Playa del Fuego

Survival Guide Spring 2008

5:00 pm Thursday, May 22^nd , 2008 - 12:00 Monday, May 26^th, 2008

VNVMC  474 Flemings Landing Road  Townsend, DE 19734

Here is the source for all your informational needs for Playa del Fuego. These things keep us in good standing with our site owners, and ensure that we will have a location to hold our next burn.

New Information this guide: Cars and Parking, Site Rules and Directions, Dogs.  Dogs will NOT be permitted entry at Spring 2008 Playa del Fuego.  Details are below.

You must present photo identification at the gate. We are marking persons under the age of 21; those without ID will be marked as a minor.

Off Limit Areas

The Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club of Delaware (VNVMC), who owns the land on which we camp, they have indicated the following areas that are 100% off limits. We are not responsible for what happens to you if you disrespect these areas. At a minimum, you will be forced to leave.

1. Anything to the left of the gravel drive is off limits except the showers. Stay to the right of the road at all times.

2. The Clubhouse is a yellow and white building located between the showers and pavilion.

3. The Flagpole is located at the right edge of the gravel road and is near the clubhouse. It is surrounded by a fence and is clearly marked.

4. The Helicopter and its stand.

5. Any buildings, closed fields, or fields with animals in them.

6. Just because it isn’t on the above list, does not mean you are allowed there. Use good judgment.

Noise

The VNVMC needs to preserve the rapport with their community. To that end, you must greatly reduce the volume of any loud activity after 12:00am. If a ranger or one of the Vets asks you to turn down your music, you should comply immediately. But the they should not have to ask. We have already had to start turning music down earlier due to people not following the rule.  Usually we attempt to notify camps 15 to 30 minutes before midnight, but keep an eye on the time yourself just in case.

Site Rules

Only ticketed persons will be allowed to enter. Wristbands will be issued at the gate. Participants must wear this wristband while on-site for the duration of the event. If a wristband breaks or is removed, it may be replaced from within the gates by exchanging the broken band for a new one at the gate. If you are concerned about it being a hazard while spinning fire, you should remove it and exchange it when you are done spinning, cover it with something or possibly wear it on your ankle.

Fireworks of any kind are prohibited in the state of Delaware and are not welcome at the VNVMC.

Fire is permitted in the designated burn barrels only. Burn barrels must be raised off the ground to keep from scorching the grass roots. If you are displaying burning art, you must supply your own burn pad and contact the Burning Arts Coordinator with your safety plan. If you have a burn barrel you should also notify the Fire Team leads so that they can make sure it is safely placed. Do not place any burn barrels to close to the stage, tents, or pavilion. Only place your burning art where the Burning Arts coordinator told you too. Practice good fire safety, keep propane tanks and other fuel cool, properly stored and clearly marked.

LEAVE NO TRACE. ALL trash needs to be packed out or deposited in the dumpsters. Start now on reducing your trash and practicing Pack It In – Pack it Out along with LNT. Before you leave, please walk your area and pick up any trash and Matter Out Of Place (MOOP). There are recycling centers in Odessa. DO NOT put any coals or ashes in the dumpsters. DPW can direct you to how and where to safely dispose of your ashes. DO NOT PUT LARGE ITEMS IN THE DUMPSTERS! If it doesn't fit in a trash bag, it should not go in the dumpster!

The VNVMC has requested that all participants outside the gate (in the parking lot or off the property) dress accordingly (modestly). To make it absolutely clear, there should be NOTHING about your attire that allows others to see parts of your body the law does not normally allow to be displayed in public. If you can be seen from the road, you should be properly attired for a public setting.

All participants must vacate by 12:00 NOON on Monday. Additional overnight stays are prohibited - NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are not out by noon, you jeopardize the event and annoy the people responsible for making sure everything is cleaned up.

Dogs

                Participants will not be permitted to bring dogs to Spring 2008 Playa del Fuego.  Trained Service Dogs will be permitted.  Service dogs should be on leash and attended at all times and clearly identified as service dogs.  Also, be aware that there a few dogs that owned by the VNV MC, as well as local dogs that may wander into the event.

Vending

There is absolutely, positively, NO VENDING, of any kind permitted at Playa Del Fuego. This includes promotion of other events. Please note, Playa del Fuego, Inc., does not condone ANY illegal activity whatsoever.

Volunteers

Playa del Fuego is 100% run by volunteers! Attendance limits are strictly dependant on the number of volunteers available. The more volunteers we have, the more participants we can have. Consider signing up to volunteer at the event at the Participation Station, or volunteer before hand. Go to www.playadelfuego.org for more information.

Showers

Use of the showers is permitted. Once you shower, return to the right of the road. Please keep your showers brief, hot water is in limited supply. If you are covered in mud you should hose off before entering the showers. DO NOT leave any personal items in the showers including soap, shampoo, etc or trash outside. DO NOT use the showers later at night.  Clean up after yourself!

Porta-Potties

If it was not made by your body, don’t put it in the potty. Only your own bodily wastes and 1-ply toilet paper should go in the potty. ANYTHING else does not go in the potty, including “flushable” baby wipes, tampons, food, et cetera. It will clog the hose when the trucks come to empty them. Do not use the porta-potties next to the showers. These are VNVMC members only.

Pavilion & Food

Feel free to use the pavilion for cooking and dining but CLEAN UP when you are done. DO NOT leave behind leftover food. Someone has to clean up after you if you do not clean up after yourself. If the pavilion is not kept clean, pavilion privileges may be lost. Leave No Trace applies to the pavilion also.

Inclement Weather

It is possible that we could have an event with lots of rain and mud. In the case of very wet weather, carpooling is recommended since the space we have available may be limited. Also, please pack efficiently. You may have to carry your camping gear a considerable distance from your car. Be prepared for all weather including lots of rain, mud and cold.

Cars and Parking

                ANYONE CAUGHT DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE WILL BE BANNED FROM THE EVENT FOR NO LESS THAN ONE YEAR AND POSSIBLY FOR LIFE.

IMPORTANT: When you arrive pull off the main road into the driveway and park in the grass where directed by the parking volunteers. DO NOT PARK OR REMAIN STOPPED IN THE ROAD “OR DRIVEWAY. There is other traffic coming and sometimes they are going fast. We do not want to risk an accident or complaints about traffic being obstructed.  Not only could these problems result in people beintg injured or killed in car accidents, but at the very least they will attract police attention and upset the local community.

Volunteers will direct parking and unloading inside the gate. Follow their instructions. To reduce crowding, you only have 30 minutes to unload your vehicle inside. Do not leave your vehicle inside longer than 30 minutes or you may be forced to leave. Unload your equipment and return your vehicle. Do not spend time setting up your camp. Do not drive around looking for your camp.  Only drive on marked roads!

If you plan to sleep in your vehicle, this is on a first come, first serve basis, room is limited. Only vehicles such as RVs, Vans, Trucks (with caps), and campers are permitted to be parked on-site for sleeping. Otherwise, you need to sleep in a tent. You can not sleep in your car in the parking lot. Please park your vehicle where instructed by the volunteers at the gate. Once it is parked it must stay there until you leave the event. You can not drive it out and re-enter. On-site parking passes will be issued.

Art cars are also permitted on site but must remain parked also. If you have any questions about parking or art cars please email ' ); //--> This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it "> This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Inclement Weather Reminders: If there is a lot of rain, the area will get swampy. You are parking at your own risk, and your car may get stuck. Do not spin your tires if you get stuck. Find people to push or tow you out SAFELY! The parking lot may have to be closed if conditions are severe.

When going inside to drop off your gear, there will be marked “streets” for you to drive your car on. Please adhere to these as they are there for everyone’s safety.

Firewood

All firewood is included in your ticket price while supplies last. We purchase in bulk from a local contractor. Please let the Fire Team leads know if you are going to need wood by emailing ' ); //--> This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it "> This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . Do not over-feed your fires. DO NOT take wood from the main stack. If you have something that burns a lot of wood, please bring some of your own.

Community

Playa del Fuego is an experiment in community, ad-hocracy, and do-ocracy. Respect is fundamental to this community. Please respect yourself, other participants, and our hosts. Always respect the limits of others. If it’s not yours, do not touch it without asking first. No always means No. Yes means Yes. Silence is NOT consent. Participants can be held liable for endangering or injuring other participants or their property. Please plan all projects and activities accordingly and use common sense. Playa del Fuego operates on a gift economy. It is expected everyone contributes to the community in some meaningful way and gives as much as they receive. Remember, everything you do or do not do effects the event and the rest of the community.  There are many ways to give, do not limit yourself to material gifts.

Photography and Video

1) Individuals retain legal rights to the use of their images, and the use of any media for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without the express written permission of Playa del Fuego Inc., and any subjects of the photographs and video.

2) Photographers may not photograph anyone who requests not to be photographed, and must destroy any existing images at the subjects request, even if prior consent had been granted.

3) It is prohibited to take pictures in a camp or of a person that has posted a "No Photos" sign, or at an event where a "no photos" policy has been announced. The slip and slide is ALWAYS a no photo event!

Guidelines:
1) It is expected that photographers be open about their activities. If someone is seen trying to hide that they are taking pictures, malicious intent may be assumed.

2) It is expected that photographers obtain permission for pictures that are taken of individuals. This permission would ideally be obtained beforehand. However, if a great candid shot presents itself, a digital photographer may choose to "shoot first", and ask permission afterwards. He/she would still
be obligated to erase the picture if the subject does not approve.

3) A photographer may take a picture of groups of people, or of artwork with people near by, in a public area that has no specified prohibition against it, without asking permission of all the people that incidentally appear in the shot. However, it is expected that the photographer will exercise judgment about the content of their photographs, and will obtain consent whenever practical.

If a photographer is perceived to be violating these rules, guidelines, or the community trust, they may be confronted by any member of the community. If the problem cannot be resolved, rangers should be notified to mediate. Ultimately, someone violating PDF rules or interfering with other's safety and enjoyment of the event may be evicted from the event.

NOTE: Comissatores nudes caveant. Let the naked reveler be wary. Despite the Playa del Fuego photography policy, all participants must understand that you are ultimately responsible for your actions. Playa del Fuego cannot be held responsible if a photo of you appears in public.

Local Supplies

The shopping center at the intersection of 301 and 299 includes a major hardware store, a grocery store, a drug store, a dollar store and several restaurants. The shopping center at 896 and 301 just south of 95 includes a grocery store and some other stores. Many new strip malls have been built in the area in the recent years.

Directions

VNVMC

474 Flemings Landing Road

Townsend, DE 19734

There are several tolls on the way, have cash on hand to pay them.

These are general directions, please consult a map AND online direction sites.

To Odessa:

From the West and South: Take Route 50 East across the bay bridge to 301 North.  In Middletown turn right onto 299 East.  Make sure you do not turn left onto Maryland 299 before you cross the Delaware state line! 

From the North: Take I-95 south to Route 1 south. Continue to follow Route 1 South to exit 136, Route 299. Turn left off of the Exit onto Route 299 East. Continue east into Odessa.

 
From Route 299 in Odessa: From the Odessa, Delaware area, take 299 east making a left outside of town onto Taylor's Bridge Road to stay on 299. After about 500 feet, 299 East becomes Route 9. You are seven miles from the site at this point. Follow Route 9, making a right to stay on Route 9 where it becomes Flemings Landing Road until you see the site on the right. There will be a large sign that reads “FIRE BASE LLOYD.”

Alterante Routes:  There are many alternate routes and many easy ways to avoid the tolls in Delaware.  Ask others for alternate routes.  Special note:  If you take Route 40 East from Maryland to Delaware instead of I-95, you can buy a window sticker for the same price as the toll and it is good for over a year.

Remember: LEAVE NO TRACE! DO NOT LET IT HIT THE GROUND!