Join Us at the clearing

What follows is a letter written collectively by a group of former Flying Cloud Directors. They've asked me to help it find its way to you — I'm the messenger here, not the author, and this volunteer committee won't be fielding replies. If you have responses or questions after reading, I'm happy to be a point of contact. - Tulio (tulio@farmandwilderness.org) 

Flying Cloud is turning a page. This summer, that special clearing in the woods that has held so much laughter, song, and quiet circles will give rise to a new Farm & Wilderness program called The Clearing. It will carry forward much of the Flying Cloud we know and love—a tight-knit community of 11–14-year-old campers and staff living close to the earth and its rhythms—but it will also evolve. The Clearing will be a mixed-gender, two-week program, opening this space to a broader circle.

WHAT:
Before The Clearing launches, we invite former FC'ers to gather and honor Flying Cloud’s enduring history and to take part in shared, purposeful labor to prepare the clearing for its next chapter. This will be a time for Flying Cloud alums to:
-Embody the "work is love made visible" ethic by helping to prepare the site for the summer.
-See old friends, walk familiar paths, and reflect on what was.
-Participate in a Flying Cloud Remembrance ceremony (think "Who Speaks for Flying Cloud").

WHEN: Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25)

Friday: Arrival between 4-10pm at Saltash Mountain (SAM) Camp
Saturday: A full work day, sharing stories, and evening Remembrance Ceremony
Sunday: Silent Meeting to offer blessings to the future, leave by noon

WHO:
This event is centered around Flying Cloud alumni. However, we recognize that some may wish to bring key family members. While we want to welcome all, please be thoughtful that, depending on how many people register, a capacity cap may be applied (simply to have a manageable and safe event). We do ask that Saturday evening's Remembrance Ceremony around the fire be reserved for Flying Cloud alumni. At that time, we'll invite any non-alumni guests to make their way down the Flying Cloud path to spend the night at Salt Ash Mountain to give space to former FCers to participate fully in the ceremony circle. F&W staff will help with transportation.

PARTICIPATION FROM A DISTANCE: (no, not a Zoom call)
We recognize not everyone will be able to attend in person. However, we want everyone to be able to share reflections and/or artifacts.
-Reflections: Please send a written Remembrance (on paper or birch bark). Please make a note whether you would like it read aloud during the Remembrance Ceremony or whether you would like it simply to be honored silently and slipped into the fire. (If you would like something to be saved in the F&W archives, that's welcome too.)
-Artifacts: If you'd like to send a physical artifact you would like to be burned in the fire so the memory ashes into the earth and the smoke rises to the sky, please feel free to send.

Please send reflections and artifacts to:
Sunshine Mathon (he gives)
434 Alwood Lane
Charlottesville, VA
22901-3768

LOGISTICS:
-Sleeping: Camping up at The Cloud (those who need easier accommodations will be able to sleep at Salt Ash Mountain camp)
-Donations: This event is free to attend. However, please consider making a donation in honor of the impact of Flying Cloud's history as well as in celebration of The Clearing's future and to help cover expenses.

LET OTHERS KNOW
We do not have emails for many alumni of Flying Cloud and need your help spreading the word. We encourage you to forward this invitation to other alums in your network.
We hope word of this gathering will ripple outward.

Signed:
Sunshine Mathon, Nate Hausman, David Nichols, Zac Heyman, Zach Podhorzer, Elliott Drinkwater