Report from the Quaker Camp Committee
This year’s Quaker Camp brought 81 campers together at Hulver Farm, 12 of whom were first-timers. Newcomers included five Friends from Norwich, Beccles, Ipswich, Diss and Abingdon, and six non-Quaker relatives or friends of old hands. There was an almost international feel to the gathering as it included two campers from Colombia (one of whom lives in Japan), one from Afghanistan, and one from Germany (via a life in America). Ages spanned from toddler to octogenarian. The complete inclusiveness was tangible, and it was pleasing to find how much the newcomers with no experience of Quakerism adopted the spirit of Camp, and appreciated the readings from Advices & Queries and Quaker Faith & Practice during our daily Meetings for Worship.
The weather was kind, with minimal rain and not too much heat, and as usual there was a variety of activities to join in or not. They included craftivism (embroidering messages to send to MEPs, to contribute to a QCEA initiative), the making of crowns decorated with grasses and flowers by the children, yoga, a writing workshop, a singing workshop, backwards walking and jamming with musical instruments. There were trips to the Beccles Lido and the beach, and on several evenings an Epilogue was offered.
Wednesday, as ever, was visitors’ day, and we were pleased to welcome several. The big all-Camp event “Not the Olympic Games” was held in the afternoon, for anyone to join in. Many campers had contributed ideas for silly races and helped to make a large stock of medals for all participants in every race to wear. The event started with a ceremonial marching band of instrumentalists, followed by baton- (croquet mallet-) twirlers, and the holding high of an Olympic torch. The unconventional races included crawling, backward running, perpetual motion (moving slowing constantly without coming to a stop) and used tea bag hurling.
Cooking over the fire was made so much easier by Beth and Olly’s meticulous food planning and organisation, even acquiring bespoke handmade, extra-long stirrers for the food which we cook over the open fire. Covid affected one camper and was a concern for those who have contact with vulnerable people outside of camp. The friend returned a negative test after a couple of days and no other positive Covid tests were reported. Another friend fell backwards during. ‘Not the Olympic Games,’ and suffered a brief loss of consciousness. An ambulance came and our friend, who was checked out and is reassured and is active again. One friend who was unwell is now getting the help they need and we hold them in the light and look forward to seeing them well again soon. We thank friends for their support and decisive actions to ensure help was given where needed.
Some friends enjoyed a guided visit to about Walpole Nonconformist Chapel. Other friends went on a sound walk which was offered by a contact of James Belton. This was a 2-hour silent walk at dusk along the farm's footpaths during which participants stopped at various spots to listen to the sounds of surrounding nature amplified through special equipment. A Bollywood dance workshop was led by a teacher from Beccles and was uplifting for participants and audience. Our usual Wednesday ceilidh was expertly led by Tom Foxes friends and Friday evening’s entertainment was enjoyable as always. Full of music, poetry, comedy sketches, ingenuity and physical antics provided amusement for all.
This year’s camp was set up a little differently as there were owl chicks in the Oak tree where we usually set up our cooking fire. This meant that we set up our cooking area had a little more space. Work teams worked well for a smooth set up and pack down and provided delicious meals service. Coming together for Meeting for Worship each day brought us together as a whole community. We shared silence, ministry and offerings for activities for the day. In the final Meeting for Worship we gave thanks for the time we shared.
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