THE PROGRAM:
Feminist Summer Camp is an experimental, short-term residency program in central Utah at the Birch Creek Service Ranch. It is conceived and run by feminist artist Micol Hebron, and is produced with the help of the artist, and Utah-native, Cara Despain. This 10-day program will create a unique space for intersectional feminist discourse: residents can form a feminist think tank, engage in creative production, and have in-depth conversations about contemporary feminist issues. We’ll have campfires, hot springs soaks, hiking excursions, a rock climbing lesson, yoga, meditation, a visit to a sheep farm, dinner parties, and hearty/heady conversations. We ask that each participant contribute $400 for food expenses, guest speaker honoraria, and workshops. This program has no external funding (and garners no profits, but is operated at a cost to the organizers), and residency space at the Ranch is provided by ranch owners Eric Peterson and Adam Bateman, and subsidized by donations from Micol Hebron.
Feminist Summer Camp is an experimental, short-term residency program in central Utah at the Birch Creek Service Ranch. It is conceived and run by feminist artist Micol Hebron, and is produced with the help of the artist, and Utah-native, Cara Despain. This 10-day program will create a unique space for intersectional feminist discourse: residents can form a feminist think tank, engage in creative production, and have in-depth conversations about contemporary feminist issues. We’ll have campfires, hot springs soaks, hiking excursions, a rock climbing lesson, yoga, meditation, a visit to a sheep farm, dinner parties, and hearty/heady conversations. We ask that each participant contribute $400 for food expenses, guest speaker honoraria, and workshops. This program has no external funding (and garners no profits, but is operated at a cost to the organizers), and residency space at the Ranch is provided by ranch owners Eric Peterson and Adam Bateman, and subsidized by donations from Micol Hebron.
The residency is intended to simply create space and context for reflecting on, dialoging, and responding to contemporary feminist issues. Each day will be broken into time for physical activity, intellectual activity, group meeting time to talk and brainstorm together, and group activities such as hiking and exploring the surrounding Sanpete Valley. It's an active program! Residents are not required to ‘produce’ anything while here, necessarily, but they will be expected to have a passionate interest in feminist issues and a willingness to participate in the group discussions. It should be noted that the Ranch isn’t set up with individual studio space – there are (mostly shared) spaces that can be used to work on writing, painting or drawing. Please also note that there are no private studios, however residents are welcome to use the surrounding spaces and outdoor areas as appropriate. Residents will need to supply their own art-making materials and tools, should they wish to use them. I am hoping that this sanctioned time in a beautiful place with other amazing female-identified, femme, trans, genderqueer, gender nonconforming and nonbinary folks will provide much needed time for thinking and relaxing as well as adventures, conversation and solidarity. During previous summer camps, we have danced, laughed, cried, explored, fed each other, screamed, loved, transformed - it was revolutionary and life-changing for everyone involved. I can’t wait for this next round, and hope you can participate!
While the residency is structured to develop dialog, learning, and growth as a cohort, residents are free to ‘opt out’ of any activities that makes them feel uncomfortable or that they might simply be ‘not that into’. There will be scheduled presentations, field trips, and activities, but there is will also be ‘flex time’ in which residents will decide together (and individually) what they want to do and how they wish to spend their time.
We do require that all participants are present for the full duration of the program (ie, you cannot come for only half of the time; and you should not arrive a day or two late or leave a day or two early. If the timing doesn't work with your schedule, consider applying next year instead). We also ask that you do not have visitors or guests during FSC. If you wish to have someone accompany you, they must also apply.
THE PLACE:
I have a special relationship with Utah, due to many great friends who live there. I have visited, lived, worked, and explored in Utah off and on for the last 12 years. It is a beautiful and fascinating state, and Birch Creek Service Ranch (which is at an elevation of 6500 feet) is particularly special. Located in the Sanpete Valley it is in the dead center of the state in a sparsely populated valley, with incredible mountains surrounding the Ranch. Birch Creek Service Ranch functions as a youth service camp during the summer, and an artist residency during the rest of the year. Ranch Co-founder/Director Adam Bateman is an artist, former founding director of the Central Utah Art Center (which is now Granary Arts, in Ephraim). Adam is also a personal friend, and is from the Sanpete valley where the Ranch is located.
I have a special relationship with Utah, due to many great friends who live there. I have visited, lived, worked, and explored in Utah off and on for the last 12 years. It is a beautiful and fascinating state, and Birch Creek Service Ranch (which is at an elevation of 6500 feet) is particularly special. Located in the Sanpete Valley it is in the dead center of the state in a sparsely populated valley, with incredible mountains surrounding the Ranch. Birch Creek Service Ranch functions as a youth service camp during the summer, and an artist residency during the rest of the year. Ranch Co-founder/Director Adam Bateman is an artist, former founding director of the Central Utah Art Center (which is now Granary Arts, in Ephraim). Adam is also a personal friend, and is from the Sanpete valley where the Ranch is located.
ACCOMMODATIONS/SLEEPING
Birch Creek Service Ranch is a ranch house with studio buildings located on 40 acres of land. There are accommodations for several people: there is one yurt outside, one double bed in a solo room and one room with two bunk beds in the lodge, and an 8-bunk (sleeps 16) room in an outbuilding created from repurposed shipping containers. There are also a few 'wall tents' - partially walled structures with canvas roofs, with bunk beds inside them. It is also possible to tent camp, if residents bring their own camping gear (a few tents and sleeping bags and mats/air mattresses are also available to rent for cheap). There are bathrooms, showers, a kitchen, washer and dryer, and a large common dining area/rec room. Nearby there is hiking, climbing, hot springs, thrifting, and small historic towns throughout the valley. You can read more about Birch Creek here: https://serviceranch.org/
Birch Creek Service Ranch is a ranch house with studio buildings located on 40 acres of land. There are accommodations for several people: there is one yurt outside, one double bed in a solo room and one room with two bunk beds in the lodge, and an 8-bunk (sleeps 16) room in an outbuilding created from repurposed shipping containers. There are also a few 'wall tents' - partially walled structures with canvas roofs, with bunk beds inside them. It is also possible to tent camp, if residents bring their own camping gear (a few tents and sleeping bags and mats/air mattresses are also available to rent for cheap). There are bathrooms, showers, a kitchen, washer and dryer, and a large common dining area/rec room. Nearby there is hiking, climbing, hot springs, thrifting, and small historic towns throughout the valley. You can read more about Birch Creek here: https://serviceranch.org/
DIGITALIA
There is wifi at the Ranch, and most cell phones get service there - but we recommend that you try to do a 'digital detox' as much as possible, while you are attending FSC.
There is wifi at the Ranch, and most cell phones get service there - but we recommend that you try to do a 'digital detox' as much as possible, while you are attending FSC.
Birch Creek is in a very sparsely populated area. There are a few small towns nearby, but not a lot of ‘civilization’. It is possible to drive to a supermarket, a Walmart, a movie theater, one bar, and some local businesses within 15-20 minutes, but the nearby area is rural. The nearest towns are Ephraim, Spring City, Manti, Fairview, and Mt. Pleasant, if you’d like to look them up on google maps or google earth!
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FOOD:
Because there is only one kitchen, and there will be between 10 and 12 residents, an important part of the residency/summer camp will be group meals (and cleaning) – collaborative cooking as social practice! If willing, residents are asked to each provide a favorite recipe for one evening meal –a family recipe, your favorite cultural dish, their ‘go-to’ comfort food – and we will collaborate to prepare and cook the meal together. We have done this during the other FSCs and it has been amazing. No one is obliged to provide a menu, however, if they are uncomfortable doing so.
Because there is only one kitchen, and there will be between 10 and 12 residents, an important part of the residency/summer camp will be group meals (and cleaning) – collaborative cooking as social practice! If willing, residents are asked to each provide a favorite recipe for one evening meal –a family recipe, your favorite cultural dish, their ‘go-to’ comfort food – and we will collaborate to prepare and cook the meal together. We have done this during the other FSCs and it has been amazing. No one is obliged to provide a menu, however, if they are uncomfortable doing so.
We recognize that there will be varying dietary needs (goddess knows I have many of them!), and we’ll work that out together to ensure that there are healthy and appropriate meals for everyone.
DATES, TRAVEL, AND LOGISTICS:
The residency is scheduled for May 23rd through June 3rd. Residents are expected to arrive on May 23rd, or if necessary, the morning of May 24th. May 24th will be a day to get settled and explore the area surrounding the ranch, and FSC programming will begin with the whole group in the evening of May 24th.
The residency is scheduled for May 23rd through June 3rd. Residents are expected to arrive on May 23rd, or if necessary, the morning of May 24th. May 24th will be a day to get settled and explore the area surrounding the ranch, and FSC programming will begin with the whole group in the evening of May 24th.
Getting to Birch Creek Ranch:
From Los Angeles it’s about a 10-hour drive. There are a few LA residents invited, and it might be possible to carpool, if you’re up for a road trip!
The nearest airport is Salt Lake City Airport, which is about 2 1/2 hours away (but there isn’t really any public transportation that goes to the Sanpete valley where the ranch is).
We can assist you in getting from Salt Lake City to Birch Creek if you arrive to the Salt Lake City Airport on May 23rd or the morning of the 24th. Micol or Cara will make one trip each day on May 23rd and May 24th to pick up folks from the airport and drive them to Birch Creek. All summer campers must arrive no later than noon on May 24th in order to participate in the program.
FEES:
A NON-REFUNDABLE deposit of $200 will be due by _________ to reserve a spot. The remainder of the fees ($200) will be due by _______.
A NON-REFUNDABLE deposit of $200 will be due by _________ to reserve a spot. The remainder of the fees ($200) will be due by _______.
Tentative schedule (flexible/subject to change):
-Thursday May 23rd: Residents arrive.
-Friday May 24th: Get settled into rooms at the Ranch. Explore the Sanpete valley, tour the area, evening walk around the Birch Creek Property, Introductory Dinner, Karaoke at Triangle Lounge in Mt. Pleasant.
-Saturday May 25th: Setting intentions; tour of the Sanpete Valley, personal time in the afternoon, group dinner.
-Sunday May 26th: Morning meditation/Yoga/ Hike (optional); Visit to The Granary and artist Amy Jorgensen’s in Ephraim; Dinner; resident intros/presentations/workshops; Feminist Videos
-Monday May 27th: Morning meditation/Yoga/ Hike (optional); Rock Climbing, then field trip to Monroe, where we will have a picnic dinner at Mystic Hot Springs and then soak in the pools!
-Tuesday May 28th: Morning meditation/Acro-Yoga/Hike (optional): Visiting lecturer; Dinner; Dance party/or Drive-In movie
-Wednesday May 29th: Morning meditation/Yoga/Hike (optional): Visit to the Mickel's sheep farm; Fairview Museum, Dinner in town, Craft and Draft at the Triangle Lounge
-Thursday May 30th: Morning meditation/Acro-Yoga/Hike (optional): Free Day (optional trip to lake for kayaking at Palisade lake)
-Friday May 31st: Morning meditation/Yoga/ Hike (optional); FED-X (feminist experience and design, modeled after TED-X; residents each give a 20-min presentation – content and format of their choice) symposium – part 1; Dinner; Campfire
-Saturday June 1st: Morning meditation/Yoga/ Hike (optional); FED-X– part 2; Dinner
-Sunday June 2nd: Clean-up day, hike, last group dinner.
-Monday June 3rd: Residents depart.