General Camp Questions:
Q: Is there anything I need to know about the new retreat location?
A: Myers Ranch will accommodate our diverse community's desire for longer drumming hours, fewer wardrobe requirements, more flat areas, and good RV spots. The elevation varies from 8,000 to 8,200 feet (equivalent to Wellington Lake). It features tall stands of pine trees, aspen groves, wildflowers, and several beautiful meadow areas. There is a stream and a small pond, but neither are suitable for swimming. Remember that Colorado weather is unpredictable and it's been a wet year. Expect heat, cold, rain, and dry. See our location page for maps & directions. Visit our news page for new rules and guidelines.
Q: What areas can I camp in?
A: Any area that is not marked or taped off.
Q: What do I bring for camping at Dragonfest?
A: Start with the essentials needed for camping in a rough environment. Bring plenty of water. Other things to think about include ritual garb, walking stick, drums, etc. You can download a sample camping checklist here (Excel spreadsheet).
Q: Where is the community center, medical, safety, workshop area (A,B,C,D, etc)?
A: There is a map printed included with the guidebook you get when you check in with the retreat.
Q: Where can we have a fire?
A: All fires must be in above ground containers such as a fire bowl or burn barrel. Please pay attention to any and all fire bans. Dispose of your ash properly – do NOT dump it in a regular trash can.
Q: Where can I get more water?
A: We will have a VERY LIMITED supply available on site. You may also get more water in Bailey. See this post on the forum for a location in Bailey for cheap water options.
Q: I heard freezer space and ice are for sale. How can I get some and what are the prices?
A: Hours: 8:30 to 9:30 am, 4pm to 5pm.
Freezer Space: For $25, you can put anything in a milk crate in our freezer for the entire week. You can remove items during the hours posted.
Ice: Ice will be for sale at the freezer truck, cash only.
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 volunteer portion of our web site!
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Entrance/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 retreat.
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 sites 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: Yes. Must be in cash and have exact change. For more details, see registration.
Q: It’s an emergency and I need to reach someone who is camping there.
A: .If you give us names, description of what they look like and where they are likely camped, or what their campsite might look like, we will do our best to locate them for you.
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Fire Circles:
Q: What types of fire circles do you have?
A: We have 3: Freedom (Usually fast paced, lots of drumming, 18 & older only, clothing optional,), Trance (Slower, more meditative, drums are gentler, 18 & older, younger people must be accompanied by an adult, clothing optional), and Heart of the Dragon (Family friendly, drumming & singing, all ages, clothing required)
Q: Is alcohol allowed at the fire circles?
A: Yes and no. It depends on what fire circle you are participating in. Heart of the Dragon is family friendly and alcohol is strictly forbidden. Freedom and Trance do allow sealable containers but absolutely NO GLASS.
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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 in order to convey the announcements to the entire community.
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
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Kiosk / Information Center:
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. You can also make announcements after breakfast but be BRIEF.
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Kitchen:
Q: What time is breakfast?
A: The Community Center opens breakfast at 8 am
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: 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.
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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-shirts 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: Do you sell wood, fire extinguishers, etc
A: Yes we do. We also sell bug spray, sun block, and other small items.
Q: How many pieces of wood do I get per ticket?
A: 5
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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.
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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.
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Rituals
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)
Q: Where can I have my ritual?
A: We have several ritual areas: 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. You may also ask for volunteers or ask the Ritual 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 Bare Country.
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. All passes of this type must be approved by the Director(s) of Operations.
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.
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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.
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Special Events:
Q: Can I have a handfasting at Dragonfest?
A: Yes. Please contact our Special Events Coordinator.
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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: Do 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 their own way.
Q: Who is responsible for the teens after Teenfest closes?
A: Parents or guardians are always responsible for their children even 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.
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Workshops:
Q: What types of workshops are there?
A: We have all types of workshops for all ages. Take a look at our current list of workshops listed here.
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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: The schedule of events and times can be found on the Youthfest page.
Q: Do you provide lunch for my children?
A: No! You are ultimately responsible for your child's food and hydration needs. Please make sure they have a water bottle when you drop them off.
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. Please note that our offerings are NOT a substitute for your child's main meals or hydration needs.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 and no. You need to complete an EXTRA workshift in youthfest in order for your child to attend. But your primary workshift can be anywhere.
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