Many recreational groups and evening courses meet weekly and larger social and cultural activities often involve guests from other Camphill communities, providing opportunities to meet new people and make new friends.
Our beautiful surroungs give plenty of opportunities for walking, skiing and enjoying nature, and we like to share them with the public as well as the visitors from other Camphill centres who often holiday with us.
In Jøssasen, we have so many occasions where the whole village meets, to see each other, discuss various issues, greet each other wish each other well for the coming days. We have Jøssasen meeting where the whole village meets every Friday, co-workers meeting every Monday, we have tea break together everyday and Wednesdays we have lunch together. It is almost impossible not see everybody in a week.
On Thursdays evening we have cafeteria which is a meal prepared by one house and the whole village comes to buy and eat together. Thursday evening is a swimming day as well, we drive to Hommelvik where there is a swimming pool hall.
Friday evening is a movie night in the hall or house evening, we watch a movie or we have story telling, songs or games in the houses. There are several pianos and other music instruments in the village so if you can play, you are most welcome.
Saturday evening is bible evening where we sit and speak about what went on through the past week, then we read a passage from the bible and try to find moments and glimps how it relates to our lives.
Sunday we play soccer for physical upkeep and mental rest and refreshment, (or other kind of activities). Its is important to spare time to play and have fun like Stephen Nachmanovitch said “Play enables us to rearrange our capacities and our very identity so that they can be used in unforeseen ways”. In Jøssasen we say work is supposed to be fun, do not make it hard.
We have several occasions attended by other Camphills around so we come together and have a lot of socialising and fun.
The three Kings day, Epiphania.
The Carnival is one of the most interresting events in Camphill, its once a year and people dress according to a theme. It is marked by a lot of singing and dancing and a prize is given to the one dressed and behaving most expected like acting like the character you are dressed as.
We also have a Christmas Market we sell products form our village workshop and products from other Camphills in and around
Winter time is a long skiing season depending on the suitable weather conditions. There is a yearly event where we take part in the Skiing competitions and prizes are won. We meet other people from all walks of life who also have disabilities who also take part in this event.
There are many outings we do with villagers, too many to mention here, its all meant to keep social life an integral part of the life in Jøssasen.
Health and Upkeep
Besides the doctors and medicine, there are several scheduled therapeutic activities that are meant for co-workers and villagers alike.
A massage therapist visits by appointment and gives soothing massages to co-workers and villagers after long periods of working in the workshops. We all need this to reduce stress, fatigue, anxiety, depression and general tension.
Horse riding is also done but outside Jossasen because we do not have horses at the moment. They say horse riding offers a great workout for both the mind and body, physically boosting the cardiovascular system and mentally easing stresses on the mind. We all need this occasionally.
A new sauna has been constructed in one of the houses where you can go and relax after a day’s work. Sauna bath can help mental and physical relaxation and release tension.
