If you do not see your question listed here, please send us an e-mail. If we feel that the answer to your question would be helpful to others, we will add it as an entry here.
General Questions
1 - Will my cell phone work in the camp?
Verizon is the only wireless carrier that covers the site, but even it has low signal strength, and trees will likely obscure the reception. Other carriers work once you return to Joplin Rd.
2 - What if there's an emergency?
We have a very capable safety staff working to make sure that everything is taken care of in case of
an emergency. If you have one, please find a staff member wearing a safety vest or report to the designated
First Aid cabin (which will be marked on your program).
3 - Is there a clothing optional area?
No. Clothing MUST be worn at all times on the site. Our camp is part of the Prince William Forest National Park
and federal law mandates that no nudity shall be allowed. Thank you for your understanding.
4 - Are the rituals open to everyone?
Yes, our rituals are open to all those attending the festival including children as long as they can behave in a respectful and mature manner.
5 - Is there Internet access?
No, There is no Internet access in the campground.
6 - Do I have to wear period clothing (garb)?
It is not a requirement that you wear period clothing or garb. It's simply an opportunity if you wish to take it.
No one will be turned away due to wearing regular street clothes. The only requirement with regard to clothing is that
you wear some and that it be appropriate for a family environment.
Fertile Ground's dress-code motto is: Wear period
clothing if you like, but wear clothing, period!
7 - Is Fertile Ground a Renaissance Faire?
No, Fertile Ground is not a Renaissance Faire. While many of us enjoy such faires, Fertile Ground Gathering is
primarily a festival to celebrate Beltane, the sacred union of the god and goddess. We encourage our guests to
wear period clothing if they wish (as long as it is appropriate for children to see), but we do not require it. Our rituals,
classes, workshops, and entertainment are all things that you would find at a Pagan festival, not at a Ren Faire.
8 - What is the fastest land mammal?
The Cheetah.
9 - What are the rules about smoking at Fertile Ground?
We understand that smoking is a sensitive issue for many people. We do not wish to prevent anyone who chooses
to smoke from doing so, but at the same time, we understand the effect that tobacco smoke has on others, and how
non-smokers may prefer that they and their children not be exposed. In an effort to be fair to everyone, Fertile Ground
will have the following smoking policy:
- No smoking of illegal substances will be tolerated. Our drug policy already addresses this, but it bears repeating.
- Smoking is prohibited inside all buildings at Fertile Ground. This is a park rule.
- There will be designated smoking sections at all main areas of Fertile Ground, and we ask that smokers please
use them.
- Smoking immediately outside the entrance to lodges and halls is prohibited, because it forces others to enter
and leave through a cloud of smoke.
- Smokers must field-strip their cigarette butts, if no
designated ash-can is available. Butts being thrown on the ground is not only a fire hazard, it's disrespectful to the
park staff, as well as the Earth itself.
The Fertile Ground staff would like to ask everyone to simply be accomodating and polite about smoking. If someone
is smoking near you and it bothers you, please move upwind, or politely ask them to put it out, or to move downwind of you. If you
are smoking and you notice (or are told) that it's bothering someone, please be gracious and do what you can to
move, so that your smoke does not interfere with their enjoyment of the Gathering.
Accomodations
10 - Can I pitch a tent and sleep there? Registration
23 - Do I need a credit card to register on-line? Workshops
34 - Does it cost extra to attend the workshops? Children's Area
38 - Can I bring my kids?
Sadly, no. Park regulations prohibit tent camping in this area as they have provided cabins for this very use. Also, there are sewage/septic lines running through most of the camp, so driving stakes into the ground would be quite bad.
11 - Can I park my car by my cabin?
Park rules mandate that vehicles may only be driven as far as the parking area at the entrance to the camp. This designated parking area is just a short walk from the dining hall.
12 - Can I bring beer, wine, mead, etc. to the gathering?
Because Prince William Forest Park is a National Park, no alcohol is permitted on the premises. Violation of this regulation will get you removed from the event, so please don't bring any.
13 - Can I bring other intoxicating substances to the gathering?
Federal laws apply within the confines of the camp. Violating them is a federal offense.
So, no. Bringing illegal substances to this event will get you removed and possibly arrested.
14 - Do I get any meals with the price of admission?
Admission includes dinner on Saturday for both campers and folks holding daytime passes. A continental breakfast is provided on Sunday for campers only.
15 - We want to share a cabin with our friends. Can we pay for our reservations separately and still get the same cabin?
Yes! You must both prepay to be placed together. Just indicate the name of the friend and we will assign
you together. Please note: it will be much easier for us to accomodate requests of this type if your entire group
registers and pays at the same time. We cannot "reserve" cabin space for people who have not registered and
paid.
Please note that our largest cabins can accomodate six people, so if your group is larger than that,
we cannot place you all in one cabin, although we will do our best to place you in cabins that are close to one
another.
16 - I am coming to the festival alone, can I still get a cabin?
Yes. We have cabins set aside for single attendees. You may be required to share the cabin with one or more other people.
17 - Do the cabins have private restrooms?
The cabins do not have private restrooms. There is a bathroom in each loop of cabins and there are community showers as well. Additionally, there is one restroom cabin in the campground, half designated for males and the other for females. This facility also has showers.
18 - May I bring my Coleman Camp Stove to make coffee/tea for our cabin?
No. They are prohibited by the park. However, you may use the grill outside the craft cabin in your cabin
cluster to do so. And fresh coffee and hot water will be available at the dining hall.
19 - I have food allergies. Will I be able to eat the community meals, or should I pack my own food?
Unfortunately, because of the large number of guests we expect, we are unable to accommodate special
dietary requests. For your safety, please plan to bring your own food. There are grills in each cabin cluster
where you will be able to prepare your food.
20 - Can I build a fire at my tent or cabin?
Fires are allowed in the designated fire pit area, and in the grills located outside each craft cabin, only.
Please help keep everyone safe by adhering to this policy. Failure to do so may result in your removal
for the duration of the event.
21 - Can I bring my pet/companion animal/familiar to FGG?
No, you may not. The only animals allowed in the park are pets certified to assist those with disabilities.
22 - Are there any private cabins?
Yes, there are a few two bed cabins in our camp. If you wish to request one for you and your mate, make sure you register early to increase your chances of getting one.
No. You can use PayPal to pay with either your credit card or your checking account. You do not need a PayPal account to be able to use this option.
24 - I don't belong to a group, can I still come?
Absolutely! This is most certainly not a "groups only" event. We welcome individuals and look forward to meeting you!
25 - What is Community Service?
A lot of work goes into running a festival. And because we are working to create a sense of community
throughout our event, we ask that everyone 16 and older volunteer one hour of their time to helping things
run more smoothly. There are several "jobs" available for you to choose from. Please check the
registration page for more information.
26 - Am I required to work a volunteer shift?
Yes. If you are age 16 or older, we do require that you sign up for a volunteer shift. It will help all the hard
working staff members immensely and we will all be eternally grateful! Plus, think of all the cool people you'll
get to meet while you commiserate!
27 - Can I bring a wheeled vehicle for personal use at the festival?
Bicycles, ATVs, golf carts and similar vehicles are not permitted within the campgrounds.
For your safety and for the safety of those around you, we ask that you not bring them. Motorized wheelchairs
and other forms of moblity assistance for the disabled are welcome, although they may not be able to reach all
areas of the campsite.
28 - Is pre-registration really necessary?
Yes. Cabin space is limited and is on a first come first served basis. If you do not register, there is no guarantee that there will be cabin space for you.
29 - Will my tickets be mailed to me?
No tickets are needed for the event.
We will be keeping track of who has pre-registered and will be checking ID upon arrival.
Please note: each guest must present valid ID at the registration desk when they arrive, or they
will not be admitted to the event (minors will be admitted if their parent or legal guardian presents valid ID).
30 - Can I send my registration payment by mail?
Certainly! If you don't care to use PayPal, we will accept personal checks, money orders, and cashier's
checks. Checks should be made payable to ShadowGrove Spiritual Ministries. If you are paying by check, you
may send it with your printed and signed registration form, or you may submit the registration form electronically
and mail the check separately. Mail payment
and form to:
ShadowGrove Spiritual Ministries
PO Box 2044
Manassas, VA 20108.
Remember that your registration is not complete until we have received your registration form, payment, and
liability waiver. We will contact to confirm that we have received all of these things.
31 - Can I pay by check at the gate?
No. Unfortunately, park regulations do not allow us to collect money at the site, so all payment must be made in advance.
32 - What is a daytime pass?
Because cabin space is limited, we have created a daytime pass which will allow you to come to the event from 10am to 9:30 pm on Saturday and then again from 9am on Sunday until the end of the festival.
33 - Do I have to register for a daytime pass?
Yes. Park regulations prohibit monetary exchange in the camps, so if you want to spend the day with us, you need to register and pay in advance. This will also help us with a head-count so we know how many people we'll be feeding on Saturday night.
The price of admission includes workshops. So most of the workshops won't cost you anything extra.
Some workshops may require a small fee to cover materials.
Please check the workshops page to find out if this is the case for the
workshop you are interested in.
35 - What are the workshops like?
Our workshops are presented by people who are experts in their subjects, and each one will be different,
depending upon who is presenting. Each workshop description will include a link to e-mail the presenter, so
if you have specific questions, please contact the presenter directly, or send your questions to the
staff.
36 - Who do I contact to present a workshop?
Please contact our
coordinators if you would like to submit a workshop proposal. Proposals
must be submitted no later than March 15 to be considered for inclusion in Fertile Ground 2008.
37 - When will the workshops be posted?
We are continuing to gather together all the information on the workshops that will be offered at Fertile Ground Gathering. Workshop information will be updated regularly so please check back often. We are aiming to have all the workshop details worked out by the end of March.
Absolutely! Your children are most welcome. Fertile Ground Gathering is a family friendly event and there will be plenty of activities available for children ages 5 and up.
39 - Do you offer child care?
We do not offer child care services. However, there will be a children's activity cabin available
where crafts, activities and workshops will be offered. Children ages 1 - 4 will be welcome to visit the children's area
with the direct supervision of a parent and children ages 5 - 12 need not be accompanied by a parent during
their visit to this cabin, though they must be signed in and out by a parent or guardian.
40 - Where can I get more information about the Children's Activity Area?
When you register your child, you will recieve an information kit that includes rules and specific details pertaining
to the children's activity area as well as other helpful information.
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Spiritual Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved.