do pagans have thier own camps and such?

Question

I know xians have camps and bible studies and such i was wondering if Pagans do some sort of retreat

Answer 1

Reclaiming WitchCamps occur in several places -- http://www.witchcamp.org/ has specific info on them.

There are many Pagan festivals & public gatherings, but not a lot of "retreat" type events. In part, this is because Pagan religions are a lot smaller than Christianity, and so it's hard to get a lot of people from different areas who have the same interests in focused study or practice, but it's also because when they *do* happen, many are not publicized.

Some traditions (you might use the word "denominations" instead) have gatherings, but they don't announce them anywhere; they're discovered by word-of-mouth, and the actual retreats are small events: 20 people doing a week-long campout with intense rituals and study group exchanges.

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/retreats/ has a list of retreats that allow or encourage gatherings to be held, and http://www.fullcircleevents.org/ mentions lists of events in California.

Answer 2

Yes. We have small retreats all summer in our own areas. Most of us tend to prefer to do things outside, get into nature, where our spirituality is centered. Here in the metro Detroit area we had two weekends in June and we're going to have one the first weekend of August. There are larger gatherings as well. Like Starwood in NY which lasts 6 days and has workshops, rituals, and various other spiritual activities. Many folks from our area travelled down there for the event, but alas, I couldn't make it this year. It's not the only big event mind you. Reclaiming puts on witchcamps (but I don't know much about them) and there are conventions throughout the year put on by various organizations. Generally we have to rent space or the land is donated by nice people as we don't have a central church and its funds to buy land with. There are a few spots in this area that fit into the latter category. In the early spring/late winter we also have ConVocation locally. This is a 4-day convention with workshops, dances and general fellowship.

Spiral Scouts (a Pagan organization for kids) has kids camps and retreats sometimes too.

As far as Bible study goes... we don't have a single book we learn from. We do have book clubs though. We also have Journey groups and Meditation circles as well as classes and workshops. Honestly, a Pagan can fill up a whole month with classes, workshops, tea chats, pub moots, journey groups, meditation circles, book clubs, campouts, conventions and retreats. We stay pretty busy around here.

If you want to get an example of what we might have, you can look at the calendar at witchvox.com or at motorcitypagans.net

Answer 3

Pagans have many of the same types of groups as other faiths. Because paganism is not a centrally organized religion, there is nothing across the board, but there are various study groups, and even childrens groups like Spiral Scouts.

There are groups, such as Circle Sanctuary and Our Haven that own large parcels of land where they hold group events and have camping and other use options.

And nudity is NOT often involved. That is specific and almost exclusive to Gardenarian and Alexanderian Wiccans who are only a very small percentage of pagans.

Answer 4

Yes. Each year Pagans have dozens, if not hundreds, of retreats all around the United States. Many are nature retreats that take place during late spring, summer and early fall. There are even winter retreats held in hotels, like Pantheacon, a 3000-person Pagan gathering at a hotel in San Jose, CA.

Check witchvox.com. Check Pagan forums on Yahoo Groups for your area. If you spend any time looking at all, I guarantee you will find several gatherings local to where ever you happen to live.

As for Pagans owning permenant camps or locations...they're a little harder to come by, but a few exist. Gaia's Oasis in Central California is one. Most Pagan retreats take place at rented locations owned by non-Pagans--both on private property and in various public parks & campgrounds.

Answer 5

Most definitely. Many Pagans and Neopagans get together in groups to celebrate the eight major seasonal festivals, or sabbats, that mark the "wheel of the year." They are times of worship, meditation, relaxation, and enjoying the fellowship of like-thinkers.

I'm not Pagan, but many of my friends and fellow Unitarian Universalists are, and I've attended celebrations with them held at campgrounds or other remote locations. I thought them great fun. The best part for me was the drumming around the bonfire. Anyone with a drum and at least a little rhythm was invited to play while dancers circled the fire. It's a celebration of life.

Answer 6

A lot of Pagan groups have retreats and camps. Very common. Lots of festivites, feasting. Usually music and speakers. Some ceremonies depending on what groups are attending.

Answer 7

usually during the high day festivals (druids) we will have workshops and such, also the festivals are usually 3-4 days so we will camp out.

Answer 8

not that I'm aware of, but they do have covens and will meet in groups late in the evening for a bonfire and some drumming and dancing. (sometimes nudity is involved.)