OACC 44
October 6-8, 2023, at Hammond Mill Camp
All those who love and care about the Ozarks are invited to our 44th annual congress, to celebrate, appreciate, and learn from this phenomenal part of the Earth and each other.
OACC is ...
... the first and longest-standing bioregional congress.
... an ecologically-aware, family-friendly community village where we learn, play, relax, take care of each other, and share homegrown Ozark culture.
... a meeting place for ecologically-informed, creative, talented people, growers, activists, small business operators, musicians, writers, and innovators.
... a decades-long forum for a sustainable and regenerative economy for the Ozarks. A place to network and get informed about significant issues affecting our lives in the Ozarks, in an ecological context.
OACC is a celebration of the Ozarks and all things restorative and ecological!
This year’s theme is Learning from the Earth...
Over the more than four decades that OACC has been meeting, we’ve developed practices that honor a good relationship between ourselves and the land. This year, with our theme of “Learning from the Earth,” we’ll talk about components of living a bioregional lifestyle, and explore practical and conceptual ways to cultivate a deep relationship with this place we love.
A few presentations are planned, to focus the energy, and we're also leaving a lot of the space open for participants to share emerging knowledge with each other. Open Space topics are emerging where members of the OACC community can explore practical and conceptual ways to cultivate a deep relationship with this place we love.
Come listen, connect and add your thoughts. We hope to see you at the gathering!
Our volunteer village ...
Please come ready to help out daily with volunteer community-sustaining work, whether in the kitchen, grounds cleanup, or whatever it takes to keep our little village going. It’s fun! When you register, please sign up for volunteer shifts. Your wholehearted help enables OACC to keep costs low and be inexpensive to attend.
Food ...
We will be serving lunch and dinner on Saturday. We serve mostly vegetarian meals prepared as much as possible with organic, local, or fair-trade ingredients. An occasional dish of locally-sourced meat may also be included. Such dishes are labeled. Help us keep registration costs low by bringing food to share. It could be garden produce, or bulk food, or wholesome items like bread, fruit, cheese, farm eggs, mushrooms, garlic, onions, etc. Please let tell our Food Coordinator what you can bring: OaccLeaf@gmail.com
Facilities …
Hammond Mill Camp is a beautiful CCC-era camp surrounded by the Mark Twain National Forest with the North Fork River nearby. It has a big pavilion, dining hall, and lots of outdoor space.
Lodging …
Tent camping is encouraged. Cabins with bunks are a short walk from the bathroom/shower building. Cabins are available on a first-come, first serve basis, with no RSVP required this year.
Childcare …
… will not be provided. Parents are welcome to work together to organize cooperative childcare. We have wonderful volunteers who are organizing to offer activities for children supported by parents and guardians. Check back here as our plans develop.
What to bring ...
Camp chairs, drums, musical instruments, songs. Acts for the coffeehouse talent show. Swim gear, river shoes. Food donations. Your kids, your friends. Plan for Ozark fall weather which can range from mild and dry to cool and wet. If you’re staying over, bring sleeping bags, pillows, bedding, soap, shampoo, towels.
Please, no dogs, other pets, drugs or alcohol.
Costs ...
— Adults (ages 17 & up) Weekend: $50
— Adults (ages 17 & up) Saturday only: $35
— Young ones (ages 5 to 16) Weekend: $30
— Young ones (ages 5 to 16) Saturday only: $15
— Youngest ones (4 and under): no cost
Saturday-only registration fee cover programs plus Saturday lunch and dinner. Weekend fee also includes lodging for two nights, plus simple breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday.
Attendees under 17 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Last year’s OACC, “Caring passionately for the Ozarks,” featured two well-attended panel discussions: “Challenges and tactics for sharing land,” and “Fire benefits Ozark landscapes.” We gave a lifetime achievement award to panelist and pioneer fire science researcher Rich Guyette.
As with many past years’ OACC gatherings, last year we enjoyed a combination of telling, learning, socializing, music-making, working together, and good food.
You can find comprehensive coverage of OACC 43 on the Ozarks Alive website, thanks to great reporting by Kaitlyn McConnell.
Directions ...
From West Plains: Go west on Hwy CC, 15 miles to Camp entrance, on the right. The Ozark County line is 1.6 miles before.
Camp phone is 417-293-8365
Program & General Schedule
OACC 44 planned activities and presentations