Ahhhhhhh the smells of Indian Summer as I drove north at 3:30a with 80 degree weather…. ocean to desert to apples to pine trees and onto Santa Cruz mountains. The windy ride ended at the Pema Osel Ling Buddhist Retreat Center – immediately felt like I drove into an envelope filled with Love! A big sigh, YES I made it to Hoop Camp in perfect time to help Heather get Hoop Campers checked-in. First duty was Camping B set-up near the Temple Stage. Deanne (from HoopLovers in Tokyo) and I partnered in the sweaty pointing duties. What an great job – awesome to greet hoop-campers and re-unite with hoopers from years past. Deanne is wonder-lust of knowledge and full of love, literally as she was on her honeymoon with out her honey!
Vending was off-the-charts the best shopping of the year! Your choice of fire hoops, all sizes, weights, travel, fire spin toys, DVDs, light up toys (LED), Feathers- Feathers and Feathers, apparel perfect for any goddess, wild circus gear and more! It’s fun to play with fake hair and try new styles at Hoop Camp, we are all there to shine in uniqueness. Celebrate the feeling of dress in movement. Costume changes regulate the day of a hooper at Hoop Camp.
Opening Ceremonies including Baxter…. bring it on bad ass Hoop Campers! Then the line-up flowed with 3-4 workshops before breaky| before lunch| after lunch| after dinner | midnight madness…. and then the grand finale LightHouse Jam. 12-17 hours of hooping a day for 4 days!
Roue Cyr Wheel was super duper UPER popular! Hoopers were addicted to this movement.
Compare to other events, there were more workshops offered and one could go to what ever workshop they wanted. The list of instruction options made it easy to choose, so many amazing offered. Overwhelmed with gratitude getting to touch the people I stalk on Youtube and the internet…
Connected with so many amazing people from all walks of life uniting in one location to hoop in many styles, techniques, philosophies, and above all encouraging the unique authentic movement that each of us offer individually. Jocelyn Gordon the goddess of DC is someone I’ve admired from a far until this weekend- she is adorable and delicious! While in the shower, got to meet FB friend Cassandra from Florida- she knocked our socks off with her poetry hooping at the showcase- one of three standing ovations. WHD Annie was another treat to meet in person, it front of the Buddha at the Stupa surrounded by LED hoops. Laughed hardest with Philo (Hooping.org) as M/C of the Hooper Showcase! His lighthearted humor killed the crowd and me when he enthusiastically cheered in silence. Speaking of men, gotta love how the attendance of men went from 5 the first year to 29 this year!
Hoop Camp Heather Troy literally moved the road to make this year happen! The new space was ideal for hooping + Rich Porter brought his amazing shade structure and sound system… the food was epic this year as the weather played it safe for tent camping. The property staff crated a comfortable stay for everyone. Yes it’s true, – I taught the leader of the property, Lama Sonam, how to hoop! My personal highlight of Hoop Camp 2010.
Save the date: Hoop Camp 2011 – (Sept. 22-26) …. see you there!