What is an Encampment ?

Coming together in a natural setting has brought thousands of people together over the years in the Sedona area. Full moon Meditations, Medicine Wheel Ceremonies, Sweat Lodges, Retreats, Vortex Tours, etc, have all shown that people coming together in these ways has been inspirational and motivational. Encampment uses these ways and more to bring together kindred spirits in building community and empowering each participant at a personal level.

Encampment becomes a door we walk through with conscious intention into a greater awareness to empower our personal and larger visions. These visions encompass the ideas of planetary peace, living in harmony with Earth Mother, assuming responsibility for the knowledge we carry, and crossing cultural boundaries to create new kinship.

Encampment is a microcosm of the village. Taking time from our every-day lives to be with nature and one another in new and different ways creates an opportunity to look deeper. Indeed, it is a powerful place we can come to look and see the origins of our "realities".The Encampment process opens the doors of opportunity for each of us to find and share the gifts of love and knowledge which we carry within.

Those of us who have attended previous encampments encourage you to join us in the exploration of ourselves, and through putting together all pieces we each hold, we discover the value we hold for one another. We recognize the need to synthesize new myths for our planet. Putting together the parts(gifts) that we each hold, helps us discover the value we hold for one another. We listen and support one another. We learn to recognize our own truths. Encampment has shown us that our unique individual aspects can create a cohesive whole unit which supports the earth’s own energies. This begins a healing process which radiates out onto the earth's gridlines, is empowering to the individual, and those we touch.

What happens at Encampment ?

There are a variety of activities that take place at Encampment. We step into sacred space in conscious communion with our Creator. In full mindfulness, we dance our prayers alive and make them real in our lives. Our primary tools -- Sweat Lodge, the Medicine Wheel, the Pipe, the Drum, and the Talking Circle(which come from the native peoples of this continent) are the Heart of Encampment. We welcome you to introduce different and new ways; bring your ideas and be ready to put them in motion. Although each Encampment has been unique, our gatherings have many ongoing activities such as hiking, AA Meetings, T'ai Chi or Yoga and Massage Therapy. Often, workshops are available to participants involving areas such as Rattle and Drum Making, Thai Massage, Chi Kung, Herbology, Storytelling and Theater Performance.

Our Talking Circles have had diverse topics such as Men’s Circle, Women’s Circle, Native American Elders sharing their wisdom, Gathering and use of Sacred Herbs, Earth Healing and Shamanic Ceremony, Music as Medicine, Surviving in the "wild", Communication skills and Body Language, Ways of the Sweat Lodge, The Pipe, Kundalini Yoga, Prophecy, Goddess Dance, Earth Changes, Spiritual learnings from Native American Languages, The Medicine Wheel, Environmental issues, The Prayer Shawl & Dance, and Sexual Peace.

Things to Bring

Encampment provides a communal cooking facility which centralizes garbage pickup, reduces wood consumption, and protects our water supply. Please use common fires for all cooking (you may want to bring a portable stove). Each individual needs to provide their own dishes (pots and pans, plates, eating utensils, bowls, and cups or glasses) and will be responsible for washing them. Bring enough water for 4 days for each member of your party. Dinner and a light breakfast will be provided each day. Bring lunch items and snacks such as fruit, granola and juices. We will need volunteers(YOU!) for general clean-up and help with cooking. Remember, everyone at Encampment is a volunteer.

Basic Equipment

Tent/tarp, ground cover, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, basic pots and pans, cup, bowl, eating utensils, snacks, water and beverages (2 gallons per day recommended per person), several layers of clothing, swimsuit, towels for bathing and sweat lodge, rugged shoes, personal toiletry items as needed, bug repellent, biodegradable soap, sunblock, lantern/flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, knife. There will be no shower or bathing facilities available.

For Ceremony and Talking Circles:

Bring offerings to be given to ceremonial leaders. Bring Tobacco for each ceremony. Also, consider bringing sage, cedar, sweet grass, drums, rattles, bells, and other musical instrument for use in the ceremonies. Prayer objects may be given for the Prayer Bundle. Personal medicine objects; a sweat lodge towel and/or blanket, and cloth for tobacco ties; an open mind and heart. Please, dogs are not welcome during ceremony.

Traditionally at Encampment, we have a "Giveaway" Ceremony. You may wish to bring an item to place on the blanket. This magical ceremony is near and dear to many of our hearts. The Giveaway takes place the final day of Encampment.

For the sake of our Intent:

The Cosmos supports the following Guidelines at Encampment:

• The use of alcohol or other drugs, and the carrying of firearms will not be allowed.
• Please, no radios or car stereos (bring headphones).
• Unattended dogs: please be prepared to be leashed to your dog if there are problems.
• Please use the common firepits, and respect the ceremonies and ceremonial space.
• Children are welcome. Special events are being planned for them. However parents are urged to attend to their young ones.
• Remember you are responsible for your own compulsions and obsessions before you become obsessively compulsive about others’ obsessions and compulsions.

I wanna come!

Encampment will take place in the Sedona area May 3rd through May 6, 1996. Pre-registration is highly recommended and requested. There is no charge for any activity or ceremony at Encampment. However, we do have expenses such as the Forest Service Permit Fee, Porta Potty costs (required by the Forest Service), miscellaneous equipment, computer and mailing costs, firewood, sweatlodge supplies etc. We ask for a contribution of $75 for the full 4 days from each attendee. Larger contributions will be accepted, needed, and greatly appreciated! Children under 16 free- accompanied by adult.

Please make checks payable to Cynthia Hopkins and return no later than Apr. 21st. 1996 to Encampment 8, Box 2674, Sedona AZ. 86339. Upon receipt, we will mail an acknowledgment, including events calendar and map. Call (520)204-2749 for more information.