Your Presence
Cocreation
STEP IN YOUR LEADERSHIP. BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT
Touch&Play from its inception has been based on questions rather than answers. We don’t pretend to know everything that you want or need, nor what you will actually take with you from your time with us. We are available to keep growing, based on the necessities that may arise, as well as bringing light into the blind spots.
We frame our spaces as being both Experimental and Experiential and invite you to be the principal author of your journey. Through that lens we give the opportunity to contribute to and enrich the journeys of those around you. We form an (a)temporal and interdependent community where all our thoughts, feelings and actions are woven together in a rich relational web.
How do you want to show up and what do you want to offer? How do you want to participate and what would you like to contribute? What do you feel is needed?
As you immerse yourself and become familiar with the culture and its practices, you will see many ways of adding your flavour. Perhaps you feel called to join the Soothe & Care Team, host a community offering or contribute a performance to our co-created evening? Maybe you wish to host a booth at the Exploratorium, our free-flowy and playful evening gathering, where you could offer a massage parlour, an eye gazing station, kinky kung fu or a round of truth or dare. Maybe you feel energised and decide to sign up for an extra chore or collaborate in building up a community Ritual. Identifying your personal motivations and unmet needs or potential offerings that could benefit the community, is crucial for its growth and development. By recognizing areas where there may be gaps or opportunities for expansion, likely will be beneficial for you and for the diverse needs and interests of others. There are many ways to step up and become involved, and we encourage you to explore how you can best integrate yourself and offer your gifts into this vibrant community.
As it is appreciated that you contribute with your action it is also well appreciated to contribute with your loving presence, taking care of yourself and your energy. Action, speaking and giving are as precious as observing, listening and receiving. It’s time to create communities where we respect our own nature in connection with the group’s needs.
How do you want to show up?
COMMUNITY OFFERINGS
A community offering is a special opportunity to experience the diversity of the community and leaderships. Is a place where participants can share their skills, talents, or interests. These offerings can take various forms, such as workshops, guided experiences, or interactive sessions during one afternoon or at our cocreated evening. Participants are invited to submit proposals for these offerings before the event begins. A limited number of proposals will be selected to be facilitated during designated times, providing diverse and enriching experiences for everyone involved.
AFFINITY GROUP
An affinity group is a gathering of individuals who share common interests, backgrounds, or identities within the larger community. These groups provide a space for people to come together based on shared experiences, identities, or goals, allowing for deeper connections and understanding among each other. Affinity groups can be supportive during a retreat because they offer a sense of belonging, safety, and understanding, particularly for individuals who may feel underrepresented in the broader community.
PLACE KEEPING
Everyone is invited to help keeping the atmosphere of our spaces and places comfortable and beautiful by helping to tidy up, swing the broom or carry something from a to b.
Caring
OFFER SUPPORT AND FEEL SUPPORTED
Embrace the opportunity to both provide and receive support
Touch&Play can be an intense and introspective experience. While it is not a therapeutic space and we kindly request all participants to arrive prepared to manage their own triggers, there are ample opportunities within this pulsating environment to connect, feel supported, and extend your support to others.
It takes all of us stepping in to co-create a safer space. It is more enriched and enlivened by what we all weave into it.
SOOTHE&CARE TEAM
Intrapersonal
When you register you will be asked if you want to be part of the Soothe & Care team.
The Soothe&Care Team is a group of volunteers who are available throughout the event for inner-personal support. The intention is to cultivate a community of co-regulation. Volunteers choose when they have the capacity to be of support which can look like deep listening, breathing together, offering validation, or taking a walk.
Learn more
In order to create a safer container we invite volunteers (participants, teachers) to form part of the Sooth&Care team. This means contributing some of your time supporting others in processing their experiences.
As part of the Soothe & Care team you will need to attend a 1,5 hour pre-festival briefing onsite coordinated by the Soothe & Care Team Lead(s) in the afternoon before the festival starts.
During the festival you will meet two or three times as a team to share your observations and experience with your group.
The commitment to the role requires as much or as little time as you want. Iis flexible, so it aligns with your own needs and boundaries. Within the team you’re mutually supporting each other.Itis a powerful way to contribute to the whole.
PEACE COUNCIL
Interpersonal
We come with diverse backgrounds and we go deep into interpersonal exploration. Despite all care and caution there is a chance that consent violations and conflict more likely can arise. In case during the event interpersonal support is needed, our peace council might offer space with restorative practices.
Learn more
Touch&Play wants to support individuals to resolve and transform their own conflicts rather than do that work for them. We use a conflict management escalation protocol to put the onus on the individuals directly involved to deal with issues in the most direct way available to them. We acknowledge that for some people after having experienced a traumatic encounter with another person direct contact with them might not be possible. In this case our peace council will be there to help mediate between those who are concerned.
The Touch&Play Movement or organization is not responsible for conflicts and consent violations that arise between individuals and will hold individuals, especially those holding a formal role at an event, accountable for the outcome of the issues that emerge. When boundaries or rules have been crossed the T&P will provide support and resources to address the issue to a certain extent. The peace council consists of designated individuals that are either and/or trained in conflict mediation/restorative practices or/and bring respective experience and skills from other areas of their lives.
MEDICAL & EMERGENCY SUPPORT TEAM
Unexpected
When you register please let us know if you are a medical doctor/counselor/therapist/first aid trained or crisis intervention specialist and are open to being contacted by an organizer during the festival in case of an emergency.
This role does not require any meetings and engagement only occurs if an emergency happens that requires your expertise.
ECONOMIC SUPPORT
Discount tickets are available for folks who need an economic support or want to be part of the Work-Exchange team. We are aware that this is still beyond some peoples means.
Nature Community is also offering discounts for people who are ready to help in the kitchen. If you are interested in this, write to events@nature-community.de.
Inclusivity
humans
Sustanability
earth
Inclusivity
Touch&Play has its origins in a fundamental questioning of current social structures and has consistently engaged in essential conversations regarding themes that were once buried in the depths of our social construct, yet are increasingly surfacing and demanding attention. T&P is dedicated to dismantling oppressive systems, acknowledging our own blind spots, and actively participating in the collective journey towards awareness. We are committed to growing together, fostering a deep heart connection and bringing intellect to the table in order to propose new ways of existence. Our focus encompasses LGBTQ+ issues, gender dynamics, power structures, parenthood, age inclusivity, our elder population, neurodiversity, and diverse functional abilities. We are on our own learning journey with this, carrying more questions than answers.
Sustainability
We prioritize sustainability and the responsible use of our planet’s resources. This includes being mindful of where our food originates from and taking steps to minimize our carbon footprint. We are committed to sourcing locally produced food whenever possible, supporting local farmers and reducing transportation emissions. Additionally, we take action to offset the carbon emissions generated by the travels of the teachers, contributing to initiatives that promote environmental conservation and carbon sequestration. By integrating these practices into our events, we strive to create a more environmentally conscious and sustainable community.
Self-regulation
Self-regulation is a key aspect of the Touch&Play experience, which can be wonderfully intense.
At Touch&Play, we, collectively, create a supportive environment for intense and transformative experiences. While the container offers structures and a culture of support, we do expect participants to bring the gift of self-regulation.
In order to join, it’s essential that you can handle your own emotions and triggers. In other words, be prepared to regulate yourself and deal with what comes up during the explorations If you feel uncertain how to do so, we encourage you to slow down, let go of any peer pressure to perform and choose the offerings and way of participation you feel most comfortable with.
Is this a therapeutic space?
No. Touch&play is a transformative space, often with therapeutic qualities, but it’s important to clarify that it is not therapy or it is not a substitute for professional therapy.
To attend Touch&Play, it’s essential that you can self-regulate physically and emotionally.
Touch&Play is an experience of inquiry, liberation, and self-discovery for people who want to grow within a community of like-minded individuals, while improving their relationships.
Is this an event for me?
This is an intimate body event. It is suitable for those who have the ability to self regulate their emotions and are comfortable with and have some understanding of sexy environments.
If you are dealing with significant levels of trauma (specifically sexual or relational) or PTSD this may not be the event for you.
Testimonials
★★★★★