Rainbow Gathering Safety Questions

[Mychal]

Hi everybody,

I want to go to the National Rainbow Gathering this year. It'll be my first but I've been reading about it. All the great things that people experience and all the tragedy.

Tent and everything stolen, parked cars smashed to pieces, folks tied to trees and beaten -some of the stories are too gruesome to believe. I live in the city, so I know how to comport myself around trouble, I'm not afraid of that. Personal safety should be the same, huh?

I may end up going alone; I don't know anyone going out there yet. I plan on connecting with local groups though. My question is about the security of my stuff. It would suck to come back to the camp and find that I didn't have a tent, or bowl, or anything to sleep on or a change of cloths.

The only advice I have heard is to tent near other folks. That seems kind of vague, what is too close or too far when you don't know anybody or you come by yourself? Wouldn't it seem creepy to have a single dude park his tent right next to yours?

I have done a bunch of surfing on google and there are photos where it looks like 15 people are camping together under one big tent, or where the tents are spaced like 4 feet apart, and where they are 20 -60 ft apart with lots of brush and trees between. The last arrangement seems like it would be very unsafe.

What is the camp etiquette for parking your tent next to someone you don't know?

Any concrete advice on protecting your belongings. I know it isn't suppose to be about stuff. But folks aren't coming with a truck full of possessions and putting it all in a pile and letting someone else decide what they can keep. Anyway, you see folks with costumes and musical instruments, massage tables etc. Valuable stuff. What do you do to keep it from getting ripped off. Do you know of anyone who was ripped off, and how could they have prevented it?

Any recommendations? Is there a kind of tent? A way to pitch it? How do you decide where to pitch your tent when you go?

Are there certain days of the week or times of the day to look out for? Are folks just walking in and out of any tent they choose? Can you leave your tent with out having someone there? If I pitched a tent out front of my house right now with all my stuff in it, it wouldn't last the night.

Thanks all, any advice appreciated.
Peace

[ID10T]

I want to go to the National Rainbow Gathering this year. It'll be my first but I've been reading about it. All the great things that people experience and all the tragedy.
Mychal,

I want to go to Chicago. It would be my first but I've been reading about it.


Tent and everything stolen, parked cars smashed to pieces, folks tied to trees and beaten -some of the stories are too gruesome to believe. I live in the city, so I know how to comport myself around trouble, I'm not afraid of that. Personal safety should be the same, huh?

Robbery, Burglary, People Beaten, Raped AND EVEN Killed-some of the stories are too gruesome to believe. I live with wild animals, so I know how to comport myself around trouble, I'm not afraid of that.



The only advice I have heard is to tent near other folks. That seems kind of vague, what is too close or too far when you don't know anybody or you come by yourself? Wouldn't it seem creepy to have a single dude park his tent right next to yours?
Safety is in Numbers. I Know you have single creepy dude's living on your block or in your building.


I have done a bunch of surfing on google and there are photos where it looks like 15 people are camping together under one big tent, or where the tents are spaced like 4 feet apart, and where they are 20 -60 ft apart with lots of brush and trees between. The last arrangement seems like it would be very unsafe.

What is the camp etiquette for parking your tent next to someone you don't know?
Dont piss in their firepit. Treat ALL like you would like to be treated.


Any concrete advice on protecting your belongings. I know it isn't suppose to be about stuff. But folks aren't coming with a truck full of possessions and putting it all in a pile and letting someone else decide what they can keep. Anyway, you see folks with costumes and musical instruments, massage tables etc. Valuable stuff. What do you do to keep it from getting ripped off. Do you know of anyone who was ripped off, and how could they have prevented it?

Any recommendations? Is there a kind of tent? A way to pitch it? How do you decide where to pitch your tent when you go?

Are there certain days of the week or times of the day to look out for? Are folks just walking in and out of any tent they choose? Can you leave your tent with out having someone there? If I pitched a tent out front of my house right now with all my stuff in it, it wouldn't last the night.
For real...... Walk around and find some Folks you dont think are so Creepy. Tent's.....Wow if you're lucky to have one go for it!!!!!!!!! I sleep under tarps and in Boxe's (I LIKE them better). Weekends really rock, But the mid-week is quite and GREAT for Prayer. Guess you really have to get to a gathering to feel the real air and freedom our Country started on. So much for you to learn.......Ah to be young again.

ID - PR

For all those who cant get the quote right:

BELEIVE NOTHING YOU HEAR.........

AND ONLY HALF OF WHAT YOU SEE.

by A Pre-Roman Magician

[busmama]

Seriously, Just find a group you would enjoy hanging out with and stay near them. As for how close to put your tent, that really depends on the landscape, and people you are tenting with. Try and find a kitchen you would like to help (there are lots of them) andmeet up with famiy.

I have often camped off by ourselves and we have not really had anything taken, but you do need to be sensible, "Tempt not lest Ye be lifted from" If you are leaving your tent put anything of value out of sight, or with you in your backpacck, or better yet don't bring anythin valuable. Car keys, wallets and such should be kept in a backpack that you keep with you at all times.
Its really not as dangerous at a gathering than it is right here in suburbia where I am.

Take time to read the raps, they give useful advice, get to know people, have fun, spread the light and go into everything with a good attitude and all will be fine.

Blessings

[hippiehillbilly]

.

[peaceful]

What is the camp etiquette for parking your tent next to someone you don't know?

You can camp practically right next to someone you don't know, but you'd be happier if you got to know someone a little bit. Just say hi.

Any concrete advice on protecting your belongings. What do you do to keep it from getting ripped off.

Since ur gay, you might like Faerie camp. They seem to get along real well, and hang out in camp most of the time.

Do you know of anyone who was ripped off, and how could they have prevented it?

It is rare, but one brother i knew had his car stolen, but he had a missing window and many possesions in plain view. He had his most valuable possesions on him, so he wasn't that bummed.

Any recommendations? Is there a kind of tent? A way to pitch it? How do you decide where to pitch your tent when you go?

Whatever tent you have is okay, once again i think faerie camp would be safest and most comfortable. I'm not gay but have hung at faerie camp and it seems nice. Otherwise a Krishna camp would feel real safe.

Are there certain days of the week or times of the day to look out for?

[hippiehillbilly]

we are all family brother..:sunglasse

its up to you to decide who ya click with at this big ole reunion.. ;)

[hippiehillbilly]

ummm ????? what the fuck does farie camp have to do with bein gay??????????

man me an dilli both laughin over that one...

[soaringeagle]

i've personsalty seen people leave all theyre stuff by the side of the trail, inluding the clothes they were wearring.. over a thousand dolllars in the pockets, & not come back to get them for 3 days..the money was removed from the pocket, & a note telling them where it was stashed was put in its place.. in general people waytch out for eachther & everyones stuff.. there may be 1 or 2 assholes wandering around stealling shit.. but generaly its very safe.. if you dont knoew anyone..find a kitchen to camp with..one that fits your vibe..

[peaceful]

i didn't say faerie camp is gay, it is probably more gay friendly than A-camp, and one of the safer camps at rainbow.

http://faeriecamprainbow.tribe.net/

[soaringeagle]

oh, campin near kid villiage ofcourse is the safest & most peaceful.. but then u also gotta watch your own behavior.. the foljks at kid villiage dont take no shit..theyre all about keepin that space safe for the kids..so if u can respect that its a really kind freindly spot
if ya wanna camp lil ways from the crowd.. i'd suggest hookin up with luvin overs, or granola funk..both are kynd places to chil;ll, not too crazy, & have good folks..
honnesztly tho, i;'ve been going 20 years, never once even thought about security & leave my shit unatended all the time..& only once did i have anything stolen, & that was by some asshole i met at bus villiage & was gonna get a ride with

[Gyva02]

The only asshole I've ever met was the fire NAZI at Montanna 2000, The guy came into our camp and tried to put out our fire becuase he didn't believe we had lined our pit with rocks (prevents underground root fires/more smouldering than anything). But we had our 5 gallon bucket of water, our shovel and our pit lined with rocks. This guy preceded to put out our fire with our water and stumbled away... "what a dick" is all I could think about while we shoveld out all the dirt and water that was now in our pit... The guy was messed up real bad, very high on something. It was better to let him put it out and continue his journey than to comfront him and have him spazz out. but ya thats my only bad expierence, didn't help it was about 2 or 3am pretty chilly up there at night...

Mike

[Keanua Otter]

oh man bro's and sista's. i am getting really homesick readin' all this good gathering stuff....... and dreamin' of ocala (& granola funk!)
Newbie brother, gathering's generate magic, and magickal people and the forest is magic. you will be awestruck by the wonder and beauty of it all. You will attract positive energy perhaps like never before in your life, all at once, everyday in multitudes of little ways. You will be embraced over and over in genuine and heartfelt ways by many loving folks. You will be passed many bowls of herb to share the healing medicine. Perhaps, shamanic revelations will unfold as you dancedrum with the fires...your life will be transformed.
And soaringeagle soars high above...he is a soul brother of love!

[Mychal]

Thank you all. I am grateful for the response.

By googling "Rainbow Family" I've found many albums and journals documenting gatherings that Family have attended. You read about the joy that Keanua Otter describes. That's mostly what I've read; but people do like to write about their suffering. I know that the violent incidents I mentioned were undoubtedly personal, not random acts.

Myself, I've never had a problem meeting people, or starting a conversation. Am I more open to that? Sometimes it's annoying, like if I'm shopping and trying to concentrate on my list, of the ten people standing around in the store, I'm always the one a customer will seek out to ask "which onions are shallots?" I'm not complaining, I'm just sayin.

My concern was with security and first impressions. Like I said, I may end up going alone. All your suggestions are useful; other folks searching this forum will think so too.

I probably will tent with the Faeries. I've helped with a couple fundraisers for the Radical Faeries, I know some of those folks around here -I just missed out on making it to the sanctuary a couple times. We lost touch, but I do know how to get into contact. Even without Faerie Camp, I'd be okay with pitching my tent anywhere, including A-Camp.

peaceful -Thank you for your thoughtful answers.

hippiehillbilly -Buying protection with a keg, sounds deviant and sexy. I had to laugh, there's a short movie-script in that!

soaringeagle -your story of the people leaving stuff by the side of the trail did a lot to quell any anxiety I had. Thank you. I had visions of everyones unattended tent being rummaged through. You gave good suggestions on where to pitch tent for folks who want to keep away from drama.

I don't want to close this thread, If people have any other comments to add please do.

[merlinclark]

my suggestion is to not bring anything to a gathering that u couldnt stand to lose.
if possible, leave camping gear in vehicle till u take a walk-through of the site and find your perfect tentsite. no, it is not common to have people randomly going through tents and we dont accept that behavior from each other.
get to know the people who work in the kitchens and the people who look like they feel right at home. chances are they ARE home and these are the people u will later see at other gatherings. soon it'll seem like u know everyone and everyone knows you. just like family.
welcome home

[Keanua Otter]

i would just like to comment that that is the cutest tickle me mouse icon i have ever seen!

[Mychal]

The mouse icon is in my hipforums album.
You can use it in your hip forum messages by adding:

{img}http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/mousie.gif{/img}

transpose [] for the {}.

[Keanua Otter]

you're a naturally generous brother. (you're gonna be so fine with rainbow!)thanks for the mousey.

[THE GOLDEN STRING]

Tent and everything stolen, parked cars smashed to pieces, folks tied to trees and beaten -some of the stories are too gruesome to believe. I live in the city, so I know how to comport myself around trouble, I'm not afraid of that. Personal safety should be the same, huh?



FYI- THE ONLY BAD THING WILL COME IF YOU TRADE BUNK DRUGS MAN

TAKE WARNING



STAY AWAY FROM A CAMP (DRUNKS )

[Crystaleyez]

The only undesirables I've met have been old dudes or just dudes tryin to get a piece, this happens alot. That and high holies, theyre all like its not om its aum. The complainers too, theres lots of those (could you please stop fire dancing I find the smell really offensive). All in all tho its awholelotta love and light. :)
I haven't had anything stolen but I did pick up lice once in Quebec. eeew
Lots of tics in Mexico too. eeew
A friend of mine alomost got raped in mexico.
For all the bad theres a million times more good.

[Rael]

Keep one eye open and on your shit while you're sleeping...

[Big Bull]

On gaurding your stuff, perhaps some one there stand guard! Never insulting but always blessing each passerby!

I have not been to one, but they did have one here in Missouri years ago. The local news was reporting, the bible thumpers went there in force, the were so afraid it would be a mess. Come to find out everything went fine, the brothers and sisters never caused any trouble.

If they have one again I would love to attend!

[Olympic-Bullshitter]

Have everyone carry a CamelBak that has a 2- to 3-liter water storage capacity. During the day, make sure to check how much your child has consumed. People have died from heatstroke with a half-filled water bladder inside their CamelBak. It can also be used to carry a small survival Kit. With your children, inventory this kit before each trip and discuss how each item is used. A whistle should be attached to the body as a necklace or tied to a belt loop and inserted inside a pocket. An industrial-size garbage bag can be made to decrease heat lost from the head, create the hood when making the head hole. Show your children how to do this before departing home. Make sure your children know to not place their heads inside the garbage bag! Petzel headlamp, Hat and socks, and a Energy bar. Please take the time, however, to discuss how important water is, and remind them that if they don't have water, they shouldn't eat. The size of your children's survival kits depends on how much they can carry. Signal mirror, Solar blanket, Iodine tablets, Folding blade knife, Waterproof matches and lighter, and Tinder. Without training, they are nothing more than dead weight and serve no purpose. The list is unlimited

[zihger]

Hi everybody,

I want to go to the National Rainbow Gathering this year. It'll be my first but I've been reading about it. All the great things that people experience and all the tragedy.

Tent and everything stolen, parked cars smashed to pieces, folks tied to trees and beaten -some of the stories are too gruesome to believe. I live in the city, so I know how to comport myself around trouble, I'm not afraid of that. Personal safety should be the same, huh?

You will probably be safe if you bring a large pit bull, some face kicking boots, brass knuckles and don’t take shit from no one..

Jack up dumb asses as they pull in to front gate so you have money to contribute to beer runs and you will be fine.

Hahaha just kidding

I’ve been to about 5 or 6 nationals and have only heard of a couple of people getting backpacks getting stolen.

Not sure what goes on in the parking lot.. I just park my car there and go inside but I don’t know of anyone who has problems with car brake ins.
I do camp with people and we always have someone watch camp it is huge you never know what kind of random people will walk through your camp. But half of the time I went alone and always found cool trust worthy people to camp with.

I think the biggest danger is getting stopped and searched at law enforcement roadblocks on the way in and out.

[Olympic-Bullshitter]

If they get separated from you make sure your children understand how important it is to stop, and how moving makes it much harder for you to find them. They need to immediately begin blowing their whistle and continue doing it in short bursts every three to five minutes until rescue arrives. If they have a signal mirror, they should flash the horizon every five to ten minutes. If they don't have either, they can use a big stick and pound on a tree. Make sure they understand the difference between playing in the sandbox and being in the woods. When hiking, point out a good tree well, and have your children climb inside so they can see how comfortable it can be. Don't have your children ration their water. They should drink it. Let them know that if they ever get lost, you'll be looking for them. If you're a spiritual family, discuss your faith and how they can turn to it for comfort.

[WanderingturnupII]

If they get separated from you make sure your children understand how important it is to stop, and how moving makes it much harder for you to find them. They need to immediately begin blowing their whistle and continue doing it in short bursts every three to five minutes until rescue arrives. If they have a signal mirror, they should flash the horizon every five to ten minutes. If they don't have either, they can use a big stick and pound on a tree. Make sure they understand the difference between playing in the sandbox and being in the woods. When hiking, point out a good tree well, and have your children climb inside so they can see how comfortable it can be. Don't have your children ration their water. They should drink it. Let them know that if they ever get lost, you'll be looking for them. If you're a spiritual family, discuss your faith and how they can turn to it for comfort.

Ummmmm....kids at a gathering aren't likely to wander off and find themselves alone. Nobody's going to pay any attention to a whistle going off...they'll just think it's Tea Time. A signal mirror would be as effective at a gathering as it would be at the mall. Better would be for the child to find someone with a two way radio, or if the child is old enough to understand that it is not a toy, (lots of the 20+ year old kids don't get this) give him his own. You could pin your contact info on the back of a toddler's shirt (child's name, name parrents go by at the gathering, loction of your camp in relation to the closest major kitchen, e.g. "halfway between the Ovens and Oz") By default, found children are taken to Kid Village. If you are not camped near there, or want your little explorer taken somewhere else, you should indicate this. There was a 6 y.o. who left Mommy in Bus Village to go to Trader's Alley (Trade Circle...anyone ever seen the merchants in a circle?) at West Virginia Gathering. It would have been eaiser on Mommy if he had been taken back up the hill instead of farther into the village.

The easiest time to loose your kid is the afternoon of the 4th, after the prayer circle breaks up, and the party begins.

Why was this thread brought back up from the depths?

[SunLion]

I have only attended one national; I saw no violence except between two dogs. One dog was badly hurt, and I believe both owners packed up and left.

At night, I left my drum (a large ashiko that cost several hundred dollars) at a kitchen about a hundred yards from where we pitched a tent, and no one took it in the 8 days 7 nights we were there. Another time I didn't feel like carrying it, and laid it alongside a main trail unattended, and again, it was there when I returned an hour or so later. I think I was unconsciously trying to get rid of it or something!

I had one experience of a person being rude to me (he had pitched a tent away from everyone else, I walked by it while returning from helping someone put up a teepee, and he said something kind of rude about how I should have known he camped away from everyone for a reason. Later, he found me and gave a really sincere apology, saying he had just done a long drive and was tired.

I saw one person having a bad drug experience (a girl maybe 10 or so who had taken LSD) but it was handled well and she was fine a few mins later. That's about it. I bummed a ride to and from the gathering from total strangers, and we got along great.

That's my $.02's worth!

[WanderingturnupII]

:icon_bs:
I saw one person having a bad drug experience (a girl maybe 10 or so who had taken LSD) but it was handled well and she was fine a few mins later.

If she was fine minutes later, then it couldn't have been LSD then, could it?

I've seen teens younger than I would like on drugs I'd rather not see them on at gatherings....and in towns and cities across the nation. But a 10 year old on LSD, that wasn't LSD?

Why are you even spreading this rumor?

The more I think about it, the more your post pisses me off...You claim to be a 47 year old network analyst who enjoys reading, and you're obviously not an alcoholic High School dropout in his early 20s who never learned to write. I believe you deliberately structured your post for maximum shock value. "Everything's peace, love, and hippie beads, blahblah, only one dog fight, tenpted, but yet was not lifted from, blahblah, love and happiness...10 year old on acid...peace."

What are you trying to do???

[Willy_Wonka_27]

:icon_bs:

If she was fine minutes later, then it couldn't have been LSD then, could it?



He didn't say she was sober minuets later. I'm sure even a 10 year old, especially with the help of family, can change a bad LSD moment into a good LSD experience.

[treasure oger]

about yor question on wear to put you tent, my advice is, like someone said, walk main trail to get an idea on wear things are and the farther into the gathering you are the safer you are from roudy front gate kids, they usually don't make it in too far, and most important GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS and ask if you are setting up to close to them. Me and my husband like to have fun and get a little loud sometimes and we let everyone know "This is not a quiet zone!" ... some people move on and some people gather round... and good neighbors will watch you back so choose wisely. But most of all don't stress it you'll do fine and don't be afraide to ask questions, because if you don't ask questions you will never learn...
and Bury your shit
Bury your dogs shit
Bury someone elses shit
Bury someone elses dogs shit
Bury Shit!

[MayQueen~420~]

...

[purple-moss]

and Bury your shit
Bury your dogs shit
Bury someone elses shit
Bury someone elses dogs shit
Bury Shit!


amen....:D