While the F in FAQ means ``frequent`` these questions have been asked
once or more. Here are some questions and answers about the Utopia Program.
> 3- What would the cost be?
Since this is a first-time program and we are VERY non-profit, Youd have
to
pay for your own food, plus the food of the extra kid. There may be added
expenses, but mostly we would be asking for payment in kind, help
caretaking the land, and helping out with our summer primitive survival
course. If you happen to be well-off, the Institute would appreciate some
help so that we could offset the cost of other families, but we will not
be
charging a tuition, and any kid 7 or older could participate in our
primitive survival experience, so long as you help out the class.
On the other hand, we will be asking you to build a primitive shelter for
yourselves, help us rehabilitate the swim area, and offer any special
talents you have to the tribe at large. We may also ask you to contribute
some money if you want to use our washer and drier, but other than that,
your presence and enthusiasm should be payment enough.
What else should we bring?
You may want to get a large water cooler. Wal-Mart sells them for $27.
We can fill them for you.
>
> You have definitely tweaked our interest and we would love more
> information.
Here`s more infomation: We are a not-for-profit organization, and we are
non-religious, but we are spiritually-based. This means that we have
invited rabbis, ministers, high priestesses and several Mormons all
to
give invocations at the beginning of our gatherings. We invite all people
of any faith, and we often have the children share the grace they say at
home during mealtimes. Our intention is to create a prototype for
a
possible future lifestyle of the twenty-first century, which utilizes
technology to facilitate earning money while living in a primitive tribal
environment. We have bylaws which you may reach by following our link
www.gatherer.org/institute and clicking on our non-discrimination
statement. We may have many visitors. I ardently hope to have the families
in place soon so that I can find special teachers to come in during the
weeks we run the program.
If this works, you may be responsible for a major win in the battle to
save
this earth (Tom Brown is right when he says we are on the front lines here).
If
this program succeeds, we hope to introduce an entrepreneurship program
which will help people start and run businesses from the woods, and then
convince the state of New Jersey to establish ZEIEZ`s (Zero Environment
Impact Enterprise Zones)
I will continue to send you occaisional updates, but if you confirm your
interest by calling me at (732) 736-1223 (there is something about human
voice contact) I will put your name on our list.
> > > 1- What part of the summer would we be looking at?
The block of time we are looking at is from July 20-August 10.
The other three weeks would either be before or after this block.
We have four
families now (tentatively) of different sizes and constructs. One
individual eighteen year old has also requested joining our
experience, and is willing to "adopt" a kid from our community. We
really need at least two more families for this to function
correctly, so I will be spreading the word some more, and if you have
any contacts that might like to do the same, please feel free to
invite them along.
>
> > > 2- Is there a size limit for the families?
> >
> > No. As long as you realize, of course, that we would ask you to
> `adopt` a child from our town to stay with you all, so they could learn
> about primitive survival and tribal living.
>
> What ages of children are we "adopting" in the program?
It will be open to kids 10 years of age or older, with some
exceptions for special cases.
>
What would we be required to do?
> >We will be asking you to build a primitive shelter for
> > yourselves, help us rehabilitate the swim area, and offer any
> special
> > talents you have to the tribe at large.
What type of structure are we talking about?
It will be summertime, so it is not essential that the structure be
warm, only waterproof.
>
> >Any kid 7 or older could participate in our
> > primitive survival experience, so long as you help out the
> class.
>
> What if you had a 6-year-old? Would he be able to kind of
hang
> around and learn what he could or would he be doing something else?
We had an age restriction of eight last year, but two of our
students were seven. We had two ten year olds in the teen group which
was restricted to kids twelve and older. I don't really believe in
age restrictions of any kind, but some activities may be too
physically demanding for a six-year old. These age guidelines are
more along the lines of what we deem age-appropriate, not what we
would call requirements.
>
Any other official requirements?
Our request that all adults go to a local police
> > station and request a criminal background check, so we can be
> sure that we
> > have no one in our group who may compromise the safety of the
> children
> > involved. You can bring those with you to us, and we will have
> > them on file
> > for the duration of the program, until the program is concluded,
> at which
> > time we will destroy them.
> Can you tell me a little more about primitive plan of yours. I
> think it is a great idea, I've thought of this many times its
> sounds like fun, however I do not have a family that I would get
> involved I am only 18 but if you have room I would love to be
> involved.
Even though you do not have a family that would get involved, if you are
willing, youre old enough. We could still hook you up, probably with one
kid or one senior citizen
and create an `extended family` for you.? In any case, you are more than
welcome to come. Being 18,
you still have to go to your local police station and supply us with a
background check.
Where is this again in New Jersey?,
We are almost at the shore, South Toms River.