FAQ

Our retreat FAQ is a work in progress so if you have a suggestion please let us know! Some of the questions are out of date or specific to our old locations. Bear with us.

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 (Phoenix circle to Freedom Circle) 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

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.

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.

Fire Circles

Q: Is alcohol allowed at the fire circles?
A: Yes and no. It depends on what fire circle you are participating in. Phoenix, family circles and Inspiration are alcohol free. At Freedom no glass opened containers are allowed – keep the barefoot dancers safe.

Inspiration Fire

Q: Is Inspiration Fire just a smaller version of Freedom Fire Circle?
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 Inspiration Circle?
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 ala...@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 Inspiration Circle. This is not a child-oriented event per se, but we also keep it appropriate for people of all ages. There is no alcohol within the fire circle.

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: Yes.  We will have gate registration this year.

Kitchen

Q: What time is breakfast?
A: The Main 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: 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: Fill out this form.

Teens

Q: Do teens need to sign in and out of teenfest?
A: No, we trust our teenagers 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.  They will also be available on the registration page.
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: I want to present a ritual!
A: Great!  Send an email to the rituals coordinator, ritu...@dragonfest.org.
Q: How do I enroll my boy in the coming of age rite?
A: Send an email to dfbo...@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 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 this year?
A: Fill out the volunteer application.