This is my first time at PIFcamp after years of hearing about it from friends who have been. Every time I heard about it felt like a far off idea, a concept of something that sounded neat but seemed near impossible to actually get to.
Turns out it IS very possible to get here, it just involves a little bit of planning. This year I’m one of two people who travelled from North America, a longer journey than most here. I took two planes and three buses, plus a 20 minute walk when one driver insisted that we get off at the wrong stop.
The Soča Valley cannot really be described. This area is so incredibly unique and beautiful in ways that I couldn’t really imagine before being here. Photos are nice but there’s something very special about the feeling of this place that must be experienced.
PIF is contained between massive mountains with a gorgeous turquoise river running through it. The main space is a house that houses half the group at night for sleeping, the kitchen, some bathrooms and a few rooms of supplies.
A short walk over leads to the school where the other half of participants sleep at night.
During the days, next to no one is inside unless they need to be.
We spend most of our time outside at tables set up with far too many power bars, and everyone is constantly tinkering. Soldering irons are always hot, the temporary wifi is straining to keep up with the amount of users, and field recorders are aimed at every little sound that exists out here.
Leading up to camp I read up on other people’s projects ideas and felt a massive amount of imposter’s syndrome and intimidation. Everyone is extremely good at what they do. Everyone has specified knowledge in different areas that I do not. Everyone is really fucking cool.
Being at camp, I feel very lucky. The intimidation and imposter’s syndrome melts instantly when confronted with the reality that everyone here is actually just a huge dork about the thing they love and they want to share it. Isn’t it such a cool thing to be around people who are so curious and ambitious? What is better than spending time with people who are so willing to share what they know, sit with you and explain how their specific ideas come together?
It’s been two days and I’m soaking in every second of being in the space. I’m looking forward to everything I’m going to get to learn, and already very thankful for the time spent listening to talks, sitting around a makeshift table in a field drinking coffee, participating in workshops and even sweeping the floors to make sure things are comfortable for everybody. It’s a beautiful thing to build with one another.
Images and text by PIFparticipant Sid Drmay.