Far Horizons in the Sierra - Facts and Answers

f Far Horizons in the Sierra - Facts and Answers

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Helpful things to know about Far Horizons

What to bring: Clothing for hot and cold weather, relaxing, hiking, swimming, and working. Please furnish your own sheets, cases, and 3 blankets per bed (or sleeping bag), towels, flashlight, sun screen, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent, and personal items.If you forget bedding, there is a limited supply available for a one-time fee of $10. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars, musical instruments, drums, and song books for campfire time. Telescopes are always welcome!

Far Horizons is a summer experience in community, which we practice through simplicity, mutual assistance, and appreciating the kind work of our good volunteers. It is why we ask you to offer 30 minutes of daily voluntary assistance in our kitchen or on the grounds, to bring your own bedding, and to tidy up your room before you leave.

If this will be your first visit to Far Horizons, please keep in mind that we are located at 7200 ft. in the mountains with large boulders, trees, some steep banks, a creek, and unlit footpaths. You will need your flashlight! If you are used to an urban setting, please be cautious in these new surroundings.

A few Camp rules: Please keep in mind that we are located in the woods and are committed to brotherhood, harmlessness, and living in peace with the beauty that surrounds us. We need your help to maintain a safe environment for ourselves and the animals with whom we share this sacred place. In keeping with the above, we ask you to refrain from:

hunting and the possession of firearms

alcohol or illegal drugs of any kind

smoking or burning candles or incense (smoking is not allowed except in your car or at the campfire circle

We also ask your help with:

refuse disposal: please take out all your non-biodegradable items
keeping arrivals between 10 am and 10 pm and departures by 2 pm
tidying up your room/cabin for the next guest, including sweeping

Electricity is not available for razors, electric blankets, radios, TVs, or appliances.

Phone Calls: Our phone is available for inbound and also outbound calls if you use a credit card or donate to our kitty at 10 cents per minute. Local calls within the National Parks are free. Please be aware that cell phones do not work from within camp due to our remote location. This is a plus!

Elevation: If this will be your first visit to Far Horizons, please keep in mind that we are located at 7200 ft. in the mountains with large boulders, trees, some steep banks, a creek, and unlit footpaths. You will need your flashilight! If you are used to an urban setting, please be cautious in these new surroundings.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER AT FAR HORIZONS:

Daily Staff: If you would like to more fully participate in the community during a program and lower your costs, we encourage you to join us as "daily staff". Such staff receive a 50% discount in lodgings fee for each day they exchange 3.5 to 4 hours of work. Indicate your interest on the reservation form by circling type as "daily staff". Please note your skills (eg. cooking, housekeeping, office administration, maintenance, etc. ) on the back of the form. Those accepted for daily staff will be asked to help out where they are most needed. You may find yourself in the kitchen, in the office, or on bathroom clean-up detail, for example. Although guaranteed only through application and approval, daily staff positions are often still available upon arrival. Just ask the camp director.

Work Parties for Camp Opening & Closing: Extra volunteers join us each year in June to wake the camp up from its winter slumber and then in September to prepare it once again for its winter hibernation. We offer free room and board for work days of 6-8 hours in this most peaceful of seasons. Indicate your interest on the reservation form by circling type as "work party" and getting the form to us by May 15 if you can. Please note your skills (eg. plumbing, maintenance, carpentry, cooking, housekeeping) on the back of this form. Please contact Richard Schneider, (707) 996-3413, rich1rose@yahoo.com. This good work revitalizes and protects Far Horizons, allowing the camp to continue its life of service.

Fellowship Staff: If you would like to pursue a deeper and more intensive commitment to Far Horizons, and are 18 or older, consider applying for a “fellowship staff ” position. They require a minimum commitment of one week and longer committments are encouraged and appreciated. Duties include cooking, raking/wood gathering, maintenance, cleaning, or office work for 6 hours a day, with one full day off each week in return for food, housing, and everlasting gratitude. We schedule fellowship staff work to permit attendance at the programs—whenever possible. All program, food, and lodging fees are waived! If you want to live in a community dedicated to an examined way of life, please contact Luce Cupery at 805-458-3259, or luceblue@hotmail.com, by May 15.

Program Staff: To attend a program and lower your costs, consider a position as "program staff". They receive a 50% discount on lodging fees for each day they perform 4 hours of work daily during the program Just indicate your interest at the top of the reservation form and outline your skills on the back of it. Those accepted will be expected to help out where most needed. Although guaranteed only through application and approval by the Camp Director, such positions are often still available upon arrival at camp. Just ask!

We are always seeking volunteers so you may be able to volunteer even on short notice though generally we want you to commit by May 15. Normally we require a one month commitment, but this summer you can volunteer for as little as one week! If you wish to volunteer after June 15, providing we have not filled all positions and dates, please contact the camp director at Far Horizons at (559)-565-3692 To see photos of our Summer 2007 Volunteers and Staff please click on this link: Photos of our 2007 Volunteers and Staff

A Message from Head Chef Luce Cupery on Volunteering:

For in truth, it is life that gives unto life- while you, who deem yourself
a giver, are but a witness. Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

This is an invitation to experience Far Horizons from another perspective. Most of you know that Far Horizons is run primarily by volunteers. It is through graciously donated energy and dedication that Far Horizons continues to function and thrive year after year. If you, or someone you know, would like to be a part in sustaining and perpetuating the magic that happens here, consider spending a portion of your summer volunteering with us, enjoying all that Far Horizons has to offer.

There are countless joys and benefits found during time spent at Far Horizons. The more time you spend there, the stronger and more obvious and apparent these become. When you join the volunteer staff, you are able to give to those who come there in a meaningful, tangible way. You actually experience taking part in making a direct difference in people's lives. In adition, you will find a plentitude of treasures an gifts for yourself, wrapped in the tranquility of the Sierras.

When you volunteer, although there is plenty of work to be done, in many respects you are on retreat. Far away form traffic, computers, electricity and shopping; numerous distractions in day to day life melt away. Immersed in open space, surrounded by nature, there is the opportunity to explore and reconnect. Reconnect with natural cycles, forests, fresh air and water. Reconnect with yourself and solitude. Reconnect with others, sharing time and conversation. You are given the chance to explore communication, community and relationship as you join a small group of others, working together towards a common goal. There is tremendous worth in using the potential of Far Horizons to create a sanctuary; a peaceful, harmonious, dynamic environment for others to come learn, grow and relax deeply.

Beyond all of that, the experience of living amidst the giant sequoias, enveloped by two magnificent national parks, is incredible. Completely encased by forests, the wilderness is yours to explore and enjoy during free time. There are endless lessons to be learned from the creeks, trees, rocks, plants and wildlife that assemble and give shape to the landscape surrounding.

Selfless service is also a valuable part of any spiritual path. Offering of service with out expectation of reward is love in action. Performing familiar activities like cooking and cleaning with focus and an awareness of the self teaches us to experience actions of daily life from a place of generosity and freedom.

With the departure of four of our previous staff, the summer of 2007s success is important. More than ever, we need willing workers to share in the joys of service, facilitating an experience of awareness and aliveness for others while securing the future of Far Horizons.

Try to work selflessly with love. Pour yourself into whatever you do. Then you will feel and experience beauty in every field of work. Love and beauty are within you. Try to express them through your actions and you will definitely touch the very source of bliss. ~Amma