The 24th Annual BC Witchcamp
Sunday, August 28 – Saturday, Sept 3, 2011
Camp Intention: Between earth and starry heavens we gather allies of love to help us open to love’s ability to transform all obstacles. We marry our love to acts of joyful service to the earth.
Sunlight on the water awakes the man in me
Moonlight on the water awakes the woman in me
Starlight on the water awakes the faery in me
Wading in the water awakes the human in me
And the water flows through everything
The water cleanses me
And the water flows through everything
The water changes me
-Chant learned in California many years ago
Like the water, we are fluid beings; our essence cannot be fully contained by the boundaries of gender roles. As the children of earth and starry heaven, we call to Isis, the Queen of Magic, the Goddess of Many Names to help us continue to transform into the 
beautiful humans we really are. We watch her flow like water through time, helping all the people who pray to her for lasting change. Here is one of her many stories: Iphis and Ianthe.
This week, we will follow Isis, Lover of the World, through her stories of medicine, alchemy, loss, activism, betrayal, forgiveness and above all, the kind of love that removes all obstacles. We will meet a Council of Gods to ask for advice and support, communing with Thoth, Nepthys, Osiris, Bast and many other allies who love us deeply. We will sing our prayers for freedom with all beings of the earth and stars to create the world in which we want to live and embody those prayers into actions that will flow like the water into our lives and communities.
NOTE REGARDING PATHS AND RITUAL AT BCWC
If you are new to the Reclaiming Tradition or to witchcraft in general, know that you are welcome at BCWC. Know also that your experience at camp will be greatly enriched by some preparation before camp. Consider reading “The Spiral Dance” by Starhawk, or visiting and reading the content at www.reclaiming.org.
Please notice that the path descriptions on the Paths and Teachers page include skill level and prerequisite information.
GENERAL INFORMATION
BCWC CAMP LOCATION
Evans Lake Forestry Camp is an hour and a half drive from Vancouver, located 15 kilometres north of Squamish BC, in Paradise Valley, on a picturesque mountain lake. The site offers a feeling of seclusion but is serviced with all basic amenities. A map to Evans Lake Forestry Camp will be mailed to registrants with their letter of confirmation, as well as a list of things needed to prepare for camp.
ACCESSIBILITY
The camp is situated on somewhat hilly terrain and is not conducive to wheelchairs; call or write and talk to us about your concerns. Together we may find a solution.
TRANSPORTATION TO CAMP
Carpooling to camp is highly recommended, because of limited parking, and to lessen the impact of cars on the environment. If you can offer a ride, please fill out the information on the registration form. If you need a ride please let us know that, too.
DIVERSITY
We honour the diversity in all people and welcome all races, sexual orientations and differences of life situation, background, and ability that increase our diversity. We accept adults 19 and older. We cannot accommodate children or minors at this time.
NUDITY
YES!! However, not in the dining hall or near to where staff resides.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The cabins are centrally located and are electrically heated. The bunk beds have covered mattresses; campers must bring their own sleeping bag or sheets, pillows, and blankets. There are hot showers in the washhouses. A large recreation hall will provide indoor space for rituals when needed (but…let’s think “outdoors”!)
TENTS
There is tenting space on a grassy lawn behind the cabins (and washhouses), as well as some spots in the woods, for people who want private space. The registration fee is the same as for cabins. Space is assigned on a first come, first served basis.
MEALS
Three delicious meals are served daily in the dining hall with vegetarian and some meat options. We will strive to offer non-dairy and wheat-free meals for those who require it, however, please know that it is not possible for the kitchen staff or within our budget to meet every dietary requirement. For severely restricted diets, please consider bringing supplements to camp meals, and act accordingly. Please complete the Food Section on the registration form. There are no cooking facilities available to campers.
MARKETPLACE
A vibrant and colourful market reflects the creativity and diversity of our community and provides a lively meeting place each day after dinner. You must be a registered camper to be a vendor. Vendors contribute 13% of all sales and services to our Financial Assistance Fund. The Witches’ Funk Trunk Boutique is a very cool and funky place to shop. Donations of used-but-good ritual wear, costumes, and accessories are welcome.
APHRODITE’S TEMPLE
Again this year, BCWC will include Aphrodite’s Temple: a sacred, private, reservable space for opening to beauty and delight. It is a sex-positive space, the venue for facilitated workshops and events, and more – people can use it as a cuddle space, for massage, etc. The temple organizers do what they can in terms of supplies, but we encourage people to bring what they wish to make this space work for them.
SMOKING
Smoking is limited to designated outside areas. There is no smoking inside any buildings.
CELL PHONES
The use of cell phones will be limited to designated areas only. Please honour this.
PRACTICAL DETAILS
REGISTRATION FEE
Camp registration fees are set so we cover costs of putting on camp, including planning meetings outside of camp. Due to an increase in fees from Evans Lake, the fee range this year is a sliding scale of $500-$800 CAD or USD. Our goal this year is to have 75 campers paying an average registration fee of $570.
The use of PayPal last year seems to have been very successful in helping people pay for camp on time. It cost the camp about $600 to use PayPal, so while this will be one way to pay, the preferable method is to register online and send in check(s) or money order(s).
TO REGISTER
We strongly encourage registration online here on our website: you can fill out the registration form online, and pay the registration fee via Pay-Pal, if you need to use a card, or can’t send a cheque or money order.
If necessary, you may register using paper and post (snail-mail). To access a printable version of the form to send in by regular mail, click here. Payment must be made by money order or personal cheque.
With either method, you have these options:
1. Pay the total registration fee at the time of registration, or
2. Make a Deposit (minimum of $150.00 CAD or US; due when registering), and pay the balance with 1, 2 or 3 payments.
By mail include post-dated cheques with your paper registration or after online registration, the final cheque to be dated no later than July 30.
Note: NSF cheques will be charged a $15 fee and may result in being put at end of waiting list.
By PayPal please indicate on your registration form if you will be making 1, 2 or 3 more payments on PayPal, with dates and amounts,
with the final payment to be made no later than July 30.
CONFIRMATION
A letter of confirmation with a list of what to bring plus a map to Evans Lake will be sent to registrants starting May 15th and thereafter as registrations are received.
CANCELLATIONS
A $75 non-refundable fee will be applied to all cancellations. Cancellations received after July 30 will forfeit the entire payment if their place cannot be filled. After August 21 there are no refunds.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
See the Financial Assistance page for the types of financial assistance available, as well as how and when to apply.
Your confirmation packet will answer most of your questions! If not, please write us at info@bcwitchcamp.ca, call Lindsay at 250 868 0598, or check back here.
BCWC is operated by the Witch Camp of BC Society.
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