LaidOffCamp: Not Your Average Day Camp

With U.S. unemployment at an all time high, many people are finding themselves at a crossroads. Some opt for the tried and true method of sending newly updated resume to anyone even remotely related to their industry. Others choose to reinvent themselves, going back to school or changing careers entirely. But some people decide to maneuver horizontally and create their own niche.

Such is the case for recent lay-off victim, Chris Hutchins, founder of LaidOffCamp. Described as a day camp for entry to mid level under, self and unemployed people, LaidOffCamp is a free, two-day conference where people in between jobs can commiserate and more importantly discuss ways to get back in the saddle. Contrary to the industries listed on the site, Camp is open to all professions.

Courtesy of recentlylaidoff.com

Following in the footsteps of BarCamp, LaidOffCamp is open to anyone that wants to contribute and learn from the group as stated in the third rule of LaidOffCamp.  The first LaidOffCamp held in San Francisco was a huge success, with an estimated 500 attendees. LaidOffCamps are popping up in cites across the U.S., with the first NewYork City Camp scheduled for May 1 and May 2nd.

So why the big to do over what seems to be a more structured Meetup or Tweetup?  LaidOffCamp is a daytime event, that has taken a decidedly more toned-down approach to networking. Since many of the people in attendance are still smarting from being laid off it can be difficult for them to open up, especially for those whose identity was closely linked to their job. According to Hutchins, “the relaxed atmosphere of LaidOff Camp allows people to talk candidly about their fears and find support from someone who’s going through the same thing.”

The biggest difference between a LaidOffCamp and other social networking events is the heavy focus on user-generated content. Unlike panel discussions that are rigidly structured, Camp organizers come out with a large whiteboard and those interested in presenting sign-up and name the topic they’d like to discuss.  Hutchins explains,”The concept of empowering all the attendees of an event to be the creators of the content really helped make it an open environment.” Topics discussed at the first Camp included “Start-up Basics,” “Career Networking,” “Tools for Freelancers,”and “How to Be a ‘Yes’ Person in a ‘No’ Economy.”

Sponsors are also on board with Hutchins’ vision with over 30 signing on for the San Fran event. “The sponsors were 100% behind the idea of empowering people to create content and the idea that no one person was better than another.”

As the seed of his idea takes fruit and other organizers begin taking up the charge, Hutchins isn’t interested in bottle necking the process with tons of rules and protocols. As long as potential organizers follow a few simple tenants, the more the merrier.

So the question remains, should you attend a LaidOffCamp? I would say absolutely. Hutchins’ vision of an event based on a “pay it forward” mantra is an admirable one that’s well overdue. The open-air attitude of the conference, lets you address the issues YOU want to talk about in lieu of a paid speaker with an agenda prattling on for 30 minutes. Like Hutchins says, “You don’t have to be an expert to participate in a discussion.”

While there are no hard numbers on the number of people hired from attending these events, it’s really about getting support in these trying times of fear and uncertainity and knowing that there truly is a light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to reach for it.