Camping Questions

[texanromaniac]

Noticed in the camping section of the forums that someone said that they couldn't use ropes to mark off their camp anymore. Does that apply for TRF? If so, could someone please let me know how exactly could one mark the boundaries of their campsite (which would include 2-3 tents and/or possibly a pop-up, a kitchen screen room, a dining screen room, and a couple privy tents)? We haven't been back to TRF since '07 (since it seems the ladies of our tiny little clan all drank the same water and were all three pregnant in '08 and taking care of wee ones in '09). TRF '07 was our first year camping and since we unexpectedly had to go pirate weekend instead of celtic christmas weekend, we were woefully unprepared and spent part of our downtime discussing all that we should remember to bring next time!! We noticed then that some clans used yellow caution tape..is that still allowed? What are some other possibilities for marking our camp?

Reason why this is such a big thing for us is that in '07 some latecomers wedged themselves between us and the large clan next to us in a spot that was really not big enough for even a very small campsite and as they were the kind to down beers like water and then pick fights, it was a bit annoying...seeing as their campfire was less than 10 feet and a nylon wall away from our heads!! Once we left the drum circle we did want a FEW hours of sleep before faire in the morning!!

Also, as I am aware that many clans have longstanding traditions and regular spots at faire, we don't want to tread on any other clans toes or unknowingly ruffle feathers...so will there be a map of the camping area again this year with markings as to where the different clans plan to camp? Would there be a bigger clan willing to even take us under their wing and let us set up adjoining to your site? Clan BS only consists of three couples and though we love fun as well as anyone, we aren't too wild and crazy of a bunch.

I guess my last question isn't necessarily a camping question, though it does relate somewhat. Is there anyone who is artistic who would be willing to help us out with designing a banner for our clan? We'd love to have one to hang at the entrance to our camp.

[eldatari]

No TRF no longer allows us to mark of spots with tape or other means.  What McLotofus does is arrange our tents in a line around the perimeter of our area.  Put the tents close enough together that others can't set up between them.  It helps to make friends with the people that you camp next to. As far as the map of where the established clans camp it will probably be closer to the run of TRF before that gets reposted.  In order to get a good campsite someone from our clan gets there very early.  I think most of the larger clans do the samething.
Here is a link with a lot of TRF camping information: http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=8479.0

[Bonny Pearl]

"Roping off'" a section is a no-no for sure.  Our clan does use stakes as boundary markers with a bit of ribbon flying from them and/or tiki torches; that seems to be acceptable.  We also get there early to ensure we have enough space for everyone.  We can have 100+ people in our camping area on the Big 3 weekends so it is a lot of work to get enough space.  McLotofus typically tries to camp around Row 8ish, taking up adjacent rows as needed.

[LadyStitch]

Also they have opened up much more area since you were last there.  Our clan moved above the fire circle and get a good spot with out being cramped. We just use our cars and our tents to make a good circle around our mess canopies.  I've just found that you will get griped out if you put too much space in your circle.  /shrug

[*Teach*]

We (Phoenix Risen) do the same as the other larger groups. Make as good a ring using tents and vehicles as you can around the area you want to claim. They will come by and either ask you to take down any barricades or if no one is within sight they will take them down for you.
If you want to claim a space for someone coming in later the only way that works is to lay out a tarp and if asked say the person is getting their tent and coming. Or if you have a spare tent, lay it out without setting it up. If the tarp is left out to long you will eventually be asked to move it. The best way to keep people from camping right on top of your area if is still the tarps though I think. Yeah, you may be asked to move it eventually but if you are lucky you will have lasted long enough with it there to not have someone to close.
If you want to camp next to us over by row 0 feel free to do so. The area does fill up rather fast though.

*you could also bribe someone with rum to stand around in a spot for a while. I don't know how effective that would be, but it couldn't hurt.*

[LadyStitch]

*you could also bribe someone with rum to stand around in a spot for a while. I don't know how effective that would be, but it couldn't hurt.*

Heh, a friend of ours took his back out one year. He couldn't help lift anything more than 5 pounds.  He found a nice chair and took up recidence in an area so no one would try to park on top of our area.  He made for a good barrier.  He said for once it paid for him to be as stuborn as a brick wall.

[SirRichardBear]

Still not a perfect solution a couple of seasons ago the QOH from Scarby came down as a group we set up a circle of tents, pop-ups, etc.  Only to wake up the next morning to find someone had pitched their tent in the middle of our circle. 

[Mouse]

What ever happened to good ol' temerity and general hermitage? I tend to avoid people I don't know until either I have libations, offerings of food, or they hog tie me and drag me over there to poke me with sticks...Can't really say not to either of those. I'm anti-social, what can I say....But some people....some people. That is all I am saying.

[texanromaniac]

Big question...I noticed on the TRF website that it says that the campground opens at 10AM on Fridays...yet on the link provided earlier on this thread to another RF thread specifically about TRF camping it says that the gate opens at 4pm on Thursdays? Which is it really? Did they start doing that because so many were camping outside the gate along the road on Thursday nights and they just never changed the info on the website...or did I miss something?

Reason I'm asking is that we were planning on getting all our gear packed up on Thursday and heading down early Friday morning...but if the campground opens Thursday we might as well head down then, since those of us who work will be taking Thursday off anyway!! It would be nice to have a little extra time to relax and do the last-minute garb stuff if we could get to camp earlier. As mentioned earlier, our clan is just three couples, so we won't require a lot of space or set up time, but we would like a little extra relaxing time!! This will be the first time one of the couples has spent more than one night away from their six kids since they started having kids!! As for myself and my husband, our honeymoon was cut short when we both got sick (severe asthma attack and severe migraine) and we never really have gotten to do anything much for anniversaries since then...so our weekend at faire is actually part of our anniversary trip AND will be the first time we will be away from our little munchkin overnight!! So yeah...

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Yeah... if you get there Thursday, they'll let you in.  King George doesn't like his driveway blocked.  Early Friday is good also... my brother & i showed up around 9:30am, AHE weekend, and there was hardly anyone there yet. 

[mpullen]

I'll probably put up another grid map later this year.

Still recovering from Sherwood Forest.

I have plans for TRF patrons campgrounds that I would like to present to the TRF management. However, since it will require $$$, I doubt that George will consider any changes. Things like expanding the camping area into the overflow parking lot, reducing access roads into the campgrounds to two, wristbands (per head charge rather than per vehicle), flushing toilet trailers and shower trailers (requires power and water for both of these, so the largest part of the modification costs), group establishing permanent camps. Sherwood was the experiment that appears to work.

I'll check for an updated satellite image later this year that shows the new (well new from last year) areas.

BTW, an alternate to rope/tape boundaries is those small flags on metal rods (about 12 inches long). Since Charlie uses them to mark his area and he gave me the okay to use them last year, I think they are the way to go.

The reason for the no tape/rope boundary markers is that if a security officers hits one while on his ATV, he gets thrown or seriously injured.

Also, there are a few folks that continue to mark off an enormous area and only take-up a small part of the area.

[Rapier Half-Wit]

What ever happened to good ol' temerity and general hermitage? I tend to avoid people I don't know until either I have libations, offerings of food, or they hog tie me and drag me over there to poke me with sticks...Can't really say not to either of those. I'm anti-social, what can I say....But some people....some people. That is all I am saying.

I'm not sure if you were aiming that at me...hmmm

[Mouse]

Oh, not at you Rapier. You brought me in with old fashion comraderie. *and the threat of violence* But we won't tell a soul about that. I meant some people as in the folks mentioned in the plopping of tents almost in someone else's tent...I have had a few do that. They set up so close to me that while they were having "relations", the wall of MY tent moved....That was a rude awaking having someone other than my fiance's fingertips brush over my head...FROM THE OUTSIDE OF MY TENT. But yes, not directed at you at all.

[Rapier Half-Wit]

I'm not sure if that was TMI or not...I still feel like I need a shower though.

Next time that happens, just start offering advise and pointers. If that has no effect, start giving direction as if you are filming. And if that still has no effect, offer to go over and show him how to do it better. If none of those has any effect, use your imagination. Knowing you, you'll come up with something, probably better than my ideas.

[Mouse]

I'm sure I could of mustered up a few original ideas. Most involving camping fuel and a once in a lifetime fire show...but that is much too subtle for my tastes....