The 26th Annual BC Witchcamp
Sunday, August 25 – Saturday, August 31, 2013
Camp Intention: Centered in love and the magic of witchcamp,
we connect to the web of ecstatic life force,
transforming repression into liberation in the world
for generations.
Camp Story: The Alting of All Waters
“Come, let us meet with open hearts and clear eyes at the Alting of All Waters, the Great Gathering of the Waters of the World!”
The Waters call this Call to all of their kin; the rivers and streams, the oceans and seas, the wells and springs, the lakes and ponds. The Waters call this Call to all of their children; the fish and whales, the kelps and sea grasses, the dolphins and seals, the birds and shellfish, the trees and brambles, the plankton and the human beings. The Divine Ambassadors of Water: Isis of the Fertile Delta, Njord of the Blessed Fjord and Bridgid of the Well of Healing hear this Call. Quan Yin of the Waters of Compassion and Mercy, The Lady of the Lake and Mary Magdalene, she who holds the Mystery of the Holy Chalice, hear this Call. Yemaya of the Deep Mysteries, Gaulchováng of the Birth Waters and Blue Dragon of the Mississippi River hear this Call. The Hedge Witches, the Water Workers, the Deep Swimmers and many many more hear this Call.
Bring your thoughts, feelings and messages from Spirit; this is some of the basic information that we need to advise us all as we step out of the ‘Age of the Individual Hero’ into the ‘Age of the Community as Hero’. Your voice is essential in informing the regenerating watery worlds that are potentially emerging on and within our sacred home, planet Eartha. Come and sing the Great Water Songs. Drum and tone the healing for six full days and nights. Let the spells of transformation spring up anew, touching the spirits of all life. Come, let us together dare to joyfully merge into this adventure of the Great Gathering of the ever-changing, always healing Realms of the Waters.
Read the whole story here…
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 – we are often able to coordinate rides leaving from Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Seattle and Portland, and occasionally other cities. You can expect to share in the cost of fuel.
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; exceptions are occasionally made for mature teens (16-18) with written permission from parents or guardians. We cannot accommodate children 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 washrooms. A large recreation hall will provide indoor space for rituals when needed (but…let’s think “outdoors”!)
Last year both our washrooms were made accessible to all genders. This year cabins will now be gender-neutral, i.e., no cabins will be set aside as “women only” as in years past. Campers are welcome to self-organize sharing cabin space with other campers to meet their needs.
TENTS
There is tenting space 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.
You are also able to do a little shopping and support BCWC before camp. We are continuing with our line of pentacle design items (water bottles, t-shirts and more!) that you can purchase online using CafePress http://www.cafepress.com/bcwitchcamp A portion of the proceeds helps fund BC Witchcamp. These items are available online only and will not be sold at the camp marketplace.
TEMPLE SPACE
Again this year, BCWC will include 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. The fee range this year is a sliding scale of $625-900 CAD or USD. While the use of PayPal has been very successful in helping people pay for camp on time, last year it cost the camp about $600 to use PayPal – the cost of sending a whole camper to camp! The preferable method is to register online and send in check(s) or money orders(s). If you choose to use Paypal, we ask you to consider contributing towards the Paypal fee, which is $20+ per registration (for a total of $645-920 sliding scale).
ABOUT THE SLIDING SCALE
Our sliding scale for this year’s camp is $625-$900 per camper (actual cost is $625 per camper). Below are the suggested guidelines:
If you have income of $40,000 or less per year, consider paying the minimum and, perhaps even asking for assistance through scholarship or work exchange.
If you have income of $40,000 to $60,000 per year, please try to pay a bit more to help with scholarships if possible. If needed, ask for assistance.
If you have income of $60,000 to $80,000 per year, please try to pay $700.
If you have income of $80,000 to $100,000 per year, please try to pay $800.
If you have income above $100,000 per year, please try to pay $900.
We recognize that the above are only guidelines. Your actual contribution to the community may depend on the number of people you support on your income as well as other factors known only to you. We strongly encourage all campers who cannot afford the minimum to apply for scholarships. We have increased our fundraising efforts this year in an attempt to compensate for the increased cost of camp.
TO REGISTER
We strongly encourage registration here at our website. You can then send a check or money order to the following address:
BCWC, 5 – 535 Glenmeadows Rd, Kelowna, BC V1V 1X7.
If you are unable to send a cheque or money order, it is also possible to pay by PayPal. Please keep in mind that BCWC will be charged $20+ for each registration by Paypal, as you may want to adjust your sliding scale payment to help cover the cost.
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, contact juliedoubleserpentdesign.com . 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 USD; 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 31 will forfeit the entire payment if the camp is not filled. After August 16 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. Please note: financial assistance is intended to defray part of the cost of camp. We are unable to offer assistance with transportation costs.
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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