What do I need to know?
With the event approaching soon, it's time to put up a list of the things you will need to bring and why you will need them.
First things first, this is a public location. Some things are provided, some things are not provided. This is because if they provided everything, they'd have so many things go walkabout that there would be no money to keep it in a usable state. With that in mind, after a visit to the site by the orgainsers, here is what you will need (and need to note down)!
1) Bedding & Cabins
The only bedding provided by the site is the mattress and the actual frame for it. You will need to provide your own sheeting, blankets and pillows. There is cabin space for 70 furs. This can be increased if people wish to setup tents, for which there is ample room on site to do.
2) Kitchen
The site provides stuff to cook with, pots pans roasting dishes etc. but has a very very limited supply of plates, cups, cutlery and so on. It would be a good idea to bring your own if you can. The con organisers will try to provide enough plates and other things to go around, but if you could bring your own, the con's supplies will go further and could be carried over into the next event. We have cups for cold beverages donated, but not alot for hot drinks. As far as provided equipment in the kitchen there are two large ovens, gas hobs, microwaves and a large BBQ with a full LPG cylinder.
3) Toiletries
Usual stuff here. Soap, shampoo's, funny smelling stuff. The committee will provide loo roll, cleaning solutions and whatnot. You must provide your own towel. The site has both male and female ablutions with facilities for the disabled.
4) Security & Carparking
There is ample space for parking cars at the site, secured by a large solid steel gate. With this gate shut, no vehicles can enter or leave (at least without copping serious damage, instantly writing it off). With this being said, the site is public and is in a regional park. There are walking tracks all over the show and a couple do come close to the campsite. All cabins are lockable and it is recommended that if nobody is in the cabin, that it be locked. A key to unlock it again is available from the con organisers whenever needed.
5) Dogs
Sorry for those with dogs as pets. The camp does not allow dogs or any pets on site. They will have to be house-sat by someone back at home or put in a kennel.
6) Fires
A fire permit is currently being investigated by the organisers for the purposes of a campfire. While it is highly likely this will be approved, the final say will come from the Manawatu District Council (known as MDC from here on in). While the site is in a regional park, the owners of the facility have a special area for campfires and we are allowed to have a campfire in the designated area, provided we have a permit. What this does mean is, if the MDC determine that the weather is dry enough to put a fire ban in place, we will not be able to have a campfire of any sort in the area.
7) Food
Part of the event budget is to provide food to attendees. The organisers will attempt to cover all bases for all attendees in regards to allergies, eating preferences (vegetarian etc) and so forth. It is recommended as such that anyone who has any food allergies to alert the organisers prior to arrival at the site, so arrangements can be made so that you won't die :) If you wish to donate food to the cause, feel free to do so.
8) Emergencies
Exact emergency procedures will be discussed at the beginning of the event. There is no cellphone coverage in the area, but there is a landline to raise emergency services. This line is toll-barred, but the organisers will purchase a calling card so that toll calls/calls to cellphones can be made if needed.
9) Cameras
Bring them along! The more the merrier, but please respect the wishes of those who do not wish to be photographed or videoed. An "official" team of attendees will be recording various moments randomly for compilation into a highlights DVD (much the same as the last few events). We will respect wishes of those who do not want to appear on this "in a subjective way". In other words, there will be nothing on the DVD that will feature you as a subject if you wish for that, but we cannot prevent you being in the background of something potentially hilarious going on. We will try our best, but we can't guarantee anything. It would also be appreciated if any footage or photo's taken could be offered to the organisers for inclusion on the DVD/website.
