Camphill Communities California

Sunday is for old records and good company 🎶 Happy Sunday from Danny and all of us at Camphill CA! 📸

[Image description: Danny is bending down on one knee looking at a record in his hands with a neutral expression. There is a record player next to him and a glass sliding door that lets out to a wooden balcony behind him.]

Life lately ☀️🪩💕

[Images Descriptions: 1. Sarah is smiling, wearing glasses and she has rainbow tinsel in her hair and a cup with steam painted on her cheek.

2. Sasha and Carleigh are smiling. Carleigh is wearing a hat and Sasha has orange face paint with drawn on whiskers and he's holding a clear plastic cup with a purple drink and green straw.

3. A 2-photo collage of Scotia smiling wearing sunglasses, a hat and a beaded necklace and in the second photo Scotia is threading a bead.

4. Coleman is standing under the pavilion, facing the side while holding a mic and wearing a silver sequins hat.

5. Alexis, Minh Vinh and Philipp are standing next to each other in the office and smiling.

6. Jonas is smiling, wearing oven mitts, standing in a kitchen and holding 2 sheet trays, one in each hand, with parchment paper and buns.

7. Nic is smiling and sitting at a table and a driving range is in the background.

8. William is smiling slightly and holding a box of strawberries outside while squinting a little. It's a sunny day.]

There's nothing like a tea party in Camphill! When you have a group that's as passionate as we are about sharing meals, community and bringing beauty to our surroundings, it's bound to be a good party 🫖🍰💕

[Images Descriptions: 1. Nic is sitting at the head of the table with other seated tea party guests. On the table there are tea party treats like a tiered stands with baked goods and cut sandwiches, a bowl of crackers, a plate with sliced meat and cheese and a mug at each setting. 2. Nic is smiling and holding a stainless steel carafe at a tilt over a mug. 3. a close up of the tiered display of baked goods and sandwiches.]

Fun moments from the official Camphill California Summer Olympic Games 🥳🏅 followed by a 4th of July community barbecue and pool party - perfect for the warm weather we've been having! Happy 4th to you and yours!



[Images descriptions: 1. Sasha is putting face paint on Carleigh's cheeks. 2. Several members of the community are standing under the shade sails on the hall patio and Tobi is holding a torch made out of a stick and fabric. 3. More than 20 people are standing in a row on one side of the grassy field and it's a sunny day. 4. Multiple teams of 2 are participating in a 3 legged race where the pair attempt to complete a race side by side with their inner legs tied together. 5. The participants are standing outside on the Marimi patio and the grassy field, mostly facing a scoreboard.]

Recently, the community had the bittersweet task of saying goodbye to our dear Jon who has positively influenced every aspect of our community. We said our goodbyes in a way that we think we do pretty well... a PARTY 🎉

A big number sang to the tune of "I'll be there for you" (Theme song from the popular Friends sitcom) with custom lyrics to share memories of Jon and his contributions, a taco truck, a photo booth and far too many 'thank yous' to count were some of the ways we expressed our gratitude and said farewell.

In our most recent newsletter, Jon expressed a special thank you to the community as he reflected on his time at Camphill and looked towards the future. "Thank you for the privilege of growing with you and discovering how to create unique pathways for every person in Camphill California with and without disabilities to make a meaningful contribution in the lives of others." - Jon F.

[Image description: In a photo with a gold frame, Jon is standing in the center of 7 volunteers and leaning on his right knee which is propped up by something not pictured. Below the frame is the text " The one where we say thank you!" and the Friends logo, the word "Friends" in black all caps with a different color dot in between the letters.]

Sara is wishing you all a beautiful week ahead! Stunning portrait by 📸💜

[Image description: Sara is smiling and holding up a small vase with a bouquet of flowers with both hands on the side of her face.]

Thank you for donating these amazing gardening gloves to our community! We were all so touched by this kind gesture and our garden crews are excited to break them in on our therapeutic garden beds. Thank you so much! ☺️👋🌱🦋

[Image description: Ten members of the garden crew are standing next to each other outside and wearing or holding new gloves and smiling. There is a wheelbarrow in the foreground and trees and a small parking lot in the background. It's a sunny day.]

We can't wait to see many of you on Sunday as we celebrate Camphill California "In Full Bloom"! Try to spot all these beautiful handmade flowers and leaves on the Marimi property - an art project led by .rutherford.524 🌼🪻

[Image description: Sasha, Carleigh, Alexis and Becky are standing outside and holding large colourful flowers and leaves above their heads. They are smiling, the orchard is in the background and it's a sunny day.]

The online auction closes tomorrow, Friday, May 3 at 9pm! Time is running out to place your bid on your favorite Camphill items, wines and experiences. Thank you for helping make the gala on Sunday a sold out event! Now, we need your help to finish off strong with the online auction. Bid today here bit.ly/camphill-online-auction2024.

[Images descriptions: 1. On a watercolor background, a banner in the right corner has the text " Online auction closes tomorrow" and centered is the text "In Full Bloom // Welcome to Camphill's gala! // The online auction is open! // It closes at 9pm Friday!". 2. The list of event sponsors in 4 columns on a watercolor background.]

Start the day off right or end with a soothing night with Camphill Organic loose leaf herb Tea 😌 This bundle includes 1 Pack of Camphill Original Blend Loose Leaf Herb Tea, 2 Reusable Cotton Tea Bags and 2 Camphill mugs.

Immerse yourself in an unforgettable self care experience, Animal Body Energetics Consultation and Energetic Entrainment 90 Minute Session, led by Lori Halliday. Lori is an exceptional leader who is a master at creating safe, congruent relational spaces for humans and horses to fulfill their hearts’ desires and embodies their most aligned leadership.

Enjoy a tour for 4 aboard a sailing yacht! Chardonnay Sailing Charters has been able to create a highly-touted experience that caters not only to families, locals, and tourists but to seasoned sailors alike.

This and more available in our online auction here https://bit.ly/camphill-online-auction2024! Don't wait - the online auction closes on Friday.

[Images descriptions: 1. The Daily Exercises booklet made of homemade paper is propped up on an orchid next to a kettle, pack of Camphill loose leaf tea, 2 mugs with the Camphill California dove logo and 2 packs of cotton tea bags. 2. The text Horse & Heart is on the right side of a heart shaped image with a silhouette of a horse forming half of the heart image. 3. A sailboat on the bay. The coast is in the background and it's a sunny day with scattered clouds.]

Our online auction is open and all* are welcome to join in the bidding fun! Whether it's incredible wine, beautiful one of a kind Camphill creations or a fun getaway, we've got you covered! Don't worry, you don't have to be a gala guest to participate. Start bidding today! Link in bio.

[Image description: The Camphill logo of an outline of a dove is in the top left corner. In the center is the large text "Our online auction is open", an image of Sara holding saffron flowers in her hands, 4 bottles of Ridge wine, Camphill tea bags, a pond at Filoli gardens and the text "Bid Today".]

*Must be 21 and over to bid on wine and wine experiences.

Camphill Communities California camphillca.org/events

This year we will have our popular LIVE AUCTION at the gala! One of the lots that's already getting a lot of buzz is the 'One Week Stay in a beautiful Maui Oceanfront Condo'. Enjoy 7 nights of bliss - falling asleep to the gentle sound of the surf outside your bedroom window and waking up to a beautiful Maui sunrise across the bay over magnificent 10,000 foot Haleakala. Eat breakfast on your lanai while you watch whales and surfers on the bay below. Unobstructed views (the best in Maalaea) from every window - even the kitchen looks to the West Maui Mountains.

A big thank you to our friends at for this 'Calming Care Basket' which will be available in person in our silent auction. Pamper yourself with a selection of fragrant creams, salves and hydrosols from Blossom's Farm. Includes Lavender Sachet, Lavender Hydrosol, Gotu Kola Holy Basil Rose Geranium Body Lotion, Comfrey Facial Creme, Lavender-Rose Geranium Salve and Calming Balm.

One of the new, local wineries we're excited to feature at our annual gala is ! Low intervention winemaker Megan Bell "uses sustainably grown grapes to make natural wine from lesser-known regions, vineyards, and varietals that are *on the margins*" - Margins also recently won an NEXTies! Congrats Megan!

Our online auction opens in 4 days and it is open for everyone to participate! Register today so you're ready for the bidding fun. Link in bio.

[Images descriptions: 1. A multi floor condominium building surrounded by trees with a pool in the center and near the beach. 2. A basket with lotion, cream, hyrdrosol, salve and balm. 3. Margins winemaker Megan Bell is smiling and holding a bottle of wine.]

We're SOLD OUT! Thank you for your incredible support of our annual gala. We can't wait to see you all at the table! Even though the event is sold out, you can still participate in our exciting online auction and Fund-A-Need, which are both open to the public.

Mark your calendars! Online bidding starts on April 23 at noon. For the Fund-A-Need this year, we're focusing on much-needed renovations to an existing Camphill home to finally make into a new Supported Living Home for our community.

After more than 20 years of providing a home for our founders, Coleman and Katherine Lyles, along with an impressive number of volunteers, coworkers and guests over the years, Siwiini House needs a makeover! Our goal is to raise $60,000 towards this timely project.

Helping to fund this vital renovation project will allow this beloved Camphill home—conveniently located behind the House of Ishi at the bottom of the path through the Peace Garden—to serve a great, new purpose. Siwiini will become a Supported Living (SLS) home for 4 individuals of varying abilities to share their lives together in our wonderful community! We can't do this with you. We need your help to transform Siwiini. Visit our auction website to find out what's needed and how you can get involved here https://event.auctria.com/41324e56-089f-43f4-b90b-6ab4b2dbb7c2/613b8fdc4d454312b3e51cf0883440c7.

[Images Descriptions: The steep driveway leading down to Siwiini house and the exterior of the 2 story building surrounded by trees.]

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter Sunday! We were so happy that we were able to have our community brunch outside in the sunshine after all the rain this weekend ☀️☺️ PC:

[Image description: Members of the community are sitting outside on the hall patio at a long table covered with a gold tablecloth; each setting has a cup and a plate. It's a sunny day.]

The lights, the costumes, the music, the passion! 🤩🥹 This year's Passion Show was a huge success. Thanks to all the incredible performers for bringing such beauty to this stage!

[Images descriptions: 1. Sophie is standing on the stage with Tom, a bouquet of flowers and a woodland scene projected on the back wall; 2. Valentina is laying on a lounge chair with a wand. 3. Eddie is holding the mic standing next to Katie. 4. Sasha is holding sheet music with his arms in the air and the closed curtain is at his back. 5. The Marimi band is standing on stage with a few on a microphone and the rest holding musical instruments. 6. A collage of the circus performers. 7. Alex is holding a mic with a cord on the steps of the stage. 8. Alexis and Sashika are standing on stage, each with one hand on their stomachs and one on their heads.]

Recently, we said farewell to our dear friends Szilvia and Bernard as they embark on a new adventure in Hungary 🥹 Members of the community offered musical performances, Eurythmy and much more to honor them both. As an added surprise, a video of former volunteers sharing kind words and their favorite memories was played. Szilvia and Bernard have promised that they will return to visit their Camphill California family. We know, wherever they go, they'll bring beauty and light. We wish them all the very best in this next chapter! ❤️

[Images descriptions: 1. In the hall, in front of the stage, Szilvia is standing in front of the community who are seated at tables. 2. the community is sitting at tables. 3. thirteen individuals are standing on stage, most with arms extended, for a Eurythmy performance and one is seated. 4. two individuals are seated on stage playing a cello duet. 5. Kathryn is standing on the steps of the stage in front of the seated audience holding papers. 6. Sara is standing on the stage with arms above her head. 7. the community choir is standing on the stage and Philipp is sitting at the piano.]

Camphill Rwanda is thriving! From helping to fight food insecurity to building vital physical and educational infrastructures, check out some of the incredible projects Camphill has in store ▶️

See the Progress at Camphill Rwanda! Camphill Rwanda is thriving! From stopping food insecurity to building infrastructure, come see some of the great things Camphill has in store.

*Just a heads up, this post makes mention and includes photos of close encounters with bees and the hive led by a professional beekeeper.*

On Tuesday, the candle making team visited the where the is located! "Since we work mostly with beeswax there was an interest to find out where exactly the beeswax comes from, so we had a class and learned about how beeswax is made and appreciated the bees and their beautiful work" 🐝 -Camphill volunteer

Thank you so much to the Santa Cruz Bee Company for an educational and fun experience!

[Images descriptions: 1. The candle making team is wearing long sleeve clothing and protective veils, helmets and gloves while standing in front of a sign with the text, "Bee Happy." 2. Sarah is smiling, holding a rack from the hive. 3. Sarah is standing next to the hive with the beekeeper. 4. A close-up of a rack with bees attached and Coleman is in the background. 5. The Camphill crew is huddled around the beekeeper for a lesson on beeswax. 6. Carleigh and Sashika are standing and smiling. 7. Coleman is standing next to the hive with the beekeeper who is holding a rack above the hive. 8. Maria and Coleman are holding a rack. 9. The Camphill crew is standing around the beekeeper and the hive in a wooden box with a lid. 10. Sophie is smiling holding a rack.]

We love volunteering in the wider community! Check out these familiar faces from the Marimi garden crew volunteering at the on MLK Day ☺️🌱

[Image description: Seven members of the Marimi garden crew are standing next to each other near garden beds. It's a sunny day.]

The temperatures are dropping around here! We're bundling up but still welcoming the New Year by staying active and enjoying our winter walks 🧣❄️

[Image Description: Four members of the community are smiling and standing near a railing on the wharf. It's a sunny day.]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! We celebrate life together with you on our planet earth. We celebrate the life of the Earth: The Minerals, the Plants, the Animals and Humanity. In Camphill, we celebrate The bearer of The Divine Being of Love and Freedom. Many of us have sacred celebrations during this Season of the year. We wish all of us joy, gratitude, peace and love in our hearts. With gratitude, Camphill California ☺️✨
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May the sun bring you new energy by day,
May the moon softly restore you by night,
May the breeze blow new strength into your being,
May you walk gently through the world
And know its beauty all the days of your life.
- Apache Blessing

[Image description: Members of the community are sitting and standing near the edge of the pool and smiling for a group photo.]

Danny can't wait to show you all the incredible handmade gifts at the Winter Fair tomorrow! Shop small and shop local from Camphill artists and local makers at our holiday sale from 10am-1pm. Walk-ins welcome! Cash and checks recommended.

[Images descriptions: Sashika is smiling, standing and holding a wreath with Danny who is sitting. 2. Danny holds the wreath in front of his face. 3. A flyer with a background pattern of drawings of trees. At the top, "Winter Fair" is in a large font. Below that is the text: "come join us for handmade gifts from local artisans, singing, and celebration of the holiday season with Camphill!" At the bottom is the event location and time info: "4096 Fairway Drive, Soquel CA // Paloma Hall // 10am - 1pm // Dec. 2nd 2023."

Today is GivingTuesday!! 🥳 Thank you to everyone who has generously given towards our goal to raise $10,000 to "Raise the Roof on Retirement" and complete our Camphill home for our elders. Your gift means so much to our community. If you haven't had the chance to give, now is the time! Visit https://camphillca.org/donation-information/ to donate today.

Please enjoy this fun drone footage of the construction process from above. Video footage taken by Jackson Damhorst.

Video available here: https://youtu.be/2ay0rf0BEA8

[Video description: Drone footage of the exterior of the new home under construction.]

Raise the Roof for Retirement!

Congrats Katie for finishing your beautiful scarf - 6 beautiful months in the making! Every handmade item is a labor of love. We don't rush. No fast fashion here. We embrace the slow joy of creating something unique and special at our own pace.

[Image description: Katie is smiling and holding her completed, woven scarf while standing near a window in the weavery.]

The Camphill Association of North America held its October meeting in beautiful Santa Cruz, CA, home to Camphill Communities CA.

Representatives from communities in North and South America gathered to reflect on the important values and vision that sustain our communities and discuss regional business. Being in CA also enabled the group to spend a morning together in the redwood forest, reflecting on how we can continue to live in greater harmony with our natural world.

www.camphillfoundation.org

From our community table to yours, we hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the ones you love! 🥰

For our shared meals, everyone contributes in their own way - wherever that's by preparing a dish, helping with set up, decorations or clean up or by keeping us all entertained with lively conversation! We all have a role to play.



[Images Descriptions: A Camphill Thanksgiving complete with 1. tablescape with pine cones, foliage and flower in a vase. 2. cooked turkey on the table. 3. Jon standing near 2 cooked turkeys holding a knife. 4. a bundle of raw vegetables. 5. some individuals are sitting at the dining table, standing and most are in the buffet line in the kitchen.]

Beautiful, still moments from our St. Martin's and eve of Diwali festival celebrations 🕯️🌌 Video in our story.

[Images Descriptions: 1. At nighttime, above the pool, the pavilion is illuminated with string lights. 1 and 2. Lanterns in the pool. 3 and 4. Members of the community are seated under the lit pavilion. 5. Lanterns in the pool.]

Mark your calendars! The Camphill Winter Fair is on Saturday, December 2nd 🌟 You and the whole family are invited to join us in Paloma Hall and on the patio to sing carols, sip warm drinks and shop for beautiful handmade gifts by Camphill artists and local makers. Be sure to bring your shopping list along! These one of a kind gifts are not to be missed! Cash and checks recommended.

[Image description: The Camphill logo, outline of the view above a dove, is at the top of the image above the text "Camphill Communities California." Below that is "Winter Fair" in a large font followed by the text "Come join us for handmade gifts from local artisans, singing, and celebration of the holiday season with Camphill!" Below that is the address, date and time: "4096 Fairway Dr Soquel CA, Paloma Hall, 10am-1pm, Dec. 2nd 2023." The background is a slow, instrumental orchestral piece.]

Camphill Communities California camphillca.org/events

Say hello to our new volunteers ☀️ From left to right, we have Luna, Sophie, Tobias, Alisa (front row), Hannah (front row), Lars, Rémy, Sanya (front row) and Schirin.

[Images descriptions: It's a sunny day and nine new volunteers are smiling and standing under a tree. 2. a group of people are sitting in a circle indoors with a web of string in the center and most are holding onto a piece of it.]