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What’s new at the Kaleidoscope Gathering for 2012?
We are going Green-er!
Raven’s Knoll is a Pagan campground which respects the natural world and wants to improve our relationship with the Earth by trending more gently upon Her. For 2012, we have several initiatives to lessen the KG footprint. We are confident that our wonderful KG guests will assist us in our endeavour.
Recycling & Compost Centre
After spending close to 100 person hours sorting the mountain of LCBO and recycling before it could be disposed of responsibly, two Raven’s Knoll volunteers came forward to offer a solution. Each day, a recycling and composting centre will be set up for certain set hours where all recycling and LCBO can be sorted by the KG guest – without a fee – and to dispose of their compost and recycling. To assist with this, it would be helpful if people brought a compost pail, a normal pail or the compostable bags for compost (kitchen size) with their camping gear, for this purpose. A pail of some sort is preferred, but compostable bags will do.
Garbage runs will still continue with the same charge for disposal ($2 for each bag of garbage, $1 for recycling, LCBO is free). However, this will allow people to dispose of their recycling without charge, to compost and to reduce the hours spent sorting by volunteers post-KG.
A huge thank you is needed to Nic Daines and Angela Gray, who spent untold hours with us in the barn, and came up with this idea – and the offer to work the station.
YAG
The YAG, the Raven's Knoll food wagon, is going greener as well. Recyclable / compostable containers will be used wherever possible. Please be sure to respect the bins to sort your cans, compostable containers, etc.
Sorting Centres at Registration and the YAG
When people arrive at Registration, they are often carrying coffee, sodas, etc. that they want to dispose of right there. Similarly, at the YAG, people have purchased items that need to be disposed of, or have been wandering around Diagon Alley with something in their hand. Although these are not intended to be used to dispose of your camp refuse, these bins will have the appropriate items attached to them to help you know what can go in each bin. We ask that everyone take a quick second to help sort out and dispose of items properly.
Coloured bracelets for those under 18
An excellent suggestion from a guest last year, this year, anyone under 18 (the legal age of majority in Ontario) will have a different coloured bracelet. Everyone must wear the silicone, non-latex, non-allergenic bracelets at all times. Please note that the drinking age in Ontario is 19.
Streamlined Registration
Although a necessity, we strive to improve the efficiency of our registration process. For 2012, we have come up with several new ways of speeding things up!
Vendors
The introduction last year of a Vendor form went really well, especially with Gus’ brilliant use of posts at the 'land grab.' It was so quiet and easy! To make things even easier, Vendors will be able to do Vendor and KG registration at the same time. Also, there is no special Vendor Hydro fee this year; it is the same price to access hydro for everyone.
Filling in Forms
Also, new for 2012, if your contact information has not changed from last year, you do not need to re-enter it. If it has changed, just provide the changes. We have it on file (and we do not share it!) so no need to repeat it at pre-registration or at the gate. Everyone over 16 must still sign the waiver, but this can reduce your time in line!
Medical Forms in Advance
For those with a lot of medical issues, a guest recommended the form be available to type out in advance. We recommend that you print it out and bring it with you, however, if you do not have a printer, you can send it to us at kgfestival@rogers.com, as only the Festival Direcotrs (Auz and MA) have access to this. As a reminder, all medical forms are destroyed at the end of every event to protect your privacy. If you fill out this form and save it, it can be re-used, updated, etc. for all your Raven’s Knoll events.
New Workshop Areas
For 2012, there will be additional workshop areas. In addition to the Rookery, the Rookery Grove (to the right), the Stage, the Standing Stone site, Gnome Home site and the Birch Grove, we will also be adding the left of the Rookery (Rookery Annex) and the Horseshoe Pits for central workshop areas. You can recognize these sites by the presence of at least two white chairs (priority seating for Elders, the disabled and pregnant women) and a lovely white board.
Prices
As we all know, the price of everything has increased, so KG prices for adult week and weekend rates have also increased slightly. The cost for children (7 to 15) has not increased, and children under 7 remain free. The day rates have also not increased. However, there is a discount for pre-registration, providing an even more affordable option. For 2012, our goal is to provide a safe, fun, family friendly and affordable event for everyone. Our prices are far less than other Ontario Pagan festivals and we remain committed to reducing costs wherever we can to ensure affordability.
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