Campaigning at festivals for Oxfam:
Frequently Asked Questions 2009
Questions about camping and facilities:
Do you provide tents?
Is there a limit on the camping space? Can I bring a gazebo?
Do I need to bring any special clothes?
Where will I camp?
Will I be able to camp with my family or friends?
I have a campervan, can I bring that onto site?
Will I be able to park my car next to my tent?
Can I bring a barbeque / have a campfire?
Do you provide tents?
No, you have to bring your own tent, 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?
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 out in it for eight hours at a time, 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. It is not advisable to go out on a shift that starts at 2pm in flip flops as it will be very cold by 10pm when the shift finishes.
Where will I camp?
You will be offered Oxfam camping in a separate area away from the public camping. You don't have to camp in the Oxfam camping. It is a bonus offered to campaigners, but you can camp in the public areas, or anywhere else you might have arranged your own access to.
Will I be able to camp with my family or friends?
If your friends or family are working as 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 on-site, 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 festivalcamapigners@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.
Will I be able to park my car next to my tent?
No. Fire regulations have got a lot stricter, and now 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 campaigners 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 fares, 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.
Glastonbury still allows campfires in the campsites, but not in tented venues or arenas
