This important book brings together research from scholars and experts in a variety of disciplines to explore a broad range of issues which affect Camphill life. The essays examine social, political and educational topics as diverse as spiritual needs, residential childcare, disabled identity, working with autistic children and the development of Camphill communities around the world. The lack of easily accessible literature about Camphill communities has contributed to a common and unjustified perception of Camphill as 'closed' communities which have little interest in communicating with the 'the outside world'. Some influential officials and practitioners who determine education and social-work policy and practice still know little or nothing about Camphill, which increases the risk of misunderstanding and threatens the future of Camphill communities. This book seeks not only to bridge that gap, but to demonstrate to a wider audience the unique and inspiring qualities of Camphill communities. This book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the provision of services for children and adults with special needs.
'Before reading this book, I thought I knew Camphill. Now that I have read it, I realise how much my thinking was in error, based as it was on what one of the authors calls the 'myths of Camphill and its founder'. This book, easily readable and well presented for the curious, offers some fascinating perspectives on a phenomena of caring about which, I suspect, many of us have known little. It bridges effectively the gap between Camphill and the 'outside world', a gap which has been of concern to supporters and critics alike over the past years. Here we find a window into a world of caring in which many of the contemporary values of child and youth care practice have been in evidence from the initial founding. To treat each person individually, to live together in a caring relationship of mutual trust, to be aware of self - all of these stand out as not only a bridge between Camphill and the outside world, but between the past and the present in the practice of caring. As Social Pedagogy becomes of greater interest, this book has much to offer.'-- Dr Thomas Garfat, child and youth care worker, and Editor of Relational Child and Youth Care Practice journal'This is a remarkable book. Rarely does one find a program of any kind willing to open itself up to such intensive internal and external critical examination. Through the wide-ranging perspectives presented, the reader will indeed discover Camphill, and find it to be an impressive global movement in support of the integrity of persons and the wholeness of human life.'-- James P. Anglin, PhD, Professor of School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria, Canada
