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Our retreat FAQ is a work in progress so if you have a
suggestion please let us know! Heraldry Q: Do
I have to be LOUD to be a herald? A: Making announcements requires
being able to project your voice clearly. Being loud is not necessarily the
most important quality. Frequent stops to make announcements can make up for
lack of volume but clarity is essential. Q: Is
there much walking involved in being a herald? A: Yes. A person must be able to walk
the length of the encampment ( Q: Why
do heralds wear the funny green tabards? A: The tabards are worn so that the
community can identify the herald as the source of the announcement and
listen to them more closely Landfund: Q: Can I exchange my shirt for another size or color? A: Unfortunately,
no. Each shirt is ordered on what was requested, and we can’t return
unwanted T-shirts. We do have extra t-shirt for sale; they are 10% more than
the preordered. Q: Do I need my T-shirt ticket and I.D. to pick up my
shirt? A: Please
present either your T-shirt ticket or your I.D. to receive you shirt. Q: Can I pick up T-shirts for other people? A: Yes, if you can present the other persons T-shirt
ticket or I.D. Q: Where
do I leave a message to friends about where I am camping? A: Information booth has message boards. Q: How
do I get word out to people of cancellation of a planned workshop gathering,
etc? A: Leave
a message at the information booth and talk to the heralds. Fire Circles: Q: Is alcohol allowed at the fire circles? A: Yes
and no. It depends on what fire circle you are participating in. Inspiration Fire Q: Is Inspiration Fire just a smaller
version of A: No,
Inspiration Fire has a different purpose. It’s a freeform sacred circle
of movement and sound. It’s focused on chanting and jamming with drums
as well as other instruments. The drums are deliberately kept quiet enough to
hear the singers. This allows interplay among many voices. The energy flows
from ritual moments, to dance, to prayer and around again in a sacred web.
The circle is facilitated by a coordinator, so it is more focused than the
joyful anarchy of Freedom Fire. Q: I
have a wonderful ballad with 16 verses that I have memorized. Can I perform
it at A: No. Inspiration is not a Bardic
circle. The music is co-created out of the people present, rather than
performed for an audience. You might offer your ballad for the Talent Show.
On the other hand, we are eager to work with those who want to bring chants,
instruments, dramatic surprises and other mysteries. If you have something to
gift to the energy, contact Alane Crowomyn, the fire coordinator. Before the retreat, she
can be reached at alane@frontier.net.
At the retreat, she can be found camped next to the circle. Q: Can my children attend this fire? A: The
fire is clothing-optional. If you and your children are comfortable with
that, then be welcome. Anyone under 18 must be with a parent or guardian, so
plan to stay with your children or teenagers while they are at Gate: Q: Can we camp here? A: Only if you are registered, have a ticket and your
Photo I.D. Q: What is going on here? A: A private event. Q: What do I do if need to leave/arrive after the gate is
locked? A: Park your car outside the gate and walk in. Q: Where can I camp? A: In
designated sights that have not been cordoned off for rituals or workshop
space or other wise marked. Q: If I have to leave can I get a new armband when I
return? A: Yes,
if you have your ticket, which we will ask you for before, you leave the
gate. Q: Can I register here and pay here? A: No.
This event is available only to people who have pre-registered. Q: Can I fish in the A: Check with Della. Kitchen: Q: What time is breakfast? A: The Q: I have a work shift! Can I get my breakfast early? A: No.
If you have an early work shift you will get to come to the head of the line
and get your food first. Q: What time is stone soup? A: Saturday at 5 pm Q: What food donations are acceptable? A: Sealed, in date, undamaged, non perishable, packaged
goods. Q: Why isn’t there food that meets my dietary needs? A: While
we do our best to provide food for everyone that attends Dragonfest, many
people cannot eat some or all of the food that is offered in the community
center, however, there are a few people whose needs we cannot meet. If you
have a highly restrictive diet we ask you to take of yourself and/or talk to
a kitchen lieutenant or kitchen head to see what we may be able to offer you. Medical Q: What health related items do I need to bring to
Dragonfest? A: Prescription
medications, sunblock, aloe, pain relievers such as
ibuprofen and Tylenol, condoms, your own medical supplies and equipment for
chronic health problems. Q: What
is the most common health problem reported at Dragonfest? A: Dehydration.
Remember you are at high altitude with lots of sun. Remember to drink lots of
water and have electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade and Poweraid
to re-hydrate with. Set up/Take down: Q: How do I volunteer for the setup crew? A: After
April 1st, send an email to dfsetupteam@yahoogroups.com.
You will receive an email detailing how to apply. Teens: Q: Do teens need to sign in and out of teenfest? A: No, we trust our teenages as
the adults they are about to become. Q: Does teens have to attend teenfest? A: No,
this is an optional gathering and safe place for our Teenagers to meet one
another and experience the retreat in they own way. Q: Who is responsible for the teens after Teenfest closes? A: Parents
or guardians are all ways responsible for their children even if when they
are attending a Dragonfest event. Q: Who should I call when I can’t find my teen? A: In
this case contact any Dragonfest staff member and we will have our Safety teams
begin an immediate search. Registration Q: When
are the registration packets going out? A: Generally they are mailed out or
made available around the end of March or the beginning of April. Q: Where
are my tickets? A: Ticket packets are not mailed out
until after the final registration period has closed. You should receive a
confirmation card from us after we have processed your registration and this
indicated that you have been fully registered. If
you move please make sure you notify us as quickly as possible so both of
these valuable pieces of mail get to you in a timely manner. Rituals (General) Q: How do I enroll my boy in the coming of age rite? A: Send
an email to dfboyscao@yahoogroups.com
with your name. You will receive email with detailed information. Boy’s should be at least 13 years old at the time of
the retreat. Q: Being
at Dragonfest makes me feel magickal. Can I do my
own thing, perform a spontaneous ritual? A: You
are free to do any ritual that doesn’t interfere with a scheduled event
or uses officially designated Dragonfest areas (without prior permission) Ritual
Coordinator Q: Where
can I have my ritual? A: We have five ritual areas: Main
Meadow, Grove above Main Meadow, Sacred Space, Hecate’s Grove, and
Freedom Grove. Q: Does Dragonfest provide any of the
supplies? Lights, fire pit, candles, etc. A: Rarely does the retreat provide
supplies. When we do it is usually
limited to tiki torches. Occasionally, such as the rites
of passage for our youth, the retreat will donate time or man power to assist
as a way of supporting these very special rites. Q: Am
I required to recruit all of the ritual facilitators? A: Yes, but that does not mean you
may not ask for volunteers or ask the coordinator if he/she knows of any who
would assist. Q: How
many people can attend in X space? A: That depends on what kind of
ritual you are planning. We do have larger spaces and do try to accommodate
everyone as much as we can. Q: When
can I have my ritual? A: Again, while we do not guarantee
anything, usually you can give a day and time and we try to accommodate you.
Between Thursday and Saturday there are numerous openings. Q: Can
I say no children allowed? A: Yes you may. However we will ask
for a brief explanation and warn you to be prepared for some to arrive with
their children anyway. Q: Can
my ritual be skyclad? A: Yes,
but you will have to have it in Area 5. Q: Can
I have it after curfew? A: No,
the curfew exists for the enjoyment of all attendees. Q: Can
I get day passes for coven mates to assist? A: Occasionally, this usually is only
approved for Drawing Down or the Main Ritual on Saturday which are very large rituals. Q: Can
I get day passes for my Handfasting? A: Yes, but all handfastings
must be coordinated with the guest list provided no later then July 15th. Q: Can
I have a private, closed to invite only ritual? A: Yes you may, but realize that
where you have it is subject to approval and you may have onlookers. Q: What
does the ritual coordinator do? A: The ritual coordinator is
responsible for the foundation and structure. Often the comment has been made
that X ritual was not very magickal, but it is not
the coordinator’s job to “make the magick”
but to set up safe and sacred space so that the magick
may happen. The coordinator schedules when and where rituals will occur, and
coordinate with organizers. Often the coordinator is also responsible for
Opening ritual and organizing the Drawing Down, as well as assisting the teens
with the Closing ritual. Q: Do
you think X ritual would be appropriate for Dragonfest? A: When looking at ritual submissions
the coordinator needs to look at the goal of the ritual, the target audience,
what precautions might need to be made, who can or cannot attend or
participate, and will arrangements be made for the physically limited members
of our community. Appropriateness is a touchy question, and in reality the
coordinator only needs to make sure that proper safety issues are addressed.
The community will decide by attending or not attending whether or not a
ritual is “appropriate.” Rituals may be for a small number of
people or intended for 300, that is something the organizers decide upon when
writing it, and then in the program guide make sure to have an accurate
description. Youthfest Q: What age range is Youthfest
aimed for? A: Grandma's place is for infants and toddlers aged 6
months through 4 years. Kidsfest is for children
aged 4 years through 9 years. Tweenfest is for
preteens aged 9 years through 12 years. Of course any child is welcome in any
area. Q: What are Youthfest's hours of
operations? A: Thursday, Friday and Saturday the hours are 9:45 - 12:15
and 12:45 - 5:15. Sunday hours are 9:15 - 12. Q: What sorts of snacks and beverages are offered in youthfest? A: We offer healthy snacks such as fruits, veggies, and
rice cakes. We offer 100% juice and water to drink. Youthfest
is a gluten and peanut free zone. Q: My kid is attending youthfest.
Do I need to do my work shift in youthfest? A: Yes, You need to complete an extra workshift
in youthfest in order for your child to
attend. Welcome and Orientation: Q: Where
is the community center, medical, safety, workshop area (A,B,C,D, etc)? A: Yes,
there is a map printed included with the guidebook you get when you check in
with the retreat. (Yes – it is a
handout included in the guidebook at retreat checklist) Q: Being
on staff looks like fun! How can I get involved and volunteer to be on staff
for next year? A: Check out the web site! www.dragonfest.org. Woodshed: Q: Can I get wood without a ticket? A: Unfortunately
not from the Dragonfest Woodshed. Wood sales our a
new fund raiser for our LandFund. Q: Where can I get a ticket for wood? A: Tickets can be purchased at the Landfund
booth. Q: How many pieces of wood do I get per ticket? A: 5 Q: What areas can I camp in? A: Any designated area not taped off. Q: Where can we have a fire? A: In designated fire rings only. Q: Where can I get more water? A: At Dellas |
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