YOUTH SUMMER ECO-CAMP 2023

The Summer Eco-Camp tries to live up to this claim to some extent by examining various problems and solutions in an atmosphere of mutual listening, deliberation and practical action. The aim is to broaden the horizons of those involved and to strengthen an international network of young people who contribute to a real cultural change: a contribution to widening the field of vision from homo consumericus (consumer man) to homo integralis (holistic man). The all-encompassing, holistic focus of the Summer Camp tries to connect “head, heart and hands” with each other.

Who is invited? Young adults, students and young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 from Australia who want to promote ecological change in themselves and in the world. And speakers and experts in the areas of climate change, business, agriculture and politics will come from the local area (Clare/Barossa, Adelaide) and other parts of South Australia and from other States. The Camp is an ideologically open space in which everyone, regardless of gender or orientation, can feel at home in their personal, political, social and religious views, as long as they are open to hearing others’.

  MEANS

During the week, knowledge is shared and applications imagined, interpersonal growth is encouraged and meditation and mindfulness practised. Various experts will be present throughout the summer camp, providing inspiring content in the morning and enabling the participants to exchange ideas with them. In the afternoons, the students and young professionals will learn through excursions, visits to sustainable businesses, and through practical experiences (e.g. gardening, hiking, etc) how ecological change can work. Times of self-reflection and mindfulness will make it possible to critically question the content and to change how participants view Earth, human society and themselves. Even after the end of the summer camp, the exchange among the participants should continue so that the knowledge acquired seeps through from the head to the heart and contributes to long-term changes can.

 LOCALE

Where does the Summer Camp take place? The Summer Camp will take place at Sevenhill Retreat Centre, a rural spiritual institution committed to UAPs [expand]. It is 120 kms north of Adelaide, surrounded by nature, vineyards and farms. Participants will be at the camp for the whole 5 days (6 nights), while the ‘experts’ will be invited to stay at least 24 hours to enable personal encounters and the direct and informal transfer of knowledge.

 SCHEDULE

Mornings: practicing mindfulness, prayer and personal exchange • Input by the speakers and open discussion • Afternoons: Excursions, land care, visits to sustainable companies, and other practical experiences • Evenings: Campfire talks with open question and answer sessions and free evenings to promote personal networking and encounters; self-generated entertainment (music); Eucharist.

 APPLICATION

An application process will involve a certain degree of selection of participants to ensure diversity of culture and backgrounds, while at the same time ensuring that the one thing in common is the willingness to learn together, to be open to inner change and to be ready to take future action.