Winter Solstice Vigil 2024

• PLEASE NOTE: To attend, you MUST complete the Sign-Up Genius registration, here: (Event Ticket Link)

Welcome to the NE Florida Pagan Leadership Coalition, Inc’s (NEFLPLC) Winter Solstice Vigil, hosted by Whisperers of the Waters.

Because of new Park regulations, we must do a two-day reservation for weekends. Therefore, we will have our space reserved starting at 1pm on Friday, December 20. (I do not expect to arrive that early.) This does mean that we ARE required to pay for both nights. (This does not mean you need to be present both nights.)
On the longest night of the year, we will keep vigil around the fire from Sunset (5:31 pm) Dec. 21 until Sunrise (7:20 am) Dec. 22.
We will meet at Camp Chowenwaw, which is a converted Girl Scout camp. This means that, in addition to a large central fire ring, we will have:

• A fully functional (though unheated) bath house, with flush toilets, and hot& cold running water in sinks and showers. (Again, it is unheated, so I do not recommend planning to shower here.)
• A “Kitchen” cabin, with a refrigerator, stove, microwave, a long table & chairs, electric lights, and (very inefficient) heat.
• Heated cabins, with beds (bring your own bedding), electric lights, & power.

While beds are available for those who need them (or who need to put their children in them), the purpose is to keep vigil around the fire.
What to bring:

• Firewood (gathered from the side of the road is fine!) All wood must be gathered from within 30 miles, per park regulations.
• Warm clothes
• Bedding (if you or your children may need it.)
• Your favorite camp chair. (There’s log-seating available, too, but you’ll be grateful for your chair)
• Your favorite travel mug, and “camp cutlery” if you have it (plates/bowls provided)
• A crock-pot meal to share.
• “Kerosene” hurricane-lanterns, paraffin lamp oil, shepherd’s cooks to hang them from (if you have any), to provide lighting around the fire-ring
• Drums/acoustic instruments
• Holiday crafts, stories, ritual ideas
• Offerings for the fire

What NOT to bring:

• Alcohol
• Pets
• Amplified music (Blu-tooth speaker is fine)
• Firewood from more than 30 miles away
• Flashlights (you’ll be asked to cover with red cellophane, if you bring one, to protect the eyes of others there)

What will be provided:

• Plates and bowls
• A coffee maker, and coffee, tea, hot-chocolate packets
• Hot dogs, buns, ketchup, and S’more’s fixing for the kids (and the kids-at-heart)
• Instant oatmeal packets, for breakfast.

Typically, we eat throughout the night, as the mood strikes, which is why the crock-pot meals work so well. Feel free to bring other foods, but be aware that – if you’re bringing something that needs to be cooked -- you’ll need to bring the cookware!