Cross Cultural Etiquette
Echoes has always had the mission of being a place for people of all kinds and all backgrounds to come together to share, connect, and learn from one another. In order to make this a reality, we must go beyond simply being respectful of one another, and desire a deeper understanding and connection with one another. We must become ambassadors. This requires diplomacy, openness, and curiosity for learning more and challenging our own assumptions. It might also mean changing some of our habits that we have taken for granted, in order to be more accommodating and respectful to the many cultures and perspectives represented at Echoes. We are asking people to come as their best selves, and this means having the willingness to change in ways that make our space more welcoming and diverse. Anyone making prejudice or disparaging remarks about other races, genders, etc. will be asked to leave. If you find that difficult to follow, this is not the right event for you. If this openness and connection inspires you, come on down! Here is a super basic article on the way we like to respect one another: http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Respectful
Covid Policy
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we are requiring that participants be vaccinated. Proof of vaccination will be required during registration. Please provide a picture of your vaccination cards. We will be allowing some instructors who are immuno-compromised and cannot receive the vaccine to attend if they have taken the PCR test with negative results prior to attending the gathering.
We understand and respect that not all people can or want to be vaccinated, and that this requirement will mean that some people won’t be able to attend this time. This is a precaution that the Echoes team and Rewild Portland board of directors reached consensus around in order to hold the event in person this year. Our biggest priority is health and safety. Though we will be outside and mostly dispersed, we feel the need to extend our caution in order to protect the elders and most vulnerable in our community.
Classes
The classes are the heart of the Echoes in Time experience. Participants arrive on Sunday and set up their camps. Classes are held Monday through Friday. Saturday people break camp and go home. Many different classes are offered throughout the week. Skills taught by the instructors focus on ancient living techniques but may include the latest in low-impact, appropriate technology.
Workshops range from morning or afternoon classes, to involved week-long projects, to even the impromptu, “Hey, can you show me how to do that?” Classes can include displays, lectures & discussions, demonstrations, and lots of hands-on learning. Registration covers the cost of the classes but instructors may charge a fee for materials depending on the class. Classes offered at Echoes depends on which instructors are present and what they want to teach. The schedule with classes and signups is listed on a bulletin board in the main camp. In addition, instructors list the classes they are teaching that day during morning announcements. Classes vary from year to year, so we don’t know in advance what will be available. If you have a particular field of interest not mentioned here, let us know upon registering and we’ll do our best to accommodate your curiosity. (All raw materials required for classes will be brought to the site; gathering of plant, animal, and mineral resources is not permitted)
| Example of Classes and Schedule At Echoes (NOT actual schedule) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|
Bow-making Knife-sharpening Wet-felting Kids Atlatl Atlatl Darts Coal Burning Mosquito Spray Traps and Snares Knife-making Finger Weaving Firewood Furniture Wool Moccasins Soapstone Carving Goat milking/husbandry Hand Crochet Bracelets Traveling Museum |
Infused Herb Oils Felting Pine Needle Baskets Willow Basketry Cattail Hat Folded Bark Container Plaited Bark Basketry Soft Twined Basketry Wild Fermented Sauerkraut Cheese Making Leather Sling Gourd Working Creating Community Chicken Butchering Coal Burning Flute Making Drum Making Buckskin Neck Bag Beadwork |
Wool Booties Yew Atlatl Atlatl Darts Awareness Games Book Binding Herbal Deodorant Coal Burning Finger Weaving Flute Making Soapstone Carving Kids Wet Felting Gourd Working Leather Braiding Skin Bags Animal Tracking |
Beaded Earrings Drum Making Felting Gourd Working Plant Walk Finger Weaving Wool Moccasins Book Binding Buckskin Bags |
Gourd Working Edible Plant Walk Buckskin Neck Bags Wool Moccasins Book Binding |
The Philosopher’s Fire
Ancestral Skills are not created in a vacuum, but rather emerge through the congress of people, the place they live, and the ideas they have. It is important to talk about the context and relationship between people and place through which crafts and culture are born. The Philosopher’s Fire is a curated evening lecture series by experts in various fields of prehistory, archaeology, anthropology, and more. Lectures are usually followed by Q&A and dialog on various topics into the night.
Trade Blanket
The trade blanket is a fun and engaging activity where people trade all kinds of items with one another. For those new to the Trade Blanket, the moderator explains the rules. Participants sit on the edge of the trade blanket. Usually the process goes clockwise. The first person places item(s) on the blanket for trade. No mention is made of monetary value. The moderator points their way around the blanket to each participant who can place item(s) for possible trade or wave with their hand to signify “pass.” The person initiating the trade then looks at the items placed on the blanket (greenbacks aka money, can be offered but items are preferred) . They can accept an offer or reject all offers and remove the initial item. If a trade is made, the object(s) is/are traded to each with a handshake. If no offers are made the initial offering is removed. Then the moderator points to the next trader to place something out for trade. This process continues for at least one full round. New traders can enter and others leave the circle. We run a children’s trade blanket and an adult trade blanket. The adult trade blanket usually lasts late into the night and can often end up being like a high stakes poker game with very valuable items. It is best to bring several items of varying “value” to the trade blanket so that you can trade at all levels, or so that you can add smaller items to a large item to “sweeten the deal.”
Barter Fair
The barter fair happens twice during the week and is the time for instructors to sell their wares. Many of the instructors make a living as makers and this is an opportunity to buy some really amazing hand-crafted items and support local artists.
Costume & Mask Night
Costume & Mask Night is a celebratory night in which participants create fun costumes and masks, play music, and dance around the fire in the evening and show off the amazing things they have made throughout the week.
Childcare Program
Echoes in Time is *not* a summer camp for children. However, in addition to our adult workshops, we offer a childcare program for children of parents who are attending the event. Our kids program is for children ages 5 to 11, at which kids can learn some of the same skills as their parents. The kids program coincides with our adult programs, happening 9am–noon and 1pm–4pm. Parents are required to spend a couple of mornings or afternoons assisting with kids program activities during the week. You will be asked at the registration booth when you arrive to sign up for some “shifts” at the kids camp.
Please note that all minors must have a parent or legal guardian in camp at all times. Parents are responsible for their children when the kids aren’t attending classes. Children ages 4 and under should remain with their parents unless the kids program staff approves their involvement. Youth ages 12 and up can audit and fully participate in adult classes with the permission of individual instructors.
Sometimes families may need to bring an assistant for a child with disabilities, in which case the assistant may attend Echoes for a discounted price. Please inquire with us directly to arrange.
Daily Raffle & Scholarship Program
Every morning we raffle off amazing items donated from the community of teachers and participants. At the end of the week we raffle two full registrations for the following year. The money raised from the raffle goes to our Scholarship Program. Instructors and participants are encouraged to bring amazing items for our raffle. For more information on that, see our registration page.
General Information & Guidelines
Location
Echoes is held at Dicentra Farm & Sanctuary, just south of Monmouth, Oregon on the traditional territory of the Kalapuya. It is about a 1.5 hour drive south from Portland. This private property is part farmland (grass seed) and part woodland.
Directions
Directions to the site are e-mailed to participants upon registration. Pre-registration is required to access the site. We do not accept on-site registrations.
Meals
We provide breakfast and dinner, starting with Sunday evening dinner and ending with Saturday breakfast. Lunches are generally fend for yourself. We have vegetarian and omnivore options. Because of the rise in food sensitivities, most meals are a sort of “build-your-own” with different foods/ingredients being cooked and served separately. The foods are mostly whole foods, with minimal processed food, if at all. We make the meals as friendly as possible to a diverse group of dietary needs. If you have severe food sensitivities such as Celiac, we suggest bringing your own.
Cooking
Cooking is only permitted with portable stoves or in the official fire pit — campfires are not permitted at individual campsites.
Water
We ask that each individual bring their own water (5 gallons per person recommended minimum) for the week. We will have minimal potable water, mostly for hand washing and food prep in our kitchen.
Sanitation
We provide composting toilets for participants. There is no running water or showers on site. The Luckiamute river runs through the property. We have hand washing stations and potable water near the kitchen area, and near the restrooms. For showers you can go to the Dallas Aquatic Center about a 15 minute drive North (We will have directions and times posted at the event).
Waste
Pack it in, pack it out. Please be ready to pack out any garbage or recycling waste that you bring into the property. Food scraps can be composted. Everything else like packaging, glass bottles, and food wrappers must be packed out.
Electricity
There is no electricity on site.
Cell Coverage
There is minimal to no cell coverage on site.
Safety
Below are some further guidelines to ensure that Echoes remains safe and enjoyable:
- All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Minors are not allowed at Echoes without a parent or legal guardian. Anyone bringing a minor to Echoes in Time without that minor’s legal guardian will be sent home.
- Campfires are allowed in designated areas only.
- Alcohol consumption must be responsible and discreet.
- No Drugs.
- Smoking must be in the designated smoking areas (next to the fire pits).
- No Firearms.
- No Fireworks.
- No Drones. Raptors hate drones, they are not allowed. We may use our own for filming the event for a short duration on a single day.
- Children must have a parent or guardian (21 or older) in camp at all times.
- Parents are responsible for their children when the kids aren’t attending classes.
- Some activities at Echoes (such as flintknapping and atlatl-throwing) are potentially dangerous, so be alert and use your common sense.
- No Dogs
No Dogs
There are no dogs allowed at Echoes. This is a general rule for most ancestral skills gatherings. This if for the safety and security of everyone. Some instructors are allowed to bring dogs, but will be relegated to the “dog pound” far from the main camp.
Waiver
Registering implies a waiver and release to hosts, property owners, and sponsors that you will sign upon arrival.
What to Bring
Below is a list of items we suggest you consider bringing to fully enjoy your stay at Echoes:
- Cash for workshop material fees or good purchases. $100-$200 is usually good. Instructors may charge a fee depending on the cost of materials. There are also opportunities to buy amazing craft items that the instructors sell for a living, and buy raffle tickets as well. (All raffle proceeds go to our scholarship program)
- Items for the Trade Blanket (See the trade blanket description for details)
- Food (Remember, we provide breakfast and dinner. You’ll still need lunches and snacks)
- Water (5 gallons per person recommended)
- Water Bottle
- Cooking and eating utensils
- Camp Stove & Kitchen Gear
- First aid kit and other personal items like allergy meds, sting kits, and electrolyte replacements.
- Tent or trailer
- Sleeping bag, ground cloth, pillow
- Toiletries, including sunscreen and insect repellant (there are lots of mosquitoes at night)
- Flashlight/Headlamp
- Camera
- Tools (instructors should provide tools, but basic tools like a good knife will prove convenient)
- Drums and other musical instruments for around the campfire
- Clothes for all weather conditions. Even in July, we have had downpours that can last a couple days.
- Pencil & Notebook
- Camp Chair (a cozy camping chair will go a long way at Echoes)
- Swim Suit and Towel
We recommend checking out this longer, more detailed and general camping list on the REI Website. This is Oregon, so it’s wise to be prepared for rain or sunshine, hot weather or cold. Some years the week has been blazing hot; others, relatively cool, and some even rainy. A coat will serve you well, especially during the nights when it cools off.
Work/Trade Program
Echoes offers a work/trade program in which students may be given a discounted registration fee in exchange for assistance in setting up camp and/or other tasks throughout the week. Work/Trade participants must pre-approve with organizers prior to registration. To apply for the work/trade program please fill out the application on our registration page.
Schedule
Below is the general schedule for Echoes:
Daily Schedule (Mon-Fri)
6:30 am Wake Up Call (Fiddle)
7:00am Breakfast
8:00am Morning Meeting/Class Announcements
9:00am Classes Begin
12:00pm Lunch Break
1:00pm Classes Resume
4:00pm Classes conclude for the day
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Evening Activities Begin
10:00pm Lights Out/Quiet Time
Sunday
Students may begin arriving at noon. Do not arrive before Sunday at noon.
Camping assignments, registration, and set-up.
Student orientation at 7 PM followed by class previews – instructor samples & sign-ups.
Monday
Monday Night Meet & Greet
Tuesday
Special music from town at night’s campfire.
Kid’s trade blanket in the evening.
Wednesday
Adult trade blanket in the evening.
Thursday
Afternoon: Blanket Fair
Evening: Costume & Mask night.
Friday
Appreciations and Gift-Giving
Classes will end at 4 PM.
Saturday
We must be out of the camp by noon.
