New Culture Bay Area

Who Are We?

We were inspired by the Beatles' song GET BACK because it captured the playfulness and intention of getting back to where we all belong - in community! *We will have all-new, new culture-inspired lyrics written for us to sing along with our very own Sumati Sparks for this event!*

We are a group of people dedicated to the New Culture vision. We've attended and contributed to the creation of many camps:

S'more, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Camps.

Will you join us?

Organizing team:

Alara, Jaime, Ken, Miles, Myztery and Sarito

Apply

Submit applications by April 1st. Application results will be emailed to you by April 7th. Payment due April 21st.
If we are not at capacity with applications by April 1st, everyone who applied will be admitted and we will keep registrations open until we reach 40 campers. At that point, we will have a waitlist.

Registration is CLOSED.

What's this Spring Thing?

Theme and style of camp

Spring Thing is designed around the New Culture values of personal growth, transparent communication, consent, body and sexual awareness, community bonding....and a whole bunch of organic fun!

We are intentionally keeping this a smaller event of 40ish campers for intimacy, connection and a comfortable fit at our quirky sweet Lupin Lodge.

Style of camp is to be co-created in real time. We are going to do minimal advanced program planning. Instead, our perspective is that our coming campers are talented inspirational people with valuable learning and experiences that they are willing and eager to share. Many on this planning team have had rich success in the past guiding the "Open session program development" at the beginning of camp (in a very short period of time). We look forward to more of that same success!

That being said, we are planning a few camp favorites such as:

♥ Morning Community Gathering for dancing in the day, literally and figuratively!

♥ Daily Zegg Forum in which we reveal whatever is authentic, alive and true

♥ A variety of community-led workshops, playshops, presentations and conversations in which to learn, practice, play, enjoy and contribute

♥ All-Community gatherings such as Nine-Minute Dates, Ecstatic Dance, Talent Show Cabaret and Auction

♥ Evening programs that include touch and movement

♥ Minimal karma yoga. There are tasks we will need campers to contribute to, but much less than at something like Summer Camp West.

Dates and Times

Thursday May 12th - Monday May 16th. Five days and four nights.

Day 1: Thursday, May 12th
Camp opens @ 11:30am
Connecting Games @ 4:30 - 6 pm
Dinner @ 6 - 7 pm
Opening Circle @ 7:15 pm.
*Try to arrive during light hours if camping.

Day 5: Monday, May 16th
Closing Circle @ 12 - 1 pm
Lunch @ 1 - 2 pm
Strike Camp 2 - 4 pm
*It’s okay to linger at Lupin until the evening.

Costs

Camp Fees: $700-400
Includes 5 days / 4 nights camping*, plus meals.
*Camping is included. Alternative lodging (RV, yurt, dorm) can be reserved by campers directly with Lupin for an extra cost, if spaces are available.

If you have the ability to pay over the minimum, you will be contributing to the funds needed to support those who request scholarships. We have no prior scholarship fund to tap into.

No deposit required. Payment in full due by April 21st.

Scholarships: While we have no prior scholarship fund to tap into, we are accepting requests for scholarship on the application and will be as generous as possible!

*Refund Policy:

Full refund:
-For cancellations before April 30.
-For cancellations after April 30 when the space can be filled by a paying camper.
-Anytime in the case of acquiring a communicable illness that would be infectious during the event.

For cancellations after April 30:

-Full refund (minus $50), when the space can be filled by a paying camper.

-Full refund (minus $200), if the space cannot be filled by a paying camper.

Food

Included in your program fee will be Dinners and Lunches catered by the marvelous Chef Michelle at Lupin. She will offer a vegetarian menu. A fish or chicken meal will also be available at least once a day at no extra cost. Most special diets will be accommodated with advanced notice to us of your needs by April 30th.

Also included are snacks, plus simple continental breakfast items and tea/coffee, in our meeting space. Oatmeal/toppings and boiled eggs will be provided in the community kitchen for breakfast.

You may purchase hot breakfast on your own from Lupin's Nourish Restaurant on Sat and Sun.

PFK: There is very limited space for people to store personal refrigerated food. There is a kitchen where those with special diets can prepare what they need. Please plan to keep dry goods in your tent area in a closed container.

Covid

Spring Thing camp is open to all regardless of vaccination status.

We are monitoring the global covid situation and will update protocols, based on the current needs and conditions. Given what we know now (and understanding that may change), we are moving forward with the following protocols as the best way to meet the needs of the camp community:

Everyone coming to camp is asked to be in relative isolation (keep a tight “bubble”, stay away from large groups, wear masks indoors) for 4 days (96 hrs) before arriving at camp. If you must fly/bus/train within the 4 day isolation period, you agree to wear an N-95 or equivalent mask at all times while indoors (on the plane/bus/train and in the airport/station) and you agree to refrain from removing the mask to eat/drink for the shared health and safety of the community. *Tip: Straws and holding breath if you need to nourish during lengthy travel!

In order to participate, every person, including staff, must cooperatively receive rapid antigen testing for Covid upon arrival at Lupin Lodge, and have a negative result. If the result is positive, the person will need to leave the grounds promptly. They will receive a full refund, minus $50 fee.

Location

Lupin Lodge Naturist Resort

Lupin is a woman-owned, clothing optional resort that will include other residents and guests besides New Culture campers in the common areas. Amenities include a sunny yoga yard, hot tub, pool and sauna. *as long as they are in working order when we arrive to camp.

This retreat space is not ideal for those with terrain challenges. Lupin has stairs to the showers and amenities. Hills are steep. We are planning to have a golf cart available for use during camp. With support of campers and personal vehicles, it is our intention to help people move around from location to location as needed.

For lodging other than camping:

Spring Thing fees include camping. If you want alternative lodging, you must book directly with Lupin, separate from your Spring Thing payment.

If they have space available, the pricing is:

RV ($15 per night)
Yurt ($209 for 4 nights)
Dormitory Yurt ($320 for the 4 nights, divided by number of people sharing - up to 6)

We recommend booking these options with Lupin ASAP. (408) 353-9200.

Community

Want to present something awesome at Spring Thing?

We will facilitate an initial session to collect possible sessions and then have the community vote or discuss which to take forward. Each day we’ll reserve 1.5 - 2 hr. slots for camper led offerings - that includes you! We all have so much to give, so much to share with each other. Start heart-storming and come to camp with something to offer!!!

Do you have a mini-workshop in you? Something that is under development —or completely polished— that is suited to sharing in a short format?
Do you have a burning discussion-provoking question that you can lead a small group discussion on?
Do you want to open discussion space with others who may share an identity or interest with you?

Building Community by Making Music Together

Singing! Drum Circles! Jam Sessions! Where music happens, community happens! Bring your voices, songs, and instruments to share!

Check out this article about the science of how music strengthens social bonds.

More...

Spring Thing embraces the ethos of New Culture, which is beautifully described in the following quotes from our sister organizations:

“NFNC [Network For a New Culture] 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.” ― http://www.nfnc.org/
"New Culture seeks to create environments where authenticity, transparency and honesty are deeply valued and encouraged. When we connect from the deep heart, a magical world of love, harmony, fulfillment, intimacy and joy becomes possible for us and the planet." - Autumn Convergence, (NCNC)
"New Culture" is about creating sustainable, rich, intimate personal relationships, along with a sustainable world to enjoy them in, based on transparency, delight, freedom, and community. In order to create a New Culture in our lives and in the larger society, we put on events that help us develop the skills we need to make that real, including communication, self-knowledge, presence, conflict resolution, and effective activism. - http://www.new-culture.org/ (world-wide New Culture groups and events info page)