WATER KEEPERS: JUNE 11-14, 2025
For hundreds of years, commoners have been stewards of collectively managed resources; today, we're remembering and reconnecting sacred and innovative approaches to caring for our shared land, water, and air and to caring for one another.
Welcome to the first gathering of The Outer Cape Commoners:
four days of ecology, ceremony and sisterhood.
From June 11-14, we invite you to gather with your sisters from the Outer Cape and beyond to explore what it means to become a modern-day water keeper.
In our time together, we will:
Walk the waterways of the outer cape with local biologists, writers and activists
Learn traditional crafts using local resources including willow coppicing and basket making
Forage for edible and medicinal plants
Cook meals over fire
Swim, surf, and walk under the full moon
Co-create water and fire ceremonies to deepen our connections to the elements and to one another
Sleep in a tent and spend your days in the woods
Create a community that will nurture you beyond our time together.
“To stand at the edge of the sea, to sense the ebb and flow of the tides, to feel the breath of a mist moving over a great salt marsh, is to have knowledge of things that are as nearly eternal as any earthly life can be.”
June 11-14
Wellfleet, MA
Suggested Contribution: $250.
We are in the process of seeking non-profit status; if you are interested in sponsoring a Commoner, please reach out.
To reserve your spot, email us at jaye@suejaye.com or elspeth.hay@gmail.com.
Our inaugural gathering takes place in Wellfleet, MA from June 11-14 on four acres abutting the National Sea Shore. You will be sleeping In a tent or shared sleeping space. This is a fairly rustic situation, with a shared bathroom and outdoor shower. We will cook and eat over fire and spend most of our time outdoors.
Schedule:
Wednesday June 11:
3 PM: Arrive and Swim
6 PM: Dinner
7 PM: Opening Circle
9-Midnight: Full Moon Walk
Thursday, June 12:
8 AM: Morning Walk and Swim
9 AM: Breakfast & Morning Circle
10 AM: Medicinal and edible foraging walk with Sarah Naciri
1 PM: Lunch
3 PM: Water ceremony, underwater filmmaking and photography
6 PM: Fire ceremony
Friday, June 13:
8 AM: Swim (optional) + Breakfast
10 AM: Herring River restoration walk with biologist John Portnoy
1 PM: Lunch
3 PM: Willow basket making, wild willow coppice conversation
7 PM Foraged Dinner with water keeper guests
9 PM: Circle
Saturday, June 14:
8 AM Low tide bay walk and shellfishing
11 AM Brunch
1 PM Pack up, site care
2 PM: Closing Circle
You are welcome to stay on and enjoy the beaches and woods through the weekend.
