Menneskemøte – the «meeting from human to human» – is a word that frequently appears in the Camphill context and carries special meaning in the everyday life of the different communities. It essentially describes the very heart of why the international Camphill Youth Conference once again drew many young people from Norway to Great Britain this year. The beautiful, serene, and vibrant community Loch Arthur in Scotland opened their gates this year. An overwhelming lightness can be felt in the air when so many young Camphill enthusiasts gather in one place. The shared foundation that everyone brings makes it almost natural to connect with each other. The nature surrounding the community with its embrace was reflected in the enthusiastic and kind atmosphere created by the presence of each individual being. All of us met to explore and discover the «weaving of life in connection with community living and with the individuality that brings its own selfhood and color in uniqueness». Instead of frontal lectures and hours of passive listening, participants were given the opportunity to deepen essential themes in small groups and actively contribute. Discussions touched on inner development, karma, communication, and community building – themes that were not only explored in theory but brought to life through personal experiences. Circus arts, theater, weaving, listening to nature, creative crafts, and storytelling connected the participants on a different level. All of this was carefully woven into the conference theme, allowing everyone to experience how wonderful it is to be different – and yet to create something together. Those four vibrant days of space shared together brought much inspiration and many gifts that we would like to share with you.
Insa, co-organizer: It is always an enriching experience to look at an event from different perspectives. The idea of this conference was built exactly on that: the participants were not only invited to listen, but to take an active and personal part in the process of creation. Even from the perspective of someone who has already attended several conferences and now suddenly finds themselves as an organizer, a new and exciting observation opens up. This is what such gatherings can bring – inspiration that moves you from being an observer to becoming an active participant. Through the connection between the Camphill Baltic Seminar, I was able to share the results of my final project, bring my knowledge into practice and become an active part of the program. The question, «What is karma and what does it have to do with me?,» also found its place at this conference, in the form of a conversation group on the same topic. The most surprising part for me personally was that I was able to lead this group, something I would have once considered quite unlikely. And yet, the paths, whether karmic or simply natural, led exactly there – the student became the teacher, or at least the guiding voice of a shared exploration. Exploring the theme of karma from different points of view led to deep moments of understanding, to tears, and to clarity – for some, immediately visible, for others quietly growing within. In a safe space where trust could develop, even among people who had never met before, a special atmosphere arose that made the group truly unique. The goal was never to find one final answer to this great question. Rather, it was about coming into conversation, listening to one another, feeling together, and creatively shaping one’s personal ‹river of life.› In this shared movement lay the real value: a moment of genuine connection and living community. I had the opportunity to also attend the workshop ‹Listening to Nature› at Loch Arthur. The connection with nature is something very individual. For some people, it is obvious, for others, it happens quietly, almost unnoticed. In the workshop, a small group came together to explore this connection more consciously. Surrounded by the peaceful landscape, we practiced listening, not only with our ears, but with our whole being. Through silence and mindful walking, we entered a quiet dialogue with the world around us. Each sound, each movement became part of a gentle conversation between human and nature. What remained was not only calm and gratitude, but also a sense of belonging; the realization that nature is not outside of us, but that we live and breathe within it.
Veronika, participant: This year's Camphill Youth Conference was my first one. For someone new to Camphill, this conference was like a ‹well of life›, as an opportunity to meet young people and their unique stories of the places that each of us calls home for a while. The question of ‹healthy social life› was weaving through most conversations and workshops I participated in and was indirectly present in free conversations during breaks. The conversation group focused on ‹Inner Development and Community Building› just barely touched this broad theme by starting with a reflection on the verse by Rudolf Steiner: «The healthy social life is found when, in the mirror of each human soul, the whole community finds its reflection and when, in the community, the virtue and strength of each one is living.» Our task was to look at our thoughts, questions, and experiences connected with this verse. I found it very interesting how the debate was unfolding even though many people were confronted with those words for the first time. Mutual sharing of thoughts in a space free from judgment created an atmosphere of open conversation. I thought about what can be considered ‹healthy› and – importantly – also what can be understood as ‹unhealthy› in social life. If we look at the picture of a healthy social life from the point of view of process, we could examine the connection with disease and healing processes. Fever, as an example, can be beneficial and even healing in certain cases, just as some diseases are deeply hidden and unmanifested or even chronic, being present while the person is unaware of them and appears healthy. In a similar spirit, we continued the topic the next day, when we asked ourselves what is necessary for the development of ‹healthy community life› and ‹healthy individual development›. When sharing our findings, we found that we often agreed on similar conditions for health, whether for the community or the individual. Interesting topics, in both cases, were the role of crisis in development and the process of self-actualization. My workshop on the playfulness of human beings left a very deep impression. What is the true power of play and joyfulness in daily life? This question carried us through into a very intimate and almost intimidating atmosphere, in which we turned towards ourselves. Silliness and playfulness knock on the doors of the roles we carry in life. Tension, maybe excitement, curiosity awakens. And at the same time, all the wounds and pain we carry can hold the doors very tightly shut. Tensions are rising. And what happens after opening the doors? Shame and fear run out first? Well, yes, that happens often. They can be downright ruthless. Anxiety and sadness are trying to barricade themselves. I personally experienced all of this in fractions of a second, but when this big wave had passed, joy unexpectedly filled the space. That brought relief, something almost tangibly true. This is a journey that you can take when you manage to play like a child. A lot of improvisation, mindfulness, and silliness accompanied us while we were remembering how vulnerable we were when we played again. It is often questionable, how much joy we have in our daily tasks. The true power of play and joyfulness in daily life lies in their potential for creating movement, space, pause, even tension, and thereby making self-transformation possible. The days at Loch Arthur made it vividly clear that the ‹fabric of community› truly consists of many colors. Every single voice, every ability, and every experience contributed to a living whole. In this way, the conference itself became a true example of how community comes into being: through encounter, openness, and the willingness to share something of oneself. With humility in our hearts and a spark of joy in our souls, we take away the gifts of these days and moments, and the reflections of these colorful threads continue to intertwine until today.
Note: The article was published first in Landsbyliv nr. 59, autumn 2025.
Photo: Private
Save the date: The next Camphill Youth Conference will take place from 28–31 May 2026. It will be hosted by The Mount Camphill Community in East Sussex, England.
