Patrons Campgrounds Comments

[mpullen]

Okay, we have an exit poll for the Faire visitors when they depart each evening.

What I would like are your comments for the areas I am involved with.

For the campgrounds, what are your positive or negative comments? If you have a negative comment, do you have a solution?

How has the camping wristband helped in reducing problems in the campgrounds? Is this a convenient method.

How can we improve the reserved camping area and the General/Open campgrounds.

Within the Faire area, I take charge of the evening fire lighting within the Seven Sisters stone circle. I am attempting to build a tradition/mythos. I clean the area each morning and rake a blocking circle in the morning, to keep out bad luck from the heart of the Faire. Just before each evening's fire, I rake an opening spell circle, plus clean up all the pollen from the cigarette tree that get deposited within the circle. Just before lighting the bonfire, I circle the stones, touching each one. Also, whenever I enter the circle, I tough the closest stone, asking for admission. Is this a bit too extreme?

Please send me your comment via PM, so that you can feel free to express yourselves.

[LadyElizabeth]

I love the campgrounds!  I am hoping that there will be a shower and regular restrooms built in the future!  I think the wrist band idea was a great one, definitely worked well for me and my friends.  I think the ravers haven't yet figure out about Sherwood, so we've not really had the issues of TRF yet.  Of course I was only there the first two weekends.

I have talked to and heard from ALOT of different RVers who desperately want to bring their 2nd homes to this fair when they come.  Many people aren't into camping, but RVing is OK with them.  I've heard rumors that there will be a separate and good RVing area next year and I really really hope you guys pull that off!!  I think you're missing out on alot of business due to not having this available already.  Of course it doesn't particularly affect me other than wanting to have some of my RVing friends there to hang with me!  The current camping area just doesn't work well for those big RVs or any RVs I've heard when it rains....

[Justin]

We had a great time camping weeks 2 and 3 and hope to be back this final weekend.  Of course we had a couple of problems with the stumps in the road.  I think maybe clearing 1-2 well defined paths to the back section of general camping and then blocking the other path-sections would help.  Or putting big reflective flags by some of the problematic stumps.  But again, very impressive grounds for the first year!

The only other suggestion may not be practical at this time but I quite like how TRF has the quiet camping a little removed from the general section.  Although we never observed (or created :p) an issue, I know some people like to have their kids away from some of the partying that might occur.  As the grounds grow, it would be good to set the quiet section a little bit away from the general.

Many thanks again Mike for an awesome camping experience!

[Lord Virgo]

I thought the campgrounds were great.  I think the wrist bands are a wonderful idea.  I don't think you are going to far in creating the mythos at all.  I prefer it actually.  It gives it that much more magic.  I think the Seven Sisters is Epic and is completely deserving of a tradition.  Well done, all of it.  Extreme!!!!

[RenStarr]

I really like the camp grounds as they are.  By that I mean the ability to sit around in the evening and into the night enjoying the company of others while being outside. 

One thing that's a double edged sword as far as I'm concerned, is the RV issue.  Once there is an area for the RV's, there is no doubt that the people who simply won't tent camp will start showing up in much greater numbers.  Those additional numbers are nothing but good news for the life of the faire.  But.............I really enjoyed not having to listen to the generators running all evening and all night long.  There's just something extra nice about camping when the sounds of the forest are present (natural & ren activities) that don't get drowned out by the noice of multiple generators running. 

The showers are GREAT!!  It would be nice to see a few more stations through out the camp grounds.

Access to the camp areas during the "off Faire" season would be nice.  Such as, allow folks/clans to camp in thier sites when any gatherings that take place.  Spending some time camping and working with others to fix up the camp site would make for some great weekend get aways.

All and all................well done Mike!!

[KiltedPrivateer]

I have to agree with RenStarr on the generator issue.  The greatest thing about Sherwood camping is knowing that your area is YOUR area and if you don't want to sleep on top of a generator you don't have to.

I enjoy being able to personalize our area and its nice to be able to show up at camp and not have to set up tents and gear - because its already there and ready to go.

I could do without the overly loud stereo systems that come on next door to us.  Especially once the sun goes down.  I personally come to the forest to get away from all of that.  I would much rather hear overly loud drumming, singing, dancing and general merriment.  Not Mega Death.  But thats not Mike's issue.

Last thing - The guy at the guard shack has to do a better job of directing people where to go.  For four weekends in a row now, I've talked to general campers that had no idea where they were suppose to go when they got in.  Twice, people have tried to camp in our parking area. (Cause our parking area rocks - way to go Clan P).

Aside from the guard shack guy, I have no complaints about the camping and believe it far surpasses TRF.  TRF could learn a thing or two from Mike Pullen.

Good Job Mike!

[rengypsy]

mike rocks!

we love him.

rengypsy

[dfloyd888]

mike rocks!

we love him.

rengypsy

Seconded.  He has put in a superhuman amount of effort into getting SWFF where it is.

[Painted Lady]

We loved the camp ground. Thank you Mike, for taking care of us!

Tent campers only was nice. Maybe an keep an area for those of us that like primitive camping. I can imagine that RVs would make big ruts in the sand as well as the generator noise.

We would galdly pay more for flush toilets. ( We aren't that primitive).

All and all it was marvelous.

Sand...its not just for breakfast anymore.   

[Bonny Pearl]

We have a travel trailer and would love to be at camp next year if the grounds are ready for it.  I know I personally don't like the loud generators or how some folks set the noisy things right in your direction, without even trying to muffle the noise.  We took that into consideration when we got our t/t and paid the extra (and I mean 'extra') money to purchase a quiet generator.  We (the rv-ers) aren't all bad lol. 


I know there isn't a perfect solution, but I hope that the grounds don't get too segregated.

[*Teach*]

We are also considering getting a travel trailer. I am fairly certain we would be able to park it in our area once a bit more clearing is done. (We don't want a land yacht, just a small trailer so there wouldn't be a huge issue I think).
I honestly can't think of one complaint we have had about camping this year.
The arm bands work, but having to actually wear it all day is not high on my list of things to do. I would prefer being able to attach it to my mug.
I would also suggest a camping season pass. Same kind of card as the regular season pass that can be presented when needed. That way there is no arm band and you still have a pass that can't be transfered because there is a name on it.

*a rum store would be nice too*

[Bonny Pearl]

We are also considering getting a travel trailer.

Welcome to the dark side.... we have cookies! 

[KiltedPrivateer]

I would also suggest a camping season pass. Same kind of card as the regular season pass that can be presented when needed. That way there is no arm band and you still have a pass that can't be transfered because there is a name on it.

To build on this idea (Excellent idea Teach) is to have some sort of adder for the season pass we already have.  Perhaps a stamp or fancy shaped hole punch.  That would definitely alleviate having to have the season pass card and a camp ground wrist band.

But, I also agree that the bands haven't been bad and the grounds seem to have stayed clear of undesirables.

Also, the Gate Keeper has done an excellent job all year of checking bands.  He definitely deserves some props.

~KP~

[LadyElizabeth]

Well you didn't actually have to wear the wrist band.  You could have put it on your mug or like me I just put it in my purse adn dug it out when I needed back into the camping area each night...  But I also think a special season pass that included camping with hole punches or something would be good!!!  THat way we'd not have to keep track of both things....

[KiltedPrivateer]

Well you didn't actually have to wear the wrist band.  You could have put it on your mug or like me I just put it in my purse adn dug it out when I needed back into the camping area each night...  But I also think a special season pass that included camping with hole punches or something would be good!!!  THat way we'd not have to keep track of both things....

Unfortunately, the last few weekends, we were forced to wear the bands.  Apparently, bands were being handed off  to allow non-campers into the grounds.