What is Hoopcamp?
Hoopcamp is the largest yearly gathering of the hoop dance community, held at a Tibetan Retreat Center in Santa Cruz, California. Now in its fifth year, hoopers from all over the world come together at Hoopcamp to share, connect, learn, and celebrate the hoop as a transformational movement tool for creative self-expression.

How did Hoopcamp start?
Heather Troy first felt inspired to coordinate a West Coast gathering for the hooping and movement arts community in 2007. At that time she had just recently discovered hooping herself, and was hooping weekly on West Cliff. This beachside weekly workshop, originally led by Marilee, eventually became the Sunday Lighthouse Hoopjam.

Because hooping in the park with a group of really wonderful people was fun and empowering, Heather decided to seek out other hoop gatherings in beautiful places. She signed up for a magical weekend retreat in Ojai, CA with Diana of Bodyhoops, and attended a HoopGirl retreat in Yelapa, Mexico, led by Annie of Annieland.

These experiences, and the friendships and collaborations she formed along the way, led Heather to put her background in events management to good use by hosting the first West Coast Hoop Retreat in 2008 at Kennolyn, a resort nestled into the Santa Cruz redwoods. After three amazing years hosting 150 hoopers from all over the world, Hoopcamp outgrew its Kennolyn location and moved to the Pema Osel Ling Tibetan Retreat Center. Now in its 5th year, Hoopcamp hosts 250 hoopcampers annually. The dream is to continue growing and evolving as a West Coast retreat for the ever-evolving, dynamic and truly inspirational world wide hoop community.

Aboout the Hoopcamp Producers:
Heather Troy, who has been teaching hoop dance privately and through UC Santa Cruz since 2007, is a firm believer in Henry Ford’s wise words: "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right." She thought she could master a move and it showed up, she believed she could create a hoop gathering and it happened. Being able to share this life affirming energy with so many amazing like-minded, creative spirits has enriched her life in many extraordinary ways.

When not dreaming up events or juggling Hoopcamp logistics you can find Heather browsing local thrift stores, writing poetry, or walking her “dog daughter” on the beach. Heather loves to teach hoop dance and perform in her beautiful hometown of Santa Cruz, CA. Her greatest joy is in the gatherings when she can feel the energy of people enjoying their Hoopcamp experience.

A big thank you goes out to all Hoopcampers past and future for participating in this journey. Her hope is that as she learns more and more every year from hosting this event, she will be able to help create MORE and MORE MAGIC for the flow arts community to enjoy!

email me: hoopcampinfo@gmail.com

Amy Asombrosa began hooping in Ben Lomond, California with a big purple and green glitter hoop. After a raccoon munched on this first magical hoop, she hosted a make-your-own hoop party with friends and discovered her love of of sparkle and gaffer tape. Amy and Heather met at the Lighthouse Hoop Jam in Santa Cruz, which quickly became her ritual each Sunday. She is now hooping her way across the country, hosting hoop jams, and hand crafting hoops. Amy splits time between California and Florida and squeezes in work on organic agriculture and community food systems between hooping sessions.

email me: hoopcampinfo@gmail.com

New to the Hoopcamp Production Team for 2012!

R(e)VOLVE|Hawaii somehow knew, before their first Hoopcamp in 2011, that the trip into the Santa Cruz mountains would be a life changing experience. Inspired by the “amazing” (thank you Philo), talented, loving and free spirited individuals, they now consider Ohana (family), Hoopcamp never left their hearts. In fact, one hoop-struck partner never really did leave! After Heather unchained Sirkka from the red woods, they both saw the opportunity and potential for the vision of Hoopcamp’s 5th year anniversary growing with R (e)VOVLE Hawaii's  love and support! It is with enormous gratitude and abundant joy that the ladies of R(e)VOLVE will be helping to create the same magical experience for Hoopers and artists at this 2012 Hoopcamp Celebration!

Sirkka Aho – Alaska born babe moved to Hawaii in her teens and made Oahu her permanent home. Her hoop addiction began with the sighting of a kids sized Tinker bell store bought hula hoop. She called her mom to break the news, “Mom, I’m going to be a professional Hula Hooper.” Integrating her skills as a licensed massage therapist for over 12 years, she uses her keen muscle awareness to create safe stretching and warm up practices for injury prevention. Over a year since her hoop journey began, she affectionately considers herself “The Blooper Hooper” as she shines the light of positive manifestations through her love of circular connections!

Katie Holt McClain- Mississippi queen from down by New Orleans, Kate was given her first hoop by a close friend that made her living through hooping! As a trained dancer for over 12 years, her natural ability to groove with the hoop is inspiring. She enjoys more than anything being able to share the transformative feeling that hoop dance brings her, knowing it will create a positive change. Among her many abilities Kate enjoys incorporating many aspects into her dance such as; acrobatics, purse hooping, poncho hooping (Malcom’s next workshop?!) and anything that sparks her active imagination! Her next hoop frontier: partner acro-hooping!

Lacey Hula Coop- A fateful summer trip into the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, Lacey received her first vision of hooping. She recalls never learning to hula hoop as a child, and when she first stepped into her friends circle it was like finding her long lost sister she never knew she had. Inspired by the movement and the undeniable joy that hoop dance gave; she went home and made two hoops; one for her and one for her best friend. Over 5 years and 3,000+ miles later, she now continues sharing the feeling of joy and personal transformation through Hoop Dance in Hawaii! Her favorite Hoop Camp Workshop: Sufi Whirling Dervish, because it brings focus to the center of the circle, your heart!

revolvehawaii.com.