"OMG, what am I going to wear at the Gathering?"
Ah, the perennial question. Well fae folk, here is the answer. Everything you need to know about what to bring to a Gathering on the Land aka Amber Fox.
What You Need to Bring:
- personal items (meds, toothpaste, earplugs, condoms, etc.)
- flashlight (and batteries silly one)
- sunscreen
- insect repellant (Ricky says it needs DEET, but suit yourself)
- cash for the Purse
- we use an honour system with a suggested contribution of $25 per night, more if you can or less if you can't - for example, for a long weekend (3 nights) we suggest an average $75 contribution, and we find most people give between $40 and $100
- no one is turned away for lack of funds, but we ask that you contribute something, even if you can only afford a few dollars per night
- it is also helpful if you can put your contribution into the purse near the beginning of the Gathering, as that is when most of the shopping is done
- the Purse covers food, fuel for the pump & lawn mowers, propane for the fridge & stove, paint, materials for repairs, paper products and all our other mundane needs
- American money accepted at par
- weather-appropriate clothes (you can get the forecast from The Weather Network)
- a towel or two
- sleeping gear (sleeping bag, pillow, blankets, sheets, etc.)
- your tent
- if you are not tenting, there is room for some people to sleep in the Bunkhouse
- there is also overflow space for a few sleepers in the Departure Lounge (but the DL is primarily a party space - so if you choose to sleep there you may be woken without warning at any time by late-night partiers)
- the willingness to pitch in
- there are no paid staff on the Land, so everyone needs to help out with a few chores each day to make the Gathering go smoothly
- washing dishes, preparing meals, chopping wood, mowing lawns, tidying and cleaning, repairs, new construction ... it's all up to us
- but the work becomes play when shared with your fae friends!
- swim stuff (for trips to the Mighty Mississippi)
- fun clothes (although there are *lots* of garments available in the Foxy Boutique)
- stuff for the Know Talent Show (instruments, etc.)
- anything you need for any activities that you are helping plan or know may be happening
- a mat, air mattress (and pump) or something else soft for under your sleeping bag (there are a limited number of foamies available but these are first-come first-served and they go fast)
- a tarp or two for your tent (in case it rains)
- alcoholic refreshments
- alien artifacts, probe results, flightsuits, glow-ware
What You Don't Need to Bring:
- cooking stuff
- including food (all the meals are communal and there are lots of snacks available at other times, the food is paid for from the Purse)
- including barbecues (personal fires and barbecues are a fire risk)
- pets & children
- toilet paper
- other camping gear (there are axes, tools, etc already on the Land)
- things that need AC (there is limited electricity to go around if the days are cloudy)
Note that this packing list is specific to the Land aka Amber Fox. Different Lands have different policies, different infrastructures, and different climates, so make sure you know what's up for where you're going. Radfae.org has a post covering What to Bring to the "Big Four" Faerie sanctuaries in the USA.
