First Timers Guide

Once upon a time, Recylcecd Rainbow was held in a private residence and so had a set of rules to keep the house from being destroyed and to keep the peace in a small, enclosed area. That's all changed now, but there are still things you should know if this is the first RR you've been to. This is more a set of things to expect and some good things to keep in mind.

The Essentials

There are really very few things you really need to bring to a Recycled Rainbow. There are more things you will want to bring and don't know you want to bring them yet. That's the reason for this first-timer's guide- to help make your weekend the most enjoyable weekend you can have!

The Basics

• Food: There are no kitchens, stores or McDonalds. Bring your own food. This can be as simple as cans of beans and a loaf of bread or as complex as the ingredients for a seven course traditional chinese dinner. Just remember, you have to take all the garbage out with you, and that includes the food you don't eat!
• Drink: Bring water. You will want it sooner or later. We suggest one gallon per person per day. Bring any other beverages you wish to enjoy. There are no close-by stores and once you arrive, you can't get back in without paying a re-entry fee.
• Shelter: The sun is bright, even in September. It will get cold. It will rain. It might snow. There may be a lightning storm. Who knows what will happen in Northeastern Ohio? Plan for the worst and expect the best. Tents and sleeping bags rated to at least 30 degrees are recommended.

Truck It In, Truck It Out

RR is a Leave No Trace event. That means two things- first, there are no trash cans or dumpsters which means there are no public repositories to throw your garbage away in.

Bring Plenty Of Garbage Bags

Because there are no public garbage cans, you have to make your own place for your own garbage, and you'll have to take that garbage home with you. If you bring a box of garbage bags, you can double, or triple-bag your garbage. Trust us, we've done this many times and it won't stink up your car or truck if you package it right. Bringing a sturdy container to put the bags in will help a lot if you have a lot of pointy things in your vehicle.

We suggest you do not bring bottles as broken glass is a major pain to leave no trace of. If you must bring bottles, take care to put them in a protected place where they won't get broken.

Fire!

RR has never been able to express itself with fire before and this year will be full of fires and fire-related art. Fire dancers and performers are welcome to share their craft and are responsible for their own safety.

There will be campfire locations at each camp. Earth Guardians will enforce that no fires be built in areas not already designated as fire areas. In light of this, you may want to bring an elevated burn barrel. Participants are responsible for fire safety within their own camps and theme camps.

Keep an eye on candles, bug-candles, camp stoves, tiki torches, etc. Campers who create fire hazards and do not correct them may be escorted out of the event.

Due to Emerald Ash Borer, NO OUTSIDE FIRE WOOD IS PERMITTED. Firewood is available for purchase at the campground. $5.00 will get you about 15 good size pieces of firewood.

There's No Kitchen, Unless You Make One

This means there's no public cooking area. You are encouraged to bring your own cooking supplies, stove, pots and pans, dishes and silverware. You'll probably want to wash your dishes, so you might want to bring a tub to wash them in as well as dish rags and an environmentally-friendly soap. Ice will be available for purchase from the campground.

There's No Public Plumbing

This means you'll have to figure out your own way of disposing of your gray-water (water from washing and rinsing). Unless you're building a tea or coffeehouse, one 5-gallon bucket with a sealable lid should suffice.

There may be disposal serviceces for gray-water, but we don't know if there are yet, so be prepared!

There Are Public Restrooms

This is a good thing, but it also creates a unique challenge when applying a Leave No Trace guideline to it. You'll want to bring one roll of sigle-ply toilet paper in case we run out. Instant alcohol-based hand sanitizer is one of the best inventions for these events. Bring a nice big bottle of it and share it with your camp-mates. You'll be glad you did when you're eating finger food in Cousin Franks Finger Food Camp.

It Gets REALLY DARK At Night

Bring more than one flashlight. Bring glow-sticks and blinky things to wear so that others can see you. There's always the chance that someone wants to ride a bicycle at top speed across the campground. If they can't see you, the medic will be seeing you both. Illuminate yourself! Making interesting glowy outfits for nighttime is a fun and safe endeavor!

Headlamp-style flashlights that you wear on your head are a great investment not only for RR but for any camping trip.

It Gets Loud At 4AM

There is a good chance that at 4am Johann Strauss' Blue Danube Waltz will be played at top volume. People will be partying until sun-up. There will be dancing at all hours. There will be noise bands playing in the middle of the night. This is the nature of an event that doesn't sleep. That doesn't mean you won't be able to get to sleep. Bring earplugs for the nighttime and bring eye-blinds for the day. If you have to sleep during the day, it'll make things easier. Know your neighbors. Talk to people. Find out who will be playing loud music and who won't. If you don't want loudness at night, find a quiet place!

People Get Cranky When Hungry

Low blood sugar does weird things to people. Make sure you bring plenty of snacks- especially "energy-bar" type food. Keep them with you. You'll forget to eat with all the fun you'll be having- when you start snapping at your best buddy, grab a quick snack and chill for a moment.

It's Going To Rain... Maybe...

Prepare for rain- especially if you are bringing music equipment or video projectors. A couple new tarps and some creative rope-work will make a brilliant rain-shelter in your camp. There are a ton of websites out there that will give you brilliant and simple ideas for keeping your stuff dry.

One of the most interesting things you will see at RR are improvised structures made out of everything from PVC pipe to bamboo to tarp and rope. Have fun with it. There are some fabulous web sites that give detailed instructions for building large structures for under $1000.

If you purchase a new tent, ask the store for a bottle of seam sealant. Set your tent up before RR and follow the directions on the bottle or ask for instructions from your tent-store. Most tents are not pre-sealed and will leak unnless you seal them before you arrive.

First Aid Starts With You

While there will be a medic on site, most of the accidents that happen at an event like this are little things. Twisted ankles. Bumps on the head. Sunburn. Minor cuts and scrapes. Putting together a small "field first-aid kit" is a very smart thing to do- especially when you get burnt by your propane stove and need neosporin and a band-aid. Most local drug stores sell pre-packaged home first-aid kits. Bring a couple ACE Bandages and some Aloe gel for sunburn. Bring calomine lotion for poison ivy. Bring a bottle of aspirin. If you have seasonal allergies, bring your allergy medicine! And don't forget the bug spray!

For more serious situations, an on-site medic will be able to assist you as well as transport you to the closest Emergency Room.

Animals

The Hide-A-Way Campground, where our event will be held does not permit animals. Because of this, you are not permitted to bring animals to Recycled Rainbow this year.

Know Your Limit

It's very easy in the heat of revelry to have one or two or ten too many sasparillas. Many people find that beer doesn't effect them the same when as active as you'll probably be. Keep track of how much you drink and watch out for your camp-mates. Nobody wants to Leave No Trace when vomit is involved- but you'll be responsible for cleaning it up anyway.

Children And Minors

That's right, KIDS! You may notice that some participants at RR bring their children with them. Many of these kids have more experience than most of us at much larger and crazier events (Starwood, Burning Man, Rainbow Gatherings). Kids bring an essential, amazing element to Recycled Rainbow. You are more than welcome to bring your children provided you understand what you are bringing them to. There may be many questions and it is recommended that you talk to your children often during the event about what they have seen and be comfortable answering any questions that they have.

That being said, it is far more likely that people under 18 will want to attend an RR. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who takes full responsibility for those in their care. Anyone of any age is welcome provided they Participate and are FULLY aware of everything in the Survival Guide. Kids also need special attention and supervision; parents/guardians will be responsible for the child's safety and for their actions. There are a number of hazards and things to be careful of, parent/guardians have to be very aware and keep a close eye on their child. Parent/guardians who do not act responsibly for their child's safety may be escorted out of the event.

Alcohol

Recycled Rainbow does not promote the use of alcohol nor do we prohibit its lawful use. There is no vending within the event site and RR will not be selling alcohol (or anything for that matter except firewood and ice). If responsible adults of legal age want to gather and drink alcohol they are entitled to do so providing they are responsible and do not let any underage persons drink. There are no exceptions to this. This includes parents letting their children drink. Parents providing their children with alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs will be promptly escorted off the premises. Everyone who goes through the gate can show your ID and get the "over 21" wristband.

Illegal Drugs

Recycled Rainbow as an organization, does not condone the sale, use, or promotion of illegal drugs. The same laws that apply on Main Street, USA also apply to public areas of our events. The same laws that apply at your house behind a closed door also apply to your zipped up tent. Problem drug users and dealers that are brought to our attention will be promptly escorted out of the event.

Fireworks

Use of fireworks or explosives at the event site is prohibited. Fireworks could not only injure and burn people it can cause a fire and destroy property. Anyone caught lighting fireworks may be escorted out of the event.

Firearms

Firearms are explicitly banned, no guns are allowed inside the event site. Those discovered with firearms at the event will be told to take them off the event site permanently or they will be escorted out of the event. Failure to comply will result in a permanent ban from future RR events.