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Frequently Asked Questions
General |
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Booking |
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Getting there |
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Contributions |
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Camping |
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Website |
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General
What is Paganism?
Paganism (also known as Neo-Paganism or Revivalist Paganism) is a spiritual practice based on a reverence for nature and on our current understanding of pre-Christian religions. Many Pagans practice a spirituality that is entirely modern in origin, while others attempt to reconstruct or revive historic and indigenous belief systems.
Some modern Pagans are polytheistic in that they believe in many forms of deity each with separate characters and personalities. Others believe in a God and Goddess, or manifestations of a single deity or Mother Goddess. Some appreciate the sacredness of the world around them without believing in deity at all.
Common forms of Paganism include Wicca, Witchcraft, Druidry, Animism, Asatru or Heathenry, Hellenism, Santeria and some forms of High Magic and Kaballah.
For more information about Paganism, go to the Pagan Federation website.
Do I have to be a Pagan to come to Pagan Camp?
You don't have to be a Pagan or follow any sort of nature religion to come to Pagan Camp. All we ask it that you are tolerent of Pagan ways and willing to keep an open mind.
Pagan Camp is a very relaxed event, and a great way to introduce people to Paganism in a friendly and non-threatening way.
Who are the organisers of Pagan Camp?
Pagan Camp is organised by a core team of four who do most of the administration including booking the site, running the website, taking bookings, scheduling activities and making sure everything goes to plan at camp. They can be contacted using the details on the contact page of this site.
They are helped enormously by many others who offer their time and energy year after year.
Why is Pagan Camp held at the same time as other camps?
Unfortunately there are only so many weekends in the year, and as Paganism becomes ever-more popular, it is inevitable that there will be overlaps and clashes with other Pagan events.
Pagan Camp continues to be held on the last weekend in August / first weekend in September, so that it doesn't clash with any of the eight festivals traditionally celebrated by the majority of modern Pagans, and the children are still on their summer break.
Booking
How do I book?
To book, simply register using the registration form on the top right-hand side of this page. Once we have confirmed your registration, we will send you a booking form, which you will need to sign and send to us along with your payment. When we receive your form and payment we will send you a receipt / ticket via email.
By registering, you will also gain access to the Pagan Camp message boards, where you can meet other registered guests.
How much does it cost?
The price of attending Pagan Camp 2008 is £11.75 per unit per night. Payment is in advance and is required before your place can be confirmed.
On registration, we will send you an attendance form to print, fill out and return, along with your cheque or postal order. Please note that we cannot confirm your place at camp until we have received your completed form and payment.
If, for whatever reason, you are unable to attend camp after we have received your payment, we will happily refund the full amount (minus postage costs) provided you let us know at least a week prior to the event.
What is a unit?
A unit comprises of one tent, caravan or motorhome.
A note about space:
The next Pagan Camp is set to be the busiest yet, and space is at a premium. Please be responsible in your use of space and do not erect tables or gazebos outside of your pitch. There is no exact definition as to how much space constitues a pitch, other than 'the amount that can comfortably house a caravan or motorhome (with awning) or large tent, with just enough space to walk either side'.
The organisers will not be measuring how much space you are using, so please take it upon yourselves to act with consideration towards others. However, they do reserve the right to ask you to move (or remove) add-ons that may cause a nuisance.
The freedom of guests to arrange their space as they wish comes with a responsibility to help ensure the limited space is used as economically as possible.
If you feel that you cannot in good conscience keep within a single pitch, then please book an extra one. This particulary applies to those with stalls.
How many people can camp in one unit?
As many people as you can fit. Pagan Camp charges per unit, not per person.
What does the price include?
The price includes camping and inclusion in Pagan Camp activities provided by you the guests. It does not include food.
Getting there
How do I get to camp?
Blackland Lakes is located just outside Calne, near Chippenham in Wiltshire. Click here to view map of the area.
From London leave the M4 at junction 14 and follow the A338 into Hungerford. Get onto the A4 past Marlborough and travel a further 12 miles. Blackland Lakes is signposted from the A4 just east of Calne.
From Bristol leave the M4 at junction 17 at Chippenham and take the A4 east towards Calne. Emerging from Calne on the A4, Blackland Lakes is signposted.
What time can I arrive?
You can arrive anytime after midday. Those arriving prior to 8pm must report to reception to receive a map, exit code and other information. Those arriving after 8pm, should drive straight through to Paddock 9, which is signposted from the reception area.
Whatever time you are arriving, please could you make yourselves known to one of the organisers, so that we can welcome you and give you any further information you need.
Can I travel by public transport?
The nearest train station is in Chippenham, which is about a 20 or 30 minutes taxi drive from the campsite. Buses run between Chippenham and Calne approximately every half an hour, but there is a mile or so walk from the bus stop to the campsite.
If you would like to be picked up from Chippenham, you can request a lift in the Pagan Camp message boards, though we cannot guarantee that everyone will be successful. You can also use the message boards to organise transport-sharing with other guests from around the country.
Can I arrive a day early?
If you wish to arrive a day early or leave a day late, please contact the campsite directly in advance. Explain that you will be attending Pagan Camp, and you would therefore like to pitch in Paddock 9. On arrival, please report to reception and pay for your additional nights.
Contributions
Is anyone paid to speak or perform at camp?
The unique feature of Pagan Camp is that all the workshops, stalls, and entertainment are provided by the guests. We do not pay speakers or facilitators, but instead encourage all our guests to contribute something to the camp, no matter how big or how small.
What if I can't think of anything to contribute?
Contributions come in many forms, so it is likely that there will be something you can offer. Past contributions have included provisions of tea and coffee, help in welcoming new arrivals and enthusiastic participation in the activities and rituals of camp and in the pre-camp build up on the Pagan Camp message boards.
Can I run a stall?
You are welcome to come and have a stall at Pagan Camp. It is free, but you should be aware that as we are only a small camp the stalls we do have do not tend to sell much, but they all add to the community atmosphere of the camp. If you would still like to come, please register using the registration form on the top right-hand side of this page and we will send you a booking form.
Can I provide a therapy?
You are very welcome to provide a therapy at Pagan Camp. It is free, but you should be aware that as we are only a small camp the therapists we do have do not tend make much money, but they all add to the community atmosphere of the camp. If you would still like to come, please register using the registration form on the top right-hand side of this page and we will send you a booking form.
Camping
What do I need to bring?
A tent, camping and cooking equipment. Barbeques are permitted but must be raised above ground level.
If you are bringing a stall or are offering a service it might be worth having some sort of alternative shelter, such as a gazebo with sides, as the weather can be unpredictable.
The camp is self catering so bring your own food, but a communal meal in the evening has proved fun in the past, so bringing something to share might also be a good idea.
Can I bring my caravan / motorhome?
Yes, a caravan or motorhome is considered as a unit as is charged the same amount as a tent.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on leads at all times. The campsite is also a nature reserve, and this rule is imposed throughout the site.
Are electrical hookups available?
Ten electrical hookups are available on a first-come first-served basis on arrival. They are free to guests as they are included in the agreement between Pagan Camp and Blackland Lakes.
Do I have to provide my own food?
The camp is self catering so bring your own food, but a communal meal in the evening has proved fun in the past, so bringing something to share might also be a good idea.
The fully licensed log-cabin style shop stocks the basics.
Is the camp open to daytime visitors?
The campsite charges a fee for daytime visitors, payable on arrival at reception. Please let us know in advance if you would like to come for the day.
Can we light fires?
Fires and barbeques may be lit as long as they are raised above the ground to avoid scorching the grass. For the main camp fire, the turf will be carefully removed and replaced afterwards.
Are there toilets, showers and washing-up facilities?
The amenities at Blackland Lakes include all the usual facilities include shower and toilet blocks, mother and baby/disabled cubicles, and sinks with plentiful hot water.
The fully licensed log-cabin style shop stocks all the essential camping items.
Website
Why are my log-in details no longer working?
When we changed to the new design, the old guest page and forum were combined, thus doing away with the need to log in twice. The new site uses the log in information from the forum, so unless you were registered on the forum, you will have to re-register.
When re-registering it would be useful if you could use the same username and email address, so we can identify you. If you would prefer to use a different username or email address, that's no problem - just drop us a line using the form on the contact page and let us know what you are changing from and to.
Why is this website not working properly?
If you find that this website is not working properly, please contact info@pagancamp.org.uk stating the problem you are experiencing and which operating system and browser you are using.
Can you link to our website?
We prefer only to link to the websites of people that have been to a previous Pagan Camp, or whose place at a future camp has been confirmed. If you are one of these people and would like us to include a link to your site, please let us know using the form on the contact page.
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