Camp Quixote began on February 1, 2007 as a protest in downtown Olympia parking lot. When local authorities moved to clear the camp, a church offered it sanctuary on its grounds.
Although it was very controversial when it started, local opposition to the Camp melted away within a matter of months. Other churches stepped forward to host the camp. The City of Olympia (and neighboring jurisdictions as well) passed ordinances that allow the Camp to exist, but require it to move from one church parking lot to another every 90 days. (The County ordinance allows for 6 month stays, and the City of Olympia is considering a similar change.)
From its beginning, the Camp has been a self-governing community that elects officers, makes and enforces its own code of conduct, and provides mutual support and accountability to its members.
As of April 1, 2011, the Camp will have moved 20 times. Each move is difficult and traumatic for people who are struggling to recover from adversity, illness, unemployment, and disabilities of every description.
The Camp is supported by a non-profit organization called Panza that grew out of the faith communities that have hosted and supported the Camp financially, and provided hundreds of volunteers to help Campers meet their basic needs and get back on their feet.
Camp Quixote is named for Don Quixote, who tilted at windmills in a seemingly hopeless quest for justice in Cervantes’ famous novel. Panza is named for his sidekick and loyal servant, Sancho Panza.
