From Community Connexions Magazine, July-August 1998.

Recently, CC interviewed the Network For a New Culture's (NFNC) Summer Camp Committee regarding Summer Camp '98 coming up in August, about 38 miles west of Portland.

CC: "Summer Camp" brings up images of crafts and sports in the woods. How did your group arrive at calling your event "Summer Camp?"

SC: NFNC was initially inspired by ZEGG, the German community which puts on an annual event in late July called "Summer Camp." In 1995, the first U.S. Summer Camp, à la ZEGG, was created near Portland and we have carried on the tradition.

CC: What can attendees expect if they go to Summer Camp this year? Is it like a children's Summer Camp?

SC: Like a kids' camp, we'll have lots of good times, fun, and laughter, plus sleeping in tents and spending time in the woods. But, we also present some pretty intense workshops and presenters who will motivate and lead us in ways that will inspire us to believe that a more peaceful future is within our grasp. And, finally, we get to explore lots of ways to break down walls of isolation we often build around ourselves in our society, and we work on creating intimacy within ourselves and with others at Summer Camp.

CC: Who will be presenting?

SC: This year we're excited to have both Patch Adams and Joseph Chilton Pearce headlining. Mr. Pearce will speak August 14^th. He's the author of Crack in the Cosmic Egg, The Magical Child, and Evolution's End, and an expert on human development and the changing needs of children and families as we enter the 21^st Century. Patch Adams, the noted clown-physician who spreads the gospel of laughter and humor (and the subject of a movie coming out this winter starring Robin Williams), will be with us the second week for an evening and a day.

Also, Bruce Lipton, cellular biologist and author of The Biology of Consciousness, will be at camp again this year. Bruce has stirred up scientific circles with his theory about communities of cells and cell intelligence. He will speak about his research demonstrating how cells act like bio-computer chips, which suggests that humans are moving toward an organism of community just as the cells have evolved.

For those who are curious about the Human Awareness Institute, we have two HAI interns this year who will lead the group in experiential exploration of relationships, love, and sexuality. Barbara Musser (August 13^th), is a facilitator-in-training at HAI. Also, our very own Sharon Byrd will be with us again; she always brings with her a fun and growth-oriented presentation.

Additionally, Mariana Caplan will be with us August 15^th presenting a workshop entitled, "The Ecstasy and Agony of Community." Campers will be looking at both sides of community life, which should be enlightening. Several other exciting presenters will grace our camp, too.

CC: What about kids?

SC: Cindi Fisher has put together a fantastic children's and teen program. The teens will do a Ropes Course and then Rami Vissell will lead them in a week of fun and adventures.

Jenny Newell will take five days of fun and exploration and weave it into guiding children to connect to themselves and others.

CC: Will the camp have any one focus?

SC: The camp is created by ten very different people and it could be said that there are that many focuses, but one thing we do agree on is that our society needs some adjustments regarding how it relates to the earth and the creatures we share this planet with. One thing we hold true is that the isolation which nuclear families create is destructive to humans and the planet. Some of us wholeheartedly wish to create an intentional community in the Portland area. There is always a lot of excitement about doing that as camp comes to a close. But so far we haven't made it happen. Nevertheless, each year our circle of friends and lovers grows, and in this way we break the oppression and loneliness that prevails in our society.

CC: You mentioned lovers. I've heard it is kind of a "free love" event. Is there any truth to this?

SC: It may be for you. One of our core beliefs is that we are always at choice. If two people want to be intimate with one another, we don't judge them. It's also true if three people, or even more, want to be together in whatever way they wish. On the other hand, they are just as much at choice to be celibate or whatever. It's not our role to be parents.

CC: Are campers required to participate in open sexuality or any other activities?

SC: No, we are about choice. Our goal is to offer an alternative to the rigid, arbitrary, traditional moral positions of society. We offer campers a safe, supportive space to learn and to explore love, intimacy and sexuality in community.

Part of our mission is to help create a world without violence, so all we require of campers is that they not engage in any forms of violence. Not honoring what people say is a form of violence, we believe.

CC: Is creating a world without violence NFNC's only mission?

SC: No, but other points, such as valuing love, intimacy, honesty, spirituality, etc., all lead to a nonviolent culture in which people live without fear. Experiencing a place of peace, even if it's only temporary, makes us aware of other ways to live. For many of us that means living communally in order to continue experiencing the positive energy that camp creates.

CC: Are you saying that Summer Camp is free of conflicts?

SC: Problems and conflicts do arise; but we emphasize honest communication and transparency as a way to solve conflicts, and perhaps it is the abundance of loving energy at camp that allows conflicts to be worked through quickly and easily. When you bring people together whose intention is to open their hearts to one another, it's difficult to stay in an angry place. This is our fourth Summer Camp, and we have never had any major problems that weren't easily worked out.

CC: So, when is the camp, and how can people get more information about attending?

SC: August 11^th is the first day, and it runs until the 23^rd. People can call our information line at 800-624-8445, or check out our web site at www.newculture.org/sc98 or email us at sc98@newculture.org.

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