Not Back to School Camp

Not Back To School Camp is a summer camp founded in 1996 by Grace Llewellyn, the author of The Teenage Liberation Handbook.

NBTSC attracts teens from all over the U.S., Canada, and other countries. It offers campers support in perusing varied avenues of education by connecting them with a pool of about 100 other unschoolers and an eclectic staff. In the camp brochure, Llewellyn states her reason for the camp as creating a place where homeschoolers and unschoolers can "change [them]selves and the world, teach each other great things, and sing under the moon....."

The camp is active for four, week-long sessions each fall: two sessions are in Plymouth, Vermont at the Farm and Wilderness Camps, and two are outside of Bridge, Oregon at Camp Myrtlewood.

Camp Mission

"Not Back to School Camp aspires to create a sanctuary

· that affirms, inspires, and mentors unschoolers…

· where campers and staff transform spiritually, emotionally, physically, creatively, intellectually…

· where profound friendships begin and grow…

· and where adventure, mystery, music, wild spontaneous fun, and magic prevail."

Camp Culture

Campers agree on the rules prior to attending and are then given a great deal of freedom to structure their week, including self-determining their bedtimes.

One way that NBTSC is unique, is its number of camper run activities. Campers are encouraged to organize and host workshops based on their interests and passions. Most days, a number of workshops, as well as open workshop slots, are scheduled simultaneously. This enables a cooperative environment of learning and sharing based on individual interest.

Throughout the week, staff members support camper-run activities plus head their own workshops, longer term projects, and field trips, usually based in their areas of passion and expertise (e.g. marine biology and a trip to the ocean, etc.).

Aside from workshops and projects, a "prom," a concert, group games, talent shows, bonfires, and other activities are organized, usually by campers with support from staff. Campers also create the camp week by contributing to the food preparation and other chores that preserve the cleanliness of camp and the beauty of the surrounding environment.

External links

• Not Back to School Camp website
• Not Back To School Camp Community Wiki
• Camp Myrtlewood

Inspired by NBTSC

• Unschool Adventures
• Camp with Wings in Australia
• The AudioDidact Podcast