What is a Theme Camp?

A theme camp is a dedicated space that encourages interaction and creative exchange.  Examples include workshops, games, musical performance, dance, theatre, open drum circles, open art projects, massage, tarot reading, manicures, and body painting. Some camps include the gifting of hats, leis, costumes, food or drink, and so forth.   It can be elaborately decorated to reflect the “theme,” however, it is much more than décor – it is about participation.  The best theme camps take on a life of their own based on the people who wander into it.

Keep in mind that Apogaea is a gift economy which means that there is NO VENDING allowed, either on a cash or barter system.  All local/state/federal regulations apply at Apogaea, so, for example, if you’re serving alcohol, be sure everyone you serve is aged 21+.  The Leave no Trace principle must be followed and should be a major consideration in your planning.

Building a theme camp requires imagination, coordination, and, most importantly, a commitment to yourself and others. This commitment extends not only to your camp-mates, but also to the community at large. Sometimes, imagination can outweigh abilities, budgets and schedules, especially for the inexperienced. Please commit only to what you feel confident that you can accomplish. There is always time to expand next year.

Do I need to pre-register my Theme Camp?

Yes!  You need to pre-register your theme camp so we can reserve space for you based on your camp’s needs. The earlier you pre-register, the better chance you have of getting suitable placement. If you do not pre-register your theme camp, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to bring it; however, you may end up very far from central areas, on uneven ground, or in an area with a lot of underbrush.  Theme Camps that pre-register will also be included in the WhoWhatWhereWhen, the complete guide to what’s happening at Apogaea.

Safety:

Other event participants will explore any area or structure they can access. Private areas should be clearly marked, and dangerous areas or sensitive equipment not intended for public access/tampering should be physically blocked or guarded at all times.  The event is located in a forested mountain environment with brush, rocks, trees, meadows, and uneven ground.   You may be assigned to an area that has no natural anchors for tie-downs. Assume you must use rebar stakes (with safety caps) to secure your structures.

Generators:

If your theme camp will use a generator, the noise produced by the generator must not exceed that of an average passenger car.  We will be enforcing enclosed generators if they exceed that noise level.  All generators must be turned off at the request of any Ranger or Apogaea Board member and those found to be in violation will not be turned on again until the noise issue is remedied with better enclosure techniques. We’re not trying to be overly zealous about this – we just want everyone to be respectful of others.

Deadline for pre-registration is midnight on April 3oth.

Supplemental material not supported by the on-line application must be postmarked no later than April 30th.

To learn about getting funding for your project, check out Art Grants.