I helped organize the first TWAC a couple years ago and would highly recommend it for anyone interested in direct action and survival skills. While the skills taught mostly focus on environmental organizing, many can (and probably should) be spread into other areas. We also spent a lot of time just having really great conversations about an array of topics such as tactical theory, consent and sexual assault, safe hitch-hiking skills, and a lot of other great stuff. Oh, and if you’ve never been camping (real camping, not RV camping), i’m sure there will also be a Camping Skills 101 workshop again. So you can learn how to start a fire and keep it going, how to set up a tent (even without a tent), etc.
I probably won’t be attending this year’s TWAC cuz i’ll be down at the US Social Forum in Atlanta and then i’ll be in New Orleans, but i will be back for the Rendezous. I’d also really suggest folks come out for that… especially folks in the Midwest. We’ll be talking a lot about opposing I-69 and i’ll probably be leading a discussion/workshop about connecting I-69 to the larger counter-globalization movement (specifically focusing on APPO and the Zapatistas and their resistance to Plan Puebla-Panama… which will eventually be physically connected to I-69).
from the 2007 Earth First Rendevous blog:
The three days leading up to the rendezvous southern Indiana will host the Trans and Women Action Camp (TWAC). This will be three days of trainings, skill shares, and camping with only women and trans folk. This is in the early stages of planning, but we are all very excited about it. Let us know if you would like to help or have questions….
The Trans and Women’s Action Camp will primarily be a direct action skills training. Below is a list of trainings that will definitely happen. We have limited trainers though, so if you have experience and would like to help, please email us or show up prepared to. Also, please let us know if you would like to teach something that isn’t on this list.
- Setting up an action
- Tree Climbing
- Tripods, Bipods & platforms
- Basic Blockading
- Confronting Oppresion Within
I went to a fun show last night which was really just a couple of friends playing solo acts. First up was Nate Powell (who also happens to be my favorite graphic novelist) and his electric bass performing under the name Wait…. Melting my heart with his nerdiness, Nate sang a lot about space, desperation, and hope. 
