Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: Dec-13-11
When is camp?
- Camp Opening Ceremony (attendance required): 8:45am Saturday
- Camp duration: Friday May 4th – Thursday May 10th, 2012
- Check-in: Friday 4:00pm-8:00pm and Saturday before 8:15am
- Camp programming ends: noon Thursday May 10
- Friday May 4th activities: community event and dinner.
Note: you are expected to be present Saturday morning at 8:45am for our opening circle. Please make whatever arrangements you need to make to be present for this event on time.
What does it cost?
The NCNW Spring Camp registration includes five days of programming, camping (tent or cabin), and all your meals each day. We offer a sliding scale for different abilities to pay. Before Feb 29th, the scale is $400-$650, and after that $450-$700. For the early registration, please mail your check by Feb 29. To register you must both fill out the Registration Form and send us a check.
How do I register?
We have on-line registration here, but you must also send a check or money order to us and your registration is not complete until you do. Send to: NCNW, PMB 172, 10115 Greenwood Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98133-9197. With apologies to those younger, campers must be over 18.
I can’t be there Friday night 5/3 or Saturday by 8:45 AM. Can I come later?
No. In order to build an intimate community with a strong sense of safety, it is essential that everyone be in place for the start of orientation at 8:45 am on Saturday. The trust and familiarity we are building between ourselves and others is vulnerable to disruption if we break the circle later to allow latecomers. No latecomers, sorry.
May I help with pre- and post- camp?
Yes! This is a great way to extend your experience of camp. Join us for pre-camp when we’ll build our community’s infrastructure. Post-camp we’ll restore the site to pre-camp condition. Many campers find this a surprisingly rewarding part of camp, allowing them to explore community while engaging in practical matters. We have two three-hour workshop periods each day and open time to play and share space. Let us know when you register that you are interested in volunteering or NCNW@nfnc.org drop us a note.
What sort of food will you have?
We offer two abundant and delicious vegetarian meals each day – lunch & dinner – and provide an array of breakfast offerings for you to create your own start-of-day meal. There will be vegan options and alternate foods to accommodate a variety of food sensitivities, such as gluten intolerance. If you have any special food needs, please let us know on your registration form so we can plan accordingly and support your food needs.
May I bring my own food?
Absolutely! Many campers do this. We will have a small area in the dinning room where you can prepare your food. Please bring your own cooler if you to keep your food cool. We will provide ice if you need it. Please note that there will be limited use of the kitchen, but our chef will accommodate you however she can. Please let us know what your needs are in advance.
What about meat?
You are welcome to bring your own prepared meat with you, but we ask that no meat be cooked during camp.
Where is camp?
Camp is South of Olympia, Washington, in the lovely Millersylvania State Park. Directions will be sent with registration confirmation. This is about an hour south of Seattle. Directions and transit options will be sent to you with your registration confirmation by or before April 20th.
Where will I sleep?
We have heated indoor dorm sleeping accommodations (with electricity) for all attendees. Each of our 16 cabins sleeps eight people in four upper and lower bunk beds. However, the mattresses are old, single sized, and not particularly comfortable. So we advise you to bring an extra mattress, sleeping pads, or to instead sleep in your outside tent and use your bunk bed are for your inside storage.
Dorm spaces will not be assigned, but will be first-come-first-served, allotted when you arrive at camp. However, if you have a list of eight people who are all registered and who want to bunk together, you can reserve a whole cabin. Please do this on your registration.
Outdoor tent sites are available, again, on a first-come-first-served basis.
You mention ‘transparency and radical honesty’. Does this mean I have to tell everyone everything?
No you do not. ‘Transparency’ and ‘radical honesty’ means being able to verbalize what is in your heart and head when you wish to, including the parts that you are reluctant to share, but our most important guideline is being at choice, which means that you choose how and what to communicate. At the same time, we invite you to try our approach. Radical honesty is one of our core values.
Is nudity allowed? Are there limits to where and when?
We are sharing the larger park with others outside our camp, so nudity will not be allowed where those not in our camp might see us. In our own private areas, such as the dome where we will be dancing and moving, it is fine to take clothes off.
What’s the weather like?
In this area in May the days are cloudy or partially cloudy with high temperatures around 60°. Night temps are in the low 40s and can sometimes get a bit colder than that.
Could there be rain?
It’s the Pacific Northwest, so rain is entirely possible. Historically Olympia receives about 2″ of rain in May, but it’s possible to get enough rain to make you glad you brought a shell or hat.
What clothes should I bring?
You should bring clothes suitable for the weather, including something in case it rains. Also bring fun clothes for dress up, dance, party.
Most importantly, bring clothes that you feel good in.
Can I bring my computer? Will there be wifi?
You can bring your computer. Wifi is in question. We’re looking into it. Please check back here for updates.
Who runs Spring Camp? Is it a business or what?
Camp is run by a group of camper volunteers, called “Scamps” (or spring camp organizers) and take responsibility for all aspects of camp including finances. None of the organizers gets paid for their work. All funds are held by New Culture Northwest and are used to create this camp and other New Culture events.
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 in Seattle, before pre-camp or after post-camp — outside of the container of of the retreat — we are open to work exchange arrangements at those times. Contact us.
Is my cell phone likely to work there?
Unclear at this point. Rumor has it that cell connection is spotty and some carriers work better than others. When we know more, we’ll tell you here.
I have to use a CPAP at night. Is there a place to plug in?
Every cabin has electricity, and every camper will have a bunk, so you will have easy access to electricity if you need it at night.
Is it okay to bring wine?
No, it’s not. The retreat is a drug- and alcohol-free event. However, your prescription medications are fine and you should bring whatever you may need in that regard.
A friend told me this sounds like a sex camp. What can I expect?
The primary workshops and exercises offered at camp are non-sexual. For many of us, sex isn’t what this event is about. For others sexual exploration is a natural consequence of an environment where intimate heart-centered connections are encouraged and supported. We have no rules against attendees engaging in consensual adult sexual activities. Many attendees have a more open cultural context than the general population and in this way we are somewhat unique. At the same time, we place great emphasis on safety, mutual respect, kindness, nurturing, compassion, radical honesty, and choice.
We ask that campers confine their sexual activity to the privacy of their own tents or other appropriate venues. Occasionally there are guided safer-sex oriented activities, like sensual and erotic touch, or Tantric exercises, scheduled at night in a secluded cabin. These events are entirely optional, and many campers don’t attend them and still enjoy a full and rewarding camp experience. There will be a cabin designated as a sensual temple which will be available when there are not scheduled events.
We also ask that all campers adopt safer sex practices during camp.
For more information please e-mail us at: NCNW@nfnc.org