The Strangers Guide to a Solo Shambhala by Griff

Seeing posts from first years asking for advice
feel free to link/tag, pls pm if i should make fixes

Arrival:
When arriving at the farm just follw the instructions. there are signs on the highway and lights so you cant miss the turn off (literally the highway signs read "festival traffic ahead"flashing). Dont worry about how fast/slow the dirt road is, youre all parking in the same lot. Dont hassle security, they dont get the enjoy until youre in, so if they found something they shouldnt have, cooperate. Keep your "personal" items on your person, if you have more than fits in all your pockets, thats the only chance of a problem. When inside, follow volunteers to parking, THINK ABOUT HOW YOUR STUFF IS PACKED. its an almost 2km walk to the back of META, so do not pull your shoulders carrying 20tons of shite like i did year past. Wagons are a godsend. Make second trip for things you dont need until saturday another time. PACK OUT WHAT YOU PACK IN!!!

Camping:
If you dont have a camp prior to arrival, search out camps like "stranger Danger" to see if they can be your camp, it is better to have an organised group of people so nobody is fighting for space, everyone has a home base, and you all have a family at farm, sharing resources and having a place to go when the stage isnt feeling it. Always be respectful of your neighbours, remember its all about good times, and everyone is your farm fam friends. Every tree is a hammock tree. Keep your shite in your tent so its not everywhere, lost, or a groundscore for another festie. Help with your camps duties like cooking, cleaning, camp traditions, filling water. Be a family member. Even if you camp solo and meet new people, you can hang at their camp, youll spend minimal time in tent so where it goes isnt super important as long as you can find it!

Costumes/Outfits:
Totems are a pole or light up flag that can tell everyone in your group where to find you in a crowd, or just show some creativity (best possible excuse to take a break from dancing is holding the totem). Costumes range from glitter on naked, to optimus prime in pink neon, do what you like. Be respectful its a farm, so biodegradable glitter, costumes that dont leave a trace. Wear your 3rd grade halloween costume with the arms cut off so it fits, your prom dress tie died, a construction vest, just a shirt an no pants, be fun. I have never receieved more love for half assed cardboard costumes than this farm because everyone loves sharing the crativity. Dont feel like there is a standard to meet, even if you wear jeans and a tshirt all weekend, have fun. There are themes like Day Onesie on friday, Suit up Saturday, Shambies Walk, see which your new campmates are doing.

Substances:
No glass and no liquor are the rules, some booze gets in, but not enough to make a mess. dont judge, dont hate, this is the only place a lot of us feel right doing stuff. Dont do anything you dont know is safe, have seen someone else be safe on, or test that shit, its on the grounds for a reason. it goes without saying now there is a fent problem, know where to get help if something happens. if you are selling that shit i hope you are caught and hung by the toenails. Know your limit, play within it, help those who took a wrong turn. take those who need it to sanctuary, again its all about the good times, if theyre tripping hard you never know if their friends are also, be that better person if you have the ability, the set will still be on in 10 mins. Have a good time, dont do drugs to do drugs, do them becasue its a free envronment to experience them the way you shoud. items that can see through to wear of the prom

The Experience:
Never be afraid of missing out on something, there is always something fun happening and always people to be your friend. if youre friends wanna go to the next set, dance with the group beside you and become their friend! new meetings are the best, especially when its in such a free honest environment. Feel the vibe, dont feel obligated to stay at a stage, everything is well marked, set a meeting point and time "5 back at camp" or "food vendors in 20" so you can do a lap of the stages, check out what you like, find other friends, or whatever you feel you need. The festival is around music yes, but have a good shambhala, not a great rezz set, then a good excision set etc. DRINK LOTS OF WATER, stay hydrated, remember to sleep when you dont have stuff you really wanna do so you can enjoy the rest, naps in cuddle piles are great.

Leaving:
dont be dumb. be sober when you leave. Pack out everthing you packed in, tents are not disposable so dont leave yours behind. dont be in a rush to leave. there WILL be roadblocks, so make sure your driver is capable of getting through them, dont give a reason to make the cops have issues with you. Drive safe, take your time, youve got more of a hangover than you realize.

Remember that you are there until its over, so you want to have fun all weekend, dont hesitate to make new friends, ask questions or try new things, this is the time and the place for all that stuff your mom warned you about.

Packing:
Food - non perishables, granola bars, protein bars, simple things that wont go bad, are good for you, and can keep your calories up. youre dancing 10-20 hours a day, don be dumbs. there are food vendors, good pricing.
Water - lots of taps, but bring a bottle, bring a jug for camp.
tent/matress/sleepingbag/pillow
toothbrush/paste/soap - ENVIRO FRIENDLY
shade structures for camp
signs for camp
rain gear, sunscreen, bugspray
river floatie, swimsuit
costumes n totem n repair stuff for em.
lots of baby wipes n underwear changes

Stay safe. Have Fun. See you at Sham!

Griff.