Who comes to Affinity-Belonging Camps?

Affinity-Belonging Camp is for those who:

• Identify as a Person of the Global Majority (BIPoC), and/or Trans/non-binary, and/or a part of the Queer community.*

• Value anti-oppression work, social change, personal growth and healing

• Want to learn to be a better ally and support others in marginalized groups

• Want to share your learnings with your community outside of camp

• Want to make the world a better place for everyone

*In addition to BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ folx, we welcome people who hold other systemically undervalued identities to apply. We will do our best to accommodate people with unique access needs of all kinds—from physical, to sensory, neurodiverse, and financial.

What are Affinity-Belonging Camps like?

Like other NFNC events, the core of the Camp experience is Connection and Relating!  AB Camps add a collective liberation lens with an intention to co-create a decolonized space steeped in a shared commitment to social change.  

Each camp includes: Somatic ancestral healing * Dance & play * Joyful consent *

Decolonizing ourselves in community * Music jams & song circles * Awesome presenters/workshops * Compassionate presencing circles * Being in the moment * Snuggle piles * Love pods * Sexual freedom * Liberation action plans to support our multi-year plan* Yummy multicultural food * Mutual care*

At ABCWest2.0, we will introduce Affinity Focus Days as a key part of the programming where typical camp activities are re-imagined and led by members of a specific affinity group each day. 
The Affinity Focus Day leaders will also be experimenting this year with our own AB version of Zegg Forum called Compassionate Presencing Circle: the goal is still to reveal what is alive and to speak from the heart, but with less formality and more openness to sharing our stories.  Facilitators will identify with the affinity group focus of the day.  

There will be a cabaret where you can share a song, dance, poem, skit, or other creative expression of your authentic self. 

Our intention is to make the Love Nest/Sensual Space more juicy this year for those who enjoy participation in sex-positive spaces. 
All NFNC Camps are about being at-choice. You may choose to attend all the workshops, share in Compassionate Presencing Circle, or participate in the Love Nest/Sensual Space, and you may also choose instead to spend time lounging and connecting with others. It's a great place to meet new friends and grow connections.  Your experience is yours to craft.

What About Food?

• We’re excited to partner with Chef Liiv, of Liiv for Flavor Catering in Seattle to oversee our meal service this year!  They will work with camp volunteers to provide 2 amazing hot meals a day (Brunch and Dinner).  In addition, we will provide 3 substantial snacks a day: 

• a continental breakfast with things like bagels/cream cheese, muffins, cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, milks

• an afternoon snack with things like fresh veggies, hummus, crackers 

• and an evening snack which may be a dessert, or popcorn, or bread w/nutbutters & jam

• Tea and coffee service will be available all day

We always try to meet the dietary needs of all our campers, but if you do want to bring any of our own food, there will be a designated Personal Foods Kitchen (PFK) for that purpose.   

Location/Transportation/Rideshares/Arrival & Departure times

• NEW LOCATION near Belfair, Washington. Nearest large airport: SEA-TAC (SEA).

• Exact location and directions will follow with acceptance information.

• To assist everyone in getting to/from camp safely, we will be arranging rideshares among participants, and rides to/from Seattle airport, Tacoma Train Station, or the Bremerton ferry dock.

• Arrival: on both August 4th (invited leaders only) and August 5th (first day of camp) we will have pick ups between 11am - 2pm, please plan your arrivals accordingly.  

• Departure: August 11th (flights should be late afternoon/evening departure on the 11th or the morning of the 12th, we will help you find overnight accommodations if you depart on the 12th.)

• You are free to leave before camp ends on August 11th, but there are no partial tickets.

Venue/Accomodations/RVs and Vehicle Camping

• We will be at a new site this year, at a Camp/Retreat Center on the Kitsap Pennisula west of Seattle. The venue includes:

• a small river to cool off in on warm days

• a large hot tub to warm up in on cool evenings/mornings

• indoor hot showers and flush toilets  

• ample tent camping areas in open meadow or in the forest (bring your own set-up or borrow from a friend)

• vehicle camping is allowed in camping areas

• very limited RV hookups arranged in advance, expect dry RV camping in open meadow

• shared or private rooms with single, double or queen beds with bedding are available for an extra cost of $15-45 per night per bed.  (no ensuite bathrooms, shared indoor toilets and showers near rooms) 

Camp Wellness Policy regarding bubble up protocols before camp, etc. 

More Safer Air Protocols regarding no scents at camp

Drugs and Alcohol

• No illegal drugs or alcohol at camp. Instead, join us in chilling out and soaking up the beauty and awesomeness of the forest and the camp community.

• Community Service

• All participants will be asked to contribute at least 3.5 hours of community service for AB Camp to make the camp flow with ease.  This may include food prep, cleaning up, tidying spaces, etc.
  It can be a joyful experience to work and play together. When we give with a playful spirit, work can easily become play!

• Is Nudity Allowed?

• Clothing is optional in the lower camp area, including our main gathering space, the meadow, lower forest, and the river.  Because the road is nearby the upper campus where we eat and where most of the rooms are, we ask that nudity be restricted to the hot tub area in the upper campus. 

When is payment due?

Your due date to submit payment via check, money order, or credit/debit card (Stripe*), or to make payment arrangements with the registrar (registrarABC@networkfornewculture.org), is within 10 days of your acceptance to camp, or upon arrival at camp, whichever is sooner.

*Credit-card payments via Stripe will incur an additional 3% charge to cover payment processing costs.

Refunds

• We understand that life happens, and some of you might have to cancel your plans to attend camp. If you cannot attend, please let us know ASAP so we can try to fill your spot.  You cannot sell your spot. 3% Stripe processing fees are not refundable.
  
  All cancellations must be received via email to registrarabc@networkfornewculture.org by the following dates to receive the following refunds:
  

• Before July 15th: Refund minus $50 admin fee.

• By July 29th: : Refund minus $100 cancelation fee*

• After July 29th: No refund of camp fee up to $550*, any amount above that will be refunded. 

• *If you find yourself in sincere financial hardship, please let us know — we are willing to work with you. And if you contributed a donation, we will assume you do not expect it to be refunded unless you let us know.

• Note: All fees will be waived if we find someone to fill your spot.

• Exception: Full refund for cancellations minus a $50 service charge due to contagious illness.

• Packing

• Camping gear: Tent, bedding or sleeping bag, sleeping pad, blankets if you are not staying in a room. 

• Extra clothing: please bring summer clothes to go along with your birthday suit and be prepared to throw on a sarong while in the food line or sitting down in shared areas. You'll likely appreciate some warm clothes for the typically cool mornings and nights. Think layers.

• Earplugs: People snore and can be close by, so you may want these.

• Misc.: flashlight, sunscreen, umbrella or raingear if the forecast looks wet, reusable (non-glass) water bottles. We have filtered water on site.

• Please ensure any other products you bring are fragrance-free.