Elana Sabajon
NVC Family Camp is a dream of Elana's as she recalled the joy of summer camp at home in Austria and the joy of NVC.
Since spring 2002, Elana has been experiencing every day as a new beginning to transform her inherent communication skills into a compassionate, empathically connecting (NVC) consciousness.
She lives this intention to enrich and deepen her life and the lives of others in two languages (German and English). She is the mother of 2 young children and very active in the community - as a a CNVC Certified Trainer, NVC practice group and NVC workshop facilitator.
Elana has a Masters in Counselling and has worked with children and adults for over 17 years. She has practiced vini yoga extensively before her 2nd child was born. Now she is primarily involved with Yi Ren Qigong
Doug Dolstad
Significant moments: At age 9, witnessing my mother reach out to a stranger of a different color when everyone else just walked on by. "Do you need help?" Profound. As a young man, holding my dying grandfather. Being present at the birth of my children.
Applying what I had learned of NVC in a close matter of the heart. Having it turn out differently than I hoped but navigating the wave with my integrity intact -living closer to the bone than ever.
Feeling the exquisite resonance of getting to be alive and do what I get to do in this life.
Gratitude.
Maren Metke - Children's Program
Maren Metke is a mother, artist, and teacher who founded, taught at and ran her own private holistic school on Vashon Island for 7 years. She also ran an arts, nature and compassionate communication based summer camp for children for 10 years in Wshington and California. Her learning-style based philosophy supports a deep desire to see and hold each individual with care, respect and a fresh perspective, thereby aiming to experience the greatest connection and understanding possible. Maren is a co-founder and has been the Youth Program coordinator for NVC Family Camp since 2004. Maren is a mother of a thirteen year-old son and lives in Grass Valey, CA.
Barbara Larson
Since 1999, Barbara has been exploring and sharing the process of Nonviolent Communication as a certified trainer for the Center for Nonviolent Communication.
She’s worked in numerous International Intensive Trainings with Dr Marshall Rosenberg, served on the international CNVC board, is a long time member of the Seattle NVC training team, and serves on the CNVC Trainer Certification team.
Barbara’s trainings are inspired by her desire to live her values of compassion, love, and community. She particularly enjoys exploring the inner experience of NVC, noticing how connecting with needs can help answer the questions “Who am I and Why am I here?” Before learning and sharing NVC Barbara was a small international business owner.
To fulfill a dream to walk her talk, she and her partner and colleague Douglas Dolstad are creating an intentional NVC living/learning community on Vashon Island, Washington, where the principles of nonviolence, compassion and community are lived and shared.
George Kirkwood
I want to say how glad I am that I've been part of the Family Camp since its inception. I remember lying on the ground at the Dolstad Farm and looking up at the stars and sharing with one of the other volunteers how I've never been so sure about anything in my life, how much I connected at Family Camp with who I am and what I really want to do and how I want to contribute in the world. I'd never been in a place like that before, where I had a family of people, many around my own age, who really share my values and dreams and want to create an environment where everyone is nurtured, held with care, and supported in becoming the full embodiment of who they are. For me, that's what Family Camp is about, and it's a real gift that I've received there. I feel so honored and blessed to be a part of this project.
Francois Beausoleil
Francois Beausoleil is a certified trainer of Nonviolent Communication and lives in the Province of Quebec. As a percussionist, he performed with Cirque du Soleil for 5 years.
He has been teaching Nonviolent Communication in communities since 2004. A graduate of Bay NVC's Leadership Program, as well as having a M.B.A, he now works for BayNVC as a trainer and consultant and is in charge of the program "Building NVC Communities".
Currently he is also directing a year-long training program for a social service agency in California. Francois brings to his work a unique blend of creative energy and love of precision that is both inspiring and fun.