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Vancouver SkeptiCamp 2009

Vancouver SkeptiCamp 2009

Fred Bremmer and friends demonstrate how the Shroud of Turin may have been made.

Vancouver SkeptiCamp 2009


SkeptiCamp on Lanyrd Upcoming Open Skeptic Events


No event in your area? Why not organize an event yourself? Add your event...

Past Events

Skepticamp-24x24 Meet SkeptiCamp

Don't let the "camp" fool you. SkeptiCamp is NOT a kid's camp. Nor does it involve the outdoors.

Rather, SkeptiCamp stands as a new model for conferencing among skeptics — a model that focuses on providing each of us a rich avenue to gain proficiency in the skills and knowledge of this domain.

Like the traditional lecture-oriented events that have dominated skepticism for decades, SkeptiCamps also feature talks — typically a day's worth. But the similarity ends there.

To mount a traditional event typically requires the resources and expertise of an established organization. By contrast, the SkeptiCamp model places substantive events within reach of informal groups of skeptics anywhere around the world.

Traditional events often require the hassle and costs of travel to attend. With SkeptiCamp you can host a local event each year.

SkeptiCamps are typically free to attend — you 'pay' by helping to organize the event or ideally by offering a short talk to your peers on a topic that drives your passion for science and skepticism. At the very least we ask that you engage with your fellow participants.

SkeptiCamp events will normally take place at low-cost venues, such as a meeting room at one's local library, community center or university campus. You can also find them in the back rooms of pubs and restaurants.

SkeptiCamps are open events, meaning that anyone can organize an event and participate, including giving a talk. No hurdles of permission or politics need be overcome to host an event. We do however encourage simplicity and collaboration in organizing to allow events to recur from year to year by ensuring that an inordinate burden does not fall upon the few.

To keep these events substantive, the SkeptiCamp model does make two important requests of us. First, those of us giving talks must take questions during our talks when prompted by the politely raised hands of our fellow participants. Second, SkeptiCamp asks that speakers be prepared to provide a source on any claim likely to be challenged. We must guard against the damage that misinformation can wrought.

Tearing down the barriers to events that can make us better skeptics is what SkeptiCamp is all about. Join with us in this ambitious experiment to share what you know and to learn from your peers. You might even have fun doing so!

Skepticamp-24x24 So what's next?

Hosting your first event starts with a call for organizers, a meeting where you decide on potential dates and venues. Full details at Organizing a SkeptiCamp Event.

This is a collaboratively-edited wiki, so please give back by sharing your experiences of organizing, specifically on the What Went Right and What Went Wrong pages, to benefit the organizers of future events.

Skepticamp-24x24 For more information



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