THINGS TO BRING TO CAMP (plus Tips for Tenting below)
Download the MAINE FIDDLE CAMP HEALTHY CAMPER GUIDE.
These are suggestions from our experience. Your own list may differ, of course!
- Musical
- Musical Instruments (maybe even some that won’t be your primary instrument)
- Recording device (many instructors encourage recording – learning by ear doesn’t mean you have to memorize it all the first time you hear it!)
- Paper and pencil for taking notes
- Music that you might want to share with friends (sheet music, song lyrics, etc.)
- Bedding & Towels
- Warm sleeping bag and/or blankets
- Sheet in case of a hot night or two
- Pillow if you use one
- Towels (you might want two, in case the weather is damp and they don’t dry)
- Clothing
- Comfortable clothing for hot, cool, AND cold weather
- Lightweight long sleeves for warm but buggy evenings
- Sleepwear for warm, cool AND cold nights
- Shoes you can wear for dancing (something comfortable that stays on your feet)
- Swimsuit
- Outerwear
- Long sleeve shirt for cool evenings
- Warm sweaters/coats for cool or cold nights/days
- Rain Gear
- Rain coat or poncho
- Waterproof footwear, or extra pair of dry footwear
- Umbrella
- Miscellaneous
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries for flashlight and recording device
- Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper (sometimes the bullfrogs are loud, even if everyone else is quiet!)
- Personal care items (toothbrush, shampoo, etc.)
- Insect repellent
- Money in case you want to purchase CDs or music at the camp store
- Hat or hats (you may want a hat for sun, you may want one to discourage bugs, and also a hat with a brim can help you hear yourself in a large jam session. Additionally if the nights are really cold – sometimes they are in June – a warm knitted hat on your head will keep you a lot warmer at night while sleeping)
- IF YOU ARE TENTING
- Tent (of course!)
- Good rain fly
- Some people like to put a waterproof groundcloth under their tent
- Foam or other soft mat for sleeping
- See the “Tips for Tenting” on page two of this list.
- Tent (of course!)
- Message to registrants with a trailer or RV:
A common sense policy that has always existed but never written down is this: Gas powered electrical generators are not allowed at any time in the main campus of Maine Fiddle Camp. This means the ball field and camping areas in and around the ball field. This applies to stand alone generators and those built into trailers and RV’s. Since these areas are shared by tenters, the noise and exhaust emissions are not welcome and not healthy. Campers who NEED to use generators are asked to park in designated off campus areas. Solar powered electrical generation is allowed and welcome.
TIPS FOR TENTING
1. When choosing a tentsite, choose with care.
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- Choose a level site (some of us like to test it by actually lying down on it. Looks can be deceiving), free from roots or stones.
- Do NOT pitch tent under a tree with dead or dangling limbs. High winds can break them free (there is a reason they are called “widow-makers”!)
- Pitch your tent carefully
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- Make sure there aren’t valleys where water will collect if it rains.
- Make sure your rain fly is taut and is not in contact with the roof of your tent.
- If you are using a groundcloth under your tent, make sure it does not extend beyond the edges of the tent where it will collect falling water and direct it into your tent! (yes, this has happened and it is not a fun discovery at bedtime). You may need to fold the edges of your groundcloth to accomplish this.
- If you are camping as a family, children must camp with parents or adult family members. If children are staying in cabins, they must observe the 11:00 curfew even if their parents are at camp.
- If at all possible, organize your belongings in your tent area so that after unloading you can park in the ball field and we have as few vehicles as possible in the active camp area while camp is in session.