I have not seen any recent talk of the campgrounds. I was curious of how they were? Condition ? Enjoyment? I have only camped at TRF, do I was curious of the differences? Both good and bad if possible. Can't wait to get there! Thanks
Basic camping. Just like at TRF, anything you bring in you bring out and bring in anything you think you will need.
The campgrounds are smaller than TRF but are more controlled (as in there is better security).
If you like roughing it like at TRF then you will like it here too.
If you are looking for a clan to camp with I know of one that is always looking for more bodies to keep our numbers up :-)
*Bring rum and camp, thats the basic plan I go with*
Thanks for the quick response. Roughing it is the way to go!! Oh and plenty of rum and mead we shall have!
Do they have like a drum circle or any get together type event at the campgrounds?
The drum circle at Sherwood is hosted by Valhalla each night.
hi. i am one of the two owners of sherwood and have long been a trf participant and patron. i think there are similarities and huge differences. from the onset, our desire at sherwood was to create an environment within the campgrounds that lended to the sense of community...as opposed to some of the rave-like qualities exhibited at trf. not that we don't believe in partying--for we surely do. but ours is usually around campfires, among friends, brothers and sisters of faire. clans are a huge part of the development of sherwood camping. we currently have in excess of 15 to 20 active clan camp grounds. they are managed by the clan themselves. they are responsible for the activities and behaviors within their camps. it works well.
there are several drumming circles that we frequent--valhalla and celtic rogues are the two most often active. folk in general camping are welcome to roam about and find their space, their crowd.
one night during faire, we have a large ceremony at the stone circle at night and open the grounds to campers and participants. it is as close to spiritual an event as i have experienced. lots of drums. lots of fire spinners. lots of gypsy dancers.
the fire circle and drums are a significant aspect of the the faire and the after hours experience.
Can't wait to camp this year! Have not been able to the past year so very excited this year, hopefully it will be night the grounds are reopened.
Quote from: Austin Gypsys on January 27, 2012, 11:37:08 AM
Can't wait to camp this year! Have not been able to the past year so very excited this year, hopefully it will be night the grounds are reopened.
While people won't be able to actually start camping until Friday afternoon, the grounds will be open every day from now until then, just in case you want to come in and set up your tent and site.
Quote from: <Alex> on January 27, 2012, 10:02:56 PM
Quote from: Austin Gypsys on January 27, 2012, 11:37:08 AM
Can't wait to camp this year! Have not been able to the past year so very excited this year, hopefully it will be night the grounds are reopened.
While people won't be able to actually start camping until Friday afternoon, the grounds will be open every day from now until then, just in case you want to come in and set up your tent and site.
Are the grounds open to the general public or only to clans working on their reserved areas? I was under the impression it was the latter. Pullen should probably stop by and clarify for us. Don't want anyone getting in trouble unnecessarily.
When I was out there this morning, I saw some tents set up in the general camping area, leading me to believe that people other than clan-campers had been out and about.
But now you've given me reason to rethink myself. I'll err on the side of caution.
The tents/campers in the General/Open campgrounds belong to folks who have Friends of Faire passes and I've already given them permission to setup their camps.
The main idea was allowing the clans/groups access to their areas to complete clearing and setup before opening weekend. We have four new groups for the 2012 season
Note that the availability expires this coming weekend - Feb 4-5. I have to make sure everyone is out of the campgrounds before I open them on Feb 10.
Does that clarify matters?
Works for me (o:
Thank you.
What time will the campgrounds be open Friday opening weekend? I have a pretty long drive in and need to figure out timing. I will be camping with PR.
Quote from: Glaodian on January 29, 2012, 06:13:00 AM
What time will the campgrounds be open Friday opening weekend? I have a pretty long drive in and need to figure out timing. I will be camping with PR.
Since no one from Phoenix Risen seems to be logged on right now - from the main SWFF website "The campground is open from Friday at 4pm until Monday at 12pm. The exception is the weekend that includes Spring Break Friday; on that weekend, since the Faire will be open on Friday we'll open the campground on Thursday at 4pm."
You can check out their main website http://sherwoodforestfaire.org/ for info about camping in general. It's under "SeekYe Our Village" then under "Camping".
Thanks Polly. I did read that, but if they are anything like TRF, those times vary from weekend to weekend. Since it is opening weekend, I was thinking that they may have the campground open a bit earlier since I figured so many would be coming in.
It does tend to come down to whenever the person running the gates gets there. 4 is the time that they will be there for sure, earlier than that is taking your chances that someone may be there or they may not be.
I will likely be getting there around 7 or 8 because I have to work Friday.
*I have a new truck so I can haul more rum... of course I can't afford more rum since this was not an expected truck lol*
Okay, here's the "official" scoop on when the campgrounds opens.
I get onsite around noon Friday. The Faire operations manager hires the ticket booth attendants who man the campgrounds entrance/ticket/security booth. It takes me an hour or so to get my camp setup (haul stuff from truck to trailer) and then get over to unlock the gates. I could start checking passes, sell camping passes, and do the things the attendant is hired to do, but that prevents me from hovering in the General/Open campgrounds and directing folks to the quiet/noisy camping areas and keeping the non-clan campers out of the reserved clan areas (amazing how many see all that open space when they take the wrong turn).
Thus, I have to wait until the attendant arrives, usually around 2 PM. I have to make an initial sweep throughout the campgrounds to make sure everyone is out (except for Participants who camp in the Patrons campgrounds) and then I give the okay to start letting folks in.
Thus the "official" 4 PM opening time. If we stated 2 PM and weren't ready yet, folks would be upset.
When you enter, please form a line to the left, so that Participants can pass on the right into the Faire area.
Camping fee is still $10 per person ($5 per child 6-12), with a Faire ticket. If you don't have tickets, they can be purchased at the campgrounds booth. Don't lose your camping wristband (mug band/belt band/or whatever you want to attach it onto as long as it is visible when you exit the Faire area into the campgrounds). Friends of Faire - show your card and get the wristband (etc, etc, etc).
Folks with large RVs/trailers camping in the main parking lot - I will catch you Friday afternoon or Saturday morning before opening. Same fees, wristbands, yadda, yadda.
We will broadcast the evenings when Friends of Faire will be allowed back into the Faire area after closing for a very eventful celebration at the Pub and afterwards a drumming session at the Seven Sisters.
If you haven't noticed, we are pushing the Friends of Faire passes. It gives you discounted admission, free camping, free tickets for friends, and counts for clans/groups minimum attendance in their areas.
Any more questions of a general nature, please post here or on the Robinandcompany Yahoo group. More personal questions, post to my camping@sherwoodforestfaire.com account.
That's Robinandcompany for those who have not been to the Yahoo group before.
we are very excited about this year's camping. i hope all the new comers feel free to roam around with respect to the clan campfires. lots a very hospitable clan gatherings open to visitors who respect the mores of the various clans. no theives, no paychecks, no blithering drunks. but if you like the company of fireside rennies, most will welcome you openly.
you can bet george and i will be making our rounds.
rengyspy
So this is my groups first trip to Sherwood this year (though I've been attending TRF for 10 years) and we are not with a clan. Is it common for people in non-clan camping to do walkabouts and spend time with those in clan camping? What about the clans mingling with us non-affliated folk? I'm a little nervous as to the unspoken rules of Sherwood camping and don't want to step on anyone's toes.
Absolutey, the general campers always walk the circle and stop by the clan groups. Feel free to stop by Clan Procrastination. Be sure to ask "Permission To Board" when approaching the boat deck, the campers enjoy that (o:
<--- Our sign looks a lot like this
Ditto what KP said. Phoenix Risen also always welcomes newcomers (as long as they aren't of the blithering drunk variety, that's my job). Feel free to stop in and say hi!
At some point in the night I generally get it into my head that I have to introduce myself to everyone and walkabout doing just that. Be bold, clanfolk don't bite unless requested.
*Offering rum everywhere seems to make people smile when I come visit*
*Always looks forward to Teach's Rum Visits*
Thank you for the positive regards, guys! We'll make sure to make our faces known in Clan Procrastination and Phoenix Risen with loki and rum in tow (probably of the good sailor variety). Any other important tips and tricks to know for SWFF and camping out there?
Quote from: sloth on January 31, 2012, 04:24:42 PM
Thank you for the positive regards, guys! We'll make sure to make our faces known in Clan Procrastination and Phoenix Risen with loki and rum in tow (probably of the good sailor variety). Any other important tips and tricks to know for SWFF and camping out there?
Take all posts from mpullen as "the word." He is our most honored Camp
Master Manager and does all possible to make camping safe and enjoyable.
If you have not already done so, check out the Sherwood main web site, under camping, rules of the realm, etc.
The trash lepers do not venture into the woods outside the Sherwood Village itself, so trash goes in the big dumpster (I assume it will be there again), not by the port-a-potties, or by the road just before going into the Village. (I've removed a collection of bottles and cans there myself.)
The web site mentions flush toilets, but I am not sure if those are available to campers yet or not. Mike Pullen would have more info on that.
Take some kind of lamp or flashlight for pottie walks late at night. While most evenings there is enough moonlight, starlight and happy camper lights to find your way, I've seen a couple late nights so very black only the snoring of campers affirmed I was not alone in the woods.
Be careful where you pitch your tent as it is primitive. While most wildlife has moved on due to the annoying humans moving about, there might be fire ants, so you might want to bring some of the killer stuff (not the bait – takes too long), just in case. Last year there seemed to be no mosquito problem (it is February and March), but the fire ants do not like to be awakened.
The camp grounds are much smaller than TRF, but that makes for a shorter walk to the Village, and the clans are located on a circular road, so if you do a walk-about just try to remember which direction you were headed and keep going that way. Eventually you will get back to where you started. The road is marked one-way, but the signs can be easy to miss in the evening.
Hopefully there will be a clan location map on the main web site before too long.
Go out and have a good time.
Oh, yeah, at least some cell phones work out there.
Make sure to come say hi to us at Wayfairers. We might even have some space available for camping.
I'll be all over the place making new friends...been doing that since the fourth of July.
They have showers on site. Bring toiletries.
My roomie and I are very excited about the showers. We went through a can of dry shampoo between the two of us last year at TRF. Are there electrical plugs too for hair dryers? I can't get over how welcoming all of you are! Are there any clans interested in a big jar of cinnamon loki by the way? None of my faire friends are partial to it and I'd hate for it to go to waste.
I doubt very seriously you'd have trouble finding someone willing to take a jar of cinnamon loki off your hands.
No electrical plugs, no electricity period.
*Plenty of rum though*
Teach is right about the absence of electricity; in fact I don't recall seeing any outlets in the restrooms in the Village itself. Some shops have it, but I think they paid to have it installed, or pay a premium for it.
As for generators, I don't remember hearing any (in patrons camping – there are definitely some in participants).
Teach?
Quote from: nomad on January 31, 2012, 08:10:55 PM
They have showers on site. Bring toiletries.
Really? Wow. Neato!
You're camping! No need for electricity! Quick diversion: our group took a couple of camping virgins to an island in the middle of Lake Ouachita (Hot Springs, AR). The next morning, they pulled out their hair dryers, and asked where they could plug them in... When I camp, I camp.
Oh Merlin, please don't mistake. I've never needed or sought electricity when camping. I like to rough it with the best of them. I mostly just asked, because one of the girls coming with us tends to always blow her hair dry when she washes it. figured I'd ask preemptively, so she didn't waste the space in the bags. I, myself, Like to get away from it all when at faire. Give me a fire and a couple of bottles of water and I'm a happy camper (pun intended).
Several people have generators in the camping areas but I don't think anyone brought any in the PR clan area last year. We bring one of the jumpstart/charger power pack things to do stuff like charge phones etc but I couldnt find one with enough wattage to run a regular hair dryer. There is a camping hair dryer that they could buy from academy that runs off of the cigarette lighter in the car. (My Love brings one is how I know)
*I am happy with a spot of ground and a bottle of rum. My Lovely Lady requests... a bit more comfort*
We might just have to try camping next year. We're carrying passengers this year, so it's not an option. It's been 20 years since we last camped, I think. They actually make a tent that connects to Homer, the Odyssey. It would be fun to rough it again!
We would be glad to welcome you to our clan area if you wanted Elder.
*anyone thousands of years old should know some good rums*
heheh.. dunno about rums, Teach, but I could easily recommend a good Tennessee Sour Mash....
See you next weekend, eh?
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on February 01, 2012, 06:32:19 PM
heheh.. dunno about rums, Teach, but I could easily recommend a good Tennessee Sour Mash....
See you next weekend, eh?
I wish merlin next week, Not for us :-[ :-[
sherwood cancelled for us until at least til mid march
will see you at Scarby on the weekend of the 14th
Aww! Bummer, for sure! Was looking forward to seeing you guys there. But, yeah, still on for Scarby!
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on February 01, 2012, 06:32:19 PM
heheh.. dunno about rums, Teach, but I could easily recommend a good Tennessee Sour Mash....
See you next weekend, eh?
Not as much a fan of the whiskeys. That was my younger days, I moved on to better things lol
But yep, see ya next weekend!
*rum=better*
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on February 01, 2012, 06:32:19 PM
heheh.. dunno about rums, Teach, but I could easily recommend a good Tennessee Sour Mash....
That's another great thing about camping at Sherwood with the Clans - just wait long enough at your campfire and a visitor will come along with something most drinkable. Or, alternately, do a walk-about with something to share and no telling what you'll run across in your travels.
No big kid beverages, just juice boxes and water for me this time around! :) lol
Quote from: *Teach* on January 26, 2012, 11:18:06 AM
The campgrounds are smaller than TRF but are more controlled (as in there is better security).
If you like roughing it like at TRF then you will like it here too.
*Bring rum and camp, thats the basic plan I go with*
When you see a silver-gray pickup with the lightbar on top drive by, that will be me making a security round through the campground to make sure everyone is ok. Sometimes it takes half an hour to make the circle after stopping many times to chat with folks. :)
Mark
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on February 01, 2012, 06:32:19 PM
heheh.. dunno about rums, Teach, but I could easily recommend a good Tennessee Sour Mash....
I approve this comment ..
Quote from: replicant on February 02, 2012, 09:10:24 PM
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on February 01, 2012, 06:32:19 PM
heheh.. dunno about rums, Teach, but I could easily recommend a good Tennessee Sour Mash....
I approve this comment ..
see me at tailgate... ;D
By the way, remember that campfires must be in a covered fire pit. No open fires on the ground!