WHYcast history episode 13

Episode 13 – Still Hacking Anyway (SHA2017) and the Evolving Dutch Hacker Camp Culture

History Lesson with Walter: SHA2017 – The Maturation of Dutch Hacker Camps

In this episode’s dedicated historical segment, the hosts revisit the landmark Dutch hacker camp of 2017, Still Hacking Anyway (SHA), with returning guest Walter, an '80s hacker and veteran attendee. The conversation opens with a display of badges from SHA2017—angel, press, and speaker—underscoring the multifaceted involvement typical at such events. Walter notes that he contributed as a speaker, delivering talks on physical security, and also engaged with the press corps, highlighting the diverse roles participants often play.

The camp’s location in Zeewolde is described fondly, with its harbor, varied terrain, and welcoming atmosphere. Walter stresses the unique opportunities for “physical hacking” at SHA2017: there was a fire truck available for exploration, and a Belgian attendee brought a Tesla for hacking attempts. These props exemplify the hands-on, boundary-pushing spirit that defines Dutch hacker gatherings.

A significant improvement over earlier camps, Walter points out, was the quality of volunteer food—thanks to the now-legendary camp caterer. While previous events had notorious reputations for uninspiring meals, at SHA, volunteers who worked during the build-up were treated to exceptional, vegan cuisine. The caterer’s excellence is so recognized that the upcoming WHY2025 plans to employ the same team, a testament to the lasting impact of positive traditions.

A pivotal cultural development at SHA2017 was the scaling up of “villages”—dedicated group spaces reflecting subcultures, nationalities, or shared interests. While villages existed before, Walter observes that SHA marked the first time this concept was “taken over the top.” The vibrant internationalism was on display: Finnish hackers brought a massive sauna, while the Italians constructed a large pizza oven, serving fresh pizzas to all. Walking through the camp, attendees encountered a tapestry of activities—lockpicking, food hacking, and much more—creating a dynamic, festival-like atmosphere reminiscent of Dutch music festivals such as Lowlands (though Walter humorously admits he’s never attended one).

By 2017, the scale of Dutch hacker camps had dramatically increased. The hosts discuss how SHA had grown to approximately 3,300 participants, transforming the event from a small gathering of friends into a temporary, self-sufficient “hacker town.” The infrastructure kept pace: high-speed internet, an on-site fire department (referenced as a tradition from earlier camps), three large stages (podia), an abundance of workshops, and multiple lecture halls. This professionalization is presented as both a logistical challenge and a testament to the maturing hacker camp scene.

The lockpicking village receives special attention. Walter, as a longtime member and former president of the Dutch lockpicking group Toool, recounts the group’s origins. Inspired by a 1997 lockpicking workshop at Hacking in Progress (HIP), he and others launched Toool after experiencing the hands-on thrill of opening locks at that event. The lockpicking village has been a recurring feature ever since, sometimes facing challenges in staffing (as at HAR or SHA), but always embodying the hands-on, knowledge-sharing ethos of the camps.

Another vital tradition is the camp radio station—at SHA2017, it was called Binary Voice. Walter recalls working the “graveyard shift,” broadcasting late into the night. He notes the inter-event collaboration, as SHA followed a scout Jamboree on the same terrain. The contrast in security approaches was stark: Jamboree security reported frequent incidents, while SHA’s light security presence sufficed, thanks to a culture of personal responsibility and mutual respect among participants. Walter and the hosts argue that this reflects a core value of Dutch hacker camps—volunteer-driven, self-governing, and community-minded, even at scale.

Walter also highlights the welcoming family atmosphere, with areas set aside for families and children, and a terrain that included water, woodland, and grassland, further reinforcing the event’s inclusive spirit.

The conversation turns to the evolution of hacker drinks. In earlier years, Jolt Cola—an American high-caffeine soda—was the beverage of choice. By SHA2017, Club Mate, the German caffeinated tea soft drink, had become dominant, as illustrated by the delivery of an entire truckload for the camp’s bar. This switch is emblematic of the cross-pollination among European hacker communities.

SHA2017 was also notable for its high-profile whistleblower talks. The hosts and Walter recall the presence of NSA and CIA whistleblowers, whose talks remain available online, and recommend them as a highlight of the event’s content.

Finally, the hosts emphasize the ongoing accessibility of these histories, noting that the WHY2025 YouTube channel inherits the SHA2017 archive, and that talks from all major hacker camps can be found at media.ccc.de.

Broader Reflections and Connections

The episode’s historical section situates SHA2017 as a fulcrum in the evolution of Dutch hacker camps—marking both a scaling up in size and organizational complexity, and the deepening of traditions such as villages, lockpicking, hands-on “physical hacking,” volunteer-driven infrastructure, and vibrant international exchange. The recurring theme is that of a growing, maturing community that remains rooted in openness, creativity, and mutual aid.

The narrative also connects SHA2017 to a broader continuum, referencing earlier camps (like HIP1997’s role in spawning Toool and the lockpicking village) and projecting forward to WHY2025, which builds upon these traditions—most notably by retaining beloved elements such as the renowned vegan caterer and the spirit of volunteer-driven organization.

No other explicit historical anecdotes or stories from previous camps are recounted in this episode outside of the SHA2017 focus and the lockpicking group’s origins.