What will you experience?
At Elements you will meet strangers who become your Village on ancient soil that has hosted gatherings of people for centuries. The relationships of many generations of gatherer-hunters permeates the landscape, is written on the stones and watched over by 3,000 year old giant sequoias. This is a magical place! And just like The People whose land we meet upon, we will co-create our experience.
Skilled mentors will provide workshops and guide you, but ultimately, participants who immerse themselves fully in the inter-dependence of community will have the most epic week. What you put into Elements will determine what you receive. Plan to be personally responsible, honest, open-minded and open-hearted, and ready to do your part to make Elements the best gathering ever!
Elements takes place on wild ground. We will have all of the basics covered, but read carefully below to make sure that you are prepared. Be ready to ask for support, too, if you need help setting up your tent, hanging a solar shower, etc. Many of the mentors are skilled at living comfortably in the wilderness, so take their workshops and ask questions. We will all be camping within walking distance of each other. Your Village is eager to support and empower you to meet your needs and have an incredible week!
Skilled mentors will provide workshops and guide you, but ultimately, participants who immerse themselves fully in the inter-dependence of community will have the most epic week. What you put into Elements will determine what you receive. Plan to be personally responsible, honest, open-minded and open-hearted, and ready to do your part to make Elements the best gathering ever!
Elements takes place on wild ground. We will have all of the basics covered, but read carefully below to make sure that you are prepared. Be ready to ask for support, too, if you need help setting up your tent, hanging a solar shower, etc. Many of the mentors are skilled at living comfortably in the wilderness, so take their workshops and ask questions. We will all be camping within walking distance of each other. Your Village is eager to support and empower you to meet your needs and have an incredible week!
Statement of inclusion
The driving force behind the vision of Elements has always been one of complete Unity held in a space of Unconditional Love. In fact, we believe that it is only through a deep practice of Love that Unity can ever truly be achieved. By necessity, Love requires that we heal our generational traumas and make amends wherever due. Elements takes place on traditional Yokut Territory. We acknowledge that the two great thefts this country is built upon, are the theft of the land from its Indigenous People, and the theft of Black Bodies from their homeland of Africa for labor. We acknowledge that these debts have not been repaid and continue to seek to do our part in the healing process.
We are always looking at how we might evolve our Village and grow closer to a full realization of our vision. It is because of this vision that Elements strives to operate our camp at the highest levels of inclusion. We feel everyone, no matter their color, gender, orientation, religion or class, should feel fully welcome, included, seen, heard and LOVED when they join our family. Elements is not affiliated with any religion or political organization.
We are always looking at how we might evolve our Village and grow closer to a full realization of our vision. It is because of this vision that Elements strives to operate our camp at the highest levels of inclusion. We feel everyone, no matter their color, gender, orientation, religion or class, should feel fully welcome, included, seen, heard and LOVED when they join our family. Elements is not affiliated with any religion or political organization.
Experiences
|
Vertical Divider
Opening ceremony and mentor introductions
3PM Thursday, July 18th
We will begin with ceremony and set our intentions for the week. Mentors will be introduced and will talk with the camp about their offerings. |
|
Vertical Divider
Workshops
Mentors provide workshops every day from 9am - 5pm, with a lunch break from noon - 2pm. Most of the workshops are free, but some have a materials fee, usually less than $10. Materials fees for a few workshops are higher, such as a quality bowstave for up to $75-150. There are no fees for instruction.
Some mentors may be willing to provide private sessions, consultations or one-on-one services for a fee. These arrangements operate independently from official Elements offerings. Participants who would like to share a skill with the Village are encouraged to do so! What do you have to share that will benefit our community? We will have 2 schedule boards posted, one for Mentor Offerings and one for Community Offerings. |
|
Vertical Divider
The Haven
Elements is committed to smashing the gender binary and moving forward into gender inclusive spaces. The Haven is our sole sacred space and is open and welcoming to all genders on the spectrum. Some offerings may be specific to one or more specific gender but these offerings will be clearly indicated on the workshop schedule.
|
|
Morning circle
Vertical Divider
After breakfast we will begin each day with a morning circle in the amphitheater. Here we will set the intention for our day through ceremony, music and connection. This is also a time when important announcements will be made.
|
|
Vertical Divider
Barter fair
We will have a Barter Fair on two afternoons during lunch in the amphitheater. This is the time when everyone is encouraged to lay out their homemade items for sale/trade. Please bring whatever you have that you'd like to trade.
Handmade goods from some of our mentors may also be available and you are encouraged to support their art. Items may include soaps, buckskin, stone points, herbal products and more! |
|
Vertical Divider
Night fire
Each evening we will gather around the fire in the amphitheater for music, storytelling and performance.
|
|
Vertical Divider
Dance night
Our last night of the gathering is DANCE NIGHT! We'll drum and dance under the Ancient Giants!
|
|
Vertical Divider
Other opportunities
You are encouraged to explore the area beyond main camp. Nearby are incredible hiking trails, fishing for trout in the streams and stocked pond, horseback riding, and more!
|
How to be prepared
A prepared camper is a happy camper!
We request that you bring:
- Trash bags for your personal trash.
- A reusable water bottle. Stainless steel is the best.
- At least two large, reusable water containers for personal hygiene.
- Reusable cup, dishes and eating utensils. Please mark any items that are not unique. No disposable plates or cutlery, please.
- Handmade gifts for new and old friends - great for barter & trade.
- Flashlight or headlamp to light yourself and your way.
- Costumes for mask night.
- Laughter and smiles.
- Art, musical instruments, props, banners, signs and anything else you can think of to make this an inspired and beautiful event for all.
- Sunscreen, if you use that sort of thing. There is a lot of shade on site.
- Yoga mat.
- Camping chairs.
- Love and open-mindedness.
At Elements we have an excellent working relationship with our hosts the CalFire Forest Rangers. We appreciate your support in keeping it that way.
The following is PROHIBITED:
- Arrogant and unkind behavior.
- Off-leash dogs and poorly behaved dogs.
- Firearms.
- Fireworks and explosives of any kind.
- Children under 18 without their parent or legal guardian.
Information
Arrival/registration
Gates open at noon on Thursday, July 18th
The registration table will be open from noon until opening ceremonies and then again after dinner. Registration will be open once again on Friday from 9-noon. At registration, you will find out about your Element and be given directions to a suitable camping spot near main camp. If you require assistance in setting up your camp, please notify staff during registration.
The registration table will be open from noon until opening ceremonies and then again after dinner. Registration will be open once again on Friday from 9-noon. At registration, you will find out about your Element and be given directions to a suitable camping spot near main camp. If you require assistance in setting up your camp, please notify staff during registration.
CAmping
Bring your tent and set up under the beautiful Sequoias that provide shade throughout the site. We are at a 6,000 foot elevation so you can expect warm days and cool evenings. Please note: our site is 30 minutes up the mountain from Springville. During the summer the temps in Springville are in the low 100s. At our site you can expect highs in the low 80s and lows at night in the 60s.
Everyone will be camping in the same general area. The forest we are camping in is wild. There are no cleared campsites or pre-determined areas. This means that you will need to do some scouting to find the most suitable area to pitch your tent. You may need to do some light clearing to level the ground and remove any branches. Assistance in locating and setting up your personal camp will be available from our mentors.
Everyone will be camping in the same general area. The forest we are camping in is wild. There are no cleared campsites or pre-determined areas. This means that you will need to do some scouting to find the most suitable area to pitch your tent. You may need to do some light clearing to level the ground and remove any branches. Assistance in locating and setting up your personal camp will be available from our mentors.
Vehicles, RVs and car camping
What kind of experience will you get from parking your car and walking away from it for a whole week? We encourage you to set up a beautiful camp without your vehicle. There is one parking area close by for all vehicles including RVs. If you absolutely must camp with your vehicle, please send us a message so we can help you.
We encourage you to leave the RV at home and bring a tent. If that is not possible, please know that your RV will have to remain parked in the main lot. There are no spaces for RVs among the tents. A quiet generator may be used only when absolutely necessary and must be off when the evening music ends.
We encourage you to leave the RV at home and bring a tent. If that is not possible, please know that your RV will have to remain parked in the main lot. There are no spaces for RVs among the tents. A quiet generator may be used only when absolutely necessary and must be off when the evening music ends.
CAmping and stoves
There is a main fire in the amphitheater used for our evening activities. Additional fires may be found in designated areas near the kitchen and bow camp. There are absolutely no fires permitted in other areas.
You are welcome to bring a propane stove for any special meal requirements you may have outside of the food provided by Elements. Stoves must be at least 5 feet from any flammable materials (grass, leaves, tent, etc.)
You are welcome to bring a propane stove for any special meal requirements you may have outside of the food provided by Elements. Stoves must be at least 5 feet from any flammable materials (grass, leaves, tent, etc.)
Water
Our site does not have running water, so we fill up a 250 gallon tank to meet the needs of the kitchen and clean-up. Pure and potable spring water is available at a number of the other campgrounds located throughout the forest. You are welcome to fill up your water bottle from the kitchen tank, but please get water for all other purposes from elsewhere. Please bring water from home or empty containers to fill up at a nearby campground. Each person needs a bare minimum of 1 gallon per day for drinking and hand washing.
Showers and bathing
Elements provide primitive camp showers for use among the camp. However, you are also welcome to bring your own camping shower. Also, the Tule River (about a 20 minute drive up the mountain) is available to you for bathing. We ask that you please observe the following when bathing in the river:
- Please hike up/down the river a bit from the main entrance if you plan on bathing.
- Do NOT use any soap or shampoo (even eco-friendly biodegradable brands) directly in the river. Bring a container to hold water and bathe at least 10 feet away from the water's edge.
Meals
A wholesome, home-cooked breakfast and dinner will be provided each day you are at Elements. Participants are responsible for their lunches. We will do our best to accommodate the dietary needs of the Village. Vegan, gluten free and dairy free options will be available at every meal. If you have special needs beyond that, we suggest that you bring additional food with you to supplement your meals.
Please bring a set of utensils, cups and dishes for your own personal use. To reduce our environmental impact, no disposable dishes will be available.
Meal clean-ups will be assigned to each Element. The Element assigned to that meal will be responsible for clearing and storing food, washing kitchen dishes as well as all dishes for participants and taking the trash out. This is an opportunity for you to share in the cooperative energy of looking after your community and you will have this opportunity only a few times during the week.
Please bring a set of utensils, cups and dishes for your own personal use. To reduce our environmental impact, no disposable dishes will be available.
Meal clean-ups will be assigned to each Element. The Element assigned to that meal will be responsible for clearing and storing food, washing kitchen dishes as well as all dishes for participants and taking the trash out. This is an opportunity for you to share in the cooperative energy of looking after your community and you will have this opportunity only a few times during the week.
WIldlife
We share the Sequoia forest with deer, black bears, red squirrels, owls and other wildlife. Please respect your wild neighbors. As a precaution, all food and scented items must be stored in your car or a bear-proof container. We have had no issues with bears and we want to keep it that way, so leave your cooler in your car.
Families with small children will be provided with space in a u-haul trailer to keep food closer to camp for little ones but still safe from bears.
Families with small children will be provided with space in a u-haul trailer to keep food closer to camp for little ones but still safe from bears.
Departure
Gates close at noon on July 24th. However, you are welcome to stay longer in any of the nearby campgrounds.