We don't mean to champion regression, but there's something about spending a weekend running through the forest, crafting, day dreaming, dancing and snacking that sounds pretty bloody appealing to us. Perhaps because our hippy parents didn't believe in the faux-militaristic structure of Scouts, and wouldn't let us join.
Now, Wollongong-based workshop runners Wild Rumpus are making that fantasy weekend a reality, with a 'Weekend Escape' festival. And in naming it "Jamboree" they've made the Scouts reference explicit.
Jamboree will take place in the South Coast's Mt Kiera rainforest (about a 20 minute drive from Wollongong town centre) from September 2-4. It will feature cooking and growing classes by Amanda Roberts (who also teaches at Cornersmith), woodworking, arrow making and mini-boat building courses taught by Elise Cameron Smith, a loom weaving course by textile artist Natalie Miller, plus permaculture classes, photography courses, yoga, dances by No Lights No Lycra and more.
There'll also be live music from folk singer Bec Sandridge; and because we're all adults here, good food and wine. The much-loved Berry Sourdough bakery is on the catering line-up, along with other South Coast locals.
The festival is pitched as a chance for creatives to "reconnect and learn from the best", and they're only selling 100 tickets. Prices start at $645 for a BYO tent camping pack, and go through to $845 twin-share for glamping. Prices include all meals, coffee and "endless" cups of tea, plus access to all workshops, guided walks and all the rest of the line-up.
Summer camps for adults have been popular in the United States for a few years, but this is the first event quite like this we've seen in Australia. It's the first year of the event, but based on the line-up, both hippy parents and Rovers might approve of this one.
Photograph: Supplied