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.................................SITE FOUND

'Wild flower meadows where Somerset touches Wiltshire'

SITE FOUND!

Podcast #14

Featuring our beloved Jilani Prescott!

Click for details

Newsletter

January News - click here

DATES
Voice Camp: 3rd -11th August 2012
Healing Camp: 12th -16th August 2012
PTA Camp: 17th - 25th August 2012

PRICES - Early Bird Discounts apply!
If pre-booked:
Voice Camp: £225 | £135 | £95 | £85
Healing Camp: £135 | £65
Dance Camp £185 | £100 | £80 | £70
Extra for adults if paid on gate: £30 | £20

Our refund policy is that a 75% refund can be given up to 30 days before the camp starts. Alternatively you can carry your ticket over to another Unicorn Camp in the same or the following year.

Newsboard

from Barbara Morgan

Family Constellations

2 year training Bristol June 2013.
2x3 day workshops Feb/April.
Visit website or email Barbara for further details.

Contact List
AVAILABLE HERE

Upload your photos
...and see others'

PHOTOS LINK

Lift sharing

Please register offers and requests for any of the three camps with:
Freewheelers

Recipes

Visit the Camp Cookery page with lots of ideas to improve the culinary aspect of your camping experience!
Camp Cookery

from Chris Diallo

And the unicorn passes through my life once again.

Pleasurable pensings of the perfect people of the parachute; the glowing ones, the harmonious healings, richness of rhythm and the way of the cardigan. All hail to a balanced diet of love n laughter, salad n suet pudding and the concept of the power cry.

Here’s to jokes, short and long, clean and base and filthy as can be. To morning mist and tea and politics and jazz. All hail to the cardy sutra, the cackling crones and a shiny new being emerging from a faun.

To those who serve and inspire, the gorgeous gilani, the stately Glen, magnificent Muiz, the awesomeness which encompasses Angela, Jo, Vicky, and Jules. Tara dressed for high tea, Nikomo and Rasullah in harmonious heaven, James manifesting, little Ruth orating and the magnificant musicality which is Danielle.

All hail to the perfection of Y chromosome energy of the Superb Sam, Marvellous Matt, Rollicking Ray, our Bonny Bob and Mr Mark (the goddess of not being a woman).

Dreams made flesh, food for body and soul, wool gathered and spun, darns and running repairs to the fabric of clothes and lives. Problems halved and halved again, stories told, songs sung, a new pattern in the weave, a sea change....

I am blessed by it all as I travel on alone, muddily with stubbed and sore toes, hope in my heart and snot in my nose. To all my beloveds, known or not, named or yet to be brought into the orbit of my consciousness.

Magical moments, cameos of perfection, love, laughter, grief, pain and struggle. Our anger, our tears, our utterly divine music... Bright blessings to you all as you walk your personal paths.

Activities

Click for details:

Harmony Singing and Performance Singing We sing in harmony, in unison, alone and together in groups from 3 to 150, and are led by joyful experienced teachers. The joy and satisfaction that comes from this is always felt to be a delightful aspect of the whole rich experience. No special skills or previous experience are needed to participate, because there are sessions for all levels of ability: an open heart is an advantage.

Harmonic Temple Harmonic Temple is a magical soundspace created when a group meets in spirit through vocal harmony. For the last 13 years Nickomo & Rasullah have been perfecting a repertoire of chants, prayers and affirmations to achieve this ecstatic immersion in sound using texts from many different spiritual sources, and they are now sung around the world. It is accessible to singers of all levels of ability, and is a wonderful way to start the day.

Dances of Universal Peace Dances of Universal Peace are simple dances set to chants based on sacred phrases, honouring all the spiritual traditions of the world. The dances are danced in circles, accompanied by music. No skill or experience is needed to participate, it's just that an open heart is likely to be useful!.

Circle Dance Circle Dance involves simple movements from the folk dancing tradition of many countries, particularly Greece and Eastern Europe. Under the guidance of experienced teachers, we dance every day in the open air before sunset to live music from the Circle Dance Band led by Rasalila’s Tony Wrench, which is open to all instrumentalists and singers.

Children and Teenagers Children and Teenagers.

A full programme of craft workshops, sports, games, music and procession workshops is provided for all children over five. There are sessions in the children's creativity area every morning and afternoon. Children can also join in the rest of the camp programme if their parents or carers think they are able to respond appropriately.

Teenagers have their own programme of activities which includes drumming, crafts, personal development, fire night preparation, late night camp fire stories and much more.

Development Groups Development Groups are a major feature of the PTA camp this year. They are teaching and discussion groups that will have different themes with a common purpose relating to spiritual and personal development. This could include Buddhism, Christianity, Illahinoor, Astrology, 7 Words, Family Constellations and so on. If you feel inspired, then please offer a theme.

Other sessions

quotes

It's an amazing experience - thankyou, thankyou to everyone

Feedback Sheets from Voice Camp

Feedback

Enquiries are sent by email to

Try unicorn2010@unicorncamps.com if you don't get through

If you want to be on our mailing list or offer any kind of feedback...

Alternative Family Camping Holidays -
for Singers, Dancers and Magical Beings

information

The rules and conventions governing the everyday running of the Unicorn Camps are the result of years of experience and the feedback we gather each year from the campers.

Please follow the links to find out why these rules are in place, and how they contribute to making every camp a wonderful experience.

Camp Rules

No alcohol or illegal drugs  More When Samuel Lewis created the Dances of Universal Peace in 1960’s San Francisco, it was specifically with the intent of providing the young people of that city with the experience of a spiritual ‘high’ as an alternative to drugs. In the decades since, in which the Dances have grown and spread throughout the world, it has been understood that all Dance events, whether single sessions, residential retreats or camps, have benefitted from a ‘no alcohol/no drugs’ rule.

Many people have experienced these events as having the power to trigger significant personal transformation, and that the use of alcohol or drugs would have blocked the process. When the Unicorn Dances of Universal Peace Camp (now called the Dancing Spirit Camp) began in the early nineties, it was a given that this rule would apply, and the reasons for it were understood and appreciated by the first wave of campers.

It also proved to be a very practical rule for a family camp, which along with the 11pm. ‘Quiet Time’ convention allowed camping families to feel secure and to get a good night’s sleep. It has been our experience that on camps which allow alcohol this is often not the case; with the best will in the world it doesn’t take many drinks for us to forget both the lateness of the hour and the fact that we are surrounded by people trying to sleep with only thin canvas between themselves and our revelry!

When the Unicorn Natural Voice Camp began in 1998 it seemed natural to continue in this ethos and the majority of campers the first year were familiar with it through the Dance Camp.

As the Voice Camp grew it took in more participants from the world of Community Choirs and the Core Group became concerned that a clash of cultures would occur, as in the broader European culture singing and drinking very often go together. Indeed in our feedback some participants felt that moderate drinking should be allowed. The majority opinion however was considerably in favour of the alcohol ban so we have retained it across both our main camps. The policy continues to be enthusiastically endorsed by our feedback process.

Singing itself can be a very powerful and transformative activity, especially combined with the experience of the camp community and the back-to-basics focus of simple everyday camp life away from our usual patterns. Most people who have experienced the camps have appreciated how the no-alcohol rule enables this opportunity for personal growth. There are many participants who say that Unicorn Camps have changed their lives. This is something of which the Core Group are very proud and they are most unlikely to ever abandon this key policy.



No amplified music  More Both our camps are full of musicians and singers and provide lots of opportunities to get together to make music both as part of the programme and informally in the Café or in the camping circles. We want to encourage actual in-the-moment music and not pre-recorded material which has no interaction with the present moment.

We have experienced other camps where loud recorded music in one marquee has made it very difficult to lead an acapella singing workshop in another, or where although live music is ostensibly encouraged in the Café, you have to ask the staff to turn off their ghetto blaster first, which puts one under a lot of creative pressure, and makes spontaneous music making impossible.

The worst of all is when the canned music from the next tent keeps you awake into the small hours, and when you finally crawl over to complain, they are all unconscious! It is no small blessing to be at a camp where these things will never happen!



Mobile phone calls must be made away from the camping area  More At Unicorn Camps being present in the moment is encouraged. In the context of the community of the camp, where everyone has access of communication with each other, someone having a discussion with a person not physically present is disrespectful and can be disturbing. Of course sometimes it is necessary to be in communication with someone outside the camp, but this can be done sensitively by making the call in the car park or by sending and receiving texts silently.



All gas appliances used on site must meet regulation standards  More We were obliged to include this rule after two successive years in which the Fire Brigade were called to the camp.

On both occasions the cause of the fire was a camping gas fridge which had been inexpertly assembled. We did not ban such fridges completely as they are often part of the fittings in a campervan but we do require them to meet regulation standards.



No noise after 11pm  More From the beginning we have had an 11pm ‘Quiet Time’ in place so that everyone on the camp can get a good night’s sleep and be refreshed for early morning activities. Our experience from other camps is that last night noise causes a lot of discomfort and resentment, especially for families.

Although our camping fields cover a reasonably large area we do not sleep within thick walls and loud noise on one part of the site can be heard on any other.

As with the ‘no alcohol’ rule, this was challenged by some in the early days of the Natural Voice Camp but since then it has been widely acknowledged in the feedback as being a practical restriction on a long family camp.



Dogs are not permitted  More Unfortunately the history of trying to accommodate dogs on camps is an unsuccessful one and nearly all current camps do not allow them on site. They have been known to be a menace to young children and their excrement is a health hazard. They have been guilty of transgressing curfews and the theft of camper’s foodstuffs, including breaking and entering! We are prepared to accommodate well-trained guide dogs.



No visitors and no new arrivals after the first Sunday of the camp  More One of the things which enables the very special quality of community on Unicorn Camps is the feeling of safety which comes from being part of a settled group of people.

The camps are small enough that all faces become familiar after a day or two and the sudden appearance of new people can be quite strange after we have become sensitised to each other. It’s also disturbing when people leave early so we ask them not to if at all possible. These rules do not apply to children who are brought to the camp after it has started; we ask that they are met at the Gate Marquee or outside the camp.

Participants should not arrive before Arrivals Day (Saturday). We impose a £20 per adult per night surcharge for early arrivals.

Suggested Things to Bring

Here is a suggestion about what you will need to bring: List

About Us

Unicorn Voice Camps and Dancing Spirit Camps are organised by a core group of four people, Bob, James, Jenny and Nickomo. On a day to day level the camp is run by teams led by co-ordinators working in and supervising:

The Gate Team More When you arrive at camp you will check in at the Gate Marquee where you will be welcomed by the Gate Team. The role of the Gate Team is to welcome you to the camp, help you get settled into a camping circle and act as an information point. They also monitor the physical boundaries of the camp to keep out intruders and act as intermediaries between the camp and the outside world.

When you check in at the Gate on arrival you will be given a Karma Yoga ticket. ‘Karma Yoga’ means offering work as a service for the benefit of the community. All adult and teenage participants are asked to contribute to the everyday running of the camp.

The work is likely to require one to three hours of your time during the week. Some of the Karma Yoga duties include lantern lighting, helping in children’s workshops, serving in the café and toilet cleaning (rubber gloves provided!).



The Site Crew More The Site Crew spend the week before the camps assembling the structures and facilities and the week after taking them down. While the camps are running they maintain these facilities which include:

Compost toilets, including a toilet with disabled access

These are organic toilets which use sawdust instead of flushing with water. Please do not put anything inorganic into the toilets, a bin is provided. You need to remember to supply your own toilet paper!

Standpipes with running filtered water

There are a number of water points throughout the camp. The water is filtered and good to drink. Please take water away in containers for use in your circle; washing up and teeth cleaning at the standpipe is discouraged as it creates mud and a health hazard!

Hot showers

There are three shower heads served by a wood-fired boiler in a spacious dry enclosure. Communal showering and sharing of water is encouraged as being the most efficient mode of use but special times are set aside for separate genders and young people who prefer more privacy.

Compost and recycling facilities

As part of our green ethos we do not provide for the collection of general rubbish which you must take away with you (if you have produced any!). Local recycling facilities are excellent however, and there is a recycling facility for all recyclables. The Site Crew will provide bin bags for this. There is a compost area to receive organic waste.



The Creativity Area More The Creativity Area is a group of marquees and other structures including a magnificent climbing frame and sports area manned by an extensive staff of experienced facilitators.

There is a daily programme for over 5’s of Arts & Craft activities, music, games and creative play. It is called the ‘Creativity Area’ because it provides a space and materials for creative projects for the whole camp, not just the children. Likewise, most of the adult programme is open to children as well and it will be stated in the morning gathering if any sessions are not suitable.

Every day there is a Storytime session in the Big Yurt for listeners of all ages held by our well loved team of experienced storytellers.

Our hope is that the whole camp will be mindful of the welfare of our children. Ultimately of course as parents we are responsible for their welfare and behaviour, ensuring that our children are aware of the rules of the camp and that they are observed. Parents are asked to ensure that their children are back in their camping circle by 10pm.



Teenage Activities More There is a special area of the camp reserved for teenagers of 15 years and above who wish to camp together as long as they observe the same rules as the adults, particularly with regard to alcohol, drugs and noise.

There are specific structures to accommodate workshops for the teenagers including a special strawbale roundhouse where, among other activities, the drumming sessions are held. There is an opportunity to participate in its construction at the beginning of the Voice Camp. We have a highly skilled team who provide a wonderful programme of workshops. The teenagers are also most welcome to participate in the main adult programme.



Well-Being More We have a team on site who respond to accidents and emergencies. They will be identified at the first morning gathering and information given on how to locate them.

Most day to day problems will hopefully be dealt with within your camping circle, where it is useful to identify the location of first-aid kits. All participants are ultimately responsible for their own health and well-being and that of their children.

If required there is a doctor’s clinic in the village. Mindfulness of hygiene is especially important when camping together. The weather is often hot, the facilities are more basic than those we are used to at home, and with our proximity to each other there is an increased risk of bugs being spread. Wash your hands!

Keep your food covered!

Clean your eating utensils with hot soapy water after use!



The Café More The Café is open most of the day for drinks and cakes. It also provides cooked breakfasts and lunches. Musicians and storytellers are always welcome. You will need to bring your own cutlery and crockery but the ‘tab’ system means you don’t have to carry money with you.

We encourage all campers to support the café and local shopkeepers and to try to keep from using their cars during the camp. We also ask everyone to follow a vegetarian diet on the camps for reasons of hygiene.



Unicorn Camps have been running since 1988. Over this time an ethos and policy has developed through shared experience and feedback. Our hope is that everyone will feel accepted as an individual, and as a part of the community.

Camping Circles

Circles are formed organically as people arrive and select a space in which to set up their tent.

A fire is made in the middle of the circle directly onto the ground. Circle members share collecting and chopping wood, keeping a supply of water at hand and tending the fire.

The evening meal and washing-up is something that is usually shared with the whole circle, a talk with your circle will establish how you wish to operate.

Time for Circle Sharing is included in the programme near the beginning of the camp.

 More about circle sharing
Circle Sharing is usually done with a ‘talking stick’. This can in fact be any object which can be passed around the circle. The important thing is that once the process has begun, only the person holding the stick is empowered to speak, and the rest to listen without interrupting.

Traditionally the stick is then passed clockwise around the circle. Speakers are asked to speak from their own experience, and not to engage in speculations or accusations! By common consent the stick can go round again, or be abandoned in favour of free conversation.

The formality of this method has the advantage of giving everyone a safe space in which to be heard. It is a good opportunity for sharing personal needs whether medical, emotional or dietary.



Your circle is the first place to look to for company, friendship, practical help and emotional support. Some thoughts: Do you want to camp with families with children, if so what ages?

Do you want to be near certain facilities e.g. the Creativity Area, the climbing frame, or the main marquee? Do you want to camp with others with plenty of experience of camps willing to share their knowledge and cooking equipment? As most circles cook communally, size is another factor; would you rather cook more often for less people or vice-versa?

We encourage first-time campers to arrive as early as you can, as it can be difficult trying to join circles who consider themselves to be complete!

You may wish to camp in the Quieter Area which is intended to be a restful place for those who wish to camp away from the main camping area.

Though the ‘Quiet Time’ (from 11pm – 8pm) is observed by the whole camp, it is understood that those in the Quieter Area are unlikely to welcome music-making in their circles at any time, so it is not a good place for keen singers and musicians!

Also campers with children would probably feel more comfortable camping elsewhere.

Please note that this area is part of a camping field and is only relatively quiet, which is why it is called the ‘Quieter Area’.

Vehicles

Once you have put your tent up we ask that you remove your car to the car park.

As we are living physically close to the earth, it is a wonderful opportunity to experience everyday living at its most basic surrounded by natural things. The absence of cars from the camping fields supports this aesthetic.

Unfortunately it is not practical to do without them entirely, as the daily shop delivery and the occasional wood delivery require vehicles, as do those campers who have difficulties using a tent and need to use a campervan, trailer tent, or caravan. We ask these campers to camouflage their vehicles as much as possible with awnings and tarpaulins and to park along the edge of the field.

UCT

This stands for ‘Unicorn Camp Time’ - which is no longer required and has been abolished

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope that most of the questions you may have are already addressed within the text on this page, or within the answers here. More
How do I get to the camp?
Directions with maps are sent with your ticket. The nearest train station is Bradford on Avon. Taxis available from the station.Travel Options Link

I am travelling from abroad - how do I get to the camp?
If travelling through Gatwick, Heathrow or Bristol airports: Travel Options Link

Do I need to bring food? There is an organic farm shop, local village shop and a café at the camp. We suggest you bring basic food supplies and something for your first meals unless you are eating in the café

Can my child bring a friend? We are relaxing our rules about bringing extra children. All children brought to the camp must be well supervised by a responsible adult.

Can I pay online? You can pay by direct bank transfer using the banking details on the booking form. For our overseas customers ONLY we can receive payment on arrival at the camp in Euros or Pounds.

Can I arrive late at the camp? All participants must arrive within the arrival period, Saturday and Sunday until 10pm

Can I leave early? We ask that people stay for the whole camp to establish a sense of security and community which supports us all

I haven’t received my ticket yet! Please allow 21 days for delivery. If you are worried email with your full name and date of booking

I find sleeping in a tent difficult, can I stay at a B&B? Nearby Stowford Manor Farm do B&B, with 6 double/twin rooms. Ffi. please contact Philip and Catherine Bryant 01225-752253 email: stowford1@supanet.com The farmhouse is just 8 minutes walk from the camp site. Bring a small tent if you can for storage and to be part of a camping circle

Can I bring a caravan or camper van? Our camps are greatly enhanced by having a vehicle free camping site. If it is necessary for you to bring a caravan or camper van please camouflage it with tarps and awnings, and locate it by a field boundary to minmise its impact.

My partner wants to come but is not into singing or dancing... There are many other activities on the programme and the experience of just being at camp is enjoyable and rewarding in itself

Can I carry my ticket over? Normally you will lose your money if you haven't told us that you can't come. However,a 75% refund is available for a cancellation made up to 30 days before the camp starts

Enquiries

If the general information below or the FAQ’s don’t answer your query you can get in touch with us at

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