Oregon Projects, 2010
(On August 1, some changes were made to our project lineup and this page.)
During our 2-week Oregon session, each camper joins one or two project groups. We spend some time on each of five days working together in these small groups (for a total of 9 hours). Towards the end of the session, we devote part of an evening to show-and-tell so everybody can see what everybody else has been up to.
In past years, this page was necessary for campers to make their tentative choices, prior to camp. Now it's just here for fun--campers select their first, second, and third project choice via our registration database.
"Committed" means members attend all project sessions, since the other participants and perhaps the work itself will depend on everyone's presence. "Uncommitted" means it's okay to skip out sometimes if you feel the need for an extra nap or a walk in the woods. (But everyone goes to the first 15 minutes each day.)
5-day projects
These projects span both weeks of camp.
Collaboratively write and perform a song with Nathen Lester (committed)
Cocoon with Abbi Miller (committed)
Make a Musical with Maggie Levin and Zen Zenith (committed)
2-day projects
During the first week of the session.
Unschooling, Politics, and Philosophy with Blake Boles (committed)
Vanessa's Fantastic World of Portrait Photography with Vanessa Filkins (uncommitted)
The Charisma Project with Brittney Andrews (uncommitted)
Organizing for Positive Change with Andy Pearson (uncommitted)
Local Farm Tour with Evan Wright (uncommtted)
3-day projects
During the second week of the session.
Freaky Frisbee with Blake Boles (committed)
The Art of Dialogue with Maggie Genthner (uncommitted)
Scavenger Hunt with Evan Wright (committed)
It Takes Two: Art and Collaboration with Dandy Dewar (uncommitted)
Listen, Debate, Learn: How to Argue Politics and Keep Your Friends with Jake Matilsky (committed)
Cocoon
led by Abbi Miller
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson
This quote nearly made me cry when I first read it. Thus it planted the seed for me to create Cocoon: A transformative yoga retreat for snuggling deep into your caterpillar-self while cultivating your skills to emerge a snazzy Soul-Scientist. This project will combine creativity with flexibility, curiosity with strength, and deep intentions with gut-wrentching laughter. If you are interested in holding up a metaphorical mirror and staring deep into your own eyes, or getting insanely sweaty and moving as you feel inspired, then this is the project for you! It's time spread your gorgeous butterfly wings!
Areas of focus include: flow yoga, meditation, pranayama breath work, creative writing/poetry, improvised dance, chakras, goal setting barrier breaking, physical play and group games, astrology, themed personal inquiry, prayer, group feedback, show and tell. All ways to deepen the dialogue with yourself and the Source!
Each day is themed, so be ready for a dynamic adventure within! Wear super stretchy and/or loose fitting clothes, and bring one item them makes you feel safe/strong/connected/powerful/holy/or just plain fierce, and a journal and pen.
Collaborative Songwriting
led by Nathen Lester
Photos are from previous years' editions of this project.
In this project our group -- in the past usually between ten and fifteen campers -- will learn to play together as a band, on whatever instruments we have available. We will create a piece of music to perform for the camp, with each camper playing a part arranged specifically for their instrument and level of expertise. In the process, we'll hone our playing and listening skills. In the past four years it's been really fun and we’ve had a cool song to perform. Often, the whole camp spontaneously dances while we play!
It is not necessary to bring an instrument but it is helpful. It's not necessary to have any experience playing music with other people. Consider signing up even if you haven't played music before, but be willing to work hard at it for the hours that we have together.
Nathen's relevant background: "I've been playing in bands for over 30 years, and writing music for almost 20 and it's been one of my most consistent sources of joy. It's been especially gratifying to do this music project and help campers learn how to play with other musicians. Some of the participants have gotten inspired to start bands of their own."
Make a Musical
led by Maggie Levin and Zen Zenith
Due to the smashing success of last year’s “Cliché – the Musical!,” the Make a Musical Project returns!
All the world’s a stage. You find yourself in a crowded room, secretly longing to burst into song & dance – wishing, deep down, everyone knew the right choreography to back you up. Or perhaps you’ve been writing a story – on paper, or in your head – that you know must be brought to life. Perhaps you know every “Spring Awakening” song by heart, or are drawn to bright lights and body mics.
If any of this sounds familiar, or if you’re simply intrigued – it’s your destiny to Make a Musical at NBTSC.
In this project, we will be working collaboratively to create and perform an original musical. This begins with brainstorming on plots and themes to write a story - real, surreal, or completely fantastical - and playing games that build a "group mind." From there, we'll create scenes, songs, and see what happens!
Theatre-buffs and brand newbies are all welcome - the only requirement is a willingness to jump in and get creative.
Maggie's relevant background/theatre bio: Maggie is the founding artistic director of The Real Theatre Company in New York City. Favorite projects as director include HAIR (The Acorn at Theatre Row; co-produced by writer Jim Rado), Waiting for Godot, The Tempest: Remixed, the short film “Guidance” (Winner of NBC’s “Freaks and Geeks” Film Contest), and Alice Through the Subway System. She is the book writer for the musical US, with music & lyrics by Peter Gabriel, co-writer of Heart musical ALLIES, and is currently writing a new show for this year’s New York Musical Theatre Festival. She is in love with the process of making theatre and expanding her 'theatre family' across the globe.
Zen's relevant background/music bio: Zen is the lead singer/songwriter of San Francisco indie rock band Please Do Not Fight. He attending The Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California graduating from the Guitar Institute of Technology. He's been songwriting and singing for the past 11 years and leading groups in doing both for the past 3. His teen years saw a brief love affair with musical theatre in which he performed in productions of Evita, Side Show and the original production '2101'. His favorite musical is West Side Story.
Unschooling, Politics, and Philosophy
led by Blake Boles
This very short (2-day) project will discuss a wide variety of topics related to the politics, philosophy, economics, and social theory surrounding unschooling.
How are conservatives and liberals united under the banner of homeschooling? How do they differ? What does "choice" in education mean? Is unschooling only for the privileged? Which kind of political economies are most friendly to freedom of education? What would a large-scale unschooling movement look like in other areas of life? If these questions fascinate you, then this project is for you.
Vanessa's Fantastic World of Portrait Photography
led by Vanessa Filkins
Come spend time we me as we learn the ins and out of portrait photography! During this project, we'll talk about: - lighting
- choosing a setting
- poses (and posing in general - advantages & disadvantages)
- connecting with your subject
- the basics and not-so-basics of using your camera
This project is a two-day project, and you don't have to come to both days. I would recommend the first day to more beginner photographers. We'll talk a lot about how to use your camera, including how to use the manual settings. By the time you leave on the first day, you will know how to tell if your photo is correctly exposed (or not!) - and if not, what to change in your camera settings to correct it. Anyone can come to this class, even if you don't have a camera with manual settings you will still get a lot of information on posing and composition.
The second day will be geared more towards intermediate and advanced photographers. We will quickly review everything I cover on day one, and then move on to more detailed learning about creating special effects in photographs, in-camera! We'll talk about using various lighting techniques, including light painting and off-camera flashes and other lights. We will talk about setting a mood with your photograph, and get more in-depth with composition and using a critical eye. Anyone can come to this workshop as well, but if you generally know your way around a camera already, you will really get the most out of this section of the project.
No specific camera or equipment is required for either workshop; you may bring digital or film, toy or "prosumer" grade - whatever floats your boat!
If you have any questions about this project or would like to contact me beforehand, please send me an e-mail at vanessa@commongoodphotography.com and I'd be happy to chat with you!
Organizing for Positive Change
led by Andy Pearson
Most people have at least one thing they'd like to change about the world. A social injustice, an environmental problem -- there's so much good work that could be done and yet oftentimes we don't know where to start. In this project, I want to deal with organizing and activism as a way to create positive change on issues people care about. This project will be an experiment and will evolve as we go along -- if you're up for that, come join in.
Roughly, here's what I'd like to do over the four hours we'll have: find out what issues motivate the folks in our group and then collectively construct/brainstorm specific issue campaigns that could reasonably make an impact. If part of the campaigns could actually be carried out at NBTSC with NBTSCers, great, we'll do it. If the campaigns are best suited to "the outside world," we'll think up steps that people who are interested could take once they get home, and try to help them have something to contribute to other groups of people who might be working on the same thing. Some projects might remain totally hypothetical, but I want to avoid that as much as possible. This project will be about taking big ideas and huge problems and breaking them down into campaigns that can be won.
I've done organizing and activism work for about four years, mostly on environmental and energy issues (creating an energy conservation program on my university campus, banning toxic chemicals from household products, and others) but also on various political and social justice campaigns. I feel like I'm just beginning to learn how to tap into the potential of organizing. If you're curious, whether you're brand new to activism or you've done lots before, join me on this adventure!
The Charisma Project
led by Brittney Andrews
Learn to bring out the best in yourself and those around you with this two-day, interactive project! In a world where we “get by with a little help from our friends,” our social behavior matters. The Charisma Project will help you fine tune your vehicle for success and navigate along the socially dynamic highway of life!
---- There’s something about you...you have an attractiveness that goes beyond good looks...you have a captivating quality. Isn’t it time you tapped into your personal power and magnetism? I think so.
I, Brittney Andrews, have had a long struggle with personal power. My early teens were spent withering away to a rock-bottom place of hopelessness and low self-esteem. To survive, and really thrive, I would have to pick myself up from and learn to climb. In my journey, I enlisted many resources to be able to learn what it takes to “win friends,” “get a real life and education,” and be “freakin‘ fabulous.” Recently, new insights have re-awaken my interest in this topic, and I am thrilled be sharing with you tools and secrets for social wellbeing in a fun project designed to help you get further along your personal journey.
The Charisma Project will allow you to: find your unique voice, develop a winning attitude, optimize your self-image, express yourself confidently, understand how others perceive you, attract more friends, build your support network, have vibrant conversations with anyone, deepen personal connections with peers and parents alike, relax and enjoy yourself in social environments, and be effective at getting results!
I can’t wait to see you there!
Local Farm Tour
led by Evan Wright
Over the past century, those of us in the United States have become increasingly disconnected from the sources of our food. New books, documentaries, and ideas are speaking to a growing movement to understand and reconnect with the things we eat. In this project we will take a number of field trips away from camp to visit nearby farms. While I'm still hammering out the details at the time of writing, my intention is that we get an opportunity to help out as well as talk to those who run the farms.
Bonus opportunity: PRE CAMP MOVIE SCREENING/DISCUSSION. Most people who go to camp complain that it doesn't last the whole year. Here is one way to start camp off a little earlier and get to know our group. For those who wish to, there will be a chance for all of us to discuss the documentary "Food Inc." before camp. We will organize a day when everyone will rent it followed by a conference call to share our thoughts.
The Art of Dialogue
led by Maggie Genthner
In this project we’ll dialogue together. Basically dialoguing is an open-ended conversation on the nature of our human experiences. Through dialogue you can connect with your own unique expression of your life. We’ll listen to and read passages from philosophers such as Krishnamurti, David Bohm, as well as read fables and stories from ancient cultures. The objective is not “to know” per se it is to explore our experience and EXPAND. I want to caution you that this is not a debate class or a therapy session! It will be facilitated away from those themes. We will begin to awaken a deeper intelligence than the one that is centered on facts and opinions. We will look to the authority within ourselves. We will learn the skill of inquiry that is needed to safely navigate our interiors. We will also be careful to keep the work body centered and not too “heady” by doing some light stretching and taking a walk together.
My connection to “Dialogue” began in high school when I decided to study abroad at a Krishnamurti school. I found dialogue to be a positive way for people to connect authentically. The connection was deeper than agreeing on something “sounding right”. It went beyond world-view and ego. It was based on opening our hearts to each other and listening to the experience as it unfolded, in that, what is created is a container to explore mind and the nature of reality.
Freaky Frisbee
led by Blake Boles
Join long-time disc chucker Blake as he introduces you to the world of freaky frisbee. Did you know that there’s far more to frisbee than a regular ol’ game of toss? In this 3-day project you’ll learn a dozen different ways to throw and catch a disc, understand the physics of frisbee, and play lots of Ultimate Frisbee (using league rules and advanced strategy).
All ability levels are welcome to join, but you’ll get the most from this project if you can already do a basic frisbee throw (backhand). Be psyched for lots of sun and running around!
Day 1: Basic throws (backhand & flick); Frisbee physics; Ultimate rules, strategy, & practice.
Day 2: Freestyle throws; Freestyle catches; Ultimate game.
Day 3: Fancy practice; Ultimate game.
Scavenger hunt
led by Evan Wright
We will create a fantastic scavenger hunt for all of camp. Together we will design puzzles, make plans, and place clues. We may use technology, multimedia, and the natural environment to shape the hunt. Some of the wackiest ideas I've collected, I'm saving for our first meeting. This is a good project for you if: 1. You like having, and creating, fun. 2. You like contributing to others. 3. You want to create an epic scavenger hunt.
Bonus opportunity: PRE CAMP CONVOS. Most people who go to camp complain that it doesn't last the whole year. Here is one way to start camp off a little earlier and get to know our group. For those who wish to, there will be a chance for all of us to be in contact before camp to make plans and share ideas.
Bonus bonus opportunity: I'm an experienced event and project organizer. I am offering mentorship for project creation to anyone from the Scavenger Hunt project who requests it. I broadly define a project as any effort over time that results in a desired outcome. Everyone has projects and most projects have rules in common for what works and what will bomb. I am happy to be a sounding board for you and your projects big or small, share what I have learned about project creation using the Scavenger Hunt as a learning lab, brainstorm ideas for a project that excites you or just answer any questions you have.
It Takes Two: Art and Collaboration
led by Dandy Dewar
Everywhere you look, in just about every creative medium, collaboration exists. Sometimes it's two kids scribbling on the same piece of paper, sometimes it's musicians on opposite sides of the country recording snippets of songs and mailing them to each other. The focus of this project is that very act. Putting our heads together, we'll create as pairs or a group that which we might not be able to on our own. Making a partial collage, then handing it off to someone else to finish? We'll do that. The Surrealist game, Exquisite Corpse? Yep, that too. We'll even collaborate on what sort of collaborative activities we'll do! The "goal" (if such a word must be used) of this project is to blur the lines between ownership of art, and to open our minds to the possibilities available to us when you invite others onto your creative train of thought. Once you are no longer hung up over who wrote which song in your band, or who put more work into that painting, you can focus on what matters, being the act of creating it's self. Everything that is created during this project will be collected into a (you guessed it) Collaborative Zine, and mailed to the participants upon our return the the rest of the world.
Listen, Debate, Learn: How to Argue Politics and Keep Your Friends
led by Jake Matilsky
Our workshop will be a three part political discussion. I often notice that people shy away from debate even if they have something useful to say, some opinion that is valuable, or some insight that has been missed. Not knowing every fact should not stop people from discussing their views. Feeling bullied by loud voices should not stop discussions either. Being intimidated due to a lack of solutions is also not a good reason to disengage. The idea behind our workshop will be to allow people the opportunity to debate and discuss issues in a supportive and safe environment, giving us an opportunity to hone our rhetoric skills so that we can challenge the loud mouth, the bully, and the condescending! This workshop is appropriate for all campers interested in current events. There is not a prerequisite to participation.
On our first day we will work as a group and come up with ideas to discuss. In addition, we will go over empowering vocabulary; explore ways to discuss and phrase ideas; and ways to frame issues so that debate can ensue. At the end of the first day, we will select topics that we want to address in the following two days.
The following two days will be broken down into the domestic and international issues from our brainstorm. We will break off into small groups for three half-hour chunks. At the end of each day, we will have a half-hour check-in to see how people felt about the discussion, what they would change next time, what points they thought were really interesting, etc.
The format can change based on our needs as a group as we progress through the discussions.