing at all. We do ask that people put a sarong or towel between their bare bottoms and the chairs or cushions.
Do I have to hug or touch people at camp?
Absolutely not. While hugging and touch are very much a part of Summer Camp, everyone is always completely “at choice” about whether to participate. We encourage you to take responsibility for your experience by clearly communicating your preferences about touch to the people around you.
Do I have to ask permission every time I want to hug or touch someone?
Yes, unless you have a prior agreement with this person that touch is always welcome – and even then, it can be a good idea to check in frequently. After all, the most enjoyable kind of touch is that which is welcomed by all participants.
Is there support available for campers who are having emotional issues?
Yes. The Compassion Cadre is a team of camper volunteers who support their fellow campers with bodywork, empathy & peer counseling, first aid & emergency medical attention, and mediation & facilitation. You will have an opportunity to join the Cadre at camp. In addition, campers are organized into small “family groups” that meet throughout camp.
Family groups provide: 1) an extra support structure for campers, 2) a mixing of new folks and returning campers, 3) a place to reflect on intentions for camp and how camp is proceeding, and 4) a smaller community that will explore the dynamics of doing real work (i.e., camp chores, also known as Karma Yoga) together.
Can we make trips to visit friends or nearby attractions during camp? Or can our friends come and visit us at camp?
Our clear intention and mission is to create a safe, heartful, intimate community together and to generate an energy field of love. One aspect of doing this is to create and honor our sacred container as we experience the workshops and assorted group processes, which are designed and intended to build intimacy and connection. Your frequently leaving the field would be disruptive both to the flow of our workshops and to the container/energy field. Because of this, we request that you keep any trips away from camp to an absolute minimum. Also, if non-campers should happen to drop by the campground, we will not be able to invite them into our space. By honoring these requests, you will help to keep our sacred container intact and thus foster the intimacy and safety necessary for Summer Camp participants to reveal ourselves fully to each other.
I’ve heard that camp can be a real emotional “roller coaster.” Why would I want to take the ride?
Besides being a wonderful escape from some of the larger society’s regimentation and numbness, Summer Camp can be an intense personal and interpersonal experience. As such, it offers opportunities and challenges to face our own innermost inconsistencies, insecurities and instabilities, and to encounter and respond to those of others. Not every situation at Summer Camp may be to your liking; please keep in mind that you are always at choice to participate or not. Having said that, one of the best parts of Summer Camp is taking experiences that would be challenging in the larger society, and learning to turn them into gifts!
I may wish to participate in sexual encounters. Are there any rules?
Summer Camp does not make rules about sexual encounters, but we highly recommend conscious, informed decision-making. To make this possible, appropriate conversation before engaging would include sharing relevant sexual and relationship histories, any health concerns, guidelines for use of safer sex supplies, and any boundaries to be honored.
We also ask people to be mindful about where they are being sexual, particularly if there is a “family camping area” that includes children.
Does everyone at camp engage in polyamory and open relationships?
Although many campers practice multiple loving relationships, Summer Camp is a place where all relationship choices are honored and represented. You are at choice to live and love in the way that pleases you best.
The schedule looks really packed. Is it OK to miss events or show up late to them?
You are entirely at choice. We hold a group intention of honoring the presenters by starting events on time. Unless the presenter has requested that no one join after the presentation has started, however, latecomers will be welcome to step into events. At the same time, it is respectful not to expect others to summarize for you what you have missed or to jump in on a discussion that you have heard little of.
Why is everyone expected to do community service work?
First of all, this allows us to keep the cost of camp low. Second, and more important, working together builds community. Doing something “real” together such as preparing a meal allows us to practice the skills of living in community. When one gives with a playful spirit, work becomes play. And when friction emerges in a work situation, we have a chance to sit with those feelings and learn new, constructive ways of dealing with them.