Do you provide tents?
No. Please bring your own tent, sleeping bag, clothes and any other camping equipment you might need, including a mug, plate, cup, knife and fork etc. as these will not be provided. But there are showers!
Is there a limit on the camping space? Can I bring a gazebo?
There are always limitations on our camping space, so please only bring the size of tent that you really need, and if possible share with your friends. Multi-storey camping is no fun, and the late arrivals generally have a difficult time finding somewhere to camp.
Gazebos, whilst being very sociable in one sense, are incredibly anti-social when it comes to taking up tent space. Campsite densities are becoming a real concern at festivals, so whilst they are not formally banned, they will be heavily discouraged, and you might be asked to take one down if there is no camping space.
Do I need to bring any special clothes?
We provide t-shirts which we ask you to keep visible while you are campaigining, but you must bring appropriate clothing to wear underneath and for all other times - come rain or shine!
Make sure you have clothes suitable for both extremes of weather i.e. wellies and beachwear. The weather could be fantastic, in which case you will be outside all day and could sunburn easily, or it could be absolutely teeming it down or very cold. Bring a raincoat, a warm jumper, and a few layers, just to be flexible. A sun-hat and sunscreen are a good idea, we will provide legionnaires caps where needed (supreme fashion statements!). Essentially, be prepared for the best and the worst during the same shift. And bring spare socks!
It is always a good idea, if you are driving, to leave a full set of dry clothes in your car for leaving. You could be really grateful for them, especially the warm, dry socks.
Bring some good footwear. You’ll be on your feet all day so you need comfortable, sturdy shoes. It is not advisable to go out on a shift that starts at 10am in flip flops as it will be very cold by the time you get back to your tent – not to mention the mud!
Where will I camp?
At most festivals you will be offered Oxfam camping in a staff area, separate from the public camping. You don't have to camp in the Oxfam camping. It is a bonus offered to Oxfam volunteers, but you can camp in the public areas, or anywhere else you might have arranged your own access to, if they are open when you arrive.
Will I be able to camp with my family or friends?
If your friends or family are Oxfam volunteers, you will be able to camp together. If you are planning to go to the festival with public ticket holders, or people working for other organisations onsite, they will not be able to camp in the Oxfam camping area, as these are secure areas requiring specific ID to get in.If you are wishing to bring children, please email us at campaigning@oxfam.org.uk to check arrangements.
You will experience difficulties if you travel to site with public ticket holders before the gates are open, as non-workers will not have access to festival sites before the gates open.
I have a live-in vehicle (campervan/caravan), can I bring that onto site?
This varies from festival to festival. At some festivals live-in vehicles are allowed, but will be in the public campervan fields, at others, they will be in the Oxfam or general staff camping. Please note: many festivals have strict definitions of a campervan so please do not expect to be able to just sleep in the back of a car or transit van in the campervan field. If you bring a caravan, you will be directed to park your car in a separate car park once you have parked your caravan.
You must tell us that you will be bringing a campervan or caravan in your online application so that we can order any relevant passes for you.
Will I be able to park my car next to my tent?
No. Fire regulations state that cars and tents must be separated. You will be parking in a staff car park, but this may not be very close to the camping area. Generally, dropping your stuff off isn't an option, so please pack according to what you are prepared to carry, and arrive early enough at festivals which close their gates at night to make sure you can get your wristband and still get back to your car for your tent and belongings.
If you have space in the car, wheelbarrows, and collapsible trolleys/carts are becoming very popular!
Can I bring a barbeque/have a campfire?
Check the website of the festival you are campaigning at to see their policy. Most festivals have a complete ban on fires, including bbqs and candle flares, others are ok with off the ground bbqs as long as they are only used for cooking and not piled with wood afterwards, but disposable, on the ground bbqs are a no-no.
There are certain other items which are restricted by some festival organisers such as gas canisters and glass bottles. It is worth checking these restrictions on the individual festivals main website.
Glastonbury still allows campfires in the campsites, but not in tented venues or arenas.
