What it looks like when people say YES to being taken to an undisclosed location in an unmarked white van to do undisclosed things

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This past weekend I participated in one of my favorite things to do, both as a participant and as a facilitator. Husband and I ran one of our Life of Yes! Sleepaway Camps (LOYSC).

A group of people go to an undisclosed location sans phones, tablets, and laptops and sans anyone they know to do very vaguely described activities. Basically all you know is the name of the gathering, what you need to pack, and when you need to be at the pickup location. So it can take a bit (a lot) of courage to apply.

Reasons people give for attending an LOYSC are varied —

to unplug
to get away
to be in nature
to play and laugh and let go of being serious all the time
to not have to think and to have others tell me where to be when and what to do when I get there
to meet others and make new friends
to be a part of a community
to challenge myself
to find grounding
to figure out what I want to do in/want out of life
to get out of a funk/to recharge
to have me-time

As with all LOYSCs, this weekend’s campers were also varied —

Age 31 to 52
Single, married, divorced
City dweller, suburb dweller
Has kids, doesn’t have kids; wants kids, doesn’t want kids
Gimme MEAT!, vegetarian
American, from outside of America
Financial Analyst to Holistic Health Coach, Theater Director to Nurse
Three extroverts, five introverts
Three morning people, two night people, three “doesn’t matter what time it is, I’m always ready to go!” people

As the ten of us journeyed through silly and serious, alone and together, laughter and tears, inside and outside, warmth and cold, noise and silence, we got to know not only each other but ourselves as well. I love that at age thirty-six I am still uncovering and discovering myself. It’s scary but scary-good. Even when it’s scary-bad.

And to see others have a-ha moments about themselves? Simply beautiful.

It is a truly wondrous thing to witness connections and openness blossom in such a short amount of time. During and after every LOYSC, I feel such appreciation. For people who say YES. For Husband-Best Friend. For everything and everyone who helped create the person I am today and thus helped create Mac & Cheese and the environments that allow for such blossoming.

Adults letting go, surprising themselves, and being present are beings whom inspire and fill you up…

If you think this sounds like an experience you’d to like to gift yourself or someone else, the application for the January LOYSC is here. Husband and I would love to have you on our next journey to Somewhere Magical. A lovely way to start 2015, indeed…

Oh and males, this is for you too. Don’t let the estrogen-heavy photos of this LOYSC make you think otherwise. Males have also been campers.