What is Queer Pagan Camp?

A chance for us to meet and celebrate together in a beautiful rural location. There will be opportunities to give and attend workshops, drum and dance, network, create new rituals, learn from each other and enjoy camping together on the land.

How often does it happen?

There is usually a smaller Beltane camp for five days in May each year (between 20-40 people) and a larger Summer camp for ten days in August (between 80-100 people).

Where does it take place and how do I get there?

This year’s (2010) Summer Camp is in south west Wales, between Carmarthen and Cardigan, with previous Summer and Beltane Camps in Dorset, Oxfordshire, etc. Full details of the location are provided once you have booked. These include details of the nearest public transport and directions for those travelling by car.

How much does it cost?

QPC operates an income based sliding scale for each camp. These prices are correct for summer 2010.

Income Unwaged – up to £10k - £7 per night

£10k to £15k - £10.50 per night

£15k to £25k - £14 per night

£25k to £40k - £17.50 per night

Over £40k - £21 per night

Where meals are provided costs are also on a sliding scale, with costs for children depending on age.

For Summer Camp 2010 the meal costs are £2.00 - £6.00 per evening meal, based on a sliding scale, with a further reduced sliding scale for children.

QPC will not turn people away if they really cannot afford these rates, for camping or for meals. Please contact us if this applies to you.

Who runs the camp?

We all do. Open organising meetings are held year round, and campers are very welcome to get involved. A group of us sets up the structure of camp beforehand and takes it down afterwards, but while camp is running it’s up to all of us to help keep it going. We warmly encourage your participation to help cook, maintain the site, offer workshops and other happenings, look after our elf and safety, help with children’s activities, provide assistance to people who need it, welcome people at the gate, and many other ways in which you can bring your energy and imagination to the camp. Your involvement is what makes it all work, so we can all have a good time. It is also a good way to meet people, exercise your talents and be appreciated! The day to day activities of the camp are decided at the daily meeting.

Are children welcome, and is childcare provided?

Children are welcome. Activities for children are organised at the Summer camp. Adults bringing children are asked to pay the equivalent of 1 times their nightly camp rate as a contribution towards childcare. I.e. If you pay £10.50 a night to camp according to the sliding scale then your contribution towards childcare is £10.50 for the whole of camp.

What kind of accommodation is there?

Accommodation is your tent, bender, tipi, dome or living vehicle. We try to make a few spaces available where practical for those who have disabilities or who otherwise find camping difficult. This might sometimes be indoor space if the venue has any, or beds in a caravan or yurt if not. These spaces are very limited in number, and allocated on the basis of need. Please contact us to see if any are available.

What about communal space?

At summer camps we have a large marquee for gatherings, workshops and other happenings, and often a small marquee as a children’s space and another as a kitchen/café. There are usually a few other large tents or benders that can accommodate smaller workshops or activities.

What kind of workshops and activities are there?

Whatever those attending the camp want to offer. Recent camps have seen rituals from a range of pagan traditions, discussions of topics of interest, talking about our pagan paths, craft workshops, trance dances, drumming, early morning yoga, toenail painting, cream teas, sex magic, climate change, gardening, shamanic journeying, dressing up, working with faery, discussions, a masked ball, cabarets, singing, heart circles, beautification, activism.

People spend lots of time relaxing, socialising, enjoying and exploring the site and surrounding countryside, and gathering round camp fires in the evenings.

What happens about food?

At summer camps a large communal vegan evening meal is cooked by a group of volunteers, but people can also cook their own food on fires and camping stoves. Costs may vary from camp to camp, see above for Summer Camp 2010 prices.

Does everyone eat together? Is everyone vegetarian?

A lot of people eat the communal evening meal together at Summer Camp, and the standard of food is high, with cooks aiming to provide an interesting tasty balanced vegan meal. Specific dietary needs may be able to be catered for with advance notice. Not everyone is vegan or vegetarian, but lots of people who aren’t still enjoy the food provided. But eating together is not compulsory, and you are free to prepare your own food, though you will need to bring your own cooking equipment as the communal kitchen is not available for this. People are asked to be aware that the food choices of those around them may vary and cook with respect and consideration for others.

What kind of washing and toilet facilities are there?

At Summer camp there will be compost toilets and the site has water and sinks around the field. There will also be a showers heated by a wood burner and solar panels.

What about access?

We try to make the camp as accessible as possible, within the limitations of camping on an outdoor site. There may be a few spaces available in (for example) caravans or indoors if the site allows which are allocated on the basis of need. We make arrangements for an accessible toilet if this is not already available on the site. If you have specific needs please contact us to discuss them.

Can I take my clothes off?

Within limits, yes. Anyone that can be seen by passers by (eg at the gate) must be clothed.

Can I keep my clothes on?

Yes. There is a lot of room for people to do whatever makes them comfortable. We are all different and differences are respected.

How can I get information about future QPC events?

You can join our mailing list to receive information and booking forms by email, or send us your postal address to receive paper copies if you prefer. There is no charge for the mailing list.