A Legacy of Connection and Courage
For several years, CtK.Campfire served as Cultivate the Karass’s signature leadership retreat — a gathering space for people across political, cultural, and professional divides to come together, listen deeply, and imagine new ways forward.
Held twice a year in rural Maryland, each three-day retreat brought together a carefully selected group of civic leaders, innovators, and bridge-builders. Around the fire and in facilitated circles, participants built relationships that transcended ideology and gave rise to new forms of collaboration and trust.
The Campfire Experience
Each Campfire convened leaders from across the ideological spectrum who shared a commitment to reinvigorating democracy and tackling humanity’s greatest challenges through respectful dialogue and friendship.
We called these participants Loyal Antagonists — people who could hold tension without breaking connection, and who saw difference not as a barrier but as a path to understanding.
Campfire Fellows:
Come from diverse backgrounds and perspectives;
Are open to becoming Loyal Antagonists — engaging disagreement with humility and curiosity;
Embrace the tools and practices of ongoing collaboration across ideological divides.
Impact and Outcomes
The Campfire model demonstrated what’s possible when courageous conversation meets genuine community. Over time, the gatherings:
Modeled how to engage in and conduct elevated, solutions-oriented dialogue.
Equipped participants to embed collaborative practices within their own spheres of influence.
Created a space that respected ideological diversity while elevating civic discourse.
Inspired initiatives aimed at reducing polarization and building trust in democratic life.
Strengthened a network of leaders who remain connected long after the campfire went out.
Enduring Community
Though CtK.Campfire is not currently active, its spirit continues through the ongoing work and relationships of Campfire Fellows and Alumni. These leaders remain part of the broader CtK network — shaping public discourse, launching initiatives, and fostering the kind of trust and collaboration our world needs more of.
We honor the legacy of CtK.Campfire as a cornerstone of what Cultivate the Karass stands for:
real connection, courageous dialogue, and collective purpose across difference.