2026 Florida Earthskills Gathering
Code of Conduct
Florida Earthskills aims to host an intergenerational gathering of folks teaching each other the skills, tangible and intangible, of our ancestors and our contemporaries while also nurturing the social resilience necessary to thrive as a community of diverse individuals empowered to care for ourselves, each other, and the land.
The Florida Earthskills Gathering focuses on the teaching of skills in a collaborative environment where curiosity, conversation, and connecting across culture and place are paramount. We aim to create a welcome space for the vibrant, diverse individuals that call this gathering home for these few winter days, a space where learning to make a basket, play drums with an elder, tan a hide, learn new communication skills, carve a spoon, grieve together, or make fire by friction can open us up to the wild-dreaming-questioning spirit, in ourselves and each other, that motivates us toward positive social and ecological change.
In order to be a part of The Florida Earthskills Gathering, you understand and agree to the following:
- We strive to create a space where people feel safe, strong, and honored in their bodies, hearts, and minds. In order to nurture our thriving community of empowered individuals, we will not tolerate inappropriate and/or non-consensual behavior involving language and/or touch.
- Fighting, drunkenness, theft, physical and emotional threats, and sexual harassment are not allowed. Period. We reserve the right to ask you to leave immediately should we become aware of any problems pertaining to these requirements.
- In your interactions with others, please remember that only “yes” (not silence) qualifies as consent, so be sure to ask first, whether this is in regards to borrowing tools/materials, handling someone’s project, physical touch, or emotional/social delving. If the answer is “no,” it is very important to respect that even if you don’t agree or understand.
- Not to assume that what is standard behavior for you will be acceptable to others. Please, be mindful of what you say, your body language, and touch. Keep your eyes and ears open and observe if things you are doing or saying are causing those around you to feel unsafe or disempowered.
- To be aware of how your perceptions of the world and/or other members of the community are phrased. Name-calling, accusations, verbal attacks and/or other negative exchanges are both counterproductive and unacceptable to learning and connecting, which are really what we’re here to do.
- To recognize that not all social groups or identity categories are visible: Sexual orientation, nationality, disability, ethnicity, HIV status, mental health status, gender expression, gender identity, self-determined pronouns, economic and/or social class, as well as one’s conservatism, liberalism, fascism, radicalism, and/or religion are some of the categories that may be represented at the gathering, but may not be visible to the eye– Please don’t make assumptions based on what you think you see.
- To be mindful that an individual from a particular group does not represent that entire group. Refrain from in/directly asking any individual (including yourself) to do so
- To be committed to finding common ground with others, wherever possible, over isolating, alienating, or ‘othering’ folks.
- To be aware that all public spaces at the Florida Earthskills Gathering are drug and alcohol free. All teaching spaces, firecircles, the kitchen, the neighborhood, instructor camps and anywhere that is not a personal camp are considered public spaces. However, drunkenness and excessive intoxication will not be tolerated anywhere at the gathering. Please limit your imbibing to your personal camp and do so in moderation. We ask this of the community as a way to support those in recovery and to encourage a culture of moderation at the gathering.
- To inform yourself of the gathering’s policies and mission as communicated on the website, and to reach out with questions or concerns when they arise.