Camping 101
Greetings!
Thank you for considering our Midsummer Gather. We intend to have fun this Midsummer’s Week; please be sure to bring your sense of adventure, a sense of humor and be prepared to let your “inner child” show its playful side. This information is intended to give you an idea how to prepare. More detailed information will be provided to registrants around Memorial Day.
♦ Location: Eagle Cave Campground is approximately 65 miles SE of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, in the rolling hills just north of the Wisconsin River. Road information links for the nearby states are on the main gather page. We recommend you check each state through which you will be traveling.
♦ Arrival/Departure: OUR GATES OPEN at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 16th. At the gate you will be asked to confirm all our paperwork.
♦ Water: All primary sites are fully plumbed with drinkable water. The bathhouse has flush toilets, basins, private showers, and hot water 24/7.
♦ Sanitation: The bathhouse with flush toilets, HOT water, basins, and private showers is near the lodge end of the camp. There is an “outhouse” near the other end of camp.
♦ Electricity: All primary sites are wired for 30 amps service with RV and grounded utility outlets. No additional fee! Please bring your own grounded extension cord.
♦ Ice for sale on-site, within camp. Ice has been ~$1.75 per bag.
♦ Trash/Garbage: This is collected from your campsite each day. Please bring trash bags sufficient for your stay.
♦ Campfires/Firewood: Firewood is included in your admission. Weather permitting, there is a community fire near the center of camp, and you are always welcome there.
♦ Bugs & Sun: There WILL be mosquitoes and there WILL be ticks in the wooded areas. Please bring insect repellent. Bring and use sunscreen.
♦ Alcohol: The sale of alcohol is prohibited. If you wish to consume, you will need to bring your own; please do so responsibly. Underage drinking is prohibited.
♦ Drugs: Do not bring or use illegal drugs. You will leave. Immediately.
♦ Personal Music and Games: We encourage music, drumming and other entertainments. Parents, your youngsters’ activities are your campsite’s responsibility. Please respect others’ requests for quiet.
♦ Emergencies – Weather & otherwise: In severe weather, we shelter in the Lodge, or in extremity, the Cave itself. There are hospitals available in both Boscobel and Richland Center. Please have an emergency contact number and a list of your medications, medical conditions and/or allergies easily available.
♦ Groceries, supplies, services: Muscoda (~8.5 miles), Boscobel (~15 miles), and Richland Center (~17 miles) have the nearest shopping and laundromats.
Time to Let Loose: In the wheel of the year, this is perhaps the only time where we can stop and set aside our work for a while. The crops have been sown, but we’re still a ways away from the first harvest. The sun is warm as are our spirits. The days are long and lazy, perfect for daydreams. The nights are warm and inviting, perfect for sweet summer dreams.
Bring your dreams to our Gather this Midsummer and let’s all help them to grow!
What to bring: Recommended Items
Equipment:
IF TENTING: Tent/tarps and sleeping bag/air mattress/bedding/pillow. More tarps (really)! Heavy duty tent stakes, hammer and removal tool.
IF VEHICLE: Sleeping bag/air mattress/bedding/pillow. Yes, tarps with heavy duty tent stakes, hammer and removal tool. Just in case.
Bright cloth strips, tape, or glow sticks to mark tent ropes for safety. (Yes, you WILL need ropes!)
NOTE: We do NOT light the camp pathways with torches. We strongly suggest some form of low-level site lighting. Electricity is usually available.
Portable chairs, and table for food preparation and dining
Flashlight/lantern(s), plus extra batteries
Drinking water jug or other water container(s).
Towels/washcloth, biodegradable shampoo & soap (septic system), toiletries, toilet paper (just in case)
Food and beverages
Food prep and storage equipment: bowls, platters, utensils, cooler, propane cook stove, hot pads, cutting board, napkins, paper towels, food storage bags/containers, etc.
Plates, cups, and utensils to dine with.
Bucket or dishpan for cleanup
Trash bags; recycling bags/containers for your campsite
Banners and other decorations for your campsite if desired
Personal Comfort/Health/Safety:
Insect repellent
Hat, sunscreen, and other sun protection for your body
Allergy and/or prescription medicine, if applicable
Sturdy walking shoes or sandals (we’re camping over the cave – ground is rocky)
Cushion, mat, or lawn chair for seating
Warm clothing for cool evenings (may get down into the 50s F)
Cool clothing for warm and hot days (usually in the 70s-90s F)
Rain gear (poncho, boots, umbrella, etc.)
Other:
Money for ice, mid-week grocery runs, merchant and silent auction purchases
Earphones to silence external speakers for personal electronics.
Festive and sacred dress/magical tools for other rituals & processional
Optional Fun Items To Bring
Food to share (about a dozen people) for the Feasts.
Outdoor game equipment.
Supplies for specific activities (watch the website for info, and watch for our prep-bulletin in early June)
Acoustical Music (instruments) of any sort – drums, bells, guitars, flutes, whistles, voices…
Candles in a jar or other container for carrying in processions, to the privy, etc.
Item(s) for Silent Auction– proceeds to Earth House Project.
Tips for the Neophyte Camper
♦ Tents If you are purchasing a new tent, set it up in your yard (or a friend’s), BEFORE you plan on using it. This does three things:
You make sure all of the parts are there,
You get practice setting it up,
You must seam seal the tent.
Number 3 is the most important. If not done, the seams will leak. If your new tent needs it, it will come with sealant. Please note: If you haven’t sealed the tent in the past two years, do it again. It can’t hurt. Sealant is usually available at your local sporting goods supplier. When you seal the seams on the tent, make sure it is outside on a warm day. It MUST have good ventilation.
♦ NO FLAMES IN YOUR TENT! This means no candles, no incense, no heaters, no gas lanterns, no stoves, etc.
♦ Ground Cloths = Tarps. You should have two. One should be one inch smaller on all sides than the bottom of your tent and goes on the inside. The second should be one foot wider on all sides than your tent. The other one goes outside, under the tent. Fold the extra under the tent so no plastic is showing. This ensures the water flows UNDER the tent.
♦ Resealable Plastic Bags They are your friends. Pack your stuff in individual resealable bags. The bags can be used for dirty or wet clothes and can be reused for future camping trips.
We hope to see you all there!
Earth House Project is a tax-exempt, non-profit, all-volunteer community effort to build a resource center in the Twin Cities area for people of all nature-reverent spiritual paths.
Only with your help can we bring this dream to life
