Dear Remaining List Members: I had been keeping this idea on the back burner, but now that everyone seems to be dropping like flies from this support list, I figure I better share it now. By next week, at this rate, I'd be talking to just Todd, or the Twins. ..... So, here it goes - When I was into the macrobiotic movement, the highlight of our lives seemed to be the annual Macrobiotic Summer Conference (you can probably guess how boring the lives of grain eaters was!). Held in August, it was a 5 day affair, which brought in folks (usually around 1,000 participants) from all over the world. This conference was a great vehicle to attract newbies, oldies and just about anyone interested in sampling the food, shopping at the "gift shop" and sitting in on some pretty interesting lectures and cooking classes. It was also a great forum for those with an entrepeneurial spirit to make a killing on everything from cookware to T-shirts with stupid slogans (Grains for Brains, Rice is Nice - you get the idea). Many mainstream speakers as well as alternative health gurus would do presentations and participate in some heated debates on a variety of health and philosophical topics. One year, I even got to meet The Dr. Spock, the legendary baby doctor , who at age 89 turned onto grains and beans. But even better, I met my friend Rachel Matesz, a fellow paleo list member, and we've been friends ever since - 10 years, now! These camps were always held in university or college settings, thereby allowing families or individuals to have their own dorm beds to sleep on or for the more adventurous, (or cheaper) lawns where we could pitch our tents. Additionally, we would have access to the large cooking facilities, dining halls, swimming pools, tennis courts, snack bars, dance floors, etc. We provided the catering and cooking crews, and literally took the place over for the week. Those participants who couldn't afford the full price for the camp, could earn work credit by doing food prep or working in the daycamp for kiddies (which allowed the parents freedom to enjoy the many activities). Concurrent lectures, demonstrations and cooking classes were easily facilitated by the many halls and multi purpose rooms available. Well, you can probably guess where I'm going with this. Has anyone ever tried to put together a Paleo Gathering? Even if we are all rubbing each other the wrong way on this list, it still might be fun to have an annual pow wow, and get to meet the faces behind all these great posts. It might also be a vehicle to attract more people into Paleo, which would only help all of us. Perhaps having guest speakers (Ray Audette, Cordain, Eades) would be a magnet for bringing in more participants. I am sure I will be told I am naive, and how much money all this would cost to put together, but you know the saying - a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step (or something like that, so hey, don't quote me). Would those of you who are interested, please post to the list with some ideas you might have on how to begin this journey? If Ray is out there, could he comment on whether he thinks this is a viable idea, and if he would be willing to participate. I know it probably all boils down to $$$$$, but I'll tell you, I sure saw tons of books flying into folks' shopping bags at the last macro camp..... Cheers! Judy Genova, cavegirl newbie who won't quit the list even if you tell me this idea stinks!!!!!!!!!!!