Family Camp Values and Practices

Camp Values

Community

We are all connected, dependent, independent, and interdependent.  No one is a stranger.

Authenticity

We get in touch with ourselves. We strive to be real and open, speaking honestly yet skillfully.

Honor Self, Honor Other

We are considerate of others and considerate of ourselves.

Inclusion

Inclusion is a two-way street. We include ourselves and include others.

Play

We feel safe to express ourselves and play. We revel in the warmth of community bonding.

Camp Practices

The magic of the community of family camp doesn’t just happen, it takes work. It takes each of us having a shared understanding of how we want to show up, both individually—open-minded and growth-oriented—and in community together. These camp practices guide us as we create community each year. Within this shared context, joy is better shared, and challenges are more easily held and overcome. We ask those who attend Family Camp to review and commit to these practices prior to attending, to the best of their ability. 

Bring Presence

We want to honor the rare experience of being offline by encouraging you to stay offline throughout the week with no screens in the center of camp. While in camp, the focus is on the present moment with all it has to offer. Take the opportunity to deeply be with the people there and of course, don’t forget being with yourself. 

We fully embrace the experience of this moment exactly the way it is. We are committed to being fully present- physically, intellectually and emotionally. We give our whole attention to what we are engaged in and the people we are with. We embrace this moment as perfect and as an opportunity to transform both individually and collectively.

Welcome Everything

We welcome learning and desire growth, even when it feels hard. In community, we see ourselves more clearly.

Let Go of Assumptions

If we catch ourselves making up a story, we let it go, turn it around check it out. 

Honor Your Word

We keep our agreements with each other. We are open in our communication with each other. We do not gossip.

We talk directly to the people with whom we have a concern and encourage others to do so as well. 

Acknowledge Contribution

Daily, we verbally express our appreciation for the contribution that we and others make. Sharing the impact that others make, makes a difference. We express gratitude for the community by acknowledging its individual members and their contribution.

Listen and Communicate Responsibly

We find ways to fully express our feelings without indulging in a story. We speak honestly yet skillfully, and support others to do the same. We stop gossip.

We are in communication about and responsible for our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. We strive to not take things personally. 

We listen generously. We strive to listen for the greatness of the other person, free from interpretation.

Conflict Resolution

We work it out (so that we don’t act it out).  Conflict happens.  We embrace it as an opportunity to grow individually and collectively.

We hold that all conflict can be peacefully and powerfully resolved with all parties involved complete at the end of the process. When conflict arises, we use conflict resolution processes to resolve it. 

Connect

Community arises in our relationship with ourselves, others and our environment as we embrace connection. Every moment is an opportunity to express love. By bringing ourselves into connection, we deepen as a community. As we embrace the moment and connect with each other we discover ourselves. Even in conflict, we choose to be curious and committed to win/win solutions.

Be in Service for the Whole

We participate in morning meetings, knowing that we matter to the whole. We acknowledge that we create community through sharing our abilities and offering assistance to others. We participate in jobs throughout the week, understanding that camp is co-created—there are no passengers, only crew.