Clark B. Montgomery M.Ed. Extension cohort Fast Company January, 1999

POWER CAMP by Elizabeth Weil, August-September, 1997. Pg. 146-159.

Summary

Power Camp is an article detailing a unique and powerful learning exercise designed and conducted by Barry Oshry, of Power & System, Inc., Boston, MA. The purpose of the intensive six day seminar is to take a stark look and better understand personal behaviors in this world we all inhabit. Prior to arrival, participants are prepared for the seminar by reviewing literature focusing on organizational strengths and shortcomings. Upon arrival, participants are literally stripped of their identity (including car keys, money, cell phones, food stashes, and cigarettes) and assigned roles in the development of a new society. Roles for the new societys members are divided among elites, immigrants, and middles. Those are reflective of society members who hold control, those who have little control, and those whose task it is to coordinate between the two allowing function. The purpose of the exercise is for members to develop a operative, cooperative, and viable society from the ground up, hopefully utilizing information gained from the pre-workshop preparation. What begins as a seemingly ridiculous effort at role playing quickly takes on proportions of stark realism. In this exercise in reality, basic needs including food, shelter, and hygiene are earned, not provided. As participants struggle to build an operating society, dissention and even outrage evolves among the three groups. Although the goal was cooperation and productivity, what nearly evolves is anarchy.

Although armed with the tools to make it work, the effort to build a model society failed -- and expectation of Oshry and staff. Periodic debriefings throughout the seminar begin to acquaint participants that there are natural laws governing organizational life to which they had fallen prey. Primary among those laws is that the empowered system is one in which people at all levels and in all positions are able to make happen what they want to have happen and what the system needs to have happen. The fact that this groups building effort failed, makes this statement just as valid as it would if it had succeeded. Oshry, and the seminars, underlying message begins to become clear, If we get rid of righteousness and begin to value diversity, that can lead to vibrancy and life.

The seminar forced participants to experience, understand, and adopt rules of personal involvement and accountability. The value is not in what they now think, but what they now feel.

Reflection

Having recently attended a different, yet similar, seminar conducted by Power & Systems, I was eager to see if this article conveyed the true meaning and significance of the effort. In that regard, I think Im being a little generous in awarding it a C+. The article focused more on the physical activities and unconventional behaviors that took place than the almost spiritual awakening participants endure. While awakening is an experience shared by most participants, it is an introspective experience that defies explanation. I personally characterize it as feeling, more than thought. While it is difficult to intellectualize what actually occurs, does that really matter for the individual involved? Whats important is the outcome. There is little doubt in my mind that Oshry has hit upon an extremely powerful communication/educational tool.

Discussion

Discussing my experiences and this article with others, I find myself just as inept as the articles author in explaining what took place. While its easy to describe the surroundings, people and events  its something else again to describe the emotion, power, and revelation. Maybe Im just a closet cult member and didnt know it.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 1999