Camp in 2005 will be held from the 14th to the 20th of August. For students entering middle school and high school, camp begins at 2:00 Sunday afternoon on the 16th. For younger students, ages 9-11, camp starts at 3:00 in the afternoon on Tuesday the 16th. Camp ends for all campers after lunch on Saturday the 20th.
We have held camp at various locations over the years, and have finally settled into a long-term site. Camp now takes place at Great Vow Zen Monastery. Dharma Rain Zen Center and Great Vow are loosely affiliated and quite friendly, sharing dharma and institutional resources in the northwest Zen world. As Mandala on the Mountain is led by Dharma Rain, all questions and correspondence regarding camp should go to Dharma Rain.
Camp takes place on a forested hillside overlooking the Columbia River Valley. There are paths winding through the forest, the blackberry patches, and off to a secluded campfire site. There is a large, open field for running games. There is electricity, hot and cold running water, and flush toilets and participants will sleep indoors. Our outdoor activities will be subject to changes in the weather, which in this climate can vary from hot, dusty and dry, to cold, muddy and wet. None of this gets in the way of camp as a fun out-of-doors experience.
Great Vow is about 80 minutes north of Portland, just outside of Clatskanie, OR. To get there on I-5 from Portland, go north on I-5 to exit 36 "Longview". Stay left (west) on to 432 towards Longview City Center. Turn left (south) onto Oregon Way at the sign to Highway 30 towards Oregon. Cross the Longview Bridge into Oregon. Turn right (west) onto Hwy 30 towards Astoria. You will enter Clatskanie after about 12 miles. Turn right on Nehalem Street at Humps Restaurant (in the center of town across from the Chevron). Go straight to the end, and then follow the road left on to 5th street. You will reach a fork after 2.9 miles; stay left, on Mayger Rd. - following the signs to the Quincy Greenhouse. The monastery is 1.8 miles past the fork, at 79640 Quincy-Mayger Rd. right across the street from the Quincy Greenhouse.
If you are coming from farther away, we can usually arrange to meet people at the train or bus station, or pick them up at the airport. Please contact us to plan this out in advance. There are also often carpools for Portland-area residents either going to or coming back from camp. Please let us know if you are interested.
¨ We feel it is very important to preserve this camp as a safe space for kids to explore and mature, and so we do reserve the right to refuse any application, if it seems necessary. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, ethnic origin, nationality, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, political beliefs, or anything else for that matter.
¨ Age: Campers need to be nine years old by the time camp starts to attend the junior camp. Campers need to be entering middle or high school in the fall to attend the full camp.
¨ Participation: Campers need to be willing to participate fully during camp.
¨ Interest: Campers do not have to be Buddhist, but do need to have an interest in Buddhism, as well as a willingness to immerse themselves, and enjoy themselves, in a Buddhist environment. This camp is geared more towards those with a demonstrated interest than to those who have never encountered Buddhism before and are just curious about doing something different. From past years, we have found it is helpful when kids have some background and familiarity with Buddhist ideas and practice.
¨ Health: It is the parent's responsibility to let us know if the camper has any conditions that need special attention. We are fairly adaptable, and camp is enjoyable for a wide spectrum of athletic ability.
¨ Materials: A registration form, release, and an emergency notification form must be filled out by all campers. These need to be received by August 6th. You can print them out and mail to Mandala on the Mountain; 2539 SE Madison; Portland, OR 97214-3933. You can also open and fill out the forms on-line, then copy them into the body of an e-mail message that is then sent to Staff@Dharma-Rain.Org.
¨ Interview: We are now conducting interviews with potential campers who have not been to camp before. These are not scary, and are just to determine if Mandala on the Mountain is appropriate for you or your child. These may happen over the phone or in person. Email or phone to make an appointment.
¨ Payment: A $25 deposit is due to make a reservation, this is deducted from the total owed. Registration closes on August fourth so that we can prepare for camp; the deposit and all materials must be received by then. For Junior camp, the fee is $160 or $190, and for Teen camp, the fee is $240 or $270. The first figure is for early registration: if we receive your application and deposit before July first. Cancellations after August fourth forfeit the $25 deposit, cancellations after August eleventh forfeit ½ the total fee. Payment includes all food, lodging, activities and materials that are part of camp. It does not include transportation to or from the camp.
§ Junior Camp: If pay $25 before July 1st, then $160 total. Pay Total Now
After July 1st
§ Junior Camp: $190 total. Pay Total Now