2026 Program
This is very much a work-in-progress, not a final plan by any means! Your opinions and contributions are welcome.
Introduction
At the end of 2025 a lot of the public areas of the camp had been destroyed, and the sentiment among the campers was that certain parts of our public offering were at best boring and at worst inconsistent with their own goals and ambitions for the camp. As such in fall 2025 we started working on a new interactive program for the camp. This document is intended as a draft of how the camp layout will change so that we can start building anew for 2026.
Public
The Cafe At Future Turtles
We will have one, unified public space called the Cafe, featuring:
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- counter/bar
- offering an interesting beverage program day and night and possibly snacks like Quesadillas
- bar stools and bistro seating in the shade
- turtle sign integrated into bar
- burn barrel at night
- wicker chairs and sofas
- LED whips to define and decorate the space at night
- bike parking
- counter/bar
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- Cafe will be multipurpose, suitable for programs like:
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- Saturday night welcome ceremony and party
- Coffee bar
- Cold drinks in the afternoons (mostly non-alcoholic, with themes)
- Gaywatch sunscreen station
- Quiet lounge music (conversation, not dancing)
- A place for turtles to eat their meals
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Private
Camper shade structure
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- Stronger than 2025! (
MoreDiagonal ratchet straps, all new tarps, side mesh tarps) - No ground tarps (lesson of the rain)
- Stronger than 2025! (
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Enclosed Tent
One large, enclosed tent (fully weatherproof) set up between the food fort and the pillow fort, featuring:
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Large,Foodenclosedservingtentarea- Snack
can/withstandkitchenetteweatherarea - Minimal seating and
windtables (mostly campers should take their food out to the cafe) - Camper
Cubbiescubbies - Lost and found
- Canteen filler
- Trash sorting
- Cleaning supplies
- Announcement whiteboard
that
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Food Fort
Pillow Fort
For camper use; not public
Lotus Belle 20'
Tool Fort
Bike Fort
Retired
Some things are not coming back in 2026 to simplify the program and the camp, although they might be available in a reduced format if people are highly motivated to set them up:
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- Gayflower is kaput
- Kink Fort was never popular
- Observation decks will no longer be a part of the public space
- Private turtle dining room with tables
- Lotus Belle 16' (was not set up in 2025 either)
Available to check out the view but not requiring integration into the café
PRIVATE AREASNo more dining roomin 2025 we will experiment with Turtles bringing their meals out to the café to eat, to encourage socializing with the publicThe Turtle Tent (which can be closed for rain and wind protection)Adjacent to the food fortDuring lunch and any other camp meals, a serving line is put out where the chefs serve the mealscampers take their meals out to the café, weather permitting. In inclement weather we can move tables in from the café so campers can eat inside
Camper cubbiesFeed Yourself stationCereal library and quick breakfast optionsCurated selection of snacksEvening and overnight, pre-made meals are put out which can be heated in microwave
Ice waterIce gatoradeHand washing stationCanteen fillerSilent Camp Meetings (actually a large whiteboard with required reading)Trash sorting, with sign for detailed instructionsCompostSpecial wood plates and wood cutlery containersCrushed cansLandfillExtra garbage bags
Cleaning supply stationLost 'n' Found shelves, with detailed instructions
Food FortTurtle Shade StructureNo ground tarps this yearAll side slopes are meshAdd lots of external sloped ratchet strapsWind facing shiftpods get extra bracing (guylines and ground pins)
Lotus Belle 20'Consider draping dark fabric inside to keep it darker and cooler
Pillow FortNow for campers onlyDesignate some area for storage. Last year's 12x10 was great, maybe inside the turtle shade
Bike FortTool FortGayflowerEmpire Fort