The Shape of our Days

Monday, June 8: we gather and begin our weaving of song, land, and spirit

-Greeters at the Welcome Table will be watching for you between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. They will help you to find your way around and begin meeting others at our gathering.

-The setup crew will be working until 3:00 to prepare the way for us all, so please don’t come before then. Please arrive after 3:00 but time to set up camp and then join us for our opening circle that begins at 5:00. We want to see you as we call out our gratitudes and blessings on these gathering grounds. Here too we will begin orientation to the place and to our time together.

-Our first shared meal is Monday evening at 6 p.m.

-At night we’ll gather around the fire where the daytime songcircle hosts will each share a song so that you can see who they are. After that we’ll step into open song sharing.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, June 9-12

-Wholesome meals are served at 8 a.m., 12:30, and 6 p.m. At the snack table you can find whole-food treats for in-between meals; feel free to bring some to share!

-Each morning at 7:00 campers offer a variety of things such as bird walks, movement practice, and other activities.

-Morning Circle begins each day at 9:00. This is where we launch our day together through movement, playing, singing, and announcements about the day. At morning circle we ground and connect, then step forward into the day of possibilities. All are encouraged to attend morning circle each day.

-During the daytimes our songcircle hosts offer a variety of themed song sessions, from relaxed to rousing. Songs are accessible and taught to all.

-Nature-based kids programming runs from 10:30-12:30 each morning for ages 3-12. In the afternoon the Kids Tent offers a variety of activities depending on the day.

-During four afternoons there is an hour set aside for small groups to gather during Community Offerings. This is a time when you might offer to show or lead something you love to do in your home community. We may not have time to include all ideas in the schedule, but hearing about them helps us to know the many ways in which we are resourced! (more info below)

-The days are sprinkled with games, water play (for those who are old enough and confident enough to swim in the Upper Iowa River), and other spontaneous eruptions of together-time and quiet time.

-Introversion is respected and treasured, and there is plenty of space to be away from humans, especially among the White Pines across the river. We encourage you to take the time and space you need, weaving in and out of the public spaces.

-By the evening fires we gather again to share still more songs and stories, taking turns among any who have a song to lead or suggest. Be you a learner or a leader, you are welcomed to follow the pull of your heart.

Saturday, June 13

-After breakfast we’ll gather for an all-camp song circle to revisit some new songs from the week and then hold our closing circle.

-After lunch we’ll pack up and be off for home by 2 p.m.

Special Evening Events

-A contradance with with Eric Sessions’ Decorah string band and Sue Hulsether, caller

-Storytelling with Aimee Ringle and others, and plenty of space for open singing at the fire!

What Else?

Community Offerings

Each afternoon we hold space for Community Offerings, a time when people share ways and stories from their home-communities. Some past offerings have included Elder Council, Juggling, Restorative Circles, Merengue Dancing, Storytelling, Tao of Listening, songwriting, Laughter Yoga, Playback Theatre, Contact Improvisation, Theatre of the Oppressed, Drumming, Foraging Walk, and Council Practice, to learn deep listening skills for strengthening our families and communities. What are some of the life-giving ways that you seek to bring back to your community, or to share with ours? Crafting Some people like to work with their hands as they sing or listen to song. Bring it on!

Crafting

Maybe you'd like to bring crafts to work on. Also Zac Fittipaldi, treasured friend of Village Fire and skilled craftsman, will be engaged in hands-on projects that you might also like to be part of.

Strumming, Plucking, and Drumming

Though our song circles will primarily be for singing, you might like to bring your instruments for jamming on the side or for drum circles. There might be some opportunities to learn drumming too, but you wouldn’t have to have a drum to participate in these.

Show and Tell from Your Hometown

Bring an item or two that might help us to know about noteworthy things happening where you live: events, workshops, resistance actions, etc. Even if it's locally oriented, others might find inspiration for their own homeplaces. We’ll have a bulletin board set up in the Home Shelter where you can display posters or flyers. In this simple way we can share good ideas throughout our region and country.

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