VIDARÅSEN LANDSBY

Life in a Camphill village

...is in many ways different from the life in society at large. It can be regarded as an alternative way of life, where the normal connection between work and money has been severed. We attempt to search for the human qualities that can become the source of energy and the driving force for each individual. But - the days can become long and human encounters strong and intense.

We hope that this booklet will be of help for you to make a right decision about coming to the village as a co-worker, or not.

Please read through this booklet with care and consideration before filling in the application. Please return the application-form as soon as possible, and keep this information-booklet and bring it along when you come, if your application is accepted.

Antroposophy

Anthroposophy lies at a base for what we try to bring about in the Vidaråsen. Dr. Karl König found the inspiration for the village-idea in Rudolf Steiner's Anthroposophy, Antropos - Man, and Sopia - Wisdom that is the Wisdom of Man, or the wisdom of ones humanity. Becoming a co-worker in a Camphill place does in no way require that one professes to be an anthroposophist, nor even that one has heard of anthroposophy. On the other hand, the more open-minded you can be towards the ideas that you might meet, strange as they might seem in the beginning, the more fruitful your stay in Vidaråsen might be.

The Camphill movement, which was founded in Scotland in 1939, strives to build communities where children, youth, and adults, in need of special care, can find a life- and working-situation together with others. A situation based on mutual respect and care. Camphill finds much of its inspiration in Christian ideals as Rudolf Steiner has formulated them, and is based upon the recognition that each human being is the carrier of an eternal spiritual individuality. An individuality which remains unchanged, regardless of which handicap it might have, of which race, or religion it might spring out of.

Social Therapy - an inner attitude

The mentally handicapped - the villager - must be able to relate to you as a friend; as one to whom he or she might turn in need of help, advice, and support. Regardless of whichever handicap a villager might have, it is of the greatest importance that you keep in mind that he is an adult - not a child - carrying the same rights that you do, and that he shall be respected and treated as such. He or she needs your consideration, care and sensitivity to tackle the same kind of questions and worries, joys and sorrows that you have to wrestle with.

It is important that every co-worker develops the attitude of not working for, but rather with the villagers. Together we attempt to form a community that has Man as its archetypal image; a community where each individual can attain to his fullest potential, and at he same time give to the best of his abilities and possibilities for the goodness of the whole.

Life in a Camphill community asks of us that we see it as a main task to cover the needs of the others, out of the best of our abilities. Most probably, there will be an older, experienced co-worker around to lead you into the rhythms and routines of daily life, but you will certainly also be called upon to use your own strength and initiative and in the tasks and responsibilities that you will be asked to take on.