SerpentStone Ostara 2006 Gathering

March 24 - 26, 2006 at Youth Incorporated Ranch in Smyrna, TN

In the Beginning... The Balance is Shifting Ostara is a time of rebirth and renewal. The daffodils and crocus have begun to bloom, and the last of the winter’s snows have melted away. We are reminded that the wheel has once again brought us back to life and light. It is time for us to turn under last year’s soil and plant new seeds for a new year of growth. Enter our Bardic Olympics this year and tell us a story about new life, growth and the shifting of balance from darkness into light. Our judges will award those stories that best teach the lesson of the season and are the most entertaining. Once again the CoWs (Crafts of the Wise) are providing us with beautiful handcrafted items to celebrate and reward the craft of Storytelling. For lunch on Saturday, we'll be hosting an old fashioned spaghetti dinner. Tickets will be available for a few dollars, either at registration or in the Great Hall, and all proceeds will go to benefit SerpentStone. Saturday evening we've something wonderful planned for dinner. Grania and the cooks of the Coven of the Nine Woods will be providing a sumptuous feast. This site affords us the rare opportunity to eat as a family. Also, please bring your own feast gear, as SerpentStone no longer provides Styrofoam. Special Site Information DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 12 Noon MARCH 24. GATES CLOSE AT 12 NOON ON MARCH 26. There is another group before and after us, so please be considerate. Staff and merchants ONLY may set up at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, March 24th The gate isn't always unlocked that early, YoungOak should be there at 8am with a cell phone. YI Ranch is a Christian Youth Camp that rents to other groups: it is NOT clothing optional. Alcohol is allowed as long as original containers are not used outside camp space (as usual, no alcohol is to be sold at the gathering). There is "open-air" cabin space for 130-180 people (bring your own bedding), but also tenting space, so take your choice. No personal fires are allowed at this site. There's a heated kitchen area seating 200, and plumbed bath and shower houses. The lake, pool, rock climbing and rappelling walls are off limits. A heated dorm has limited space on first-come reservation basis, for extra cost of $10 per person.

Practical Matters

Please Bring:

Tent (if not in cabin), sleeping bags or twin sheets, blankets, rain gear and clothing for both warm and cool weather, flashlight, snack foods, ritual gear, drums and other musical instruments. Plan for a wide temperature range, even at this time of the year, but tend toward the warm side. Remember your feast gear and eating utensils (styrofoam plates and bowls are no longer supplied).       For more helpful suggestions and a list to check off what you will bring, click here to see our Suggested Packing List.

Food:

We'll supply food for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and main dish supper on Friday and Saturday.       Please bring pot-luck offerings for the feasts. It need not be prepared unless it is baked. Items such as fresh fruits and veggies, cheese, sour cream, honey, breakfast meats, breads, desserts and salad items are very much welcomed by our Kitchen Witch. Please drop these off at the kitchen as soon as possible after arriving, so our Kitchen Witch and helpers can begin working their magic! Having enough for everyone is dependent on everyone bringing something for the kitchen, so please help us have a bountiful feast!

Rules to Live By!

Treat each other with respect and respect all paths. Take care of those you come with and respect the land by leaving your campsite cleaner than you found it.       No illegal drugs, firearms, drunken behavior, bad attitudes, or violence or other inappropriate behaviors will be condoned on the site. We DO enforce the no drugs rule, and security has active duty law enforcement officers serving among them, so don't bring them!       No pets. Service dogs only will be permitted at this gathering site. All other pets will be refused at the gate so please do not bring them.       Please bring positive attitudes, appropriate gear and food for the pot-luck contribution!

Most of all... HAVE FUN!

For Further Information

Contact:

Gathering Coordinators:	Sophia, and Grania
Registration Coordinators:	Mortir
Merchant Coordinator:	Leannin
WorkShop Coordinator:	Flamebear
Kitchen Witch:	Grania
Or contact us at: SerpentStone PO Box 9296 Knoxville, TN 37940 phone:  (865) 573-8798

Registration

Cost: NOTE: YOU MAY PAY AHEAD (AND BE PRE-REGISTERED) FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR FOR A COST OF $90 FOR ADULTS OR $60 FOR YOUNG ADULTS. This is non-refundable, and must be done at or before Ostara Gathering.

$10 per young adult, ages 12-17** (plus your feast contribution and 2 hours of volunteer service) if postmarked and paid before March 17, 2006 $15.00 per adult** (plus your feast contribution and 2 hours of volunteer service) if postmarked and paid before March 17, 2006 $25.00 per person** after March 17 and at the door (plus your feast contribution and 2 hours of volunteer service). *Children under 12 are free. A legal guardian must accompany anyone under 18. If not a custodial parent, the guardian must be responsible for the minor, and have a written permission statement from the parent, which must be presented at registration immediately upon arrival. **Work-scholarships (in which the registration fee is waived in return for a number of extra work shifts) are available for those for whom finances are an issue. Contact the Registration Coordinator to make arrangements. Please! Remember that your feast contribution and 2 hours of community service (see note below) are very important! They are part of how we are able to keep our gathering prices down! Also, help us keep the Earth Mother healthy by bringing your own feast gear! Example: plate, bowl, cup, glass, and eating utensils. We are no longer supplying styrofoam. All gatherings fees are non-refundable. However, if you have pre-paid and are unable to attend the gathering, you may contact us before the gathering, and your fee can be applied to a future gathering.

Please note:       We are working very hard to keep our prices low, despite rising costs for sites, food, and fuel. If you can add something, even a dollar or two, to your registration, it may help someone else be able to attend.

Community service:

Each participant is asked to contribute two hours of community service during the gathering. Community service is basically just a little of the background work that lets a gathering happen, and may include helping out with registration, food preparation, heralding workshops or rituals, helping with the site, or cleanup. It's fun, and a great way to get to know folks better!

Merchants:

To be a merchant at this gathering, please check the appropriate box on the registration form and add $10.00 to the total price of your individual registration(s). You will be contacted by the Merchant Coordinator, who will send you the Merchant's Contract which you will need to fill out and return prior to the gathering.

Please make checks or money orders payable to SerpentStone and mail payments to the address given above. Please Remember that your feast contribution and 2 hours of volunteer service are very important! They are part of how we are able to keep our gathering prices down!

 

Pre-register for the gathering HERE!

 

Directions

... an email confirming your registration and giving directions to the site will be sent about a week before the gathering if we have received your completed pre-registration form and your payment.

Return to Gathering Info Page

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