A ‘family camp’ with a team of supporters and great offerings for the youngsters” – Dorota Godby
Penny Spawsforth, Certified Trainer, NVC-UK website team member interviews Dorota Godby to discover more about this years summer camp which was held in Thoulstone Park, Chapmanslade, Wiltshire.
Penny: As you know I helped start the first two NVC Summerfests, but couldn’t make this year. I’d love to hear how it went and I’m imagining others who haven’t been to this camp would enjoy a flavour of it too. What was you role?
Dorota: I was invited by Shantigarbha and Gesine Schrader to join the organising team. I looked after the camp decor again and also offered breakout sessions.
Penny: How would you say this camp differed from going to a regular festival?
Dorota: I actually chatted about this today with my housemate who went to the Green Gathering. Some things were similar: camping, bonfires, fun activities for adults and children. However, we concluded that the NVC Summerfest offer more opportunity to bond with people over time.
The community was a more manageable size, only forty five this year, so people could look out for each other’s wellbeing. There were many opportunities to grow in connection, including help to recover from differences. For example, we had one community session where people started to spontaneously express intense emotions. Some people were relieved, some triggered.
People were processing what the event touched in them in several ways: individual listening, group empathy and also in a “Restorative Circle”. The result was a noticeable increase in closeness and camaraderie in the community.
It’s a typical aspect of an NVC camp that the focus is not just on holidays or healing, but also on learning how to get on better. That’s what NVC does best after all.
Penny: Would you say the camp worked as much for the children as for the adults?
Dorota: This year’s Summerfest was described as a “family camp” and there was a team of supporters with great offerings for the youngsters. I head kids report enjoying making treasure chests, playing in the river, marshmallow toasting, henna tattoos, riding human horses, den making and more.
Adults had several workshops a day to choose from and the space to offer sessions too. If I wasn’t running a group, I would have loved to go to the session on criticisms about NVC.
Penny: What were the highlights of the camp?
Dorota: Apart from many opportunities for people to express something real or tender and be received with empathy, the evening fires and sauna were very popular. It was lovely to hang out there and also to warm up before crawling into our tents at night.
The chef, Mahesh, was much appreciated for his delicious meals and warm, optimistic outlook.
Penny: How did the camp support your own NVC Journey?
Dorota: I had a chance to explore a particular learning edge for me, to do with responding to tension in the group. My breakthrough with that came on the back of something a participant said in my breakout session. She said “an OPPORTUNITY to be imperfect” and I realised that what looked to me to be a messy situation was not the disaster I thought!
A lot of connection resulted FROM “the mess”: more than we had before. I loved the reminder that imperfection, followed by empathy becomes an opportunity.
Penny: Great! So who would you say would benefit most from coming to an NVC camp?
Dorota: Those familiar with NVC love this way to deepen connection with the community and with the skills.
For newcomers to NVC, it’s a fun and doable way to peek into the community and the skills while also taking a holiday. There’s a warm welcome and support for all whatever the ability.
If you would like to attend the next Summerfest follow this link for dates- http://seedofpeace.org/nvc-sumemrfest/
Author: Dorota Godby is a non-affiliated sharer of NVC and coach for naturally more sensitive people. She also offers an NVC-orientated decluttering/organising service for homes and offices. You can find out more at www.gentlepower.co.uk
I am delighted to hear how the camp contributed. I hope to go next year. Thanks for sharing.