What is Mad Camp?
Mad Camp Europe is a 5 day summer camp for mad people in the countryside of Austria! Details at www.madcamp.at. The venue is the Blue Whale Education Center where you will share a room with up to 2 people, private bathrooms included. Camping with a tent is possible aswell!
I want to come to Mad Camp! Where can I buy my ticket???
Great that you want to join! Please contact us madcampeurope@gmail.com!
Payment by bank transfer or stripe (international)
Apply for scholarship! Ticket prices will be around 300-500 euros!
How does the ticketing work – tell us about the finances.
We aim to break even with no profit or loss (all work is volunteer; volunteers don’t get discount pricing; everyone is paying the same just like everybody else – this is a collaboration not a commodity!
Once you have contacted us you will need to fill out an application form for the event! If you are accepted you will get an e-mail with a written confirmation of your participation and the bank details for wiring the money. For international participants STRIPE is gonna be a payment option.
Where is the ticket application link?
https://forms.gle/uZ7rNMhkkdKaSk3e9
Where is the Gofundme Scholarship fundraiser link?
It’s a summer camp, for kids?
No, it’s for grown-ups. If you want to bring your kids, contact us.
Can kids come to Mad Camp?
We are not sure! We can look into this – please get in touch directly and we will sort it out. We are not saying no, but it’s complicated and we have to look at the details.
How do I get there? Are there rideshare and public transit options?
Mad Camp will be held at Tauchen, Austria ( https://g.co/kgs/NT4oMrR). There is plenty of parking on site for those who drive. From the capital of Vienna it is about 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive.
We are not providing transport, and we try to help facilitate ridesharing but we you will have to self-organize if you want to try to share a shuttle or rental car or uber etc.
Good news! Austria has a great system of public transportation. Tauchen is easy to reach from the capital, Vienna, where our international friends will arrive aswell. If you take the train from the central station you will be in tauchen in about 1 hour and 23 minutes, with one stop and change of train in between. Once you arrive, its just a few minutes to the center. We will provide you with an extra document considering arrival.
What time should I plan to arrive and leave if I am flying in to an airport?
The last train to Tauchen leaves Vienna Central Station at 9:58 pm and arrives in Tauchen at 11:35 pm, so you can be very flexible with your flight on arrival day, no worries how late you might be, you will get there!
From Tauchen to Vienna International Airport you should consider a travel time of 2 hours and 15 minutes depending on the train you take. A train is leaving from Tauchen to Vienna Central Station every 2 hours.
What time should I get to the Blue Whale Center venue and what time should I leave?
Can you help set up? If so please plan to arrive early on Thursday July 03 11:00 am. If you aren’t available to help, then arrival time is 2:00 pm. Arriving later because of travelling time and flights is of course no problem, just please let us know when you will arrive approximately.
Our first day’s first included meal is dinner thursday, and our last day’s last meal is breakfast on monday.
No lunch provided arrival day . Breakfast monday is last meal. Cleanup and check out monday last day is from 9 am to no later than 12 pm (lunch but no dinner monday; probably leftovers). Our first official gathering event as a group will be after dinner on thursday so 7pm-ish.
First day before dinner we might have low key informal drop in activities for arriving such as a nap space or site tour!
I have a bit more time and flexibility — should I plan a longer trip?
Austria is a great country to visit, aside from the beautiful and historic capital of Vienna, the countryside is a great place for nature lovers and hikers. Should you plan on spending more time in Austria please feel free to contact Philipp from the team he will provide you with information and possibilites. And if you arrive early or plan to leave late let us know as we can often use help with leadup pre-camp organizing, setup day of, and breakdown on last day for Mad Camp.
Is there cell coverage and wifi at the retreat?
Please keep your phone surfing out of the community spaces as much as possible it is kinda annoying! We’re trying to create a screen-free space.
There is wifi in the ground floors of the building, phone reception is great! Come expecting to be unplugged except for necessary online use such as checking in briefly with family, communicating with your support network in a time of need, etc.
We have “no screens” as part of our community guidelines but you can do your matrix uploading discretely. If you are at Mad Camp and need to be on your phone OK we we are not going to judge you but please out of the community spaces.
How remote is this exactly?
The Blue Whale Education Center is in a rural community with no big cities nearby. The village of Tauchen is small and quiet, our host Wolfang is an expert of the surrounding area so should you have any questions and needs, he will be there to provide you with all the information you might need.
Can the food handle my diet needs?
Yes! Our caterers are awesome! They will accommodate meat eaters, dairy eaters, gluten free, mixedatarians, vegans, keto, paleo, breatharians, fasting, flexitarians, omnivores, cryptotarians, xenomorphs (ok maybe not xenomorphs)… Everyone has been really happy with the food. Please tell us your special super diet needs in advance on your application – and advise us of any questions at camp!
Can I bring my own food?
You can, but you really probably won’t need to! We are going to have awesome food, but also — bring snacks if you like, especially to share. There is one shared fridge in the billiard room… for the entire camp (beyond what the kitchen prep crew will be using). So don’t rely on refrigeration unless you bring our own plug in camp cooler or something. If you really need your own food please contact us as we may have some ideas. Early discussion helps because the food preparers are very aware of specific needs.
The venue has a big gastronomy kitchen which will make individual cooking possible aswell if you want to share a meal with others or prove your mad cooking skills!
I’ve got specific needs around disabilities. Can I be part of Mad Camp?
We have disabilities too! We hope we can make it work! Get in touch.
Is the site accessible for wheelchairs and mobility?
Yes! There is one room for wheelchair users which holds space for two wheelchair users and their assistants, bathroom included.
Will there be asl or captioning support for people with deafness?
Please organize this with us! If there is a need and volunteer capacity to make it happen it will happen.
Are you prohibiting scents, flashing lights, loud noises at night, and dealing with other disability / different ability concerns?
Quiet hours, no scents, no flashing lights, no smoke, maybe incense/smudging but only with people giving ok. Let us know other concerns. We want to be as inclusive as possible.
Can I bring my emotional support animal? Can I bring my dog? My ferret? My tamagotchi?
We love animals and they are allowed in the Blue Whale Education Center. We still ask you to get in touch with us beforehand, it makes a huge difference if there is one dog or 40 dogs!
I want to join but I’m afraid I’m too old/young and won’t fit in because of my age.
Our youngest camper in the US 2023 was 21 and our oldest was 84 – and we had all ages in between (same range in 2024 – the same people returned!). Age isn’t an issue in the Mad Camp community! This is an intergenerational gathering and everyone is welcome.
I’m taking psychiatric meds, can I be part of Mad Camp?
Absolutely! And there’s always a lot to talk about with people who share your experience.
I’m not taking psychiatric meds, can I be part of Mad Camp?
You bet! And there’s always a lot to talk about with people who share your experience.
I’m thinking of taking meds in the future, can I be part of Mad Camp?
Sure! And there’s always a lot to talk about with people who share your experience.
I’m thinking of coming off meds in the future, can I be part of Mad Camp?
Definitely! And there’s always a lot to talk about with people who share your experience.
Can I come off my meds at Mad Camp?
We are asking people to not interrupt any regular pattern with substances of any kind, including psychiatric drugs. So if you drink coffee, don’t use Mad Camp as a time to come off coffee. Don’t use Mad Camp to come off cigarettes. Don’t use Mad Camp to come off your psych meds. Timing is important, and you’d likely be adding too much additional unpredictability into the equation of joining a group gathering with new people. Mad Camp isn’t a madness sanctuary. Mad Camp isn’t a support group. Mad Camp is a summer camp! Mad Camp is only partly a retreat – it is also going to be exciting and there are going to be many people here with a lot of energies going around.
Can I ask my agency to support me to be at Mad Camp? They support training and conferences for peers and workers in agencies, and I might be able to get some funding support.
Yes! Mad Camp ia a networking learning event of the best kind – a social community building experience in summer camp form that will absolutely nourish and train and support and network people who are peers and advocates and part of agencies and services. If you need some kind of letter or something to get funding from some group or agency get in touch. We can totally create something with you that is convincing to bureaucrats and grant proposal evaluators (e.g. we will leave out the part about the inflatable unicorn).
Wait isn’t this exclusionary?
We don’t see any way to be perfectly inclusive to everyone, it’s just not possible because the world we live in isn’t inclusive… and at the same time if you yourself have a vision or idea how we can be more inclusive – please join us as a volunteer! We need your ideas and energy! Or create your own Mad Camp and we’ll help get the word out and learn from your ideas (talk to us first eh). We’re doing the best we can as volunteers to make this happen.
Wait, I’m still not quite sure – can I be part of Mad Camp?
We are inviting survivors /evaders/ outsiders/ escapees/ rabblerousers/ changemakers of psychiatry living with altered/visionary and extreme states of consciousness to join us! If you identify as mad and want to see psychiatry changed, join us. If you identify as mad and are ok with people who are angry – some of us very angry – at psychiatry, join us! If you are against forced psych treatment join us!
Look we get it, not everyone in the system feels harmed. We know this. But if any time you hear people who survived psychiatric violence tell stories against the system you then feel like you have to speak up on the side of psychiatrists and the system, then no, Mad Camp probably definitely is not for you. If you get inspired imagining a space for psychiatric survivors who want to end forced treatment and want alternatives and community – please join us at Mad Camp!
I think I sort of identify as Mad as I certainly suffered some serious mental spaces, but I’m not diagnosed with bipolar or schizophrenia or psychosis and didn’t really lose my mind like that, or I did lose my mind but I managed to stay away from hospitals and doctors, or I never got diagnosed… can I be part of Mad Camp?
Lots of things can drive you mad without being something like bipolar or psychosis or schizophrenia. If you identify with the mad movement, lost your mind more or less, and share our urgent need to change psychiatry and want an end to forced treatment, then why not join us? If you feel too much like you aren’t comfortable with mad people because we are mad people… then no probably Mad Camp isn’t the place for you. The mad movement as far as we can tell includes mad people who evaded capture! If you are not sure please get in touch with us.
I identify as neurodivergent and have an autism or other diagnosis along those lines – can I be part of Mad Camp?
Neurodiversity is a great way to identify, and has so many parallels with the mad movement! The autism and neurodiversity movement are natural allies to the mad movement and have done so so much to advance social change. So sure why not – we’d love to have you! If you also identify with the mad movement as a mad person alongside living with neurodiversity, and you’ve read the rest of this FAQ and it feels like a good fit, and you want to come, then yes, please join us! And please do share your unique experiences with us, we love the bridges between neurodiversity and the mad movement and we are not so into the boxes and categories anyway. Stimming and other ways of being are totally welcome.
I’m pretty open to identifying as “mad” for being part of this, though it’s not something I already call myself, if that makes sense. Or maybe it’s new to me and something I’m interested in, but not sure about – can I still come to Mad Camp?
Yes! We are inviting survivors /evaders/ outsiders/ escapees/ rabblerousers/ changemakers of psychiatry living with altered/visionary and extreme states of consciousness to join us even if the language is a bit in flux at this moment.
Is this an LGBTQI+ friendly space?
You’re damn right it is.
I love the mad movement and… I am pretty conservative socially and or religiously and or politically. Can I be part of Mad Camp?
Abso-freaking-lutley yes. The Mad Movement is about diversity and acceptance, so if you are ok with different points of view and beliefs and you bring the love for all and you agree with the vision here, you are part of this and totally welcome. Lots of people at Mad Camp have different views and we disagree on lots of things – that’s called being human.
Why call it “Mad Camp,” isn’t that a negative term?
Like “queer” and “crip” there is a long tradition of using “mad” in a positive way to reclaim ourselves against shame and silencing and oppression… as well as welcome our rage against the psychiatric machine. “Mad Camp” gets the message across and connects us with our ancestors and with movement history in a vivid way. And… we recognize that language is complex, especially for people who have had labels and terminology etc used against us as slurs. So if you have a better idea of what to call the gathering, an idea that identifies us in both our oppression as well as our gifts, language that helps us find each other, please get involved with organizing because we are open to ideas!
What are the community agreements?
We trust each other with common sense caring, acceptance of differences, solidarity, and regard – keys to make this a respectful and mutual experience. Mad Camp is not a support group but of course by coming you agree to no oppressive behavior and we may have to ask you to chill out or come back later if things get out of hand. Everyone who participates in Mad Camp affirms our community agreements and release of liability.
Do I get a t-shirt that says Mad Camp if I am there?
We hope so, if someone steps up to organize it! It happened in 2023 and 2024! Bring your own shirt tote bag etc…
I am a family member and don’t identify myself as a mad person. My loved one wants to come to Mad Camp but can only be there if I am with them as their supporter; Can we be both come and be part of Mad Camp?
Probably not. We’re not going to just say flat out no but this is a tricky question. Some people need accommodation and support for access, including a family member taking them around to travel and go to things, we get that. We will work with that person. But this isn’t for family members. It’s for mad people who ourselves want to be there, not people who somebody thinks it’s best for us, or for family members who are excited about the mad movement on behalf of someone else. So we’d say if you are unsure, get in touch with us and discuss, we’ll take it case by case, but no, don’t assume that it is ok to come as a family member supporting a mad person. Every year we have had family members who are in distress and need community and need a place to go and get excited about Mad Camp want to come to Mad Camp for their own interests – but Mad Camp is for mad people interested in joining Mad Camp, not for family members interested in joining Mad Camp who also are supporting a mad person. We ask for you to be an ally by understanding this can be a difficult dilemma and we are doing the best we can. Mad people need mad spaces. We definitely 100% see the need for family members to get support and have community! We would love for people to create these spaces, but that’s not Mad Camp. Mad Camp is a summer camp for mad people.
Can I make a tax-deductible contribution?
Mad Camp Europa is beeing organised by a small group of people privatly. For now contributions are not deductible
Is Mad Camp all volunteer and are the finances transparent?
We are 100% volunteer. Our finances are transparent, email us for details. 100% of all donations, minus finance charges from Stripe and Gofundme , go directly to scholarships for tickets. Everyone is volunteer, there is nobody getting paid a salary or stipend or anything. Volunteers don’t get any compensation, priority on scholarships, first dibs on lodging, or anything. Everyone – all of us – are paying the same ticket prices as everyone else, have the same deadlines, same deposit policy… we are all doing this together!
How do the scholarships work?
Scholarships are for people with financial need to pay for ticket price. There are no full scholarships and there are no scholarships for travel or other expenses – just scholarships for the tickets. In your application we ask if you need a scholarship and how much. If we have more scholarship requests than we raised money for, we will do a lottery. We keep scholarship requests and awards confidential with the application process. We are grateful to all our amazing Mad Camp donors for making the scholarship program work.
How do deposits work?
Deposits help us get a better count of participants, lodging availability, and scholarship needs, and hold your space. If it turns out we can’t cover all your scholarship request and as a result you can’t make it, your deposit will be refunded. Deposits go towards the ticket price you pay. We ask that every person who applies commit to make a deposit right away when accepted – we will let you know after you apply.
I’ve never heard of the mad movement or psychiatric survivor movement before, can I be part of Mad Camp?
Yes! Yes yes yes! If the ideas resonate with you, if this speaks to you, if you feel connected, if you identify – then you are already part of the mad movement and are welcome at Mad Camp. Read this FAQ and website to get a sense of how it all feels to you. If you want to learn about the psychiatric survivor and mad movement, check out Mad In America, Mindfreedom International, Madness Radio, also the decarcerating care and abolition movements… We love to read through the archives of the Madness Network News to connect with our roots and feel the heart of our vision.
Can I smoke or vape at Mad Camp?
If you regularly use nicotine vaping or smoking there is a place to do it at Mad Camp, sure.
Is there alcohol at Mad Camp?
No, alcohol isn’t what this is about – please do not bring alcohol.
Can I get high at Mad Camp?
No, this is a no getting high space. Don’t worry, we will still do our best to get each other high on positive vibes, dancing, and hugs.
Can I smoke weed or take cannabis or eat edibles etc etc at Mad Camp?
Not to get high no, but if you do for medical necessity then we want you to follow your medical needs, just let us know beforehand so we know what to expect, and keep it respectful e.g. no medical bong hits by the pool please.
Will there be public nudity at Mad Camp?
This is summer and there’s a pool so some of us are going to be in bathing suits. And – you are totally welcome to be in regular clothes all the time and not be in a bathing suit, not everyone will be in bathing suits so don’t worry, we are really trying to be inclusive and sensitive to all. People who are gender nonconforming are welcome to follow their preferred gender in terms of going with no shirt — the double standard on gender around this is not something we agree with. We’re also doing personal preference on shared bathrooms etc. So please bring your acceptance of gender diversity. Currently there is a conversation we are having for Mad Camp 2025 about nudity as some people want to go skinny dipping in the pool. We are trying to balance the sensitivity and care and protection for all with the freedom and liberation and expression of all. In general, the rooms you are staying in have their own private bathroom!
I am totally nervous being around other people should I still come?
We want everyone to decide for themselves about coming to Mad Camp. For some of us being around new people is super stressful. Travel, new food, new sleeping arrangements – all this is challenging for a lot of us. So maybe Mad Camp sounds like good idea, but you want to try some smaller steps first, like a shorter trip or go to a local group with new people, test the waters instead of making a giant leap to a 5 day event? And keep in mind we are hoping Mad Camp will also happen in the future so if it doesn’t quite feel right to come this year maybe think about next time. On the other hand, we can imagine no better group of people to be nervous around – we can relate! We want this to be a space for people who don’t have other spaces to be. So maybe this is a good place to jump into even if you usually are isolated! We trust you to make your decision. If you come to Mad Camp and start to get nervous around other people that is really ok, you may find people to connect with even while you are nervous, and of course it is ok to be in your room or tent or take a walk into the woods or read a book or leave early or whatever. We are gathering to have fun and socialize, but we also respect people who might have a hard time – we expect all of us to have our hard times, and we all can relate to that, that is what the mad movement is about!
Is Mad Camp a support group?
Mad Camp is a summer camp. Mad Camp is focused on fun and socializing and relaxing and making community connections! We are asking everyone who comes to already have a support network in place in your life outside Mad Camp. Because it is always a good idea to have a support network! People you can call or text to talk with and support you. A 12 step sponsor, trusted friends, a partner or family who understands and can talk to you. Traveling and new situations can stir up feelings so you want to have some supports in place whenever you do a big adventure. With texting and video calls and emails etc it is relatively easy to stay in touch with supporters. Let them know you are traveling and make sure they can be available for a call.
Is Mad Camp a madness sanctuary, hospital alternative, or respite?
No, Mad Camp is a summer camp. We’d love to see more sanctuaries and alternatives but this is a social gathering for fun and relaxation; that’s why we are coming together. It’s a summer camp.
Is Mad Camp a conference?
No, Mad Camp is a summer camp.
Will there be classes workshops trainings and groups?
Not really like a conference. It’s a summer camp, so we’re going to have activities – some scheduled. There will be offerings but we want participants to self-organize what you will offer. There will be a lot to do if you want, yes like workshops and classes and activity groups and things – and if you want to do something you can create it.
I have something to offer in a small group can I bring it???
Great!!! YES! Bring offerings – teach something, lead something, gather something. Let us know beforehand or make it up on the spot. At camp there will be a bulletin board people can put offerings and sign up for. There should be some cabin spaces people can use for their offerings as well as the lodge and library etc. We want people to self-organize and offer resources and learning and fun activities to each other. Dream up some offerings and bring them!!!
I do massage/reiki/baking/I wrote a book and want to sell what I offer is that ok?
We are limiting it to free sessions and no selling stuff – but you can advertise and share. There will be a bulletin board you can put your business card etc on, and you can share your promo material brochures etc at a table, there will be a library for you to put your book on. But we won’t be selling or buying things at Mad Camp.
Is this some pagan hippy tree hugging thing?
We aim to be totally inclusive. The Mad Campers are keeping it low key at Mad Camp, but we plan to have a couple of very simple ceremonies – a welcoming and closing, and a remembrance ceremony for people we’ve lost. These will be totally inclusive and welcoming of all religious and non religious / atheist / existentialist / undecided points of view, and everything at Mad Camp is completely optional to attend. If you are totally against even being around people nearby who want to do a moment of silence, or light candles, or burn sage, or have an altar of photos of people who have died, other really limited spiritual kinds of stuff, even when you are free to not participate… then maybe Mad Camp isn’t for you. But if you can at least accept this is something others want to do, then we promise to keep it low key and inviting. Participants at Mad Camp are welcome and encouraged to bring any ceremony or practice you want, and to offer others to join, but must be respectful of those not interested, and don’t impose anything.
So there is going to be ceremony?
We plan on doing a dedication opening and closing that will be super simple, with burning sage and making a simple well-wishing prayer for our time together. We are also doing a remembrance altar and ceremony for people who we’ve lost. We will ask people to bring photos and items of memory for people who have passed, and we will make an altar we can visit during the camp, and then we will gather in a circle to honor their memories. Simple and brief and optional. Participants at Mad Camp are also welcome and encouraged to bring any ceremony or practice you want, and to offer others to join. Again, we will always make space that people who don’t want to join don’t have to, free of judgment or any sense of exclusion. Mad Camp is 100% voluntary.
What is the Mad Camp cancellation policy?
Mad Camp doesn’t have cancellation insurance. If we cancel, we will do our best for full refunds, but we can’t guarantee. It’s a risk we all take together.
What should I wear?
We’re going to have a What To Bring list soon. Basically whatever you’d bring to a summer camp incl bathing suit. Costumes, formal wear, and weirdness are encouraged.
Is it going to be hot?
We hope so! It’s summer camp people! If you are very, very sensitive to heat this might not be for you. But at the same time there is a pool! And there is very little humidity in the area so shade is very relieving. We love the summers here. The nights are cool. The pool is awesome.
Are there mosquitos or ticks?
If you go into the woods or hike in the fields there might be a chance that you get a tick! No mosquitos! But be prepared, you might see some cows or grumpy Austrians! (They only look scary, we promise!)
Is there poison oak?
Luckily, there is no poison oak in Austria!
Are there rattlesnakes?
There are not rattlesnakes in Tauchen! Expect to see some cows and alpakas from the farm nearby!
Is Mad Camp confidential?
Yes please be sensitive and don’t repeat identities or personal information outside Mad Camp without permission. Some of us are super out in the community with our mad identities, others are not. Stigma is real and we respect everyone is where they are at with the outside normie world. So please be cautious and don’t assume people are open about participating, or anything that is discussed or happens. People are free to make up names / aliases / animal noises to use instead of the legal names if they want.
Is there photography at Mad Camp?
Selfies and group photos and photo shoots are part of life and are welcome at Mad Camp but don’t go overboard and please make sure to always ask for a firm and clear Yes permission first. We also ask anyone who takes photos to ask before social media posting and agree to remove the photo immediately from social media no questions asked if someone wants them to remove the photo at any time.
Can I take part virtually, on the internet?
In 2023 we were planning on having a few hours of live broadcast with chatting to connect globally, but, well, it just wasn’t really that inspiring. People talked about it for 2024 and again no it didn’t happen. We just get up there and we chill and float around and are so not interested in the internet. Maybe someone wants to try again organize this for the future however? Sure you could try it. Mad Camp is really a face to face event.
How about after Mad Camp? Do people stay in touch?
We have two email situations. First is the signup email list that everyone is encouraged to join on our substack mailing list (US) – all applicants are automatically signed up. You will get one-way email blasts with latest info about Mad Camp logistics, fundraising, tickets, etc – and that’s it. The second list of addresses that is a self-created, opt-in email address sharing equally among participants: if you want your email address / contact info shared, we will share it with everyone, if not, then we won’t. One you share your emails, everyone has the ability to mail to everyone however they want. There is no official moderation or monitoring – it’s the same as a a group of friends who decide to give each other their email addresses and start a group email thread or chatroom. Like everything at Mad Camp this is self-created, you can do anything you want with these addresses just like you can do anything you want with email addresses of your friends. People can for example invite each other to a telegram / whatsapp / discord group – whatever.
I’m a family member, but don’t identify with madness, can I be part of Mad Camp?
Basically… no. Family members definitely deserve support and retreats and community! But Mad Camp is really to fill an unmet need – a place for mad people to gather and be with each other as equals based on a shared experience. We support family members making their own gatherings, but Mad Camp is for mad people, not for family members.
I’m a professional, but don’t identify with madness, can I come?
Again basically… no. Professionals who support the mad movement definitely need places to gather and we encourage you to connect with the ISPS and Mad in America. But we’re meeting an unmet need – a place for mad people to gather and be with each based on a shared experience. We really love allies, and we know that professionals who are true allies will understand our need to be in our own spaces sometimes. And remember – some of us mad people also do work as professionals! In the sense of being paid as Peer Specialists, being counselors, even some therapists and doctors. Professionals who are also mad people – please come! But leave your professional identity at home and join us as equals in the mad community. Mad Camp is for mad people, not for professionals.
Who came up with this idea? How is the planning done?
This idea has been around for quite a while in mad movement circles. The early days of the psych survivor movement were built around face-to-face gatherings, including camp outs and happenings in parks and nature. Dina Tyler and Will Hall first put the idea into motion, then Monica Cassani and several others started to get involved. We operate by chaos consensus, intuition, and conversation. Dina and Will are basically the vision holders with input and involvement from all, and have veto power over decisions. If you have ideas to offer we ask you to join us!
Hey what about Mad Camps in other countries I heard about? What’s the connection?
After we created Mad Camp a survivor advocate in Germany heard about it and got inspired to create Mad Camp at a lake outside of Berlin! www.madcamp.de They are just using the same name, are completely independent from Mad Camp California and they include professionals and family members at their gathering — so it sounds very, very different. We are working with them so they always clarify where their idea came from and make sure they credit and link to us (cross fingers)…
Hmm this seems like you just aren’t doing this the right way.
We’re sure we are going to make mistakes. We’re sure we won’t meet everyone’s needs. We can’t please everyone. But we decided to go ahead anyway and just do the best we can. 2023 and 2024 were a smash success! We are confidend that Mad Camp Europe will be a sucess aswell! And… if you have ideas how we can do it better, join the volunteer organizing crew! If you don’t like us or feel excluded – create your own gathering – and we’ll help you get the word out!
Mad Camp? that sounds familiar…
Yes! We recently learned that eco-activists and mad persons Mango and Marin created a Mad Camp at national Earth First! environmental movement gathering – in 2014!!! Wow! So cool! We had no idea! We honor our mad friends in Earth First! for creating this — and hope to see you at Mad Camp California! You can read about it here: https://itsgoingdown.org/not-alone-struggle-supporting-mental-health-movement/
Thank you so much for doing this for us!
Uh… Mad Camp is not organized by us for you. Mad Camp is organized by all of us for all of us – all of us for ourselves. It’s more like a giant camping trip organized among friends than an “event” that you pay for. The people doing a lot of prep work as volunteers are just as much doing this for fun, friendship, and community as everyone else is. If something is going to happen, people need to step up. Everyone contributes in some way – volunteer time, tasks, positive energy, forgiveness, kindness, support, graciousness, an offering, mutual aid support, kindness, networking, outreach, listening, noticing, being connected, generosity, energy, magic, being a Mad Camp diplomat, spreading the word, envisioning, making ceremony, sending good wishes – everyone contributes in SOME way. So go forth free of burnout and make Mad Camp awesome – by ourselves for ourselves!
OK I get it – I’m so excited about this! I want to come – and also help volunteer beforehand! How can I help?
For prep and planning we love your energy: join our volunteer crew through the website form / on your application. We also need you to share our promo website and fundraising page right now – right now! – so we can get enough funds for the scholarships. And friends family and community members to donate and contribute! Also when you join us at the camp we are welcoming people to make offerings of classes workshops facilitating groups teaching sharing something (43 offerings at Mad Camp 2023! WOW! 43!!!) – you can sign up at the camp, and get started now thinking about what you want to bring!