Life in Camp
Once you have registered online for the gathering, you will receive a confirmation email with documents providing details about the location of the site, meals, classes, and more. The information below will give you an idea of how the Winter Count camp functions. Refer also to the What to Bring page for suggested items to make your time at Winter Count more enjoyable.
Arriving
Check-in will take place at the gate when you enter. This is a private event, so if you have not already purchased a ticket to be at camp, you will not be permitted to enter. One of our primary responsibilities as organizers is the personal safety and security of everyone attending. Knowing who is in camp helps us keep camp safe for everyone.
Our gates will open at 10 am on Saturday. Please do not arrive to camp before this. Onsite Check-in Schedule: Saturday, 10 am-6 pm; Sunday, 9 am-6 pm; Monday-Friday, 7:30 am-6 pm. If you try to enter camp outside of the above listed times, you will not be able to unless you have already 1) checked in at the gate and 2) received your wristband and vehicle registration tag.
All participants must check in and obtain a wristband and a vehicle tag. The wristband will be your meal ticket and provide class access, and the vehicle tag will ensure your vehicle is allowed to stay on the property.
To steward this beautiful land, please do not drive your car on any place that has not been previously graded or where there is vegetation, and park and/or camp in designated areas only. If you are parked where there is vegetation, you will be asked to move your vehicle. Please help us to create this norm by informing others of this rule, if you see it being violated.
Camping and Shelters
Our camp is a primitive site and has no RV hook-ups. Plan to camp in tents, tipis, or RVs/vehicles. Driving access to several parts of camp will be limited, so plan to camp away from your vehicle. We have designated areas for RVs, trailers, and cars in certain camps. If you are bringing an RV, consider bringing a bicycle, since the main RV camp is about 1/2 mile on the road from Main Camp—or less if you take the trail. No generators allowed anywhere outside of the area where RVs park. Generator hours are 8 am-5 pm.
We encourage you to camp away from your car; you’ll be able to leave your vehicle in a parking area that is separate from the tent camping areas. There will also be areas for camping in/with your vehicle, whether a VW van, gypsy wagon, truck, or RV.
No vehicles will be allowed in the Main Camp area, as this detracts from the more primitive flavor of the camp.
Bring some type of sturdy, weatherproof shelter. There’s generally good weather, but biblical rains are possible as well as biblical wind and snow. Temperatures may range from the 30s F. to the 80s F.—often with hot days and chilly nights. Common shelters are canvas wall tents and tipis, yurts, backpack tents, and even improvised shelters.
Fires
*No ground fires are permitted in camps. Bring a fire pan if you plan to have a fire.
*Please do not gather natural firewood from the site. A central pile of wood will be provided. If you plan to burn more than a small amount of wood, please provide your own.
*The etiquette of Winter Count is that those who have campfires will welcome anyone to join them. Wander camp and visit your neighbors, listen to the stories or music shared by firelight.
*Do not leave charcoal or ash in campsites. Move all residue to the central fire pit.
Food
As part of your registration fee, we serve one meal a day starting with dinner on Sunday and ending with dinner the following Friday night. The food we serve tends heavily towards organic, when we can manage it, which is most of the time, and is prepared to be healthy and sustain you through your days at our camp. Meals served at Winter Count receive rave reviews for being nutritious, varied, and tasty. We provide vegetarian and meat options but are unable to accommodate people with specific food allergies. We do try to accommodate non-dairy choices in some cases by not adding a dairy product to the meal itself, but once again, be prepared to take care of your own dietary needs.
All meals will have a way to avoid wheat and other gluten-containing products, but we cannot say any of our meals are gluten-free, nut-free, or soy-free for that matter, being that we cook all meals in the same kitchen, using the same utensils.
To help you plan, each evening’s menu will be posted for the following day. You’ll need basic utensils for eating. There are no tables or chairs for mealtime, so folding furniture is a good idea.
You’ll be responsible for your own breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, though this year, Mike Clow and Peggy will provide breakfast for sale on a first-come, first-served basis. Ice for coolers will also be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. Otherwise, buying ice or groceries will require a 30-minute drive to Florence.
Dishwashing facilities will be available during dinners, so please use them. Diseases can spread quickly in an unsanitary camp, so be on guard.
Water
It’s a desert! Regularly drink plenty of water, especially in the heat. Potable water is available at the site. Please limit its use to drinking and cooking only. Bring a container to transport water to your camp and a water bottle to carry with you throughout the day.