Essential Information

If you're new to NBTSC, do start with this page, but also read our complete (13 page) 2010 brochure (in pdf format). Need a paper copy and don't have a printer? Please send us $10 and we'll mail you a packet containing the complete brochure, plus other important information from this website (refund policy, Not So Frequently Asked Questions, Is NBTSC for you?, Which Session Should I Choose?, registration form, etc.)

 

On this page

 

key facts

 

 

What is Not Back to School Camp?

 

Not Back to School Camp aspires to create a sanctuary

 

Not Back to School Camp is unique.

We come together to savor and support each person’s gifts, and to build and celebrate community. Together, campers and staff co-create a week-long smorgasbord of workshops, spontaneous events, and special evening gatherings. We seek unschoolers who are excited about life, eager to share in what NBTSC offers, enthusiastic about offering their own workshops and other contributions, and willing (even if also terrified) to be themselves and to bravely reach out and connect with the rest of us. Most days, most of the time, campers make their own decisions—whether to attend a workshop or talk with a new friend, whether to go to sleep at 11 p.m. or stay up till 1 playing games, whether to linger over lunch or hike up the mountain or have a nap in the sun or start a soccer game. We come to camp to change ourselves and the world, teach each other great things, and sing under the moon....


What happens

We swim; talk; sing; drum; dance; hike; stare at the sky; play volleyball and softball and soccer; make nifty things in crafty workshops; take creative, emotional, and intellectual risks; encourage each other to do amazing things; have talent shows; teach and learn from each other.

Workshops—a sampling: We have dozens of workshops each session, reflecting the talents and interests of all staff and campers. They range from kung fu to cob-oven building to Zimbabwean singing to college applications to surrealist games to VW engine fixing to human digestion to youth rights. During the Oregon session, staff also offers longer multi-day “projects” for campers who want to explore a subject in greater depth. Usually, you can decide each day what you want to do (or want not to do).

Abbie

Sports: We typically play volleyball, basketball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, softball, and anything else anybody decides to initiate.

Unscheduled activities: Most of the time you're free to make your own fun if you don't feel like participating in a group activity. You can swim whenever the swimming hole or lake is supervised, hike on trails, talk with new friends, read, nap, swing, practice a new skill...

Talent Shows: Evening talent shows are a great highlight of camp. You can play music, dance, sing, show artwork, tell jokes, turn cartwheels, tell us the wildest thing that ever happened to your family, swallow a sword, read your poetry, or just stand up and tell us what makes you tick.


What parents should know

NBTSC is not as tightly structured as most other youth camps. For example, people choose their own bedtimes and sleeping locations (which include some public spaces, although girls and boys also have separate cabins and most people sleep in their own beds most of the time). We have clear rules which we firmly expect campers to observe, but they nevertheless have a great deal of freedom. Most of our campers are already accustomed to taking a lot of responsibility for themselves, so this works well overall, but some people feel a bit challenged by the open schedule. Feel free to talk with us if you're not sure whether NBTSC is a good match for your family. More on all of this and related stuff on the rest of this website.


Staff

Our multi-faceted, skilled, caring, funny staff is one of the best things about NBTSC. They teach outstanding workshops and coach sports, lead group singing, facilitate discussions, wrap twisted ankles, support people who are feeling challenged in any way, cook great food, and those who aren't exhausted sometimes stay up late and join in the after-midnight revels.

One person is your "advisor" during the week. You'll meet briefly with him or her and about 10 other campers each morning to check in, play games, and get to know each other.

For more about staff roles and the specific individuals who have worked on staff (and are likely to do so again), see our bio pages here.

 

food

Three yummy vegetarian meals each day with vegan alternatives. We prepare our own food and use mostly organically grown ingredients.

money

If you register early (before March 31), your cost for the full 2-week Oregon session is $1085; a half session in Oregon or a week-long session in Vermont is $630. After March 31, the cost increases to $1145/$690. If you send in all your information and money on time, you get a $100 rebate prior to camp. A $150 non-refundable deposit is due with your registration. For our refund policy, click here.

how to register

You can register online here. Or, ask us to mail you a paper registration form, but it is important that you read the details about camp here on the website. (For $10, we can mail you a paper copy of that information.)

miscellaneous good stuff

Jam(Non) religious orientation: NBTSC is a non-denominational, non-religious camp. We strive to honor each person's religious beliefs or lack thereof, and ask that all campers do likewise.

Not Back to School Camp loves diversity. We welcome campers of all races, ethnic backgrounds, genders, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, economic backgrounds, political affiliations, and physical capabilities.

If you have special needs: Educate us about them, and we’ll do our best to support you in having a comfortable, safe, and rich experience.

 

 

If you're intrigued, please read the full text of our complete brochure. Thanks and we hope you'll join us!

Key changes & important reminders for 2010

For a printable pdf version of our short brochure (mostly the same text as on this page, minus the section called "key changes & important reminders for 2010"), click here.