great idea Birk!

I don't know that it's 100% mine. I heard someone mention, or read here at some point, that it would be so much easier for moms of boys 11+ if there were some kind of off-land Brother Sun part 2 for the boy who doesn't need mom every night. Then the other day I saw a picture of my friend's son, who is a Cub Scout. I hate the homophobia and Christian bent of the Boy Scouts but not individual Cub or Boy Scouts and I think scouting in general would be a good idea if the BSA weren't run by a bunch of assholes. So I got to thinking, what if there were a scout-like camp in August during fest week, but instead of being run by assholes, was run by the kind of guys I really like, who are raised by lesbians or other strong feminist women. Then I saw V's post about her son and how sad he is to have fest lost to him forever, and it occurred to me that if some good young men were taking the older boys camping, what a great experience it would be for them as they age out of Brother Sun. Or maybe the male partners who think it's cool that their female partners take the kids to fest every August would be willing to do it. A state park would rent out a few campsites for a week, the guys could barbecue at night or cook eggs over a campfire for breakfast, and chose one near a pond or lake so they could swim by day, take hikes, whatever else the men in charge could come up with. I went camping with Girl Scouts when I was about that age, and I don't remember exactly what we did during the day, but it was fun. Learning how to tie different knots, hiking, and swimming are all I remember from that camp.

that's such a great idea. Does anyone on here have a grown son who likes to work with kids? Or know anybody?

How odd that I jumped on the BB and this is the first post I saw. Cool. I should say that Dani and I did some re-conn and there are camp sites for WICKED cheap right up the road at Whiskey Creek campground (only a few miles from the front gate) where there is ice cream and paddle boats and fishing and a swimming pool...I just don't have the man to run it. Or the energy to find him. But any takers would be welcome by me!

I wish I could bribe my brother. He had our four- and two-year-old boy cousins climbing all over him this weekend. He was turning them upside-down and they were giggling like crazy. But I doubt I could get him to take a week off work to drive across the country and work really hard for a week. We probably need students or teachers who have some summer time off so it's not all year's vacation working so hard. I know we workers do it every year, but it's I think it's different when it's about womyn's community and there are 3000 of us we're doing it for. I'm asking other festies with male partners and grown sons to check out this thread though. We'll see what we can do for Parker and his peers.

Such a wonderful idea, Birkie. I remember having the same idea/convo w/ others more than once around the Bro Sun campfire.

I wish I could get my 19yr old Bro Sun grad (Gerald), or his feminist dad interested in the idea, but no go. Sorry.

Hi V & Birk & El & Others~
Birk, I think we had this conversation. My son has been talking about how it would be nice to do the grown up camp for a couple of years. I know that he would do it and even probably make the arrangements, but he definately wouldn't want to be the only Over 18/Responsible Party. If there is a definate interest, I'll work with him to make the arrangements as I have made all the arrangement for High School Band Camp for a few years (for over 100 students and chaperones), including, lodging, food, entertainment, etc.).

Well, if a bunch of old boys come back, maybe I will have to go work at "brother sun" again!!! WOW, how cool would it be to see Dana, Christian, Keegan,David, Gerald, Dustin, Michael, Rowen, gosh...so many little guys. Not so little anymore.

Stay safe,
Po~;-)

On another tangent, regarding getting ready for next year: I am so ready for next year. Not packed, not organized, but mentally ready. Current question: shall I put a tent in the Zone for late night rendez-vous? Hmmm. Perhaps I shall.

me too. Not even closed to packed ... LOL! ... though it would not take me long if someone was knocking on my door!

but I am mentally/emotionally ready. wow ... it's only late October! The counter says "Countdown to Festival: 276 days, 09 hours, 00 minutes, and 29 seconds".

and I would be on the road in a heartbeat if that was a possibility!

I was sobbing when it was time to leave Fest. I get so sad when it's time to go. I would go back in a heartbeat! Most of our gear is packed up and waiting for next year!

As we sit here with snow everywhere and remember fest - we are ready to go back perhaps not in the weather on the land right this second, lol. Yearning for warm days, fantastic music and the great company of fest.
Solstice - 4 months later i just read your heartwarming post :)
We loved meeting you and have thought about you since - hoping you and your family are warm healthy and well. Hope your fall trips went well. I'll have to send you an email to catch up, have made some life changes since fest.
Tonya and I send our best

right about this time of the year I feel emotionally ready and since I clean everything and put it away in my camping box and have my clothes in a tote in the attic, yup, I'm ready

I also just got snappy's photograph "front gate in winter" back from the framer so I look at it every day. That helps the emotional readiness.

MIchigan has been difficult these past few years but that mess is behind me and I am ready to have a good good time this year.

I found a pair of heavy fleece pants at the goodwill for the cooler nights. Yep I'm ready.