And, - in an effort to shape the way WE live in the intentional community called Camphill and the way we care for one another, we look to our landscape and lifestyles and delve into “our” ingredients and culture, hoping to rediscover our history and shape our future. Well, this mission statement seems to apply as much to cooking as to community living.
So what are Camphill’s ingredients and what is Camphill culture?
Camphill history seems to be something that is often mentioned by the senior co-worker members, and it also seems to be worthwhile to explore what makes up a Camphill community, today. As soon as I begin my exploration, I come to realize that Camphill culture is a mixture of perceived idealism and a mixture of realities and truths, may they be convenient or inconvenient. It means different things for different people. It is able to satisfy most of the interests and become a culture heading for growth. Or is it? On the Camphill England and Wales website it says: “These 26 Camphill communities are NOT part of one corporate body. There are 12 separate and independent Camphill charities involved, some running just one community, others running several. All 26 communities collaborate on many issues within Camphill England & Wales.” Based on this statement I will courageously assume, that these communities also have different values. Most of these values are very similar to each other, yet in these independent communities different values come in the forefront. In the recent years, many of the communities have actively worked on various statements of values or visions. They have involved their “stakeholders”, all parties concerned, and listened to what everyone had to say. These visions and values along with the short, medium and long term development plans will constitute a way to the future.
I do not see the reason why it needs to be justified that the communities are “not part of a CORPORATE body”. Instead we could be clearer about what these communities’ common aspirations are. Camphill communities should learn from each other, and stay in close contact with each other. And then comes the question: How “independent” should Camphill communities be from each other? Couldn’t there be one common value base, to which all communities aspire, and where the accomplishment of these many values have been success stories not only for one community, but for the whole of Camphill. What is the whole of Camphill anyway? Is it a movement? An umbrella organization? An impulse? And who decides this? What would be the commonly accepted answers to these questions?
Another fundamental question addressed to all Camphillers should be: What do we want Camphill to be? There’s a lot at stake for a lot of people. For people living in the community, for people being employed in the community, for the people being cared for in the community, for people volunteering in the community, for the old, for the young, for the farmer, for the office dweller - they all have varied interests. When we’re witnessing the clash of some of these interests, it is common that one of the parties loses “the battle“ of advocating for their own interests and the other parties interests prevail. It doesn’t have to be this way. Camphill could maintain a direction which would have its foundation on compromise. Satisfying those interests by embracing creativity, empowerment, diversity. There has to be a well defined mainstream Camphill.
Communities, where we’re living and working together, committed teams of people are passionate about various aspects of sustainable living. There are people with different abilities and disabilities living in the community. We recognize that in order to be able to live sustainably globally, we first need to be able to live sustainably locally as individuals and as a community.
“To us sustainability means a way of life that builds well-being in terms of our physical and spiritual lives, our social networks and the abundant ability of the earth to support life.” - says the vision statement of Newbold house in the north east of Scotland. That’s probably what sustainability means to most of us. I foresee an urgent need for symbolic projects within the Camphill environment, projects that are important and urgent for the lives of the residents, co-workers, volunteers and for the preserving of the Camphill community lifestyle.There’s a need for key projects that have far reaching effects in leading the preserving of the Camphill essence. Those that symbolize the creation of a new, revived Camphill of the 21st century.
Camphill has a distinct relationship with its people, traditions and also with the environment, nature,  ethical living. That doesn’t mean that people will be told what to eat, and drink, what to grow in their gardens, what to wear, where to travel, how much money to spend, how to work, and how to stay healthy. Everyone should reach a mature enough stage to decide this on their own.
The opportunity should be given to all of us to be creative and to make our own valuable contributions.
Chasing dreams shouldn’t end up like a Quixote style windmill chase. Our starting point could be the sky as a limit, and then with compromises made along the way, with an accentuated focus on not leaving disgruntled and unsatisfied people behind.
Many of the Camphill communities have been built in the beautiful countryside, with  plenty of land available, ready for people to grow crops, also with the possibility to bring in animals, to build farmhouses. There is a place here for crafts. We realize, that it is necessary to keep crafts alive in the 21st century. Take pottery as an example. As a handcraft, it is slowly dying in many corners of the world. In the past it has been essential for a potter to throw a pot, which then ended up in his kitchen and served its purpose very well. The situation is, that the trade of factory made iron, steel and even clay pots is widespread and has defeated handmade pottery. Quality and well branded pots are imported from foreign countries, e.g. China, but we must admit that these items have nothing to do with tradition, handmade ceramics and meaningful work. The same applies to woodwork, wood carving, basket making, baking, weaving and so on. In Camphill we want to be able to do things again. This ability to create and the following feelings of satisfaction are the biggest rewards. And we have also preserved traditions on the way.
So what could Camphill do until now? Over more than a 70 years period Camphill has been able to look after people with various disabilities. With or without financial involvement from various authorities and government. It is said that this has been Camphill’s primary responsibility. I’m quite sure that there have been equally important responsibilities which tend to be mentioned on the side. Camphill communities have grown over a 70 years’ period and several thousand people have contributed to this growth.  What is the result? Beautiful surroundings, ponds, bit of wildlife, fruit trees, fruit bushes, gardens with ample crops. Almost all communities have gardens of their own. Farmyards, animals, meat, dairy produce. Hundreds of workshop centres have been built. There is an opportunity for education/ development programs for residents, volunteers, co-workers, based on their needs - courses, trainings, qualifications, some communities have training coordinators, managers. In many communities there is a trade with ethical suppliers, supporting local products, participating on farmers markets, selling own produce. Camphills have built many ecological houses, designed and delivered village scale sustainability programs. Some Camphills have newspapers, magazines, postcards, printing services. Camphill PR groups are engaged in intensive networking with other organizations. There is succesful active ongoing fundraising in some communities. Many Camphill places are providing education for children (has been mainly Waldorf Education). Some communities have set up exchange programs and retreat centres for residents, co-workers, volunteers. We have community coffee houses, bakeries, meeting rooms, offices, theatres, shops, holiday accommodations, classrooms encouraging the study of the visual arts, games, exhibitions, presentations, movies, music, candle making, bee-keeping, fine cooking with organic produce, exquisite flower arrangements in our living rooms... and...well... many other things. We spend a fair amount of the day in various groups, community meetings and gatherings, various celebrations. We’re also focusing on giving individuals more private space in the future.
This multi faceted aspect of the community is the key aspect to guarantee its survival. Combined of course with the creative input of the very cosmopolitan Camphiller resident, student, co-worker, employee, volunteer, parent, professional, therapist and other groups.
What could Camphill do in the future? Well, the path has been laid out, and we should build on the many of the existing accomplishments, receive and generate new ideas. There will be a greater need for communities in the future. You’ll see.