WHYcast history episode 36

Episode 36 – The “US Refugee Camp” and the Spirit of Inclusion at Dutch Hacker Camps

In this episode, hosts Nancy and Ad delve into the preparations for WHY2025, but the historical section is woven into their discussion with Jos, a recurring figure in the Dutch hacker scene. While the primary focus is the innovative “US Refugee Camp” village planned for WHY2025, Jos’s background and the ethos underpinning this project echo longstanding traditions from earlier Dutch hacker camps.

Embracing New Traditions: The Origin of the “US Refugee Camp” at WHY2025

Jos, introduced as a member of Team Coldhead and a veteran of multiple camps, shares the story behind the “US Refugee Camp”—a concept born at the most recent Field Day. Although the idea is novel in its explicit formulation, its roots lie in a familiar hacker camp spirit: radical inclusivity, grassroots organization, and responding to global realities through community action.

Jos recounts how recent political and social developments in the United States have led to increased anxiety and even emigration among technologists and activists. Notably, he references a Signal group initially supporting trans individuals relocating from the US, which organically expanded to help a broader range of people. This collective response—offering mutual aid, knowledge-sharing, and practical support—mirrors the “for the community, by the community” approach characteristic of Dutch hacker camps since their inception.

The “US Refugee Camp” is conceived not as a literal refugee camp, but as an open village embracing anyone—regardless of nationality—seeking a new start or support, echoing the core value of openness that has defined hacker gatherings for decades. Jos’s vision is pragmatic and participatory: create space and infrastructure, then let the community generate its own solutions, from legal advice and tech workshops to informal gatherings over beer. The organizers hope to attract both those looking to relocate and those who have already made the move, facilitating a knowledge exchange hub for navigating international transitions.

Continuity and Evolution: Traditions from Past Camps

While this “US Refugee Camp” is a first in its explicit framing, Jos’s and the hosts’ reflections subtly connect it to a lineage of Dutch hacker camp traditions:

• Villages as Laboratories for Ideas: Since the earliest camps—such as Hackers at the End of the Universe (1993), Hacking in Progress (1997), and subsequent events—the concept of “villages” or thematic sub-communities has provided fertile ground for experimentation, collaboration, and mutual aid. The “US Refugee Camp” is a direct descendant of this custom, harnessing the same open, self-organizing structure to address contemporary needs.
• Responding to the World: Dutch hacker camps have a long history of engaging with global issues, whether it’s technical, social, or political. The willingness to adapt camp infrastructure and programming to support those facing challenges—be it censorship, legal hurdles, or exclusion—reflects a continuity of hacker values: solidarity, autonomy, and resourcefulness.
• Community as Safety Net: Jos and Nancy emphasize that even if only a few people benefit, the act of building supportive networks at camp has ripple effects far beyond the event itself. This ethos—helping “those less fortunate build cool stuff in the world”—is a recurring motif in the oral histories of past hacker camps, from impromptu support for international guests to ad hoc legal clinics and skill-sharing circles.

New Rituals, Same Spirit

Though the “US Refugee Camp” is a new addition, the episode underscores how Dutch hacker camps continually evolve their traditions to meet emerging challenges. The camp’s open invitation—to Americans, non-Americans, legal advisors, recruiters, and anyone eager to contribute—exemplifies a living culture of radical hospitality and mutual empowerment.

Jos’s closing remarks, supported by Nancy and Ad, affirm this lineage: the best traditions are those that start small, adapt to changing circumstances, and welcome all who wish to participate. The real legacy of Dutch hacker camps, as this episode illustrates, is their capacity to create space for new rituals of care, collaboration, and hope—whatever form they may take.