Best Practices & Etiquette

Festival Best Practices and Etiquette

Bring a positive attitude.
Be responsible for the energy you bring into the space.
Treat each other and the park with respect, and likewise respect all those paths that have led people to the Gathering.
Respect all wildlife and avoid interacting with them at all costs. If you have a concern about your own safety, or the safety of others, please move away from the wildlife quietly and seek the help of one of our team members*.
Parents and guardians are expected to care for and remain with their children at all times. In case of an emergency, make sure your children know that if they need help, they can go to any person wearing green wristband (during the day), and a green glow stick (at night). Please also make sure your children are aware of the location of the Feast Hall in case they accidentally get separated. There will almost always be someone either on the porch at Registration, or in the kitchen.
If you encounter an altar along your travels, please respect it. Do not set empty drink cans or cups, etc. on the altar. Never touch others' magical tools (wands, amulets, chalices, etc.) without their permission.
If you are invited to visit in a cabin, please respect your host’s belongings.
Please don't enter a cabin without permission!
Bring appropriate clothing/bedding for the weekend. Remember to bring cold and wet weather gear. Around here, the weather can be very unpredictable during this time of year. So extra blankets, layers, and dry socks are a great idea.
If you are new to the Gathering, it's a good idea to go out during the day to familiarize yourself with the locations of things you're going to want to visit after dark, like the bonfire circle, as well as how to get back from those locations to your cabin.
Bring a flashlight for getting around in the dark. Because we will no longer be lining all the paths with glow sticks as we've done in the past, we strongly recommend that all guests plan to equip themselves with a small personal flashlight to guide you along the pathways when it gets dark. Be sure to always aim your light down toward the ground to avoid blinding passersby, and consider using a red filter to help preserve your natural night vision .
Clean up after yourself after meals; please don't leave your dishes and so forth on the tables and expect someone else to pick them up for you. Even if your mother is here, she probably doesn't want to have to clean up after you.
Clean up after yourself at the showers and bathrooms, too. Please remember that others will be using these facilities, too and that courtesy goes a long way.
Smokers must field-strip their cigarette butts if no designated ash-can is available. Throwing butts on the ground is not only a fire hazard; it's disrespectful to the park staff, as well as the Earth itself.
Please pick up any stray trash you find lying on the ground. If you attend activities at the bonfire circle, please do not leave your empty drink containers or trash behind. Pick them up and dispose of them properly when you leave the area each day.

* Note: Staff members will be wearing special-colored wristbands during the day and green glow sticks after dark. In addition, all staff members will be wearing badges clearly indicating their status. If you need assistance or find someone else who does, please locate one of us so that we can assist you or them as needed. All staff members will have radios, so they can contact other members of the team if necessary.