Mensa Youth Camp 2012

Sunday 18 to Sunday 25 November

Herewith, this event shall be known as the Not Old Mensa Camp, or NOM Camp. “Youth” has apparently given the false impression that this event is only for very young people, when it is open and welcoming to everyone, of all ages.

Twenty-five minutes from the Adelaide city centre is a forest. In that forest is a large cabin. In that cabin, for a week in November, will be forty young Mensans with games, instruments, challenges, and just maybe a beer or two.

What is NOM Camp Australia?

NOM Camp Australia is modelled on the fantastic international Mensa Youth camps held in Europe since 2007. Its purpose is to bring Mensans (current members, aged 18+) together to meet new and interesting people, to expand personal horizons, and to generally have a wild and enlightening time with like-minded (yet incredibly varied) people.

Age is not an issue — so long as you’re prepared to have fun, you are welcome!

Campers can benefit in many ways from this experience, both personally and professionally. The camp provides:
• a safe and friendly environment;
• an arena for stimulating discussion and exploration of new ideas;
• mental and physical games, activities and challenges to foster creative thinking, teamwork, and social interaction;
• knowledge-sharing through lectures and classes;
• a setting to increase cultural understanding;
• responsibility of daily team-rostered cleaning and cooking tasks;
• an international network of lifelong friends and potential collaborators;
• a connection to the broader Mensa network/community.

You can keep up with the latest news and see who else is going at the Facebook event page NOM Camp Australia 2012.

Important stuff

Location
The NOM Camp venue is on Mt George Rd, Mt George, South Australia — about 25km / 30 min drive southeast of Adelaide central. It’s possible to get there by a combination of busses, but we will try to arrange some pick ups to/from the airport and city central, if you give us your arrival and departure details.

Accommodation
The accommodation is pretty basic, however the grounds should be perfect for our purposes.
Be prepared for dormitory-style bunkbeds in one main room, separated only by curtains. It’s definitely nothing fancy. But hey, the idea is to be partying so hard that by the time we’re ready to sleep, we won’t care where it is.
But the grounds! The cabin is set on 5 hectares of natural bush in a conservation park. There are camp fire circles, and it’s a 40 min stroll to a volleyball court, giant ball handball court, frisbee golf course, orienteering courses, and an obstacle course. Use of all these facilities is free.
You can read more about the venue here.

Activities
How do a bunch of Mensans keep themselves entertained for a week?
The venue offers a nearby volleyball court, giant ball handball court, frisbee golf course, orienteering courses, and an obstacle course (all free to use).
We will also have camp fires, games, competitions, movies and lounging facilities, for you to partake of as you desire. Campers can also arrange their own games, classes and activities as we go.
If there is sufficient interest, some extra outings to Adelaide’s attractions can be arranged (there may be additional costs involved in these activities).

If you have something to bring along to add to the camp, please do! If you have ideas or special requests for activities, let us know!

What to bring
Essentials:
- pillow and sleeping bag/blanket+sheets
- towels and toiletries
- anything else you might need

Encouraged:
- games
- instruments
- toys
- anything to share or otherwise make the camp fun

Food
Meals are included in the cost of registration, but the catch is we have to make it ourselves. Breakfast and lunch will more or less be self-service, but dinners will be prepared by groups on a roster.
Some drinks and juices will be included in the price, but alcohol is not. We will have some beers, wines and snacks (eg, chocolate and lollies) available for purchase at cost-price, and you’re welcome to bring your own stash of goodies.

Chores
As well as a cooking roster, we’ll also have a cleaning roster to keep the place clean. Rosters will be assigned more or less randomly, but of course you’re welcome to try your luck at swapping and trading your way out things!

Registration

Registration is $100 (includes accommodation, food and most activities).
Online Registration and Payment
Numbers are limited to 40 people, so don’t muck around.