Why not have this at a free site?
We chose to hold the event at this private campground for these reasons:
- The public venue we wished to use was not available.
- This venue explicitly grants us permission to drum all night long.
- The site is secluded enough that we won't get shut down by noise complaints from neighbors.
- Using a remote site on private land minimizes the possibility of trouble from people (such as drunken revelers and intolerant hecklers) who might wander in unaware or unappreciative of the sacred nature of our events, or who try to break into or steal our cars (we've experienced these at prior events held at free sites).
- The campground has amenities that many free sites do not, such as hot showers and flush toilets.
- Finally, all of our fire circle gear is already there, stored just yards from our community gathering area and the circle. This saves us from having to haul our stuff to somewhere else and then back again.
I don't have money. Can you give me a discount or let me in for free?
The campground charges $10 per person (aged 5+) per night. If you show up, we are contractually obligated to pay this amount for you to the venue. We cannot discount or waive this.
Ok, I get that I have to pay the campground fees, but you want even more money! What's with that?!
We're asking just $5 per adult to pay for the many expenses of putting on the event, such as buying firewood and torch fuel, restocking the first aid kit, replacing bent stakes, repairing and replacing the canopy shelters we use, replacing safety equipment such as expired fire extinguishers, and so on.
Can't I just bring some firewood, instead?
In the past, when people have brought firewood or gathered it on site, we've had difficulties with excessive smoke - and worse - smoke that has made people feel ill enough to leave the circle. Though we appreciate the offer, for the sake of our health and comfort we purchase high quality firewood.
Ok, but can I work in exchange for the event fee?
We do not offer work-exchange simply because it is the custom in our community for all attendees to contribute work toward making our events what they are. Everyone is expected to do their fair share. Nobody gets "comped in" - not even the organizers. Nobody gets paid or makes a profit. As such, we charge as little as we can to cover expenses. This keeps the cost down as low as possible for as many people as possible.
