NVC UK Summer Camp report
Unfurling the Giraffe on the Rainbow Mill
Hi All,
A month has passed since the first NVC Camp in the UK at the Rainbow Mill in North Norfolk, UK. I wanted to write a report about it to celebrate what we created and to inspire others to do the same. There were about sixty-five people, including about twenty under the age of fifteen.
Highlights for me were: facilitating the community sessions, helping Des’ son Greg abseil down the Mill to fix the huge Jackal and Giraffe canvas murals; ’stamping my chaos’ at the Five Rhythms session, facilitating a ‘fishbowl’ between men and women, and of course the hilarious ‘No need for talent show’.
I deeply appreciate the contributions of Gayano, Beauchamp and Penny in setting it up and Des, the owner of the Rainbow Mill for hosting it, and to all the people who contributed to everyone’s learning and care.
I’d like to include some of the comments that have appeared since the camp on the Yahoo group we set up to keep in touch:
Within the gentle safety of this camp-community, I was able to journey & venture. I was able to, for example, identify a deeply-engrained pattern of mine, in relation to how I react to other people’s ‘aggressive’ behaviour. And I felt secure enough to explore it – with the wonderful support of certain folk who I felt able to lean towards for support (you know who u r – deep thanx!) The exploration was in no way easy – I was distressed for a great part of it. It was as scary as, say, deep-sea exploration. But safe in the knowledge I had a well-trained & competent crew on the surface to help me if & when I needed it.
- Kossie from Manchester
The murals in all their glory!
Really missing the adult and children companionship. Missing sharing a space with so many other people with shared values. Holding how precious that was and wanting more of it. Missing that space where I felt able to speaking authentically from my heart, where I witnessed and hear so many other people speaking their truth. I found being at the camp incredible and it was profoundly healing for me having so many people around to offer their time, give me empathy, allow me space to process a lot of issues that were triggered for me during the week. Blessings to you all for that.
I found when I was there at the camp, I did connect to something like abundance energy. Something like If I let go of the strategy of any particular person meeting a need of mine, and somehow just trust that the universe would provide, then someone would appear joyfully willing to meet my need. Something about me moving to a more trusting and abundance way of living.
- Sarah from Donegal, Ireland,
I listened again to the song we sang at the closing circle: ‘How could anyone ever tell you?’ on YouTube. Am feeling pain and loss, it has propelled me back to that day, leaving the camp, and how overwhelmed I felt by beautiful and painful emotions. I feel confused as tears pore down my cheeks.
I found walking round like that, a beautiful way to thank all my new, true, real friends (you). I had lots of things I wanted to say in that leaving circle after, but found that I chose not too, due to being overwhelmed. I feel the same now, as I get in touch with those feelings! Maybe words seem unable to express what I feel in these moments? The only thing I can say is it is a rare thing in my life to have got so many needs met at the same time, with so little effort, and in such a willing way. I am so grateful – to the camp, to the community, to the individuals – and I want more. Thank you.
Lots of loving and deeply best wishes to you all.
- Floaty Sarah from Wales.
For myelf, I found deep connections, love, peace, learning and healing. On the final day I saw two people hugging. It was something I’ve only dreamed of…how they hugged each other with completely open hearts.
I don’t know how to have more fun! Holidays just don’t do it for me – it’s NVC camps all the way!
NVC UK Summer Camp closing day photo
Des is planning to host more NVC events at the Rainbow Mill. Gina Lawrie and I are running an NVC Dance Floor Festival July 6-11th, and Des is planning to run the camp again August 25-31st (dates tbc). There may be other camps too! Look out for announcements here, on Seedofpeace.org and on the new Nonviolent Events in the UK page.
Love and life, Shantigarbha
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I AM NIRANGINI. i work in centre for peace and reconcilation (CPR). my designation : NVC coodinator. our work in the school & grass villages. i want your help and support. please invite your tranning programme please inform. please see our web:www.peacecentrejaffna.org
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