Last month I attended a feminist summer camp and it changed my life. I’ve struggled for weeks to complete this post. If we were sitting together having a hypothetical cup of coffee I could talk your ear off about my amazing experience, all the things I learned, and how you NEED to attend camp next summer. But sitting here in front of my computer I have been stuck trying to find the right words to express myself so you can feel even a sliver of the magic that was The Compact Camp. So here goes nothing..

I was invited to attend The Compact Camp by Meg and Navja of A Practical Wedding. Here are the exact words that made me say sold. “Women are so seldom given an opportunity to experience pure, uninhibited joy (not when there are appointments to make, and laundry to be folded, and that text you keep meaning to send.) So we’re fixing that. For three days, we’ll be inviting a group of badass women to a good old fashioned summer camp, where we’ll experience the kind of unplugged fun and friendship that made our childhood experiences so liberating.”

I didn’t know a single person going into this except my beautiful amiga Karla. Out of 100 women I knew ONE. I also want to be honest here. My expectations were this: I’m going to have a good time. I get a break from my everyday life and routine. I get to experience camp which I never got to do as a kid. Everything about The Compact Camp wildly exceeded my original expectations and I left a different person than when I arrived.

Upon arrival we all received the cutest tote bag filled with incredible goodies and an itinerary packed with workshops, dance classes, zip lining, meditation, life coaching..the list goes on.

I wanted to touch upon a keynote worksop hosted by Cyndie Spiegel entitled on asking that really impacted me. Here are some notes from my journal:

+ assering yourself doesn’t mean you are being rude
+ your want or need is not a question
+ asking isn’t entitlement, greed, or fear
+ you are the queen of manifestation
+ acknowledge you are not for everyone
+ do not talk yourself out of self exploration
+ stop apologizing!
+ as you are, you are enough

So despite the fact that we had this amazing itinerary we were actually encouraged to do nothing. Imagine that. I’m so used to being constantly on the go that this was sadly a foreign concept to me. There was a beautiful yurt set up in the middle of the woods that was just for quiet time. One afternoon Karla and I crept in and I thought to myself there’s no way I’m going to last more than 10 minutes. I read 3 chapters of a book and fell asleep. In a yurt. At 3 in the afternoon. Who was this person? I missed out on a workshop I wanted to attend but I felt so refreshed and relaxed. Like a new woman. I also haven’t mentioned that there was no cell service. I called home using a landline once a day to check on the kids and that was it. It was WONDERFUL. I thought I might go through a bit of withdrawal but no – instead it was completely liberating.

Other highlights were movie night (one of my childhood favorites – Now and Then), campfires and making smores, a dance party in the woods, spending time making beaded jewelry, talking with new friends, and just taking in the breathtaking beauty of the Redwoods. I spent the evenings with Karla and Liz (my new, amazing friend who is coming to NYC in 2 weeks and I am so excited to hug her again). We sat out looking at the stars and talking about life. We laughed, we cried, and it is one of my fondest memories of camp.

I really could go on and on about how amazing my experience was but I’ll leave you with this. Not once was I asked “what do you do”. Not once did I hear the mention of social media. Every workshop and activity was centered around liberating ourselves as women, mothers, and people. How can we let go of what is holding us back? How can we lift ourselves and the people around us? I got the chance to feel the energy of 100 incredible women for 4 days and I’m a better person for it. I never felt judged or scrutinized in any way. Instead I felt welcomed and loved by every single individual I got the chance to talk to and engage with. I went home lighter with a new set of goals for myself and a realization of how important it is that I take time to nourish my mind and body in order to be the best I can be for my family and those around me. It has been over a month and I can honestly tell you that I have been implementing all that I learned in different ways every single day.

To Meg and team – thank you is not enough for this gift you have given me. You ladies were by far the most compassionate, inclusive team I’ve ever had the pleasure of teaming up with. I truly admire you all and will treasure these memories forever. I hope I get to hug you all again next Summer! And Meg, you touched my heart in a way that I will always hold dearly. Thank you for being you and I hope you know the magic you posses that inspires so many, myself included.

Images by Madison Short