FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions: v 2.5 (Updated January 2013)
Here is our second...point five...version of the FAQ on the new site! As new questions come up, we'll add them and let you know! We also hope to have a more easily searchable and readable FAQ up soon...at which point I guess the cliche is to call it 3.0! Read on!
What is Feral?
When is Feral?
Feral! takes place near the end of August, though is now a week earlier than normal! In 2012, Feral! takes place August 22nd to 26th in 2013! Note: That is a Thursday to a Monday.
WHAT? Why the weird dates?
We have a very close friendship with the campsite and the people and family who own and run Arowhon. I mean, 2013 will be our 11th year there, and the first Feral! ever was held there in 1998. They have done a lot to help us over the years (once Feral! was held on their week off so we didn't have to cancel, and they moved our dates a week earlier recently to give us better weather and more opportunity for students to attend!) Rarely, they ask for something in return.
In 2013, they've asked us to bump earlier (nicer weather, earlier dates, good!) so they can have time for maintenance projects. This way, they won't interrupt Feral!, and we'll be out of the way for them. It's what good buds do!
Camp will still have the same number of weekdays and a full weekend, we're just staggered forward by a day or two!
Where is Feral?
Feral! takes place in beautiful Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. Our site is the rustic Camp Arowhon, which was founded in the 1930s! Fun Fact: one Feral staffur's father was a counsellor at camp in the 1930s!
How long has Feral! been running?
The first Camp Feral! took place in 1998, and we have run annually ever since. ...not that we’re counting, but that means we’re currently the 3rd oldest and longest running furry convention in the world! (please correct us if we’re wrong...but Eurofurence and Anthrocon are the only two that seem to have us beat!! Note: some people are telling us that MFM as about the same age as us...still working on confirming that!)
If I am under 19 years of age, can I attend Camp Feral!?
No. For insurance reasons, we cannot allow anyone under the age of 19 as of the first day of camp this year.
What form of ID is acceptable?
Any government issue ID with a recent photo. If you are concerned or have questions, please email campferal@gmail.com
How do I get to Feral?
Check our Getting To Camp page for details on getting to Feral! If you aren’t driving, you can take the Feral! bus from Yorkdale Mall for only $45 extra. Information on the bus is also on the transportation page!
If you’re driving, we highly recommend that you tank up in Huntsville, or make sure you have enough gas to drive 150 kms. Every year, a camper nearly runs out of fuel driving into the camp...meaning that there’s a nervous trip trying to reach the nearest station, which isn’t close.
How much does Feral! cost?
A regular Camper registration in 2011 was $350. Sponsors got in for $400, and Patrons are $495. Please note, if there is an increase in 2013 we will let you know when registration goes up!
Why does Feral! cost what it does?
What do I get for being a Sponsor or Patron?
You get our undying love and devotion...the joy of knowing that you helped Feral! run for another year...oh, and some pretty cool stuff!
- Both sponsors and patrons get to attend a swank Sponsors Event celebrating your additional help...there are drinks (Roo Brew by Potoroo’s dad, wine, soft drinks), cheese and crackers (selected annually by an expert!), a champagne toast, music, socializing with Feral and Arowhon staff, and the Guests of Honour!
- Sponsors and Patrons also get free tickets to enter into our annual raffle for prizes like commissions, special goodies, and one of a kind items!
- Sponsors get this year’s art T-Shirt!
- Patrons get this year’s Feral! hoodie
- We also try to find some additional bonus items for both Patrons and Sponsors through the year, to sweeten the camp for you. In 2012, Patrons got rayguns for our 'Futurecamp!' theme, and in 2011 they received one of a kind 'Green Blob Plushies' for our 'It Came From Camp Feral!' theme!
Should I bring extra money?
Extra money is not needed however you may wish to bring some in order to purchase items from Feral!’s Tuck Shop, to buy art from the Trading Post or you may wish to partake in the Feral! raffle. For some basic costs:
- Feral Shirts: New are $25, Old go from $10 to $20
- Feral Hoodies: New are $50, Old go from $30 to $45
- Art Commissions: Artist's set their own rates...contact an artist you'd like to commission to be sure, however average cost for a conbadge is around $20-30 (again, we don't set the prices!)
- Pop: We charge 50 cents for ice cold pop! Yum!
- Raffle: Tickets are about $1 each, though sometimes there are special prizes with special tickets
- Workshops: Some workshops have materials fees. Ears and Tails can vary from $5 to $20 and Leatherworking is from $20-40 (depending on the project).
Can I bring my pet?
Camp Arowhon does not allow any pets on site.
Can I bring my laptop or other electronics?
We would never say no. Artists may want it for arting, or writers for writing. We strongly recommend against bringing electronics due to the ‘nature’ (heh heh) of the camp. Also, we can’t be responsible for any damages that may happen to it if...say...it starts raining, or a squirrel decides to chew your power cable. Keep in mind you’re coming to one of the most unique events in the world, and it’s in the wilderness. We have plenty for you to do without your laptop!
Is there internet at Feral?
That is a loaded question. Is there accessible internet for campers? The answer is no. There is internet on site, but it is the equivalent of dial-up and intended for camp owners to check email...if they go over their tiny bandwidth allotment they get cut off for the rest of the month. So...don’t use it!!! Some cell phones get reception at Arowhon (most don’t). Please remember...you can play around on the interdweebs anytime you want at home...the point of Feral! is to enjoy the company and the surroundings!
How close is the nearest town?
Funny you should ask! The nearest ‘town’ is Dwight but there’s no much there aside from coffee and a gas station (which...in 2010...saved the skins of three carloads of furs!...TANK UP!). The nearest town with grocery, department stores, and the like is Huntsville which is about 55 km from the turnoff to Arowhon. It is approximately 60 minutes away.
Can I drive to Huntsville if I want? Are there town runs/beer runs?
Of course you can...though we recommend against it. It will take you away from camp for hours!! A Huntsville trip with a stop for buying stuff is going to be a minimum of two and a half hours...that's about how long workshops and activities run! If you have forgotten anything or need anything, talk to Feral! staff. If you absolutely feel the need to run into town, let Feral! security staff know and ensure Growler or Timber (Security) have been informed. If not, they will be disappointed...and we don’t like when The Grumbler is disappointed. (Growler + Timber = Grumbler)
Though...remember...beer MUST be in cans. No glass bottles are allowed on site!
No glass bottles?!? But I like my beer in bottles! And what about wine?
The camp doesn’t want bottles getting broken out in the woods, in cabins, or anywhere that someone playing next summer could find with their hand or foot. Please respect their wishes and bring your beer or coolers in cans.
Wine and spirits...since they are not generally carried around...are permitted with specific requests: keep bottles in your cabin (transfer the booze to a plastic container), try to keep them in a safe place (like a soft sack), and if you accidentally break a bottle INFORM STAFF! We’ll take it from there!
In 2012, there were some slipups with bottles (Feral! staff included...don't worry...there was a paddlin'). In 2013, and all future years, PLEASE don't bring glass bottles to camp. Let's break the habit!
Drinking at Feral! Is there anything I should know?
As a 19+ event drinking is allowed. Aside from the no glass bottles rule, we ask that everyone drink responsibly on site. Camp Arowhon rules state that you cannot have a drink before 5 pm, and we ask that everyone adhere to that. They also state that if you have a drink, you cannot go near the water after that drink...another rule you must stick to.
As important...being drunk is not an excuse for bad behaviour or any activity that interferes with the well-being of other campers. If at any point Camp Feral! staff are put in the position that they must keep an eye on you because you have had too much to drink, then we have one too many people doing so, and we'll ask you to go to your cabin to cool off.
If you are intoxicated and harassing any camper, you are subject to our rules regarding harassment, which 'can' lead to being sent home (by taxi if need be).
These rules are in place to ensure that the (hypothetical) one camper who can't handle their alcohol doesn't ruin the camp for everyone else. We encourage responsible partying at Feral!
What happens if I get sick, or hurt myself at Feral?
VERY good question. In a group of a hundred furs, it’s very likely one or two might get a little sick or injured. First off...talk to Feral! staff IMMEDIATELY. We can’t diagnose you but we need to know the extent of the situation as soon as you get hurt, or feel sick. If it’s something first aid can fix (scrapes, cuts, twisted ankle...) we have staff who can help you. If you feel the need to go to the hospital, you must let us know and let us know why. In that case, either Feral! staff or a volunteer will drive you to the Huntsville Hospital.
If you are concerned for your health, please let us know immediately. It can be easy for mixed messages to hide the fact that you are very sick!!!
How can I avoid getting sick at Feral??
It can be easy to get dehydrated at Feral...there’s a lot of activity, often out in the sun. There are a couple of things you can do to safeguard yourself against getting or feeling sick at Feral. The most important are drink lots of water and eat at every meal. Also, remember to wash your hands after doin’ stuff in the dirt, and take a shower after jumping in the lake!
Is the water safe to drink?
The water from your designated cabin, at Main Lodge, and any major building (Rustic Lounge, Tee Pee Heights, etc) is safe to drink. If you don't know if someone is staying a cabin, even if you see stuff a cabin but aren't 100% sure campers are sleeping there, do NOT drink the water. Arowhon staff prepare camp by running water in occupied cabins and make sure the lines are flushed. They don't do this in uninhabited cabins as they are preparing them to shut down camp (often we are the last campers on site)
This means water from uninhabited cabins 'may' not be safe. So please don't drink it!
Are there acorns at Feral?
No.
What should I bring?!?
Head to over to read our What to Bring section!
Can I bring my fursuit?
Yes. Fursuits are welcome and there will be a headless lounge for the dance. Keep them safe, they are your responsibility.
I am an artist. How can I sell my work at Feral!?
There will be a trading post on the second day on site (first full day of Feral!) for any artist to set up shop. No preregistration is required. We will find space for anyone in need. Feral! is also not responsible for any items you bring to the camp. If you would like to appear in our list of artists, artisans, musicians and other dealer's attending Feral here on our site, contact us!
Why aren't there two Trading Posts?
In 2006, we tried running a second Trading Post, and no one attended. We tried this in 2011 as well, but campers had either spent all their money at the first Trading Post or were busy. Artists can sell commissions and their wares in the Main Lodge when it is a hangout between meals, or really at any time on site. However, scheduling a second dedicated Trading Post would take time away from all our other events and activities, so we can only maintain one Trading Post each Feral!
Feral isn't really a 'dealers' con. Dealers who attend tend to do well at the Trading Post, but we aren't designed to have stand alone, unconflicting Dealer's Room time...there's just not enough time in the day! If dealers and artists are concerned about not making enough money, please contact Potoroo and discuss possible ways to increase your exposure so campers know you're there!
Do you have a question for us? Please send it to campferal@gmail.com!
