Greetings!
Thank you for considering our Midsummer Gather. We intend to have fun this Midsummer’s Week; please be sure to bring your sense of adventure, a sense of humor and be prepared to let your “inner child” show its playful side. This information is intended to get you to the campground reasonably prepared for your stay.
Our location, Eagle Cave Campground is approximately 65 miles SE of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, in the rolling hills just north of the Wisconsin River. This being the upper midwest, there is a good chance that there will be roadwork someplace along your route. Please take advantage of the links on the main gather page for road information nearest the campground. If you're coming from further out (Hooray! Glad to have ya!), we recommend you check each state through which you will be traveling.
Arrival/Departure: The gates will open at Noon on Sunday, June 15. As soon as possible after you stake out your campsite, please stop by the Info Table (near the center of camp) to get your program, your identity pouch, and to sign up for your volunteer duty.
Water: There are a few primitive campsites available if you want to rough it, but all the primary sites are fully plumbed with drinkable water. The bathhouse is fully equipped with flush toilets, basins, private showers, and hot water 24/7. And yes, "hot" actually means hot, not "hot if you get there at the right time! "
Sanitation: While the bathhouse has flush toilets, there is also a latrine ("outhouse") at near the far end of camp. There are rumors of an additional full-facility bathhouse in the near future. The bathrooms are typically well-stocked, but it's always wise to bring an extra roll or package -- just in case.
Electricity: Except for those primitive sites mentioned above, all the typical campsites are wired for full service electricity with RV and grounded utility outlets.
Bring and plan to wear something on your feet. You will be camping directly over a cave, and the ground is rather stony. Also, the camp road, the primary pathway, is gravel-paved.
Ice will be available on-site; Our Campground Hosts will make at least one ice run per day. Ice is $1.75 per bag.
Garbage will be collected at least once a day. Please bring trash bags sufficient for your stay.
Cooking: There are fire rings for each campsite. The cost of firewood is included in your camping fee, but please be considerate and use it responsibly. Bringing fire-starting supplies (starter sticks, lighters, etc) is suggested. If you prefer cooking on a gas-fired camp stove, please bring sufficient fuel for your stay.
Bugs: There is no Mosquito Control District in this area, and we are on a densely wooded ridge surrounded by farmland. There WILL be mosquitoes and there WILL be ticks in the wooded areas. Please bring insect repellent.
Sun: Bring and use sunscreen. While we are in a shaded area, there is also plenty of sun, and it's very easy to underestimate your sun exposure.
Alcohol: We do not sell alcohol. If you wish to consume, you will need to bring your own. However, we expect you to remain respectful of others’ needs and sensitivities, and we will take whatever action we feel necessary to maintain that respect. Underage drinking is prohibited.
Drugs: Please do not bring or use illegal drugs, or you will be asked to leave.
Noise: The camp has historically clustered into the Morning People and Night People areas. Morning folks tend to be closer to the bathhouse; Night folks tend to be closer to the community fire. Please examine your group’s tendencies and consider locating your camp accordingly.
Music and Games: We’re here to have fun, so your musical instruments and personal music system is welcome as long as your neighbors do not complain. We specifically encourage drumming and other acoustical music,. Feel free to bring outdoor game equipment such as Frisbees, etc. Parents, please consider bringing something to amuse your youngsters. We ask only that you respond to others’ requests for quiet.
Personal Electronics: This is a chance to get away from the city life. Please leave the television at home. If possible, please also consider leaving the laptops, cell phones and PDAs at home.
Emergencies – Weather or otherwise: In the case of severe weather, our Campground Hosts will provide shelter in the Cave itself. There are hospitals available in both Boscobel and Richland Center in case of something major, and we have well-trained folks on-site to handle the minor incidents. For personal medical emergencies, please consider bringing some basic medical information with you – a list of your medications, medical conditions and/or allergies are particularly critical in an emergency. Please have an emergency contact number easily available.
Groceries and other supplies: Muscoda (~8.5 miles) has the nearest groceries, but the market in Boscobel (~15 miles) is somewhat larger. Richland Center (~17 miles) is the County Seat and has the widest variety of shopping (including a WalMart) and some fast-food options. Each of them has laundromats.
Community Service: Gatherings seldom work without volunteers. We will need people for heralding, to build, light and tend fires, to keep an eye on kids, and to watch the gate. Please sign up for your community service time at the Base Camp when you arrive.
Private Rituals: Occasionally people have requested private space in which to practice their own midsummer observances. With advance notice, private ritual space can be arranged.
Community Meetings: Most mornings we will have a short village meeting. This is where we’ll announce any last minute schedule changes, and here is where we can discuss any concerns you may have.
Time to Let Loose: In the wheel of the year, this is perhaps the only time where we can stop and set aside our work for a while. The crops have been sown, but we’re still a ways away from the first harvest. The sun is warm as are our spirits. The days are long and lazy, perfect for daydreams. The nights are warm and inviting, perfect for sweet summer dreams.
Bring your dreams to our Gather this Midsummer and let’s all help them to grow!
What to bring: Recommended Items
Camping Gear:
-
Tent and sleeping bag/bedding/pillow, or camping vehicle
-
Cloth strips or colored tape to mark tent ropes for safety (Yes, you WILL need ropes!)
-
Air mattress to cushion ground sleeping and a tarp for shade/rain shelter
-
Camp table and for food preparation and dining, easily portable chairs
-
Flashlight and/or lantern, plus extra batteries
-
Drinking water jug or other water container(s).
-
Towels/washcloth, biodegradable shampoo & soap (septic system), toiletries, toilet paper (just in case)
-
Food and beverages (Groceries at Muscoda, Boscobel & Richland Center)
-
Food preparation supplies, such as bowls, plates, utensils, cooler, propane cook stove, hot pads, cutting board, napkins, paper towels, food storage containers, etc.
-
Plates, cups, and utensils to dine with.
-
Bucket or dishpan for cleanup
-
Trash bags; Recycling bags/containers for your campsite
-
Camp lighting (patio torches, lanterns, etc)
-
Banners and other decorations for your campsite if desired
Personal Comfort/Health/Safety:
-
Insect repellent
-
Hat, sunscreen, and other sun protection for your body
-
Cushion, mat, or lawn chair to sit on during workshops
-
Allergy and/or prescription medicine, if applicable
-
Sturdy walking shoes or sandals (we’re camping over the cave – ground is rocky)
-
Warm clothing for cool evenings (may get down into the 50s F)
-
Cool clothing for warm and hot days (usually in the 70s-90s F)
-
Rain gear (poncho, boots, umbrella, etc.) We can almost guarantee that it will rain at some point, especially since we’re honoring Water !
Other:
-
Earphones to silence external speakers for radios, etc.
-
Drums, rattles, bells, and/or other musical instruments
-
Festive and sacred dress/magical tools for other rituals & processional
-
Money for ice, mid-week grocery runs, merchant purchases
Optional Fun Items To Bring
-
Fare to share (about a dozen people) for the Feasts.
-
Frisbees, other outdoor game equipment.
-
Any supplies you may need for the activities you’re interested in (check the website for info)
-
Acoustical Music (instruments) of any sort – drums, bells, guitars, flutes, whistles, voices...
-
Candles in a jar or other container for carrying in processions, to the privy, etc.
-
Item(s) for Silent Auction– proceeds to Earth House Project.
Keith’s Camping 101
Tips for the Neophyte Urban Pagan
(Keith was a Boy Scout and Leader for ... ohhhh, too many years. Trust him!)
Tents
If you are purchasing a tent for this event, set it up in your yard, or a friend's yard if you don’t have one, BEFORE you plan on using it. This does three things:
- You get to make sure all of the parts are there,
- You get practice setting it up,
- You must seam seal the tent.
Of all of them, number 3 is the most important. If not done, the seams will leak. Don’t worry, if your tent needs to have its seams sealed, the company ships the tent with seam sealant in it. This is isn’t something you have to try and find yourself.
When you seal the seams on the tent, make sure it is outside on a warm day. It has to have good ventilation. Trust me, it stinks!
If you haven’t sealed the seams in the past two years, I suggest doing it again. It isn’t required, but it doesn’t hurt.
For safety, NO FLAMES IN YOUR TENT!
This means no candles, no incense, no heaters, no gas lanterns, no stoves, etc.
Ground cloths
You should bring two ground clothes. “Ground cloth” is a fancy way of saying tarps or sheets of plastic. One should be one inch smaller on all sides than the bottom of your tent. The second should be one foot wider on all sides than your tent.
The smaller one goes inside the tent. The larger one goes outside, under the tent. You take the extra room and fold it underneath the tent so no plastic is showing. This will ensure that water flows UNDER the tent.
Suggestion:
