2012 Spring Equinox Camp Out

Information Packet

Fire Tribe Hawaii's Gatherings emerged from a desire to create a vibrant, joyous community focused on transformation, inspiration, and free expression. The Gatherings focus on night-to-dawn fire circles. Together, we co-create sacred space for creative exploration through chant and song, dance and movement, poetry, rhythm and music, ritual theater, art, magic and ceremony.

Dates

Early Village Builders: Arrive Tuesday, December 13, between 4pm-7pm to begin setting up the circle and community areas.

Gathering: Begins Wednesday, December 14. Arrive between 9am-7pm on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday and stay through Sunday afternoon, December 18.

Location

The Gathering takes place at a private campground in the mountains on the Leeward side of Oahu. Paid registrants receive specific information shortly before the Gathering, including exact location, maps, directions, and the combination to the gate lock. If you need this information sooner, send a request to registrar@firetribehawaii.org.

Transportation to Oahu

Though common wisdom has the best air fares to Honolulu (HNL) selling well in advance, you may find last minute deals, as well. For interisland travel, check Go! and Hawaiian airlines for specials.

Transportation to the Gathering

Driving: Paid registrants will receive detailed driving directions by email shortly before the Gathering.

Ride Shares: Whether you travel by shuttle, taxi, car, we encourage ride sharing. Post your offer or request on Fire Tribe Hawaii's Discussion Group.

Shuttles: Several shuttle services opperate on the island. A1 Oahu Airport Shuttle has a one-way rate of about $50 for the first passenger from the airport. Additional passengers cost a little more. Fares includes a standard baggage allowance, with additional charges for bulky or extra luggage. Book online at least 72 hours in advance for a 10 percent discount. Please contact the service directly to verify rates: 808-681-8000; Web, www.oahuairportshuttle.com.

Taxis: Taxi fare from the airport to the Gathering site typically runs around $65 for up to six passengers. Ask about discount fares for rides arranged with 24 hours advanced notice (808-377-1379).

Car Rentals: Virtually all the major car rental agencies operate on Oahu.

Pre-and Post-Gathering Lodging

The Alternative Hawaii Guide maintains a useful list of options, from campgrounds to resorts. Sometimes, local tribe members open their homes to visitors.

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Accommodations for the Gathering

Go to the registration information page for descriptions of the accommodations options.

Schedule

You can find a detailed schedule in the printed program given to you when you complete check-in after dinner the day you arrive.

Building the Village

Part of Fire Tribe Hawaii's culture includes participation by everyone in the putting up structures, building and maintaining the fire circle, keeping the camp tidy, and packing and cleaning common areas before we leave. We accomplish all this and more when each of do our fair share. The job seems small when shared by all.

When you register, indicate how you'd like to participate in village building and cleanup. Soon after you register, a coordinator will contact you with more information. The sooner you register, the more choices you'll have. When you arrive, you'll get more details about your role and how to connect with your team.

Creative Contributions

Do you have a playshop, creative project or installation idea for the Gathering? Great!

If you'd like logistical help, or want to run your idea past the Gathering's organizers, send an email to info@firetribehawaii.org. You can also post a message to the Fire Tribe Discussion eGroup to explain your idea and ask for input or assistance.

You can read a partial list of some of the creative contributions from previous Gatherings here.

Weather

Oahu temperatures range from daytime highs in the 80s to nighttime lows in the low 60s in the winter, and from highs in the 90s to lows in the 70s in the summer. Both the breeziness and the altitude of the Gathering site keeps us at least 5 degrees cooler than at sea level.

Although located on the drier side of the island, the Gathering site gets rain throughout the year, typically with heavier rains in the winter. We enjoy sunshine nearly every day. Rain or shine, many people find layered clothing and a tarp or two helpful in staying comfortable.

Meals and Beverages

Optional Meal Plan — The venue offers fresh "summer camp" fare. The kitchen will serve vegetarian options at every meal, with meat options at dinner and most other meals on the the more populated days (typically Thursday night through Sunday lunch). If you have special dietary needs (such as high-protein, vegan, or macrobiotic), we suggest bringing foods to supplement the camp meals. The meal plan begins with dinner the day you arrive.

Bring-Your-Own — You may choose to bring your own food and camp stove to the Gathering. Before opting for this, you might consider the following:

• The venue makes no refrigeration, ice, or kitchen facilities available for camper's use.
• The venue's fire safety policies require that you cook in designated areas only.
• You would need to drive at least a half hour to the nearest store or restaurant.
• Preparing your own meals can take time away from socializing, sleeping, and attending playshops.

Food Altar — Please bring tasty contributions for the Food Altar of nonperishable finger-food treats such as oranges, grapes, olives, crackers, nuts, chocolates, dried fruits, and cookies. We share this food with one other during the fire circles.

Water — You may safely drink the water on site, though some people dislike the taste. You can buy bottled water from the camp office.

Alcohol — The venue does not allow alcohol; Please honor our contract with the camp, and leave alcohol and other intoxicants at home.

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Sleep

To stay awake during the fire circles that go 'til dawn, many people sleep during the day and after dinner. So they can rest undisturbed, we keep Quiet Hours from dawn until lunch, and from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Earplugs, a sleep mask and an alarm clock can help you sleep and awaken when you want.

Nests

You may create a "nest" near the fire circle as a comfortable, nurturing place to relax, reflect, stretch, nap, speak quietly with a friend. This gives you a place to stash your stuff: shoes, extra clothing, magical items, a journal, oils and incense, divination tools, and any other goodies you might want to use during the night.

To make your nest, you might bring a chair, ground cloth, blanket and a tarp (in case of rain). Open structures such as beach cabanas

Fires

Because of the high risk for fire in the area, the camp does not allow any form of fire (including cigarettes, camp stoves, candles, gas lanterns, mosquito punks, or incense), except in designated areas under our direct supervision.

We place fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and buckets of water in the fire circle. Most camp buildings have a fire extinguisher.

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Special Offerings

Temple of Light: One of our shared altar areas features scores of candles — feel free to add your own candle in a glass container tall enough to block the wind.

Chants

Membership in the Fire Tribe Chants eGroup allows you to access MP3 recordings and lyrics for nearly 100 chants.

Children and Teens

Parents, feel welcome to bring your children and teens to the Gathering. Of course, we expect that all parents and guardians will ensure their kids always have appropriate levels of adult supervision. You may like to connect in advance with other families and volunteers to plan kids' activities and arrange to share in care taking. If you have any questions, please email us at info@firetribehawaii.org.

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Merchants

The Gathering has no formal merchant guidelines. Email info@firetribehawaii.org with any questions you may have about selling goods and wares.

Gathering Pendants

When you come to a Fire Tribe Hawaii Gathering, you receive necklace when you check in. This a great memento of our time together at the Gathering gets charged with wonderful energy, too! You can see past pendants, and to learn about creating a pendant for the Gathering on the pendant page.

Swimming Pool

The venue allows swimming during daylight hours when a lifeguard is on duty. If you have a current lifeguard certification, please consider volunteering some time at the pool. If this interests you, bring your documentation to the Gathering.

Health Concerns

This camping event is held 12 miles from the nearest emergency medical services facility. Please use your best judgment to determine whether you have any medical conditions that should prevent you from attending the Gathering.

Disabilities

The private campground used for the Gathering has buildings and terrain that may pose substantial barriers to people with mobility challenges. If you have questions about the facilities, please contact us at info@firetribehawaii.org and we will gladly put you in touch with the campground administrators.

Safety and Security

We hold the intention for our community to come together in emotional and physical safety. Should any dangerous or disruptive behaviors threaten the security or harmony of the Gathering, we will address them quickly and appropriately with the goal of restoring and maintaining safety.

The venue's staff and the Gathering's organizers reserve the right to expel any participant, without refund, due to unsafe or disruptive behavior.

Fire Circle Safety

To maintain a sacred and safe space, we ask that you:

• Do not smoke in the fire circle area or discard cigarette butts in the fire.
• Do not put trash into the fire at any time.
• Do not remove burning sticks from the fire.
• Do not jump the fire.
• Do not attempt fire walking.

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Clothing

Bring comfortable clothing and footwear that allow freedom of movement and layering for comfort.

Everyday clothes work well, though we invite you to wear attire at the Gathering that expresses who you are and empowers you to become who you want to be. Adorn yourself in a special way that manifests your spiritual expression, or evokes an archetype. Experiment with different possibilities by changing outfits during the night. Explore working with masks and other kinds of transformational adornment. Bring some fabric, and learn amazing wrapping techniques. Pack your ceremonial or ritual garments, your costumes, jewelry, masks, magical implements, talismans for wearing or charging, scarves, hats, sarongs, bindis, body and face paint, and so forth. Explore your vision! Find more ideas in the adornment article.

What Else to Bring

• A blanket, beach mat, or chair for sitting on while attending playshops, eating, or resting outside the fire circle.
• A tarp for creating shade or rain shelters for yourself or the community.
• A sturdy clip to securely close your tent against unwanted creepy-crawlies.
• Bedding and a pillow (although the yurts have supplied bedding).
• A small flashlight with fresh batteries for making your way at night.
• Battery- or solar- powered lights for your tent and nest.
• Electrolytic beverages.
• A cup, chalice or mug.
• Skin protection — from sun, mosquitoes and wind.
• A swimsuit.
• Rain gear/umbrella.
• A garbage bag or two to for your space.
• Towel, wash cloth, and personal hygiene items, including earth-friendly soap.
• Sleep mask, earplugs, and an alarm clock to help you sleep and awaken when you want.
• Snacks for yourself and the Food Altar, and supplemental foods for your dietary needs.
• Any medications you may need.
• A caffeinated beverage or two to maintain your alertness for the drive home on Sunday.
• Tabi, reef walkers, or other comfortable footwear to wear while dancing.

Special Items and Requests

• Smudge stick or incense for the fire circle.
• A specific personal intention for growth and transformation. What kind of focus do you want to magnify or develop in your life? What aspects of your being do you want to nurture? How might you use art to integrate and explore this intention at the sacred circle?
• Your chants, magical poetry, spoken prayers, ritual theatre pieces and invocations for offering around the fire.
• Your journal or notebook to record thoughts, feelings, dreams, and special experiences.
• Decorations such as flowers, ribbons, prayer flags, soap bubbles and magical stuff to add to the fire circle, temples, altars, and general atmosphere.
• A candle for the temple of light.
• Rattles and shakers, bells, and other percussion instruments.
• Hand drums, such as congas, dunduns, doumbeks, and frame drums.
• Other sacred sound makers such as didjeridoos, singing bowls, and other trance or drone instruments.
• Acoustic melodic instruments for supportive improvisation at the fire circle.
• Covers for your instruments.
• A small branch or log as an offering for the fire.
• Flowers and fresh or prepared ti leaves for general and personal decoration.

For additional suggestions, see to the Suggested Packing List.

What Not to Bring

• Alcohol.
• Illegal substances of any sort.
• Firearms, explosives, or fireworks.
• Pets.

Photography

Please do not use cameras, recorders, or other audio/visual recording equipment at any of the fire circles. At other times, please get permission from the people you'd like to photograph or record.

Cleanup

Cleanup at the Fire Tribe Gatherings has become legendarily quick and fun, with everyone jumping in to share the work. We always intend to leave the site cleaner than when we arrived, and we always succeed!

Departing

We expect to complete our formal activities and cleanup by about noon on Sunday. We'll enjoy lunch and closing circle together before leaving site. Those wishing to stay an additional night must make advanced arrangements with the campground. Please contact us at info@firetribehawai.org if you'd like us to provide contact information.

Questions

Our FAQ page may answer your questions. If you still have questions about the Fire Tribe Gathering, please direct them to the person who invited you to the Gathering, send email, or call Tara at 808-864-1701.

Discussion Group

This online forum lets us connect with each other and talk about our experiences at the Gathering. You may join the discussion group by sending a blank email message to FireTribeDiscussion-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FireTribeDiscussion, or by using the form below:

Thank you! Enjoy the Gathering!

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