WHYcast history episode 19

Episode 19 - Millie Ways, Camp Traditions, and the Evolution of Dutch Hacker Gatherings

This episode of WHYcast delves into both the present momentum of WHY2025 and the enduring legacy of hacker camps in the Netherlands and beyond. While the main focus is on practical updates and interviews, the episode is rich with historical references and stories, especially regarding communal traditions, the evolution of camp culture, and the broader European hacker scene.

The 10th Dutch Hacker Camp: Marking a Decade of Tradition

A notable historical milestone is highlighted when Nancy draws a parallel between Hacker Hotel—a now iconic Dutch hacker retreat celebrating its 10th edition—and WHY2025, which will be the 10th official Dutch hacker camp. This underscores a deep tradition: since the early 1990s, the Netherlands has hosted a sequence of large open-air hacker events, each building on the last. The mention of “the 10th Dutch Hacker Camp” situates WHY2025 firmly within this lineage, which includes legendary gatherings such as Hacking at the End of the Universe (1993), Hackers at Large (2001), Hacking at Random (2009), Observe Hack Make (2013), Still Hacking Anyway (2017), and May Contain Hackers (2022). This recurring cycle has become a backbone of Dutch and European hacker culture, with each event carrying forward traditions—like strong volunteerism, participatory workshops, and a spirit of radical inclusivity—while also fostering new ideas and social connections that shape future camps.

The Story of Millie Ways: From Inside Joke to Welcoming Village

The historical section in this episode is embodied by the interview with Obsidian, a traveler and active participant in Millie Ways—a phenomenon that began as an inside joke among hackers in the late 1990s. Originally, Millie Ways was little more than a running gag, but in the early 2000s it transformed into something practical: a haven for underprepared friends (notably from the U.S.) who needed support with tents, kitchens, and basic camp infrastructure at European hacker gatherings. Over the years, Millie Ways evolved into a full-fledged “village” at events such as Chaos Camp, Congress, EMF, and now the Dutch camps, capable of supporting 400–500 people with a full-service kitchen and regular evening social events.

Obsidian’s recounting reveals how this tradition of radical hospitality—welcoming anyone, regardless of preparation, and ensuring everyone has food and a place to belong—became a defining feature of Millie Ways and, by extension, of European hacker camps. The village’s ethos is one of inclusivity, mutual support, and serendipitous encounters: whether you arrive with nothing but a glass for “Whiskey Leaks” or happen to wander in looking for your community, you are welcomed and cared for. Storytelling is a crucial part of this culture—Obsidian shares how every attendee brings their own background and that the camp is enriched by these diverse histories and technical passions.

What began as a stopgap for a few friends grew into an institution that represents the best of hacker gatherings: shared infrastructure, open knowledge, and the forging of new connections. The “Whiskey Leaks” event—where participants simply bring a drink and swap stories—exemplifies how simple, playful traditions can become core to the social fabric of these events.

The Broader European and Global Context

The episode also references the interconnectedness of Dutch camps with the broader European hacker scene. Millie Ways is described as “a hackerspace without a fixed space,” regularly appearing at major events across Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands. The mention of past events like Chaos Camp (Germany), Congress (CCC), EMF (UK), Easterhegg, and GPN situates Dutch camps as part of a wider ecosystem of gatherings that share resources, traditions, and communities. The challenge coin tradition—each event minting its own, collectible coin—further illustrates how these events have developed their own lore, artifacts, and rituals, reinforcing a sense of continuity and shared identity across borders.

Creative Traditions and the Role of Design

Another thread of historical continuity is the evolution of camp aesthetics and participation through design. Bleep Track, a creative technologist and artist, discusses her role in developing a design generator for WHY2025, building on a now-standard tradition at hacker events to allow every attendee to personalize their experience. The design generator, rooted in an ‘80s vaporwave and space-exploration aesthetic, enables participants to create bespoke logos, banners, and artwork for their villages or personal use. This participatory approach to event branding is a recent but rapidly entrenched tradition, reflecting the hacker ethos of openness, remixability, and creative empowerment.

Bleep Track also shares a brief anecdote from May Contain Hackers (MCH), referencing the ferry ride between two stations, adorned with a hexagon flag made from last year’s generator art. Such moments—windy, picturesque, full of spontaneous conversations and collaborative spirit—capture the unique atmosphere and ephemeral magic of these camps.

Hacker Hotel: A Parallel Legacy

The discussion of Hacker Hotel—held annually in Harderwijk and now at its 10th edition—illustrates another vital strand in the tapestry of Dutch hacker gatherings. While not an open-air summer camp, Hacker Hotel has become a beloved winter tradition, blending workshops, social events, and informal networking in a hotel setting. The event’s resilience, continuing even with changes in hotel ownership, testifies to the strength and adaptability of the Dutch hacker community.

The Enduring Values of Dutch Hacker Camps

Throughout the episode, the hosts and interviewees return to certain enduring values: inclusivity, mutual support, openness to newcomers, and the transformative power of community. Whether it is the invitation to newcomers to leave behind their imposter syndrome, the encouragement to submit unconventional proposals for talks or workshops (from “ponies or insects” to hadron colliders and water towers), or the simple invitation to sit with others and share stories, the Dutch camps are portrayed as places where people find their tribe and expand their horizons.

The vibrant tradition of “villages”—groups self-organizing to camp, collaborate, and socialize—has become a hallmark of Dutch and European camps, enabling both newcomers and veterans to find a home base and contribute to the event’s ongoing evolution.

Concluding Reflections

While this episode is light on specific anecdotes from early Dutch hacker camps, it weaves together the historical threads of tradition, community, and creative evolution that define the Dutch hacker camp experience. The stories of Millie Ways, the design generator, and the progression to the 10th Dutch camp all testify to a culture that honors its past while continually reinventing itself for new generations.

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