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SkeptiCamp

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Founded2007; 17 years ago (2007)
FounderReed Esau
TypeNonprofit
Focusscience education, skepticism
Key people
Daniel Loxton,
Reed Esau

SkeptiCamp was founded by Reed Esau in 2007 and is small grassroots conference where scientific skeptics come together and participate and present.[1] Skepticamps are held in varying formats worldwide and are operated in the style of an unconference.[2]

History

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Background

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Reed Esau founder of SkeptiCamp, with JREF award

The SkeptiCamp concept was founded in 2007 by Reed Esau.[3][4] It was partially inspired by Daniel Loxton's 2007 essay on the state of the Skeptical movement, "Where Do We Go From Here?",[5] and from attending The Amaz!ng Meeting in 2007, an annual conference that focuses on science, skepticism, and critical thinking.[6]

SkeptiCamps can be "loosely organized",[7][4] the format also allows ad hoc group formation, and avoids the overhead associated with more formal content channels.[8][4]

Events

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The first SkeptiCamp was held in August 2007 in Denver, and was organized by Reed Esau[9] along with Rich Ludwig and Crystal Yates-White.[10][4] Since that first event, over one hundred other events[11] have been held in cities such as Winnipeg, Canada;[12][13] Colorado Springs;[14] Nashua, New Hampshire;[15] Chicago, Illinois;[2] and Seaside, California.[16]

In January 2018 Monterey County Skeptics ran their 4th Skepticamp at Seaside;[17][18] and in February 2018 Fort Collins held their 8th consecutive annual skepticamp.[19]

SpeedyCamps

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Just as SkeptiCamps are slimmed down versions of larger skeptic's conferences such as CSICon, a SpeedyCamp is a slimmed down version of a SkeptiCamp. SpeedyCamps are a platform for more inexperienced speakers to make a presentation in 15 minute time slots which includes time for attendees to ask the speaker questions or to make comments. Topics are similar to the larger SkeptiCamps, and include presentations centered around Scientific Skepticism.[20]

Outside the United States

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The first SkeptiCamp in Australia was run by the Australian Skeptics on April 30, 2011, at the University of Technology Sydney. 100 people attended the 7 hour event and discussed a broad range of topics from the conflict in the Middle East to genetically modified food and clinical trials in the United States.[21][22][23] Melbourne SkeptiCamp followed on October 22, 2011, at the University of Melbourne,[24][25] then shortly afterwards the Surf Coast Summer SkeptiCamp was launched on January 21, 2012, at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall.[25] In 2015, the Australian National Skeptics Convention kicked off with the 100th worldwide SkeptiCamp in Brisbane. Eight local skeptics participated as speakers and the event concluded with a panel discussion.[26] The science on top podcast was recorded live at the 2018 Surf Coast Summer Skepticamp.[27] Skepticamps are held annually in Australia at the Surf Coast,[28] Canberra,[29] and Brisbane.[30]

The first Skepticamps in Canada took place in Vancouver in 2008 and 2009 and one was organized in Edmonton in July 2010. Then on October 23, 2010, simultaneous SkeptiCamps were held in four Canadian cities: Vancouver, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Toronto.[31][32][33] Ottawa and Vancouver continued to host Skepticamps most years since 2010, while the most recent one in Edmonton took place in 2011, in Winnipeg in 2014.[32][34][35][36][37][38]

In the United Kingdom, Edinburgh had a Skepticamp every year between 2009 and 2012.[32][4][39] London had one in 2013 and Manchester every year since 2014.[32][40][41][42]

In Spain, Madrid and Alicante both had a Skepticamp in 2012.[32][43][44]

Under the name SciCamp, a Skepticamp took place in Uppsala (Sweden) in 2012.[45]

NZ Skeptics help a Skepticamp in Wellington in 2014.[46]

  • James Rolton Introduces Ian Bryce who spoke about the Australian Skeptics $100 000 Challenge. Surf Coast Skepticamp on February 17, 2018
    James Rolton Introduces Ian Bryce who spoke about the Australian Skeptics $100 000 Challenge. Surf Coast Skepticamp on February 17, 2018
  • Claire Klingenberg talks at Skepticamp at QEDCon 2016 in Manchester
    Claire Klingenberg talks at Skepticamp at QEDCon 2016 in Manchester
  • SkeptiCamp in Wellington 2013
    SkeptiCamp in Wellington 2013
  • Luis Garcia Castro and Daniela Meli during the SkeptiCamp Madrid 2012 Opening
    Luis Garcia Castro and Daniela Meli during the SkeptiCamp Madrid 2012 Opening
  • Alison Gaylard of NRVS speaking at the 2014 Brisbane SkeptiCamp
    Alison Gaylard of NRVS speaking at the 2014 Brisbane SkeptiCamp
  • Fort Collins, Colorado, 2011
    Fort Collins, Colorado, 2011
  • Kyle Polich lectures at SkeptiCamp 2015
    Kyle Polich lectures at SkeptiCamp 2015

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Loxton, Daniel (November–December 2009). "The Paradoxical Future of Skepticism" (journal). The Skeptical Inquirer. 33 (6): 24–27. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  2. ^ a b Hill, Kyle (December 19, 2013). "When You Decide To Dispel The Santa Claus Myth, Make It A Teachable Moment". Scientific American. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  3. ^ Stollznow, Karen (2010-12-24). "Reed Esau – SkeptiCamp: The Unconference". Point Of Inquiry. Retrieved 2015-01-04.
  4. ^ a b c d e Gerbic, Susan (2015). "Adventures in SkeptiCamp". Archived from the original on 20 June 2017.
  5. ^ Loxton, Daniel. "Where Do We Go From Here?: Has classic skepticism run its course?" (PDF). Skeptic.com. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  6. ^ Farley, Tim; Esau, Reed (2008-11-18). "This One Time at SkeptiCamp…". Skepticality. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  7. ^ Plait, Phil (March 24, 2008). "Skepticamp thoughts". Slate. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  8. ^ Esau, Reed. "Raising Our Game - The Rationale to Embrace SkeptiCamp" (PDF). Skeptic Magazine website. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  9. ^ Gerbic, Susan (3 Feb 2017). "Local Skeptical Outreach & Activism: Monterey County Skepticamp". Archived from the original on 16 September 2017.
  10. ^ Esau, Reed (November–December 2009). "Reinventing the Skeptic Conference". The Skeptical Inquirer. 33 (6): 28–29.
  11. ^ "SkeptiCamp". Lanyrd, the social conference directory. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  12. ^ Vesely, Carolyn (November 30, 2010). "Says who? Members of the Winnipeg Skeptics rely on reason to separate the real meat from the baloney". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  13. ^ Story, Jared (September 13, 2013). "Disbelievers, unite for SkeptiCamp in Winnipeg". Toronto Metro. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  14. ^ Fagin, Barry (August 17, 2011). "Skepticamp offers opportunity to experience critical thinking". The Gazette (Colorado Springs). Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  15. ^ Brooks, David (October 29, 2012). "Keep an open mind, but not so open that your brain falls out". Nashua Telegraph. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  16. ^ Evers, Jeannie. "Skeptics Gather in Seaside for First Local SkeptiCamp". Monterey County Herald. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  17. ^ Gerbic, Susan (20 March 2018). "MCS Skepticamp bringing skepticism to the people". Archived from the original on 22 March 2018.
  18. ^ Royal, David (7 January 2018). "SkeptiCamp: Voting, witness testimony among topics questioned". montereyherald.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  19. ^ Gerbic, Susan (11 April 2018). "Colorado Dreaming". Center for Inquiry. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  20. ^ Palmer, Rob. "A Report from the Inaugural NYC SpeedyCamp". skepticalinquirer.org. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  21. ^ "Skepticamp Sydney 2011". lanyrd.com. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  22. ^ "First Skepticamp a Success". skeptics.com.au. Australian Skeptics. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  23. ^ "The Skeptic Zone #133 6 May 2011" (Podcast). Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  24. ^ "The Skeptic Zone #158 29 October 2011" (Podcast). Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  25. ^ a b "Skepticamp Australia". 16 May 2015. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  26. ^ Gerbic, Susan (11 January 2016). "The Wikipediatrician's Whirlwind Australian Tour". Skeptical Inquirer. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  27. ^ Bijkersma, Michelle (June 2018). Tim Mendham (ed.). "Surfing Skeptically". The Skeptic. Vol. 38, no. 2. Australia: Australian Skeptics. p. 14. ISSN 0726-9897. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  28. ^ "SurfCoast SkeptiCamp 2017". skeptics.com.au. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  29. ^ "Canaberra SkeptiCampwebsite=skeptics.com.au". Retrieved 21 May 2017.,
  30. ^ Saunders, Richard. "The Skeptic Zone #411 4 September 2016" (Podcast). Retrieved 21 May 2017.,
  31. ^ "Vancouver Skepticamp Summer 2008". International Skeptics Forums. March 24, 2008. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  32. ^ a b c d e "Event Archive". skepticamp wikia. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  33. ^ Gavura, Scott (October 5, 2010). "Skepticamp: Invading the Great White North on October 23". Science-Based Medicine. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  34. ^ "Skepticamp 2011". Meetup. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  35. ^ "Skepticamp Ottawa 2013". Meetup. Feb 24, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  36. ^ Armstrong, Amanda (April 30, 2014). "Skepticamp Ottawa 2014!". apt613.ca. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  37. ^ "Vancouver Skepticamp 2012". Facebook. October 15, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  38. ^ "Vancouver SkeptiCamp 2014 on Nov. 30". Vancouver Skeptics. November 4, 2018. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  39. ^ "Skepticamp IV with Fringe Previews – Be the Candle in the Dark". Edinburgh Skeptics. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  40. ^ "SkeptiCamp London 2013". Conway hall. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  41. ^ "Skepticamp is returning to QED in 2017!". QED. July 21, 2017. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  42. ^ "Skepticamp Manchester 2018 Schedule". Skepticamp UK. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  43. ^ "Skepticamp 2012 Madrid". ARP (in Spanish). December 19, 2013. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  44. ^ "SkeptiCamp Alicante 2012". Skepticamp wikia. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  45. ^ Jonsson, Joacim (October 16, 2012). "SciCamp 2012" (in Swedish). Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  46. ^ "The first New Zealand Skepticamp". New Zealand Skeptics. YouTube. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
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