These BTW Covenants are an agreement between the organizers of BTW, the attendees, and our host as to how we will conduct ourselves during the event. They provide the minimum expectations for how our community will function during our time together. You cannot have a functioning community without having some ground rules, and it isn’t fair to expect people to understand what is expected of them without informing them of these ground rules up front. The Covenants are designed to provide a harmonious and safe experience for our attendees, our hosts, the land, and its inhabitants.
Please read these BTW Covenants carefully and thoroughly!
Everyone who has registered to attend BTW has agreed to comply with the BTW Covenants. If you don’t wish to comply with one or more of them, then please do not register or attend BTW. Violations of the BTW Covenants are grounds for dismissal from the Gathering without refund.
Alcohol and Tobacco
Use alcohol in moderation and consistent with the spiritual orientation of the Gathering. If you smoke, be respectful of those who do not, and extinguish and properly dispose of your butts in marked containers. Smoking is not permitted in ANY buildings (cabins, shower houses, dining hall, etc.). Alcohol and/or tobacco are not permitted in ritual space except for ceremonial purposes arranged for in advance. If you do not drink alcohol and are passed a chalice containing an alcoholic beverage in ritual, it is permitted to pass it on without drinking or to pour a small libation in the ritual fire before passing it on to the next person. If you have substance abuse issues that require special considerations, please make your concerns known to a Spectrum Blade member or Community Coordinator ahead of time or speak with the person in charge of the ritual. Please bring alcoholic beverages for your own personal consumption only. Selling of alcohol without a license at BTW is strictly prohibited in accordance with State law in which BTW is held. Attendees caught selling alcohol will be expelled and barred from future events.
Attendance
Between the Worlds welcomes the full spectrum of queer maleness, age 21 and older, who have an interest in alternative spiritual paths. BTW is open to newcomers as well as experienced practitioners. BTW is not open to the public or to its media. All persons must pre-register in order to attend. The campground is privately owned as such the campground management and GFG reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone, and to dismiss anyone who fails to comply with the campground rules and regulations, these Covenants, or state and local laws.
Check-in
You must present a Driver’s License or other Government-issued photo I.D. at the Farmhouse entry. There you will receive a guidebook and an event bracelet which you must wear for the duration of your stay. From the Farmhouse you will proceed into camp (reference your map). The check-in process will be completed in camp at the Dragon Coffee Cafe where you will also sign up for your work shifts. Persons without a bracelet may be asked to leave the site without refund. If you lose or misplace your bracelet find a Coordinator or Spectrum Blade asap.
Parking and Traffic
All vehicles must be unloaded and moved to the parking area for the duration of the Gathering. If your vehicle is leaking fluids, please place a piece of cardboard or other barrier underneath your vehicle to catch the leaks. The speed limit on campground roads is 5 miles per hour. DO NOT exceed the speed limit for the safety of your fellow campers. Leaving vehicles at your campsite or cabin is prohibited. All roads past the Loop road junction are 1 Way ONLY! Unload your camp gear, park your car, then return to camp.
Boundaries
The Gathering has exclusive use of the campground for the duration of the event. Please be considerate of our host and do not stray from the areas shown on the map nor into restricted areas located on the map. If you wish to hike, please keep to marked trails and either take a buddy or notify someone of your intentions. The area marked Members Camp is reserved for Members & Staff of 4 Quarters Sanctuary & Farm. Do not set up Camp past the yellow “Mitakuye Oyasin” staff kitchen structure on River Rd. But please feel free to wander around, walk through and explore the camp & trails. Do not set up camp around the various altars and sacred areas.
We ask that BTW attendees refrain from going past Rainbow Bridge Stage after nightfall.
Camping
We do not supply tents or bedding, so please plan accordingly. Camper vans and recreational vehicles are permitted, but there is no provision for septic hookups and you must make prior arrangements with us. There may be additional fees for camper vans/rv’s. Please use light-colored marking cloths or fluorescent surveyor’s tape to mark the locations of your tent stakes and guy wires so that your fellow campers aren’t injured when navigating the site. Do not set up Camp past the yellow “Mitakuye Oyasin” staff kitchen structure. Do not camp in the marked No Tents/Camping. If in doubt, ask a Spectrum Blade Member.
Clothing Optional
The BTW site is clothing optional.Bar-legal clothing is required in the Coffee Dragon Cafe, Starvin Artist Kitchen, Dining Pavilion, Parking Lot,and front area of the campground. Clothing should be worn when outsiders (e.g., emergency crews, Porta Toilet cleaning crews) come onto the land. Keep in mind that nudity is not an invitation to have sex (see “Sexual Etiquette” below).
Communications
Communications and networking amongst attendees are some of the hallmarks of the BTW community. If you have any ideas, concerns, or problems, we encourage you to seek out a Facilitator. We ask that attendees respect the open and trusting nature of the community and refrain from pressuring other attendees to join their workshops, rituals, or organizations. A table is provided for the display and distribution of organizational and event literature. This is located at the entrance of the campground and can be dropped off when you check in.
Community
Please attend the morning meetings and any special meetings that may be called in order to stay informed of the day’s activities and any emergency issues that may arise. Help to build a cooperative community spirit. Strive to make new friends, attend workshops and rituals, and learn from one another. That’s the whole point of this endeavor! Treat one another with respect. Be considerate of each other’s needs and personal space. Please cooperate with the Gathering and campground staff – help them to ensure that everyone’s stay is both safe and spiritually fulfilling.
Electricity
The availability of electricity at BTW is limited so please plan accordingly. Electrical power is available in the Bunkhouse. There are limited sites available near and around the Bunkhouse.There is no guarantee that anyone will have access to electrical power for their personal campsites. There are outlets at the shower house for personal use. Dining Pavilion and Dragon Coffee Cafe have outlets for phones and other electronics to be used and charged. There will be dedicated sites for CPAP use. Other generators may not be run during the Gathering without prior permission from the organizers.
Firearms and Fireworks
Do not bring them to BTW.
Fires and Firewood
Firewood is available for purchase from Coffee Dragon Cafe. Use in designated fire rings Attendees are permitted to gather downed wood from the forest. Please use caution when kindling fires of any size, when using candles or torches, or when disposing of cigarettes. You may not dig a fire pit. Once a fire is started, it must be tended until it is extinguished. Should a fire get out of hand, immediately shout for help. Fire water buckets are available near every ritual and community fire.
The Fire Circle is set aside for drumming, dancing, and fellowship after evening programming. Please do not throw any trash or cigarette butts in any of the Community or Ritual fires.
Fire-spinning
Fire-play activities (including spinning lit fire poi, fire fans, and fire staffs and fire-breathing) are prohibited at BTW. Spinning unlit poi, staffs and fans is allowed in designated areas (consult site map). Please be cautious when you do so to avoid injuring others.
First Aid
Counseling and First Aid members of the Brotherhood of the Spectrum Blade wear red armbands. A First Aid Station, called SecMed, is available next to the Dragon Coffee Cafe. If you are injured at BTW you should report to SecMed, or nearest Community Coordinator/Spectrum Blade Members to be treated and to allow us to fill out an incident report. In the event of a medical emergency, summon help immediately from BTW staff. The Bunk House and shower house will have a walkie talkie preset to the proper channel.
In need, simply turn it on and call for help. Do not attempt to move an incapacitated victim unless he is in physical danger.
Attendees should be aware of three critical items of importance that will greatly improve your chances of a safe and enjoyable gathering experience: water, sunscreen, and hard-soled shoes. Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated, as you may be out in the elements and doing a lot more walking than you may be used to. Wear sunscreen and/or headgear when you are out in the sun to prevent sunburn (yes, even if it’s cold outside). Wear appropriate footwear that will lessen the chances of foot and ankle injuries. Be extra careful when navigating around tents to avoid tripping on stakes and guy wires. Additionally, insect repellent to battle mosquitoes and ticks may be necessary. Check your body at least twice a day for ticks. Spectrum Blade has safer sex supplies available at First Aid; however, attendees should endeavor to bring their own.
FRS Channels and Cell Phones
The BTW and campground staff use FRS radios at gatherings to keep track of important business throughout the day. Please keep the odd-numbered channels clear for staff use. Please be considerate when using cell phones and radios – never in or near workshops or rituals! We highly recommend you try your best to take the opportunity to unplug for the week and enjoy the escape.
Grounding and Centering
This cannot be overemphasized. If you’ve never been to a Gathering before, you may be in for some culture shock. Gatherings are often strange and disorientating to a newcomer, especially one who may not have had much exposure to the ritual concepts and traditions that may be present there. It is very important to take some quiet time for yourself once a day to center your thoughts and ground out excess energy so that you don’t become over-stimulated. It happens to the best of us at times. If you’re having a problem, ask one of the Counseling Coordinators or other BTW staff for help.
Health Conditions
If you have a disability or any physical and/or mental health conditions that require you to take medication, use medical devices, or require periodic monitoring, you must describe these conditions and medications on your registration form. You will need to bring a sufficient supply of medication for your time here. Persons with physically and/or mentally unstable or severe conditions should not attend BTW without proper planning & accommodations. Please reach out to us if you have questions about ADA accessibility.If you are taking prescription medications, please continue to do so throughout the event.
Illegal drugs
Following state and local laws are required. Persons caught selling or distributing illegal substances will be expelled and barred from all future events.
Merchanting
There is space for a limited number of merchant booths at BTW. If you want to vend or barter goods or services at BTW, you must complete a Merchant Permit application and submit it with your registration form. There is a non-refundable $35 booth fee due with your permit application. In order to help keep Merchant Permit prices low, we ask that all merchants donate one item to the silent auction. You may not sell or barter goods or services without a Merchant Permit. The permit entitles you to a dedicated merchant space and a listing in the gathering guidebook. The monies raised from merchant fees go towards the Ganesha Scholarship fund. Merchants must provide their own booth equipment (e.g., tables, chairs, awnings, etc.). Electricity is not supplied to the vending area. Merchants, their goods and/or services are not covered under the liability policies of GFG, BTW or the campground. Merchants are responsible for obtaining their own liability coverage if they so choose. Merchants are also responsible for collecting state sales tax, if applicable. GFG, BTW or the campground neither police nor control these functions. Merchants are allowed to vend from their camp and if they prefer, they should note this on their Merchant Permit application.
Minors
The minimum age for attending BTW is 21. No exceptions will be made.
Noise
Please understand, you are at a social and spiritual gathering. There are rituals and drumming that could happen throughout the day and night. If you are sensitive to noise, please prepare and bring earplugs for your sleeping pleasure. Also, if you are staying in the Bunkhouse, please be considerate of all Bunkmates and Shared spaces. Walls are thin. Obey all posted notices. They don’t necessarily want to be woken up to your debauchery in the middle of the night.
Operating Hours
BTW runs from 9am the starting day until noon the ending day. Please do not plan to arrive earlier or stay later unless you have made prior arrangements with Green Faerie Grove.
Pets/Animal Friends/Familiars
Please do not bring them to BTW.
Photography and Electronic Recording
In order to protect the privacy of attendees and the integrity of BTW and The Green Faerie Grove, if you wish to take photographs or movies (including with cell phone cameras, digital video recorders, or other media) or make audio recordings for your own personal use, you must abide by the following:
✴All persons who may appear in the photograph or recording must grant you their permission.
✴ Photography or recording of workshops or rituals is not permitted.
✴ Large group photos or recordings are not permitted
(unless the intent of items no. 1 above and 5 below are met).
✴ Marketing, publishing (in all media formats), or distribution of photos or recordings taken at BTW by attendees is not permitted.
Some photography or recording may be done by BTW staff for archival and marketing purposes for the gathering. If you have any questions, see the Co-facilitators or the Staff photographer for more information.
Recycling and Trash
Respect the land and dispose of your trash appropriately. Trash is picked up on a scheduled basis by workshift volunteers. Recycling is a duty of every member of the BTW Community. You are responsible for bagging your recyclables and dropping them off at the proper location on your way out after the event. Please pack Green, and do not litter. If you see trash on the ground, please pick it up and dispose of it. Cigarette butts must be fully extinguished and placed in appropriate butt containers – never on the ground or in any fire! Keep in mind that others must also use these accommodations, so please clean up after yourself no matter where you are in the campground. Please be on the lookout for scheduled garbage runs to the dumpsters.
Respectfulness
Be considerate of all other attendees, including those whose national origin, spiritual path, race, or other ways may differ from your own. Be sensitive to the needs of others. Be respectful of others’ personal space and possessions. Be honest and trustworthy in your dealings with others. Open communication is welcomed and encouraged at BTW; proselytizing or derogating the beliefs of others is not. Be considerate of BTW staff and campground staff. Respect the land and its inhabitants, be they plant, animal or Spirits of Nature.
Glass Bottles & Alcohol Container
4 Quarters has a strict policy regarding Glass bottles & Alcohol containers: if you’re at camp you’re good to drink from that glass bottle/original container.
If you step away from your campsite, you cannot be drinking from a glass bottle or original container.
Per 4 Quarters: No drinking of alcohol in original containers in public areas. “Put that brew in a cup!”
We can have bottles of booze at ritual. We can use them at ritual. But if you step outside that ritual, you cannot be drinking from that glass container/original vessel.
This is to prevent glass on the ground. They have large events and lots of people walking around barefoot.
If you’re outside your camp, you cannot be drinking from a glass bottle/original container. That is that. No exceptions.
Ritual Etiquette
Generally speaking, rituals are participatory in nature and involve the creation of a sacred boundary that must not be crossed once erected. In many traditions, breaking the boundary (entering or leaving) of a ritual is frowned upon unless you are assisted in the process by a ritual facilitator. You should not arrive late for a ritual, and if you do you may be prevented from entering the ritual space. All electronic devices should be silenced or turned off (or better yet, left back at your campsite or cabin). Pictures or recordings are not permitted. In order to ensure that the ritual is properly focused, it is important to keep your attention on the ritual leader(s). Minimize idle conversation. Smoking is never permitted unless it is part of the ritual. Avoid attending rituals under the influence of illicit substances. If you have severe allergies, be aware that smudge, incense, or aromatic oils are often present. If you do not drink alcohol, it is always permissible to pass a cup or pour a libation in the ritual fire instead of drinking.
Security
The Brotherhood of the Spectrum Blade (BSB) is the safety and security services group at BTW. Security members of (BSB) wear red armbands & marked shirts. Every day at morning meeting the on-shift Member of SPectrum Blade will be announced. They are located between the Ceremony Shed & Dragon Coffee Cafe and will also be seen out on patrol. If you are having problems at the Gathering, please see one of the Spectrum Blade members or any BTW staff member for assistance or use one of the walkie talkies located throughout the site. It is an important part of Community that everyone looks out for one another. Having said that, you are personally responsible for yourself and your possessions while at BTW. Neither The Green Faerie Grove, the BTW staff, nor the campground staff can be held liable for any personal injury or loss occurring to anyone during events at and/or connected with the Gathering.
Please observe the 5mph speed limit while driving through the campground.. Do not hitchhike to or from the site.
We DO NOT accept registrations at the gate, so please do not bring un-registered persons to the Gathering! If you do you will be asked to leave without refund.
Sexual Etiquette
BTW is a community that is completely composed of adults, and therefore adult maturity is expected of everyone in their conduct with others within this community. In order to ensure that BTW remains a safe environment for all, attendees must respect the sovereignty of each individual in the disposition of his own body, while also being mindful of the consequences of their own decisions in that regard. Therefore, it is very important to keep some things in mind:
✴ First and foremost – no means no.
Do not assume that just because someone is attending this Gathering that they have the same outlook on sexual intimacy, personal space, or attraction/aesthetics that you do. Nor should one assume that anyone’s attendance at the Gathering or any particular workshop equates to consent, or that a person’s nudity is an invitation to be sexually intimate. Anyone who has a problem understanding these concepts should not attend BTW, as violations of this trust will result in expulsion and barring from all future events. If someone touches you or addresses you in a manner that makes you uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to make that person aware of your feelings in a calm and mature manner and ask that the objectionable behavior stop. If the person does not stop after you have requested this, then please ask a Facilitator or member of Spectrum Blade to assist you with this situation. Consent is a revocable status. You can change your mind about a situation at any given time.
✴ Please practice safe(r) sex.
Use condoms as your conscience and/or better judgment dictates, use the appropriate lube for the type of condom you are using, do not share sex toys with others, and make decisions on sexual intimacy with a sober mind. If you have a sexually transmitted disease, please be responsible and discuss this with your partner(s) before having sex. And please be discreet where you have sex. We encourage attendees to get STD and HIV screenings prior to the event.
✴ Some words on polyamory.
The freedoms inherent in a Gathering of this nature can open one’s eyes to new relationship possibilities. However, it is rash to decide on the spur of the moment (say, on the way to the Gathering) that you and your lover should experiment with “poly.” This is a decision that should be discussed in depth with your current partner, with consideration of the potential impact on your existing relationship. Having said that, if you are interested in polyamory, there will be a number of people in attendance who will be happy to give you some advice on how to proceed. A Polyamory Roundtable is held at the event, as well.
✴ Finally – please treat one another with respect as loving, caring, spiritual beings.
Be honest with yourself and with your current and prospective partners. Take time to reflect on the implications of new relationships before you act. Leave the bar attitudes at home for the week. Maybe you’ll make some new friends, perhaps you’ll find a new love, but whatever happens it is hoped that you will grow spiritually in the process. And hopefully, you will find a new Family.
Swimming
There are multiple swimming holes at 4 Quarters. Please refer to your camp map for Stone Ledge Swimming Hole, Hemlock Hole & North Crook Swimming Hole.
All Swimming is done at your own risk. We highly encourage dedicated hard soled water shoes! No swimming after dark. No Swimming while intoxicated. Never Swim alone.
Water, Showers, Portatoilets, Bathrooms
Site water is from the local water supply. There are water faucets at several locations in the campground for use in filling water jugs. Please do not wash utensils or dishes in these locations or in the shower houses. Grey-water can be dumped in the woods. Turn all faucets completely off when you are done using them.The shower house is provided with hot water. Showers are token operated. Dollar to Token exchange machines are available on site and some tokens are included with your registration.
1 token = approximately 3.5 minutes of shower time. Please limit your shower time to save water or save water and shower with a friend! Please use biodegradable soap in the shower house. You are responsible for your own hygiene products.
The shower houses have several flush toilets in them. Please do not use the woods as your bathroom! When you are done using the portatoilet, please clean up after yourself and close the lid to contain odors. DO NOT throw cigarettes or other trash in the portatoilets or flush toilets!
Wildlife and Wildcrafting
Tread lightly on the land. No hunting or fishing is permitted. Do not try to feed, touch, or interact with the wildlife you encounter. It’s their home – be gentle with them. Be conscious of how you store food so as to keep from attracting wildlife into your campsite. Store opened food in containers with tight-fitting lids. Please try not to disturb the flora you encounter so that others may enjoy it in the future. No woodcutting or gathering is permitted unless it’s from downed trees, limbs, or branches.
Workshifts
As a condition of attending BTW, each person must commit to contribute two 2-hour work shifts during the gathering to assist the facilitators and the coordinators in their duties. Facilitating any number of workshops or rituals at BTW counts as one 2-hour work-shift.
You must sign up for your work shift(s) when you arrive on site. Please be on time for your shift(s). In keeping with the egalitarian orientation of the gathering, you are required to fulfill your own obligation and not place the burden on others. These jobs are necessary to help ensure that BTW functions in a safe and efficient manner for the enjoyment of all. Scholarship awardees may be required to help fill in additional vacant work shifts above and beyond the two required.
Workshops
Workshops, rituals, and events at BTW must be pre-approved by the BTW Facilitators. If you wish to make a change in programming during the gathering, you must first obtain the approval of a BTW Facilitator. All electronic devices should be silenced or turned off during workshops unless specifically permitted by the workshop presenter. Pictures or recordings are generally not permitted. Smoking is never permitted unless you have the consensus of all attendees and the workshop presenter.