Join us for a night of camping at Malibu Creek State Park on October 8-9, all planned around creating and connecting with the ecosystem, plants, animals, and other beings living around us – including each other!

During our retreat we’ll work with abundant local dye plants (and minerals and fibers) on creative place-based projects, including: local color biome bucket hats, eco-printing, earth pigment painting, plant fiber cordage making, and more.

We’ll take time to explore the immensely beautiful land surrounding Malibu Creek, which has been stewarded by Chumash peoples for thousands of years. The park and our campsite sit near two Chumash villages, Ta’lopop and Humaliwo (meaning “where the surf sounds loudly”).

Natural history, ethnobotany, geology, and of course the area’s diverse plant life will be topics of discussion on our extended plant walk/hike – which will end with a dip at the creek’s famed rock pool swimming hole!

Food is included on the retreat, with camp chef Kylie of Kitchen Sink creating delicious, seasonal meals and camp snacks to fuel our adventures.

No camping or plant dyeing experience necessary to attend! Just bring your own tent and sleeping arrangement, and we’ll provide nearly all other camping essentials (see below for full details).

I’m thrilled to share and create this dream gathering with you – hope to see you there!

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ACTIVITIES:
After setting up camp on Saturday afternoon, we’ll work on a project using local, abundant plants to create our own dyed cotton bucket hats, reflecting the colorscape of the plants around us!

You can wear your newly dyed hat as we head out on our afternoon plant walk, where I’ll share about plant life, ethnobotany, and the area’s amazing geology and natural history as we walk. Our walk will end with a dip at Malibu Creek’s famed rock pool swimming hole!

Back at camp, chef Kylie will make a delicious seasonal dinner (see note below about dietary needs) while we relax and practice low-pressure, fun, place-based crafts – like making earth pigment paints and plant fiber cordage. We’ll also begin the overnight mordanting process for the bandanas we’ll dye on Sunday.

An evening around the campfire (weather/conditions permitting – see note below) telling plant lore and stories will include classic camp snacks with added artisanal touches. We’ll serve some adult beverages to warm our bellies and souls on a potentially chilly coastal fall evening.

In the morning, Kylie will prepare breakfast, coffee, and tea. Once we’re ready to greet the day, we’ll work on an eco-printing project, getting to know and create with dyes and shapes from plants found in the area.

Depending on timing, we may be able to have one more plant walk/hike together before leaving camp on Sunday afternoon!

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FOOD:
Meals (and snacks and drinks) are included in the cost of the retreat! Yummy, seasonal fare will be prepared at camp by chef and farmer Kylie of Kitchen Sink.

Together we’ll share:

• Saturday dinner

• Campfire snacks & drinks

• Sunday breakfast, coffee & tea

• Light snacks throughout both days

The campsite has fresh, potable water, and we’ll bring a backup supply of filtered or spring water.

If you have dietary restrictions, needs, or allergies, please let us know in the menu that pops up at check out. Any questions or other needs to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to me by email: erin@berbo.studio

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LOGISTICS:
You must bring your own tent and sleeping arrangement (mattress, pad, sleeping bag, bedding, etc.) on the retreat.

I’ll bring all other camp necessities, and will create a google doc to coordinate shared camping gear (like lanterns/flashlights, camping chairs, etc.) that we can pool together for communal use.

Malibu Creek follows a tiered fire safety protocol that signals what kind of campfires are allowed. A “green” day means wood fires are allowed, “yellow” means duraflame or charcoal fires only, and “red” means no fires in the fire pit (gas stoves only). Let’s hope for a “green” day, but remain open to the unknowns of fire season and its limitations! In any case, I’ll take care of bringing all supplies and building whichever fire is allowed.

Our campsite allows for just 8 cars. I’ll share specific loading and parking instructions with you after registration. Overnight parking, good for both Saturday and Sunday in the park, is $12 per car – you’ll pay this fee to a ranger at the entrance station.

Showers are available at the campground for purchase by token. Tokens can be paid for with one-dollar bills only, so bring a few if you plan to shower.

Sorry, but dogs are not allowed on the retreat. Malibu Creek is a state park, and they enforce a strict “no dogs allowed” policy on all hiking trails and public areas.

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Detailed itinerary, load-in, parking and other details will be sent in an email after registration. Please ensure your email address is correct when checking out.