GayPiracy.com

Midwest Retreat for Wayward Pirates 2024

The date: August 8-11, 2024

The place: Camp Dewan in Burlington, Wisconsin

Camp Dewan is a 55-acre private campground located near Lake Geneva, about 1.5 hours north of Chicago. Capacity is 50 campers. Meals, activities, and non-alcoholic beverages are included. This event is age 21+.

Planned activities include:

  • a group boat tour on Lake Geneva
  • Craft sessions
  • Art workshops
  • Burlesque performance workshop
  • A talent show
  • Weenie and marshmallow roast
  • An Our Flag Means Death watch night
  • Spanish Jackie’z Pub
  • Vendor Bazaar
  • Craft & Tabletop Game Room

For more info and registration to attend: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewLvedswpX6GlADydxJ0ucER324O0imils3RWpjhnlvlHHUA/viewform

Please email MidwestPirateRetreat@gmail.com with any questions.

Once registered, you’ll be sent an invoice and code of conduct. We must have a signed copy from all participants before you arrive at camp. In short, this document states:

  • you’re responsible for your own behavior and risks
  • we don’t condone anything that’s illegal where Camp Dewan is located
  • you agree to be excellent to each other

GROUP MEALS

Group meals will be able to accommodate common dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free. We are not able to accommodate serious allergies or diseases such as Celiac, or strict Kosher. You will have the option to bring your own food if you won’t take part in group meals, but storage and preparation facilities will be limited.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Comfortable clothes to play in
  • Pajamas since we’ll all have Room People
  • A little money for the vendor bazaar and excursion lunch, your ID, and your health insurance information just in case
  • Toiletries, towel, washcloth etc
  • Your medications
  • Your bedding and a cot or airbed IF POSSIBLE. (Or tent-camping gear if you prefer; there’s plenty of tent space!) If not, let us know on your registration.
  • BYOB if you want alcohol
  • Any snacks or drinks that are not provided by the kitchen crew, if you want
  • Any trinkets you may want to trade, like stickers or bracelets
  • Swimwear and floatie toys, if you want to play in the pond
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray
  • Phone charger
  • Items if you want to decorate our shared sleeping spaces! Banners, flags, etc are welcome. Light-up disco balls/things that flash should be avoided to protect attendees who may have a seizure disorder.
  • A fan. The barn is the only air-conditioned space on site.
  • Water bottle
  • A camp chair/lawn chair
  • A floatation device is recommended if you will be playing in the pond
  • An air purifier, if you can
  • Respirators such as N95 or KN95 (We will have a limited number of KN95 and KF94 masks on site)
  • An antiviral nasal spray is recommended. Some brands we’ve seen include Xlear, Covixyl, and Nozin

WHAT NOT TO BRING

  • Anything illegal
  • Firearms or weapons of any kind
  • Any unnecessary valuables
  • A bunch of devices. We’ll have some power strips, but plug-ins are limited.

POLICIES

  • Please note Camp Dewan’s policies on their website, plus the below information for harmony during camp
  • The 2 main commandments are Keep Each Other Alive and Don’t Be A Dick
  • Keep Each Other Alive:
    • If a Safety team member says something, listen
    • Do not go swimming alone
    • We strongly recommend that you do not take out a canoe or kayak without a life vest
    • Don’t jump into water to save someone who is conscious and drowning if you don’t have lifeguard training. Throw them a floatation device
    • Make sure Safety knows about your medical needs – for example but not limited to mobility/fall concerns, medications, allergies, etc
    • Don’t climb on shit that wasn’t built to be climbed on
    • If you see something, say something
    • Attendance means you acknowledge that we’re in a wilderness area, there are associated risks, and you won’t sue the facility or the organizers if you get hurt
    • Camp Dewan does not allow any illegal substances onsite, and Camper understands this policy
    • Camper agrees to the event policy of “safety over stigma” with regard to any unsafe behavior or medical issues that may arise for other participants The “safety over stigma” policy states that in all events, the safety of participants is the highest priority, regardless of whether that person’s behavior may have contributed to the situation
  • Don’t Be A Dick:
    • Respect people’s pronouns
    • -istic/-phobic behaviors will not be tolerated
    • Don’t yuck people’s yum
    • Don’t ship-shame or bully based on characters someone likes
    • Don’t bully at all, actually
    • Respect people’s right to consent to an activity, conversation topic, etc.
    • Respect people’s boundaries in general
    • Don’t touch people without making sure it’s OK to do so. If consent for contact is withdrawn, respect it
    • At meals, don’t overload your plate and make sure everyone has gotten a plate before going for seconds
    • This is not a Drinking Culture Event. Yes, there will be drinking, but behavior that states or implies that Drinkers are Normal and Sober means Other, is not ok
    • Don’t litter, and if you make a mess, clean it up. It’s fine to ask for help if you need it!
    • Try to be kind in all things
    • Feedback and requests are always welcome. Remember when phrasing your feedback that this is a fully volunteer-run, zero-profit, found-family reunion event
    • Please note that there is a minimum number of volunteer hours. Let’s all do our share and take care of each other as a crew!