NERF Council 2010-Sep-4,5,6

Council met at Mountain Pond.

Consensus to council again the weekend after Thanksgiving.

NERF Council 2010-Nov-26,27,28

A council circle met the weekend after Thanksgiving and reached consensus by silence to meet again the on vernal equinox,

NERF Events 2011

NERF Council 2011-Mar-18,19,20

A council circle met the weekend after Thanksgiving and reached consensus by silence to meet again for the vernal equinox,

The vernal equinox is 2011-03-20 at 23:21UTC (19:21EDT or 7:21pm).

And so nerf council met on the weekend of March 18th,19th,and 20th/ 2011. More details to follow,

NERF Celebration 2011-May-27,28,29,30

A council circle met for the Vernal Equinox (Mar 20) and reached consensus by silence to meet again on Memorial Day weekend. Memorial day is Monday, May 30, so we meet the weekend before that. New moon is first of June, so it will be dark.

We are calling this a celebration, instead of a council, because it's spring so we will share food, drum, and dance around the campfire. If you never did these things, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good[1]. Council will also happen. Believe it or not, that's fun too.

It all happens at Texas Gap in Vermont. Bring fun things like musical instruments. Also bring food to share and several gallons of water per person. The NERF water filter has already gone west to scout for the national gathering in Washington.

[1] Dr. Seuss, One fish two fish red fish blue fish, Random House (1960)

NERF council at Texas Gap 2011-05-29(Sun)

A council circle formed at Texas Gap 2011-05-29(Sun). Someone asked when the full moon of August occurs. It is 2011-Aug-13 14:56 EDT

It was proposed and consensed by silence that we would have a get togather on the dates 2011-08-10 to 2011-08-17.

There was no consensus on the place.

It was mentioned that there is often a Quebec gathering during the August full moon, but since nobody had heard from them for a decade, we didn't worry about it much. Later we learned more about a Québec gathering in 2011.

There is essentially NO money in the bank. It was all spent at the Moosilauke gathering two years ago. This gathering runs on Magic Hat in real time.

Update: 2011-07-30(Sat) The site that had been assumed seems now to be unavailable due to road construction. Who wants to gather on a construction site? Emergency re-scouting is in progress—or not.

Update: 2011-08-05(Fri) It appears likely that NERF is going to Old Job. Preliminary directions are on the Scouting page.

Old Job 2011 NERF Gathering

From 2011-08-10(Wed) to 2011-08-17(Wed) in Old Job, Vermont.

Be prepared to be self-sufficient, but bring a cup, bowl, chopsticks and titanium spork (or your choice of eating tools). Bring tents, rope, food to share, weed chopping scythe, water, and musical instruments. Do not bring alcohol or dogs.

Directions to Old Job

Here are a couple of pictures from the gathering.
Old Job oven Old Job council

NERF Events 2012

What about SOPA?

Today (2012-Jan-18) Wikipedia has been blacked out for 24 hours to protest the SOPA/PIPA bills which have been on a fast track through congress. This is part of a protest organized by a number of web sites. Google still works, but the logo is blackened, and there is a link for information.

Congress these days can't seem to agree on anything, but these bills were written by lobbyists for their clients and were almost passed with bipartisian support before anyone noticed.

They are changing the bills at this moment, so anything I write about the specifics will be obsolete within days. Rumor has it that they make no sense at all from a technical viewpoint. Most of the engineers who built the internet are against these bills. (If you click the link above, scroll down. They have put the text of the page after a bunch of boilerplate.)

Nobody would notice if this site went black, but I can at least acknowledge the problem. Here's a cartoon.

Groklaw has a story about the blackout. PJ writes better than I do, so why not read that?

XKCD is one of my favorite cartoons. (You can look at all of them now, but on Black Wednesday that is the only one you could see.) The NERF kitchen went to the national in Tennesee.

The NERF kitchen went to New Jersey to help with Sandy relief.

Later it was moved back to upstate New York.

There was a group phone call between Thanksgiving council and the people with the kitchen in New Jersey.

You can find stories of Katrina in the archives if you have nothing better to do. (to the left, under the teepees, called "old news")

Was there a Northeast Regional in 2012?

NERF as a group did not plan a regional, but some kids gathered. NERF Kitchen was there. This is the rumor; believe it at your own risk. (See update below)

Happy Birthday Woods
Everybellys everywhere are invited to join together for a regional Rainbow Gathering in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont at Texas Falls August 25 through September 3,

N 43.96317 W 72.89776

Bring all things good: cup, bowl, spoon, tent, sleeping gear, musical instruments, good and loving vibes. For more information see Rap 107

Be prepared to be self sufficient and to share food and green energy with others. This site is 3.5 miles west of Hancock, VT, for directions go to http://www.nerflings.org/scouting.html#txgap

Green energy means money. Feed the hat, the hat feeds you. See Rap 107. Really. See it. Click the link.
New Rumor: 2012-08-23(Thu)
The new rumor is that NERF kitchen is, indeed, on its way in the care of a few experienced nerflings. Since the Kids were already planning a kitchen, that means there could be two complete kitchens there. Also, the water filtration system is under construction with no problems yet.

Not Rumor:2012-08-27(Mon)
It's not a rumor. I was there over the weekend. There are two kitchens, Nerf and Peace. There are two independent water systems.

It's a gathering.

NERF Events 2013

What happened at previous council?

Consensus of 2012 Thanksgiving council was that there will be an Equinox council 2013-03-22,23,24, place to be determined.

The place was determined and it happened. Consensus of Equinox council was that next council would be at Branch Pond on Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day at Branch Pond was sleet, rain, snow, and cold. It was semi-canceled. There was one at Mousilauke, which scheduled the Thanksgiving council. There was one in mid-October.

Scouting Branch Pond

Scouting Branch Pond 2013

Rainbow Events 2014

All this is moved from the front page.

Is there a regional gathering in 2014?

Yes!

Spring council was held 2014-June-(06,07,08) (Memorial Day Weekend). Conensus was to hold a regional gathering August 1 through 10.

Here is the Howdy Folks .

For easy printing or reprocessing here is a plain text version of it:
Plain ASCII text Howdy Folks.
(ASCII is the American Standard Code for Information Interchange,
true patriots will accept no other.)

Scouts have started to send in updates and corrections to the directions. It would be best to check back just before leaving, for the final version. (The directions are basically to the correct place, but some turns on the way may be slightly wrong.)

Was there a regional gathering in 2013?

There was a regional gathering, August 17-24, near Mount Moosilauke.

What's going on with www.nerflings.org? (2015-Jun)

After a power outage, the server refused to reboot. I got a back-up on line, but recent updates were lost. I am trying to quickly put it all back.

That was written about about March 4. The back-up seemed to be working for a few months, but May 30 it all fell apart again. Now it's June 4 and things seem stable, but who can tell?

Why was this site missing when I needed it?

Sometimes things happen.
There is a near-complete list of lossage under "technical details" or the Penguin near the bottom of the left column.

Rainbow Events 2015

All this is moved from the front page.

Is there a NERF regional Gathering in 2015?

It seems so, starting less than a week from when I received and posted this.
  Subject: Re: Regional August 21-30
  From: Scout
  To: Nerflings
  Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:54:10 -0400

  Site has been chosen.
  Howdy folks will be drafted and forwarded tomorrow morning.
I went up there over the weekend of 2015-08-22. It's there, and I guess it will be until 2015-08-30.

The following directions are just as I received them, except I fixed the spelling of "Groveton". They are correct, but I went wrong following them. FR 15 meets York Pond Road twice. It goes off to the left after 1.6 miles, just inside the National Forest. If you turn left there, you have to go nearly ten miles on unpaved Forest Road 15. It's better to stay on the pavement of York Pond Road for four miles, then turn left onto the other end of FR 15 and go just five miles more on unpaved road.

There may be thunderstorms coming here. You might want to save these directions in case nerflings.org gets fried.

In case you haven't got them yet...
Also, I have been posting links to nerflings.org on facebook.  

N44.44863
W71.33825
From Berlin NH
NH 110  7 mi. (Aprx)
Left    York Pond Rd.   (fish hatchery sign) 4  mi.
Left    Forest Rd. 15    5 mi.
Forest Road 33     Welcome Home!

From  Groveton, NH
NH 110 E       17.6   mi.
Right   York Pond Rd.   (fish hatchery sign) 4  mi.
Left    Forest Rd. 15        5 mi.
Forest Road 33     Welcome Home!
And this:
wish list for up coming gathering. first thanks for all the spices kick down. need tools, shovel, axe, hatchet. also whoever has the nerf water filter, please bring to the gathering so we are not held for ransom and our tribe is not in jeopardy. thank. you. love and peace V. see u on the land
Also there are old scout reports from the site, which is also calle Ammonoosuc Valley at http://www.nerflings.org/scouting.html#ammo.

Where is the National Gathering in 2015?

Gatherings are announced via a document called "Howdy Folks" .

That is a link to something that came in my email, from a sometimes reliable source, edited only to make it valid html. It looks a bit strange. Is it real?

The "Howdy Folks" itself warns against internet rumors, thus setting up a paradox that has puzzled logicians since the time of the ancient Greek Epimenides or The Cretan liar.

It also contains directions to a place in South Dakota. I can't recommend that you go there, but I would be interested in anything you have to report if you do go there. As always send repots to webmaster at nerflings.org.

On the other hand there is this:

From: Water
To: "webmaster@nerflings.org"
Subject: Re: [nerf] Web site and mailing list

get thee to south dakota.  so far our Family has cleaned up a mess at the Pine Ridge Rez and is teaching Lakota folk how to set up systems for a really large gathering of people in the Black Hills. we need everybody with a good heart and a good head to go West, young men and women (and graybeards too)
 — I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.
and
From: KZ

Just spoke to 3 friends of mine who are on site. No violence at council today. No cops called. Different factions of the Lakota participated in council. They argued amongst each other. The young men from the warrior society said that they have not heard any elders speak out against the gathering. They have returned to Pine Ridge Rez to gather more support and are intending to return to the Friday council.

The elder who was at council yesterday returned today and spoke to the circle. Good counciling is happening. People got a bit flustered at one point when some others were arguing. instead of oming they called out to people to stop arguing. That's all there is. My family on-site, you are amazing. I love you and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
—Please copy and distribute freely.

and this
From: T from calm

I'm here and consensus is really slow in coming. Younger Native Americans are showing up at Spring Council and they like the idea of us being here but they have respect the desires of their Elders.  In that area signals are mixed and opinions very guarded.

—Maybe we will be more productive in the next couple of days. Wish us luck.

I can't get to South Dakota. What to do?

This is from A Big Bird:
For those unable for whatever the reason cannot make it all the way to South Dakota this year, there are some family proposing to meet in Vermont (1st to 7th) to circle and fortify the energy building during the week of the annual gathering. This is not to splinter the family, in fact, it is just the opposite. It is for all those who want to see our Elders that are incapable to travel the distance, or those who are unable to travel due to physical, emotional or financial reasons. The "we" in I would very much love to circle w/ my family, be it many or small, at the same time other Family are circling in other regions of the nation and the world. If this idea emulates w/ your concept of what we are as a Family and what we are working towards, please, if you can't travel far come join us. Again, just remember, this is to build and strengthen our Family's purpose, not sever it or in any way split us...Blessed be...
Here are directions to a place where some may gather:
Directions to Bread Loaf VT Peacable Assembly 2015 July 1–7 .

Is there a Spring council in 2015?

There were rumors of a council on Memorial Day weekend, but I never got any information about the location, and now that's past.

There are rumors of a council the weekend after Memorial Day

Nerf unit 151 says:

to all friends,nerf,fern,nennies and creatures of the universe.there was a non -consensus .on gathering at the end of the month of may.the next wkend following memorial wkend.steming from the position we were on private land,we can make the next step,we do want to smile in the woods.we will be at mt.tabor,vt........directions to follow...u will be there,enjoy and plug in....miss u all well most of uuuuuu.love and peace
But then a big bird tells me:
Date: Mon, 25 May 2015 21:18:07 -0400
But here, y'all lovely folks;
Because of national scouting concerns, the new England regional spring council site has been moved to Texas gap trail head meadow. This coming Friday to Sunday. With the council to take place Saturday at "hippie noon" Love y'all.
The oracle bones say:
Date: Tue, 26 May 2015 23:05:45 +0000 (UTC)
Spring council will be May 29,30,31 at Texas Falls/Gap
And Nerf unit 151 replies:
I concur,the nerf kitchen. will be there Thursday. afternoon. nerf.fern wish list..coffee,flour,bleach,vinegar,you...also short on tools.shovels,axe,hatchet,bow saw.to be kick down.thanks.peace and love see u on the land.
So it seems to be agreed. The NERF spring council is in Texas Gap "because of national scouting concerns". This may mean that some national scouts will be there—but who knows?

There are more detailed directions on the scouting page:
http://www.nerflings.org/scouting.html#txgap

Is there an equinox council in 2015?

Maybe. There seems to be an argument about whether it is a council or just a get-together. But JL asks:
do you think that you could put infor and directions onto the nerflings website about next weekend's council.

thank you

I was a bit reluctant to do so, because I cannot contact the owner of the gathering site. (It is a private home, not on the land.) But S says that K says that E would love to host. What to do? I can tell you that it is in the same place as the equinox council of 2005.

Of course, much has changed since then, but the directions that you get by clicking the link should still get you to the place; what you may find there, I can not say.

Do not be confused by the 2005 dates. Whatever happens, happens on 2015 March 20-22.

NERF Thanksgiving Council (2016)

Is now over. There was no formal consensus.

Where was the National Gathering in 2016?

A council was held at Mad Tom 2016-06-12(Sun), consecrated with a Pheasant Butt (feather), which came to a consensus that the national would be north of FS-10, east of Danby, in southern Vermont.

A Howdy Folks is here.

Is there an event in the near future? (2016-Oct)

Is November near?

There was a local gathering Labor Day weekend. I will try to get information about any plans made there onto this page before it's too late. This what I've got so far:

Follow up to Texas Falls Labor Day/Council get To gather, the consensus was from those on the land was to have a a Thanksgiving council(amongst other things) in New England/Northeast (maybe a new host?) to discuss a possible a mid August/2017 New England regional.To Have a Thanksgiving council the tribe needs a place indoors!
This was the original announcement:
high..the gathering. will be at texas. falls, labor. day wknd. Sept 2,3,4,5.come early get a smile, stay late get a hug.peace. in our. time
Here are directions to Texas Falls (Gap).

NERF Memorial Day Weekend Council (2017-May-26..29)

A council circle met at Breadloaf to discuss the kitchen and where it should go during summer 2017.

Consensus by silence on the land 2017-05-27:

  1. We will meet again for NERF council Labor Day weekend at a place to be determined.
  2. We support interested nerflings to take the kitchen west to Oregon for July 4 annual gathering.

Labor Day Weekend (2017-09-01..04)

There was a consensus to have a council on Labor Day weekend, but that is only a few days away and I don't think anyone has done anything to make it happen. No place has been chosen. I don't think it is happening.

It didn't happen.

Rainbow Events 2018

Is there a council soon?

This came in email.
Hi family there will be a council the weekend of October 567. In southern vermont.if you wish to be part of next year regional gathering show up.we begin with rainbow spirit of gathering on the land ,and sitting in circle.those that wish to participate,we will welcome all....No Alcohol...see you on the land.

 peace,
  — V.
Note that the following is now WRONG:
The council will happen at Somerset Airport (there are no airplanes, it's been a camp ground for many decades).
Instead this came in email:
Apparantly the site that we had planned to have the council is now full of RVs and other campers. Thus council has moved to another site near the Somerset Airstrip. Please note the the old directions are the same for the first piece of the instructions.
It seems to have been moved to somewhere along the road to Somerset Reservoir. Look for stacked rocks. Sorry about that. Directions are here. Be prepared for cold, of course.

...and this:

Good morning there will be council October 567. At Somerset airport Reservoir area..directions to be had at www.nerflings.org. Web site..thanks to S. for scouting the area and confirming the directions. This will be a pot luck gathering...be self sufficient,bring warm clothes just in case and water.see. You on the land..be kind. Bring kind..love V...any questions

Memorial Council 2018-May-25..28

There will be a NERF council Memorial Day weekend at Branch Pond. Directions to Branch Pond are here.

This came 2018-05-24(Thu) afternoon:

Good morning nerf...wish list .. tarp for the kitchen, coffee,creamer. I'll be at branch pond Friday afternoon. pray that you will be on the land..
peace

Were there any NERF events in summer 2019?

No, not officially.

There was a NERG gathering August 8–18 in New Hampshire. Click for more about the NERG.

There was the annual national Rainbow in northern Wisconsin, over the 4th of July as traditional.

Several nerfling people went to Rob Ford, Vermont on the Fourth of July for V's barbeque. (Click that link for more information.)