BAFS 9th Annual Summer Poetry Camp

July 7th-17th 2023 CE

One Earth: Our Intradependent Ecology

“The farce of BAFS; that we’re here to study poetry. We’re actually here to understand community.” – Marcus If

Last year’s BAFS Graduation Camp reinforced the thematic arc that creating community is an improv game we are all playing in any moment. Away from the structures & paradigms that shape our world, we are freed to relearn our role as cocreators of the spaces we occupy with ourselves and others. During camp we intentionally create chaos and then we play in it; figuring out the rules as we go, finding our character in the untamed. The only rule at the beginning of the game is respect.

This year, we will dive into the intradependent ecology of our natural and social environments which we collectively create. There is an epidemic of loneliness, apathy, and risk aversion which limits our ability to imagine a new social paradigm. During camp we will deep-dive into the multimedia expression of ecopoetics, reshaping our cultural realities in each moment-to-moment experience.

Expand your poetry practice surrounded by pine and aspen, camp by the burbling brook and enjoy the stellars jay and magpie wake up calls. Bring what you have in abundance and receive what others bring from their abundance. Come stretch your feral citizenship of the earth in the wild civility of BAFS Summer Poetry Camp. Of course the BAFS classics will return: the Drunken Haiku Contest (a practice in mindfulness), the improv punk band Black Market Translation performs with poetry accompaniment, and the Burn Your Poem kick-off party. And there will be new classes too, ranging from haiku to Conversations with Plants, from Theory of Musical Improv to the History of Boulder Poetry

“Join us: BEHIND the LILACS!

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2023 Camp Instructors

Andy Riley, Cicada, Clark Hollenberg, Eli Whittington, Eric Fischman, Gary Allen, Ira Liss
Jonathon Montgomery, Kenny White, Maggie Saunders, Marcus If, Matt Clifford, Rob Geisen, Squidds Madden, Thomas Ivory Jr., Virginia Schultz

Instructor Profiles

Become a Supporting Member of the Skool!

A core principle of the Free Skool is that all of our events are Free to attend. Our instructors pay their travel costs out of pocket and we estimate will spend 700 volunteer hours on the Skool this year alone. We will not pass around donation jars at events, so a great way to show your support for the Skool is to join us as a Member. Here’s how:

Become a Member

Our Community, Our Patrons

We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our community. From grants and donations to fiscal and residence sponsors, all of our community supporters large and small are listed below. Without their help, we could not offer the level of 100% Free quality peer-to-peer education and public literary events that our BAFS standards demand. Honor the Patrons!

Our Patrons

2023 Schedule One Earth: Our Intradependent Ecology

All classes take place at Love Shovel Ranch, unless otherwise noted.

Camp FAQ

Workshops will be held at Love Shovel Ranch and the Boulder Public Library. Please remember these spaces are Temporary Autonomous Zones, Autonomous as in be Responsible for yrself and others. Clean up yr trash (including All cigarette butts and bottle caps), recycle yr empties, wash yr dishes. No grease or hair in the drains, NOTHING in the toilet that didn’t come out of yr body except TP. Love Shovel Ranch rests in the heart of the wilderness; Leave No Trace. Weather permitting, workshops are held outside in the grove, so keep in mind the following :

Locations:
Boulder Public Library Arapahoe Room 1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder
Love Shovel Ranch 722 Caribou Road, Nederland (behind Lilac hedge)
Mutiny Information Cafe 2 S Broadway, Denver, CO
The Coffee Stand 1201 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO

Weather Alert

Weather is looking like overcast 50% of the time, temps 65-70 degrees, probable drizzle-rain. However, keep in mind the weather Will change During the workshops, anywhere from 40-95 degrees are possible and even probable. Layered clothing is crucial to your comfort. Love Shovel Ranch is in the High Wilderness, be prepared.

What to Bring:

Enthusiasm!
Pen(S!) & Paper
Bug Spray & Sunscreen
Water Bottle. We have fresh spring water to refill.
Personal Fuel (Snack food, Real food, whiskey, coffee, tobacco, etc.)
Toiletries as necessary given yr duration
Layered Clothing. Bikini one minute & rain parka the next. Nights are chilly.
Picnic/Pass-out Blanket
Additional ‘camping gear’ as necessary given yr duration. Folding Chair?
Toys, Costumes, & Curiosities
Snacks
Poetry Schwag

What not to bring:
Narcotics are not allowed at the Ranch. No pills, powders, daily dabbers thanks.
The Ranch is mostly young-child friendly, but not during workshops or parties.
Due to wildlife and distraction, no untrained dogs are allowed. No second chances.
Bigots of any kind are immediately ejected. No second chances.
Violence, including verbal, against any living being is not tolerated.
Styrofoam / non recyclable packaging = No Thanks.

The Ranch is 420 & booze friendly. Overuse at workshops is a distraction for everyone.
Please be polite and discrete when smoking around the Boulder Public Library.