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Health & Fitness

Onwards to the Festival

So the rust is knocked from your swords and you just got your garb back from the dry cleaners all in preparation for that first festival of the season.  Before you and your group hit the road here are some tips you might want to keep in mind.

Before you leave: Is everyone clear on the departure time of not only when you are leaving for the festival but also when you are leaving the festival for the return home?  Are the directions to the site clear and easy to understand?   What about parking at the site?  Are passes needed?  Street parking or parking garages?  What is the weapon policy and alcohol policy of the site?  If the group is staying at a hotel is everyone happy and comfortable with their roommates?

Budgeting:  Is everyone clear of what comes out of their pocket and what the group will pay for?  If your group has a reimbursement policy has it been explained?

On the road:  Are you prepared for an emergency?  Do all cars have spares, flashlights, jumper cables?  Do you know which of your members belong to an automobile club?  Most clubs not only cover emergency services for the club members own car, but for the car they are riding in as well.  Are all the smokers in one car?  If not are the smokers ok not smoking in the car until the rest stop?  How often are rest stops?

Now that you’re at the site, who minds the encampment when the group is not preforming?  When making a schedule for the camp minders are there enough downtime for people to enjoy the rest of the festival? If the festival you’re at is attracting a lot of media coverage has it been decided in advance who the spokesperson is?

Hopefully during the planning stages there was an open and honest discussion about what type of behavior is expected from group members, not only during festival hours, but off hours as well.  What is your group’s policy towards the use of alcohol and illicit drugs?  Are there a couple of volunteers willing to stay sober to keep everyone else out of trouble? This is not about policing adults and keeping them from having a good time.  It’s about keeping your group members safe and the name of your group clean.  Did you go to the festival to break up fist fights?  Spend money to bail someone out of jail?  Who’s going to call the family back home that someone is in the hospital or died?  Do you really want to see your group’s picture in the newspaper accompanying an article about drunken reeanctors roaming the streets?

Remember clear communication is the key to avoiding misunderstanding and assuring smooth sailing.  



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