Druid Camp Details 2012
Meals
The optional meal plan will include lunch and dinner each day. The meals will have vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free options. If you are on the meal plan, please sign up to help prepare and clean up at least one meal during your stay at Druid Camp. The Kitchen Coordinator – Ivan, will be available to answer any questions you may have. Prepare and clean up meals in the kitchen of the round house. Serve meals buffet style outside on the picnic table. If you did not bring your own place setting we have extra on a shelf in the mudroom. We ask that everyone clean their own dishes. Kitchen crew is responsible for prepping and setting out meals, then cleaning kitchen, pots, pans, bowls, serving implements and setting up the mudroom washing station for all to use.
The first meal will be served at 6pm on Tuesday
Plan to arrive with plenty of time to unload and set up your camp before eating! Otherwise you may be pitching your tent in the dark.
Feel free to bring extra snacks, treats, drinks, and chocolate for personal consumption or to share!
Water
Will have plenty of clean spring water for our camp needs. Please bring a water bottle of your own. Refill in the mudroom sink or orange cooler in tipi.
Fees
If you are on the meal plan we must have your registration and check in hand by July 19th! Please prepay if possible or come prepared to pay your fees upon arrival. We really appreciate your help and your support of our livelihood!
Camp Support Positions
It takes a community to run a camp! We will be asking folks to sign up for a volunteer shift during your stay at Druid Camp. Positions include fire tending, bathroom stocking and cleaning, welcome gate, fee collector, time keeper/concher, First Aider, guardians, kitchen crew, set up and breakdown, and grocery shopping help.
Camping
There are a few different areas for pitching tents. Ask us if you need direction. Be prepared for cold and rain! There will also be a large communal tipi for those who don’t have tents. We will need the tipi during the day so please remove your belongings.
Bathroom facilities
We have a double stall-composting outhouse with hand washing station outside affectionately known as the Long Drop. Poop here! It will grow beautiful flowers and fruit trees! Throw a good handful of sawdust from bucket on your offering when you are done. Some pee is ok but too much liquid can make the pile stinky and anaerobic! There is a hand washing station outside.
We also have the Lady Bog for peeing. This is a flush toilet and cold water sink unit. Let the yellow mellow. No need to flush every time!
And then there is the Urination Station. This is the bright blue enclosure behind the tipi. Please pee in bucket and put TP in pail. There is a hand washing station outside.
If you are comfortable peeing elsewhere (especially men) please do! Peeing anywhere outside of our actively used outdoor areas, streams, and pond is welcome.
Showers
We do not have showers. Please feel free to use the pond or brook to rinse off.
Pond
Yes, we have a yummy pond for swimming! Please do not use any soap or shampoo in it. We share it with newts, frogs, blue gill and catfish, and painted turtles. There are also rare carnivorous plants called Sun Dews along its edge. If you see a sign for these, please avoid stepping on the little beauties. You may be directed to enter and exit in certain areas to avoid disturbing fish eggs. Clothing always optional. Children need to be supervised at all times at the pond.
Punctuality
Yes, we Druids often run on a different clock than most. That being said, we have a lot we want to do together. We use a conch to call the group back together after breaks and meals. The conch is a ten-minute warning. If you are not present after 10 minutes we will begin without you. All events are optional at Druid Camp except morning circle. This meeting is critical each day for logistical updates and announcements, and for building trust, safety and health in our community thru sharing circle.
Driving and Parking
We have a sensitive neighbor at the beginning of our street. Please drive very slowly by her house in both directions! Downs Rd. is dirt and can be muddy. The last section before our driveway is class 4, and is not maintained by the town. This part is more narrow and bumpy. If your car has low clearance, drive carefully. Parking on Dreamland is limited and reserved for students.
If you are not a student, you may drive up to unload but please drive back out and park on the side of the road as instructed by signs. Please do not block the turn-around area!
Communication
We all do our part to create safe sacred space for the deep healing that happens together. We work hard to take full responsibility for our feelings, interpretations, assumptions and judgments. We share our truth even when it is scary. We do our best to resolve conflict nonviolently. We hold space for each other as good listeners.
We respect confidentiality: sharing your own personal experience is welcome as long as it does not divulge the identity or story of others. Feel free to ask if you are unclear about this.
Please bring:
tent, sleeping bag, mattress pad, rain gear, towel, sunscreen and/or sunhat, bug repellant, journal, pen, water bottle, mug, eating utensils, plate, bowl, musical instrument of choice, flashlight (headlamps are most practical), good walking boots, toiletries, cooler and ice, warm clothes, camp chair, a sense of humor, an open heart, flexibility, and an adventurous spirit! Cooler and ice if you are bringing your own food.
Safety
We will do all we can to create a safe and appropriate container at Druid Camp. Nevertheless, it is important you understand that you are participating in the camp of your own free will, and that you agree to take full responsibility for your health and safety (and your children’s) during our times together. If you see anything dangerous or inappropriate happening, please inform one of the camp facilitators.
We ask that our students and campers practice harmlessness (non- violence whether physical or energetic)
We do not permit recreational drugs and alcohol during Camp, except for ceremonial Mead on Saturday night.
First Aid
We have a stocked first aid kit in the mudroom. There will be someone on duty as First Aider, wearing a red bandana. This role will be rotated and will be announced in morning circle. Please find the First Aider if you need any health related support. If they cannot help they will point you to someone that can!
Well Being Tent
Please use this space to give and receive massage, Reiki, listening, and healing.
Practitioners may ask for donations or offer their services for free.
Tipi Etiquette
Please help us keep the tipi clear and uncluttered for daytime use. In the case of rain you are welcome to store instruments, chairs and belongings in the tipi but please remove them when skies clear.
Sleeping in the tipi is welcome, tho it is best for the late night crew, as folks may stay up around the nearby central fire.
We prefer folks do not eat inside the tipi unless it is raining or very hot weather. Please clean up any dropped food.
ALL candles must be in a safe container (lantern, glass, etc.) inside tipi.
No inflammable fluids (gas, etc)
The Yome
is currently rented out. Please respect the space of our tenant.
Children
Please be aware of your children! We ask that at least one adult or teen is supervising children at all times at pond, and checking in regularly elsewhere. We ask that children be respectful of all living things at Dreamland. Please do not play in the lily pond by fire circle and be gentle with all of the creatures and plants that live here. Children’s activities will be announced daily. There will be a children’s craft tent as well. Otherwise they are welcome to join adult sessions where appropriate, or play on the land. You may want to organize with other parents to take turns with childcare. Adults are encouraged to speak up if they become aware of issues of safety or disturbance regarding children at camp.
Pets
Please leave them home!
Schedule
The Camp schedule will be available for all to consult inside the Tipi. All workshops are optional, except for morning circle. Please try and make this session, as it is central to the health and dynamics of our community. Otherwise, feel free to take time to swim, hike, nap or journal.
Vending at Camp
This year we are opening camp to vending for the first time! We hope this will enrich the experience and provide opportunity for meaningful exchange and expression of creativity. We ask our vendors for a donation toward our GMDT scholarship fund. Suggestion: 10-20%.
Directions to Dreamland:
From Montpelier take Rt.12 North for 8 miles. You will go thru the village of Putnamville. Continue for one mile to first road on Left; Downs Rd. Please go SLOW especially by yellow house on corner. The resident is very sensitive to dust on and in the house. Take Downs Rd. for about one mile to the old sand pit turn around. Keep going on class 4 road to green iron gate. Take right into driveway to unload, and then park on Downs Rd as directed by signs.