To begin with the act of giving

About this event

To Begin with the Act of Giving is a Contact Improvisation, Deep Ecology, and Poetry experiential study programme at Chiang Dao Youth Camp in the mountains of northern Thailand, part of the Towards CI54 Summer Residency. Two formats: an 8-day workshop (7–14 June) with emphasis on CI fundamentals and nature-based practice, and a 24-day programme (7–30 June) expanding into sustained ecological inquiry and community living. Led by Dolores Dewhurst-Marks, Maximiliano Bonaquisti, Philippa Arnold, and Fern Sripungwiwat, the programme weaves Contact Improvisation as a contemplative movement practice with poetry as embodied language and deep ecology as a framework for understanding the interdependence of all life. Practice runs 6–8 hours daily with 1–2 rest days per week, including sessions at unconventional hours. Group size is limited to 20–25 participants. The venue — an open-air dance space under Doi Luang mountain, beside a stream and surrounded by UNESCO Biosphere forest — is integral to the practice. The programme includes hiking, river contemplation, cave visits, hot springs, vegetable garden tending, and a visit to a local indigenous village. A meeting with deep ecologist Nikom Putta (Auan), who founded the Youth Camp and has worked in environmental education for over 20 years, is part of the programme. Nourishing Thai and fusion vegetarian meals are prepared on-site three times daily (included in the programme fee). Accommodation is available separately on site: camping or shared dormitory, or private bungalows within walking distance. Sliding-scale pricing with no-income, low-income, regular, and support tiers. Scholarship and work-study places available. Application is reviewed individually — places are limited. Organised by TOWARDS — Centre for Embodied Arts and Transformative Learning. Contact: towards.contact@gmail.com.