Chico Campout for Compassion 2026

Saturday, November 14, 2026

One Night. Many Locations. One Community.

A communitywide night of awareness, understanding, and compassion for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Our shared values Get involved Participating locations Join the conversation

Why We're Here ... A Conversation, Not an Argument

Our approach to homelessness may appear left-leaning ... but this isn't about left or right. Facts are facts, and results are results. The best available research should help us understand what works ... not determine which side wins an argument.

We're not here to tell anyone what to think, or how it should be done. We welcome countering material and different perspectives. We want a dialogue ... nothing more.

Read Why We're Here   Download statement (PDF)

Shared Values, Shared Purpose ... Our Starting Point

Before we debate strategies, what values do we share? That is the challenge in The Missing Piece in Ending Homelessness: Shared Values by Iain De Jong of OrgCode ... the video we are using as a core conversation starter for Campout for Compassion.

We do not have to agree on every policy to begin with shared humanity. Our aim is to listen, examine the values behind our choices, include people with lived experience in meaningful ways, and ask whether our responses move neighbors toward safe, stable housing.

Participation is open even if your group does not use our educational resources. These resources are recommended, not required; our selection reflects a shelter-first and lowest-barrier approach, and we do not recommend treatment-first materials.

Read our Shared Values document   Download printable PDF

This is an independently prepared Chico conversation framework inspired by De Jong's video; it is not an OrgCode publication or endorsement.

What is Campout for Compassion?

For one shared night, participating churches, youth groups, schools, service clubs, families, and community organizations are invited to organize their own safe, supervised campouts at approved locations throughout Chico.

Each group plans its own gathering. The evening might include a speaker with firsthand experience of homelessness, respectful questions and discussion, age-appropriate learning activities, reflection, or an optional collection of requested food and basic necessities for an existing local program.

This is an awareness event, not a fundraiser. There is no central campaign fund, required donation, or participation fee. Groups that choose to collect goods or money can give directly to an existing local organization of their choosing.

One night outside cannot recreate homelessness. It can, however, begin a conversation about daily realities that many of our neighbors face ... and how we treat one another.

How your group can participate

1. Choose a host

A church, community organization, youth leader, or family organizes its own gathering at a suitable location.

2. Plan a safe night

Arrange permission, adult supervision, bathrooms, an indoor weather alternative, and the safeguards appropriate to your group.

3. Learn and listen

Invite a guest speaker, have a respectful conversation, use a learning activity, or reflect together on housing and community.

4. Connect with Chico

Let the organizers know you're participating, and request a public map pin if your group wants one.

Participation is welcome even if your group cannot sleep outdoors. An evening discussion, classroom activity, or service project can also contribute to the shared awareness night.

Ask about hosting or volunteering

Project statements, invitations, and recommended resources

Recommended Resources ... Not Required

Our educational materials reflect a “shelter first” and lowest-barrier approach to addressing homelessness. They are recommended resources, not required material. If your group chooses not to use them, your participation is still encouraged.

Awareness doesn't take sides ... all voices and perspectives are encouraged. However, Campout for Compassion will not provide or recommend “treatment first” materials.

Use these free, original Chico-focused materials to help plan your gathering. Each resource is available as a downloadable PDF and an online reading page.

• Download Why We're Here (PDF) · Read online ... our statement of purpose and open dialogue
• Download Community Invitation Letter (PDF) · Read online ... a personal introduction for local groups
• Download Shared Values, Shared Purpose (PDF) · Read online ... our foundation for discussion
• Download Host Guide (PDF) · Read online
• Download Age-Appropriate Activities (PDF) · Read online
• Download Host Invitation (PDF) · Read online
• Download Video Discussion Guide (PDF) · Watch and read online

PDFs are formatted for US Letter paper. Links can be opened in a browser or saved to your device.

Educational materials draw on established homelessness-awareness approaches, including the Invisible People messaging toolkit, but are designed as original activities for Chico groups to use ... not as a class on the toolkit itself.

Participating locations

Confirmed participating organizations may choose to appear on a shared Chico map. No private residential addresses or sensitive overnight locations will be posted without permission.

Open the participating locations map in a new tab.

Map visibility is managed separately in Google My Maps; if it is not publicly viewable yet, the map may not display for visitors. Listings should be limited to organizations that approve being shown. Private residential addresses and sensitive youth campout locations should not be listed.

If you are hosting, request a map listing.

Community conversation

What would you like Chico to understand about homelessness? What questions do you have? What have you learned from your own experience or from listening to someone else's?

We're considering an existing social media platform for ongoing discussions, rather than running a new discussion service. A link will be posted once that space is selected and ready.

In the meantime, you can send a question, suggestion, or reflection directly by email. Nothing will be published here without your permission.

Email a question or suggestion

The project webpage and public map can be viewed without joining a social media platform. Participation in a future social media discussion may require an account with that platform.

Help make this happen

We're looking for interested host groups, local organizers, volunteers, and people who would like to share their firsthand experience in a respectful setting.

Contact: Scotty Franzyshen
scotty@sfranzyshen.org

Campout for Compassion 2026 is an independent community awareness initiative inspired by the idea of a shared Sleep Out. No organization is listed as a partner or host until it has agreed to participate. Weather and safety arrangements are the responsibility of each approved host.