At the 2025 BuddhaDharmaSangha camp there was some uncertainty amongst the current teaching team around whether they could continue with the annual commitment of teaching on the camp.  This lead to some uncertainty about the camp's future. As a response to this, the BuddhaDharmaSangha CIC sent out a call for collaboration with the BDS community to find out whether there was an appetite to continue with the camps and if so to gather views around what was essential to the camps, what might need to change, and what future camps may look like.

​

We were overwhelmed with the quantity of responses and the deep care with which people answered the questions.  Below is a summary of what was gathered.

​

What do we see as the essential elements/pillars of BDS? ​​​​(click to see bigger image)

​​

​

​​

​​

​​

​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​

 

 

 

 

 

What do we Value?

​

Community & Sangha 

•  Sense of belonging and deep connections

•  Multi-generational community

•  Shared values and purpose

•  Annual reunions with camp friends

​

Nature & Location 

•  The specific field and Holy Brook

•  River Dart and Dartmoor proximity

•  Outdoor meditation practice

•  Connection to the land

​

Practice Integration

•  Combination of retreat and community life

•  Silent mornings and structured meditation

•  Dharma teachings in lived context

•  Opportunity to practice with family​

​​

Children & Families

•  Exceptional kids team provision

•  Family-friendly spiritual practice

•  Children growing up in the community

•  Alternative to mainstream culture for families

 

 

What needs more attention or to change?

​

• Teaching & Leadership Challenges 

• ​Diversity & Inclusion 

• Size & Complexity of the camp



​

Common Suggestions:

​

•  A more cooperative/collaborative model

•  Rotating teacher roles

•  Community-led coordination groups

•  Visiting teachers from diverse backgrounds

•  Thematic focus for teachings

•  Possible community-led workshops

•  Council/circle processes

•  Teen dharma programs

•  Simpler, less packed schedule

​​

​

Our hearts are warmed by the generous offers of time, energy and ideas to support the ongoing development of the BuddhaDharmaSangha camps.

​

We have heard the strong call from our community for the camps to continue and are delighted to be in the planning stages for BDS 2026.

​

​

​