GMC Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this called the Great Mother Conference?
The Conference was begun in 1975 by Robert Bly, and at the time one of its major themes was the goddess or "Great Mother" as she has been known throughout human history. Much of Bly’s 1973 book of poems Sleepers Joining Hands is concerned with this theme, and was influenced by the thinking of C.G. Jung and his students Marie Louise Von-Franz and Erich Neumann (author of the comprehensive book The Great Mother). In the context of America’s war with Vietnam, a focus on the divine feminine was seen as urgent and necessary. Since that time the Conference has expanded to consider a wide variety of poetic, mythological and fairy tale traditions, but the name has stuck. In the 80’s and 90’s there was much discussion among the conference community about the changes contemporary men were (and are) going through; "the New Father" was then added to the Conference title, in recognition of this and in order to keep the Conference as inclusive as possible.
What happens at this conference?
Any day at the Conference could include such things as Sufi chanting, a lecture on the Alhambra, dancing, the telling of Celtic myth, quiet time by the lake, a poetry reading, sitar music or a simple campfire. The week tends to be a mixture of both large and small group activities. One of the goals of the conference could be said to be to nourish the heart, the body, the mind and the soul, and to do so in community.
Can you give me an idea of what a typical day’s schedule is like?
Generally speaking, each day begins with an opportunity for early-morning singing which is then followed by breakfast. Mornings are spent in a large group activity usually involving poetry, story, or lecture (or all three!). After lunch we meet in smaller groups for about an hour. The afternoons are a combination of workshops taught by our guest teachers and free time. There's usually a performance of some kind in the evening. Throughout the week there are numerous opportunities to get involved in poetry, art, music and story, either as an audience member or as a participant. Wednesday afternoon is kept free; those who wish to can take a boat ride into the harbor near Damariscotta, or go into town. The week is bookended by opening and closing ceremonies which help to bring us together, and to create a beautiful container for the week’s festivities.
What are the accommodations like?
This year the Conference will be held once again in Maine at Camp Kieve (pronounced "Key-ev"), a beautiful camp consisting of 300 wooded acres and three miles of shoreline. The camp is located on a peninsula at the mid-point of the length of Lake Damariscotta, in Nobleboro, roughly 60 miles northeast of Portland. About half of the cabins at Camp Kieve are new; the rest are on the older side. A good word for the older cabins is "rustic." All cabins have electricity, mattresses, and indoor bathrooms and showers. None have bedding, so please bring your own sleeping bag and pillow, as well as your own towel and washcloth. The cabins are co-ed, an arrangement which is courteously and respectfully handled by all involved. There’s definitely a "summer camp" feeling to this arrangement, which tends to foster community. There may be some snorers, however, so ear-plugs are not necessarily a bad idea. In addition, there is plenty of room to pitch a tent beside the water or under the boughs of nearby pine trees. You are welcome to stay off-site at your own expense if you wish, but we won't be able to discount your registration fee for the price of accommodation.
Is transportation available to and from Portland?
The Conference will have a bus available to take folks arriving from out-of-state from the Portland airport to Camp Kieve. To make use of this service, please plan to arrive at the Portland airport before 4:15 PM on Saturday, May 31st, and to depart from the Portland airport after 11:30 AM on Sunday, June 8th. The price for this is $20 one-way and $40 round-trip, over and above the Conference fee. If you wish to reserve a space on the bus, please send your flight information and a check made out to "The Great Mother Conference" to the address below:
Stevie Daniels
Camp Shuttle Bus
116 Marruth Ave.
Easton, PA 18040
Do I have to come to the whole conference?
Part of the magic of this particular conference is the long-standing sense of community which it has, and this is broken if participants choose to come and go throughout the week. So we strongly discourage people from coming late and/or leaving early. If you have an extremely compelling reason to leave, such as a wedding or a graduation, it might be possible to make an exception. But generally we think you’ll find that staying the whole week is the best option, and the way to get the most out of the conference.
When should I arrive?
Please plan to arrive at camp Kieve on Saturday, May 31st, 2008 after 2:00 PM. Dinner will be served on Saturday evening at 6:00 PM. The first meeting of the conference will be after dinner on Saturday.
How do I get there?
If driving, the camp website has good directions and maps at www.kieve.org/directions/map.htm
Other websites that you might find useful are:
http://www.damariscottaregion.com and http://www.mid-coastmaine.com
What is the food like?
All meals are served cafeteria-style, with a wide variety of choices available. The staff at Camp Kieve serve hearty breakfasts (eggs, meat, oatmeal) and always offer cereal, yogurt, and bagels/english muffins/toast as well. Lunch usually features a variety of salads, soups and sandwiches. Dinner is generally a meat selection along with vegetables, a green salad and dessert.
Are vegetarian options available?
Yes. Alternatives to meat dishes, such as tofu and tempeh, are available to those who request them in advance. Simply indicate this on your registration form, so that the camp staff can plan ahead.
I have special dietary needs. Can I still come?
Absolutely! If your diet is restricted in any way, simply make that clear on your registration form. The staff at Camp Kieve are used to providing us with good and solid food, and are very responsive to requests.
Will alcohol be present at the Conference?
Wine will be served at the art gallery opening and at the banquet. Outside of these two occasions, no liquor is served. A wide variety of juices plus coffee, tea and herbal tea are available at meals.
I have a medical condition which requires special arrangements. Can I still attend?
Absolutely. Simply make your needs clear on your registration form, and we will be happy to work with you so as to make it possible for you to attend.
Can I bring my children to the Conference?
The Conference offers a Children’s Program, and the cost per child is $510 (or $475 by check) with $25 off for each additional child per family. You will receive a follow up notice on who will be in charge of the program this year, with assistance from other conference participants and teachers. If you are using the children's program, please sign the enclosed release keeping one copy for yourself and sending the other to us.
Is financial assistance available for those seeking to take part in the Conference at a lower cost?
The Conference has two forms of financial support to encourage diversity of age, race, and cultural background among participants.
The first is called "Workstudy" and offers a significant discount on the Conference fee in exchange for help with Conference tasks such as moving benches, assistance in the bookstore or art gallery, tending the fire, posting the daily schedule, shuttling teachers to the airport, ensuring bathroom supplies are in place, etc. To apply for a workstudy position, please write a one page description of who you are, something of your circumstances, and what motivates you to attend the Conference. Then send that statement ASAP to the
following address:
Jon Parsons, 17 Eddy Street, West Newton, MA 02465
You can also submit this statement via e-mail, sending it to
with "Workstudy Application" in the subject line. Applicants will be notified of the results by May. Those accepted for workstudy will pay $475 to attend the Conference.
The other form of financial assistance that was available were scholarships covering the full cost of the Conference. Scholarship recipients contribute to the Conference either through their own creative skills or by helping with events, usually assisting with the opening of the art gallery and with the closing banquet. All the scholarships we have awarded as of May 1st
Do I have to be a poet, a musician, or a creative genius to come?
Absolutely not ! One of the goals of this conference is to nourish our own creative souls, but that is simply a part of the larger goal of building a playful, creative and collaborative atmosphere which nourishes both ourselves and the larger world of which we are a part. Artistic expertise is definitely not required.
What is the weather in Maine like at that time of year?
It's a beautiful time of year to be outdoors in Maine; loons will be singing on the lake, and the forest will be very alive with leaves and blossoms. However, Maine is a northern state, so bouts of cold weather and rain are possible. The average high and low temperatures in Maine in the month of June are 72 and 52 degrees, but occasionally the temperature can descend into the 40s. It's best to be prepared for a variety of weather; layers are a good idea, and raingear as well. The bugs aren't too bad in June, as it's past black fly season, but there are often mosquitoes around after dark.
What should I pack?
A good start would be a sleeping bag, a flashlight, raingear, good walking shoes, a journal to write in, a sense of adventure, a good sense of humor, and an openness to the mysterious and the unforeseen. It can be cold at night in Maine, so dressing in layers is a good idea. Bring towels, toiletries, and a pillow if you want one. Sunglasses, a bathing suit, and a mug or water bottle might also be useful. It’s likely that you’ll want to bring some "festive" clothes to wear for our banquet at the end of the week, and perhaps for the opening of the Art Gallery as well.
Can I bring my cellphone?
Cellphones may or may not work at Camp Kieve; we're out in the woods, and that's a good thing! There is a telephone at the camp, but it is restricted to emergencies, so please don't plan on using it for making or receiving calls.
Is there wireless service at Camp Kieve?
The major buildings at Camp Kieve do have wireless service, but service in the cabins and other areas of the camp is intermittent. However, we highly recommend unplugging from the internet and accessing instead the beauty of nature!
Can I bring musical instruments or artwork of my own?
Yes! There will be a communal art gallery at the Conference, and an opening to celebrate it. If you wish to bring work to exhibit in the gallery, please contact Marilyn Zimmerman, the Gallery Curator, at
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