Workers' Liberty's annual Socialist Summer Camp will take place at a campsite near Haslemere in Surrey, a 40 minute train ride from London.
Come along for a weekend of fires, partying, nature, good food and socialist education.
Every day we will run a few political discussion workshops, on topics from the biggest contemporary issues like climate change to events from the history of socialism, as well as strikes and struggles happening today in the UK and around the world. We will post a list of talks here as they are confirmed.
The site and activities:
We will be camping in a large field set amid woodland with a modern shower block, a large fire pit, friendly horses in the next field, and wild swimming spots nearby. We will be enjoying good food — included in the ticket prices — with vegetarian and vegan options and accommodation for any special dietary requirements on request, and running a bar in the evening.
Activities during the camp include:
• wild swimming
• hikes in the surrounding hills and woods
• trips to local sights, including the nearby stately home
• football, frisbee & rounders,
• board games
• campfires
• a socialist pub quiz
• lots more...
A taster of confirmed sessions (more to follow):
Whats the deal with Eels?
Why are eels significant in the development of early capitalism, and how can they help us understand money.
Socialist Feminist Reading Group
We bring our socialist feminist reading group to summer camp… selected reading and theme tbc.
A history of British Trotskyism
The Trotskyist movement in Britain today is characterised by a number of smallish groups, across a number of different tendencies. From it's origins in the Balham group of the 1920s to a relative high point in the 1980s to today's fragmentation and disorientation this session will chart the movement and draw the lessons today's socialists can learn.
Anti cuts and Anti Fees
Hosted by Workers' Liberty Students. Since the 90's there has been a sustained attack on free education, with significant campaigns in defence. Now we are in a period of enormous cuts in Higher ed with 15k jobs lost in the last year. Students are fighting back, join the discussion about what we can learn from the past and how we can build a movement that can win.
Class struggle in a heating world
workplace organising for mitigations and developing class struggle against climate change.
Key info:
Travel: The camp will about 7 miles, or 20 minutes’ drive, from Haslemere train station. From Thursday afternoon we will be offering lifts to and from the station – call or email ahead to let us know when you are arriving. We aim to offer everyone a lift, but if for some reason no lifts are running when you arrive, or if there is an emergency, consult this list of local taxi firms. For transport and accessibility information get in touch.
Families: We run structured activities for children of all ages and do what we can to make the camp family-friendly. Reviews from younger participants have been good, year on year. If you want more information about activities for children or what the camp is like for families, get in touch.
What to bring:
• a knife, fork, spoon, bowl and mug
• a wash kit and towel
• a tent, roll mat and sleeping bag
• outdoors clothes – the weather forecast is good, but take warm and waterproof clothing!
If you can’t lay your hands on a tent or sleeping bag, let us know and we should be able to lend you one.
You may also want to bring:
• swimming gear, walking shoes
• musical instruments
• footballs, frisbees, playing cards, board games