What’s the harm in checking your work email while waiting in line at Trader Joe’s? Is it really that crazy to flee to the bathroom to check texts during a date? And what — other than those conniving sidewalk cracks — should prevent one from job hunting, tweeting, and selecting the perfect photo filter during a leisurely Sunday walk?
Although condemning technology altogether isn’t the goal of Camp Grounded, the four day adult camp is hinged around several ground rules: no work talk, no networking and perhaps most difficult for some, no electronic devices. (Note: a secondary list of rules also prohibits drugs, alcohol and dubstep.)
The mission, organizers say, is to “create a community where money is worth little and individuality, self expression, friendship, freedom and memories are valued most.”
Acknowledged by national media for its novelty, the California-bred tech-less retreat is heading to Hendersonville from Thursday to Sunday, Aug. 27-30. At roughly $600 per person, tickets include “healthy gourmet meals, live music, playshops and activities, yoga & wellness, waterfall hikes, kayaking, camp dance, talent show, fishing, paddle-boarding, rockwall climbing, arts ‘n crafts, archery, campfires and more,” according to the event website.
Here’s a video from the California camp:
Visit nc.campgrounded.org/ for more information.
When the video starts off with a woman with underarm hair, I don’t think the rule about no technology will be a problem.
Asheville’s definitely a uniuqe spot and I’m glad to be a new resident!Regarding your warning:“If you can’t hanaddle it when peoadple talk about susadtainadable, organic, craftading, etc. then you can’t hanaddle Asheville.”After living in San Francisco and Austin I was a bit burned out on talk of such things especially from burned out hippies. I made the mistake of thinking Asheville would have that vibe and didn’t check it out when I moved back to NC 5 years ago.Big mistake. Havoc’s right in that if you can’t handle hearing about such things (ooh, so sensitive!) you might not like the local culture but if you’re simply tired of the hype and want to focus on making such things happen or being around people who do, then this is a great place to be.During my first two visits I kept comparing certain aspects of local culture to my days in SF before realizing the big difference.People are actually friendly and open here in a way that you don’t get in a place like San Francisco or Austin. That said, I’m focusing on web publishing and really wish there was a scene with lots of young programmers around that want to stir things up.Now how to get from here to there without killing the golden goose prematurely is a great question cause this friendly positive state will not last long term (Raleigh’s a great example of that) though I hope to contribute to keeping it going!My main disclaimer would be: If you don’t have a job or a way to make your own living, don’t move here looking for that. Lots of people move here, can’t find work and leave. At least, that’s what folks here tell me and the skimpy job listings certainly support that. That’s going to be tough to get around.