Logistics
Venue
We will come together on beautiful Mt. Lebanon, a sacred site for the native Mahicans and the central ministry of the Shakers for 200 years. The Mount Lebanon retreat center provides: an 40’ x 60’ open air stage (with marley floor), outdoor kitchen, swimming pond, fire pits, secluded cabins, and a “bridge to nowhere.”
The Abode Mountain Camp
5 Abode Rd.
New Lebanon, NY 12125
Getting There
The location is 2.5 hours north of NYC. It is easiest to get there by car. There are also trains on the Metro North line to Wassaic and an Amtrak to Hudson and busses to Albany, and we will organize limited pick-ups and drop-offs if needed.
Parking is available right at the site of the mountain and at the Abode parking lot at the bottom of the mountain, a 15 minute (and steep) walk away.
Schedule
Wednesday, August 18 at 2pm - Sunday, August 22 at 2pm. We encourage you to commit to the full five days, but will welcome you for whatever time you are able to join.
Cost
We are making the pricing of this event as low as possible and aim to make it accessible to all who wish to attend. Prices below are all-inclusive, covering food, housing, and programming.
Cabin Housing: $30/day, full 5 day gathering = $150 (BYOBedding)
Tent Camping: $20/day, full 5 day gathering = $100 (BYOTent)
We encourage participants to attend the entire gathering as we believe this will contribute to a consistent sense of community, but will also welcome folks who can only make it for a portion of the event.
To keep costs low and with an ethos of reciprocity, all participants will be expected to help out by signing up for one 2-hour helping shift during the gathering that fits your needs.
If the financial contribution is a barrier to your attendance, please request financial assistance on your Registration Form. Volunteer positions are also available.
Food
We will cook meals together with a head chef from the Abode Center with fresh organic produce lovingly provided by the Abode Farm. Please specify any dietary needs in the registration form. There will be three meals provided per day. On the first day, we will offer only dinner, and on the last day, we will offer only brunch.
Housing
In a shared or private cabin or tent on the Abode Mountain. All cabins have single beds and are off-grid.
Bathrooms and Showers
There are outhouses spread throughout the mountain as well some centrally located flushing toilets and showers.
Shared Work
We ask that you sign up for one 2-hour cooking or cleaning shift as your contribution to this shared space! We will provide a Cook/Clean schedule for the festival. If needed, other forms of shared work will be available.
Volunteer Positions
We will offer several work-trade positions, for which we will ask for a commitment of 10 hours of help over the course of the conference in exchange for free attendance. Please contact us if you are interested in this option.
Participants
We will be welcoming 40-60 artists. This event is by invitation in order to keep the group to a COVID-friendly size. We will share a google sheet with names and contact info of participants prior to the event in order to facilitate ride shares, communication, etc.
COVID-19 Protocol
Please help make this a COVID-safe event! We ask that you provide the date of your full vaccination on the registration form. If you have not been vaccinated you will need to provide proof of a negative COVID test result within 3 days before the event and commit to quarantining with negative results until your arrival. All participants should bring a mask to the gathering. We ask that you wear your mask in abidance with CDC guidelines. Being outdoors will provide lots of airflow and capacity to maintain distance. We will be requiring participants to sign a waiver upon arrival, and will send updated protocols closer to the event. Health and safety for all is our top priority—please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!
Electronics and Connectivity
There is no electricity in the cabins and no heating. There is electricity in the central pavilion, where you can charge your electronic devices. There is some cell phone service coverage, but it can be spotty for certain providers. There is no WiFi on the mountain, but there is good cell phone service at the bottom of the mountain and WiFi can be accessed at Blueberry Hill, a local cafe in town.
Mt. Lebanon is a historically contemplative retreat space and is a great place to unplug if you’re in the mood!
What to Bring
(If in cabin) bedding or a sleeping bag for a single bed, including a pillow
(If in tent) your own tent equipment and bedding
Flashlight/headlamp/lantern
Bug spray/tick protection
Warm layers
Bathing suit
Towel
Toiletries
Flip flops for the shower
Water bottle
Snacks and personal foods (bring sealable containers and be mindful of animals!)