2020 Camper Guide

The 2020 GHT Gathering has been cancelled

We're leaving the information below for your reference.

Ticket holders, refund information is on this page.

What we've got planned

Music

4 Community stages

+ a new stage this year

Tech focus this year: multichannel audio

Two opportunities to learn, perform and present.

1. In the yurt: perform in quad surround
2. UNPOP, the 8-channel array installation: diffuse existing recordings in octophonic surround

Art

Look for announcements here soon about art installations at the gathering.

Are you planning on bringing something? Get in touch with @Roooster on Discord or via email or fill in the Participation questionnaire so we can help coordinate and get your work into our announcements.

Community events

We'll start announcing community events here soon.

Are you planning something? Get in touch with @Roooster on Discord or via email or fill in the Participation questionnaire so we can help coordinate and get your event into our announcements.

Registration and ticketing

Registration began Jan 5th

Tent, cabin and vehicle/RV camping are the same price per person. Meal plan included.

How ticketing works this year

We’ve changed a couple things this year to simplify all the forms & information we ask you to fill in. 

You’ll need to have an account and be logged in to at gayshatetechno.com to complete ticketing this year. You'll be able to make accounts beginning Jan 1.

Your My Account dashboard has tabs for all the info you have supplied us as well as information about new projects and programs this year:

• Instead of having you fill in multiple Airtable or Google forms, we’ve migrated almost all the various forms we ask you to fill out to this one spot. And now that it’s part of your account profile we can keep it on file for you, and you can also change and update any info at any time.
• (And it’s a good time to mention our privacy policy, which you can read here)
• In your profile, as usual, we ask you to let us know about food allergies, dietary preferences, medical needs, whether you need mobility challenged lodging, and whether you’d like more info about ride sharing and camping gear rental. New in your profile this year: let us know if you’re interested in sober camping or a quieter camping area, and RSVP for some of the sessions & activities we’ve got set up already

When checking out you’ll have a chance to confirm parts of your camper profile. If you’re registering multiple people, like usual we’ll ask for everybody’s names and emails, and use that to set up accounts for the people in your order

About registering

The registration page will ask you to choose a tent, cabin, or RV/vehicle camping type. It's the same price no matter what you choose.

About the cabin beds

If you are looking to get a cabin bed, you'll select between a 1-person bed and a 2-person bed. The 2-person beds are twice the price.

The venue has beds of various sizes, and the 1-person beds might be twin or double. The 2-person beds might be full, queen or a queen futon.

Nearly all the available beds are bunk beds, and every bed is in a shared room. For more information, see the general camping info section below.

All cabin beds for 2020 are sold out.

Ticketing transfers and name changes

Since we check people in by name, we need your help keeping our info correct. If you resell or need to change the name on your ticket, please let us know by filling in this form.

Ticketing FAQ

I’m having problems logging in. Help?

Try these things first:

1 Check your spam folder for the mail with your password in it. This has been happening a lot

2 Use the lost password form to get a new password https://www.gayshatetechno.com/my-account/lost-password/

3 Not sure whether you have a login? Use that same lost password form and fill in your email address. If you have an account, it’ll send you a reset link.

4 Hit up @matt_fisher on Discord for login help

I want to camp next to my car. Do I need a vehicle camping ticket?

Probably maybe. It depends on what you mean by 'next to.' Short answer: go ahead and get a vehicle camping ticket and get in touch with Connie our camper services lead. Long answer: when you arrive you'll unload your vehicle and then move it to the lower parking lot, which is about a 3 minute walk from the pool. Most people camp more or less right near the horseshoe road, so if your concern is ease of loading and unloading your car, you can probably drive to within a couple feet of your campsite, set up camp and then move/park your car. If what you need is to be sleeping next to your car for some reason, it's probably better to get a vehicle camping ticket and then talk to us.

I want to change my ticket to a vehicle camping ticket. Who do I talk to?

This year vehicle camping tickets are numbered and limited, so you need to select that type when you check out. We may be able to help you change later, but only if there are still available spots. Check in with @ConnieL on Discord.

I’m not sure what kind of vehicle camping ticket(s) I need. Why are there different kinds?

Because we need a vehicle count. Only one person for each vehicle camping spot should get what we’re calling a ‘Vehicle owner’ ticket. Everybody else sleeping in that vehicle/RV should get ‘Passenger’ tickets. That’s so we can use the number of ‘Vehicle owner’ tickets as our vehicle count.

What is upper vs lower parking?

Upper parking is what we’re calling everything in the horseshoe from the jacuzzi when you drive in, past all the cabins and pool, and down to the barn just before the small bridge. Based on how we’ve crammed vehicles in the past we know we can fit 20 campers, vans, truck and RVs up there for vehicle camping.
Lower parking is a new thing this year. We’re going to rope off the northern edge of the parking field for overflow vehicle camping as well as quiet tent camping. That land area is pretty critical for parking, so we’re limiting the number of Lower parking vehicle campers to 20.

I need to sleep near an outlet. What do I do?

All the cabin bedrooms have outlets. Most of the buildings have external power. If you’re in a tent but need power, bring a 50’ or 100’ extension cord. Ask when you arrive and the crew can point out other locations where you can tap into external power. If you’re in an RV, you’ll need to generate your own power. The lower parking and quiet camping areas won’t have external power anywhere nearby.

Are there day passes?

No.

Are there reduced cost tickets?

We do this with the absolute minimum overhead at the lowest possible cost for everybody, so we don't create a separate reduced cost tier of tickets. But, we do a couple things to help defray cost for some of our campers. One thing is the performer travel fund, which specifically helps cover travel related costs for our trans, women, nonbinary and poc DJs and performers. The other thing is our work trade program, something we're trying for the first time this year. The work trade establishes a barter value for a waived cost ticket in return for specific things we need. For more info, read the Work Trade Program section of this guide below.

Ways to participate

It's a DIY gathering. What are you planning? On the Participation tab of your My Account section, you can let us know what you're interested in, and add something not on the list. Those options are below.

Perform music or DJ

Submissions for 2020 are now closed.

Each of our three stages is curated and managed by a producer. Like last year, our three producers are Jordee Akerley (pool), Kate Lesta (lodge) and Jay Fields (yurt).

Help on a volunteer team

As usual we'll ask for your help with setup, meals, gate & greeters, cleanup, and some logistics. Here's what each team does:

Offer a specific service or put together a group activity

Gathering staff are on hand to facilitate your ideas, and we'd like to help you pull off what you're planning. Please use the 'specific service' or 'group activity' selections to let us know what you're planning and what help you need from us. Some of the things that people have done in the past include: pop up happy hour cocktail bar, janky glory hole nail salon, yoga, massage, meditation, Jane Fonda workout, organized hikes, tea ceremony, surprise scones, and lots of other ideas. Get in touch with Roooster on to schedule a time and place for your activity.

About the People's Mic

NEW We are making it easier for you to get access to a sound system for a group activity. If you're planning something that needs amplification (and isn't part of the pool, lodge or yurt music programs), the People's Mic will take care of you. The People's Mic is a little different than the other stages -- it's 100% community access. We'll squeeze in everything we can facilitate.

Let us know ahead of time what you're planning and then you'll sign up for specific time slots once you arrive at the gathering. You can sign up on the Participation tab in your My Account dashboard.

Bring art or visuals

If you'd like to bring artwork to the gathering, we'd love to support you. We have some limitations on staging locations and power requirements, so let us know ahead of time if you're bringing something that requires power or needs to be inside.

Our stage producers have ultimate say regarding visuals at each stage, so if you'd like to set something up there we'll put you in contact with them to you can discuss.

This year there are two special calls related to art installations & visuals.

Have something else in mind?

If you're thinking of something and it doesn't fit anywhere in the descriptions above, let us know your idea and we'll see what we can do to help.

Work trade program

NEW We are piloting a few new ways to provide reduced or no-cost tickets for a small number of campers. There are two parts to our work trade program: the parking crew and sponsored speakers. Please don't email us about this yet.

General camping Info

The gathering is at a private queer-owned retreat center under redwoods in a secluded valley approx. 2.5 hours north of San Francisco. Same place as last year.

The venue has the following:

• shared group cabins w/bunk beds and mattresses enough to sleep 80
• a full commercial kitchen + indoor dining hall
• showers and bathrooms
• electricity and plumbing
• outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi
• a yurt and great room for other stuff to happen in
• lots of room to wander
• indoor and outdoor dance space
• plenty of room for tent camping

Cabins, tents and vehicle camping

Your registration cost is the same regardless whether you sleep in a cabin bed, a tent, an RV, or your vehicle. You choose.  

You're welcome to camp in your RV, trailer, pickup or whatever, as long as you understand there are no electrical or gray water hookups for you.

When you register, you’ll pick a tent, cabin, or vehicle camping spot. For our purposes ‘vehicle camping’ means you’re sleeping either in your vehicle or in an RV/trailer/camper. If what you want to do is set up a tent within walking distance to your car, that’s not ‘vehicle camping’ to us. In that case, choose tent camping when you register.

This year, we will have two main parking areas for vehicle camping, the Upper lot and Lower lot. The Upper lot includes all the areas near and uphill from the pool, including the horseshoe, parking spaces and pool parking. The Lower lot will be overflow parking for vehicle campers. We can fit 20 vehicle campers in the Upper lot. The rest will be in the Lower lot and this will be clear when you register. 

We have an extremely limited numbers of cabin beds available, and they will fill up almost immediately.

We hold some of our cabin beds specifically for people with mobility or health issues. You’ll have an opportunity to let us know about that when you register so we can assign you and your caregiver to those beds. If you like, contact @matt_fisher or @ConnieL before the General sale starts so we can find out more about your needs.

Camping with mobility challenges

The venue is mostly sorta wheelchair accessible. Specifically, the poolside stage, lodge stage, main lodge ground floor, Cabin 5 and most of the lower grounds are all accessible by wheelchair. The yurt is trickier, in that it's up a trail that is steep in parts. There are ADA compliant bathrooms, but not in the cabins. (They're missing handrails.)

If you're someone who is dealing with mobility challenges, please get in touch on Discord so we can have a longer conversation about what you need and how we can help. We have set aside a limited number of ground floor beds in Cabin 5 and Cabin 1 for you and your caregiver(s) if needed. All our mobility lodging is now full.

Special camping areas: quiet camping and sober camping

Look for more information in January about options for quiet or sober camping.

Meals

The kitchen opens for dinner on Thursday and provides 3 meals a day through breakfast Sunday. Your meals are included in your registration price.

In your camper profile you can let us know about any dietary restrictions or food allergies.

Please note: do not bring a camping stove to the venue

Menu

Look for meal and snack menus later this winter.

What to bring

• Towel
• Water Bottle (no glass) - there are plenty of water fountains
• Toiletries and other personal items
• Your favorite beverages
• Your preferred snacks (whatever you crave at midnight)
• Lewks and Layers (it gets cold at night sometimes)
• If you are camping, bring camping gear (or rent it from our vendor Last Minute Gear):
  • Tent
  • Mattress Pad
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Flashlight or Head Lamp

What not to bring

• If you are in a cabin, bedding/pillows are supplied by Saratoga Springs. Please do not bring your own!
• No camping stoves or anything that makes an open flame
• Check with us before bringing your fire sticks, poi, any other kind of flame art - we will need to prearrange and strategize any open flame performance of any kind, and it’ll depend on approval by the venue.

Driving, parking, ride share & the shuttle

We are now at that size where parking space is a for-real issue, and we are asking for your help in planning our parking situation.

We'll be doing more communicating with you pre-gathering so we can get a count of vehicles, and this year you'll see a question about that when you register.

We are looking into a shuttle to/from SF that hopefully will help lessen parking needs and get people to the gathering easily. We won't have that sorted out by the time registrations start, and we'll conduct ticketing for the shuttle(s) separately later this winter.

As usual, we'll see what we can do to connect you to each other for ride shares.

Camping FAQ

What time does it start? What time is it over?
We'll open the gate and begin checking people on Thursday May 7 at 2pm. That's a little bit later than last year so we can conduct a training session with out parking crew. The music schedule begins Thursday eve.

Across the 3 stages music will be happening roughly continuously between noon and ~5am.
We’ll start breaking down Sunday May 10 right after brunch and will be off the property by 3pm.

I want to play a set. How do I apply?
All your info is here: https://www.gayshatetechno.com/2020-gathering-info/performer-submissions/

Deadline for submission is Jan 15th

I want to bring art. Can I do that?
YES! If your installation requires power or an indoor location, we need to know ahead of time. Here's how you let us know what you're planning: Log in to your My Account dashboard and click on the Participation tab in the left menu. Click the 'bring art' option and fill in the fields. If your idea needs coordination or resources we'll be in touch.

I avoid certain foods. Will you take care of me?
All our meals include vegetarian options. We also will have dairy and gluten free options. We plan on having the menu posted later this winter.

In your camper profile there's are questions about diet where you can let us know your allergies or foods you avoid.

Can I get a ride with somebody?
Probably yes! Check the #ride-sharing channel on the Discord server

Will there be showers and electrical outlets?
Yep, and toilets and water fountains.

I need to sleep near an electrical outlet. What if the cabins are all sold out?
Most of the buildings have exterior power outlets you can plug extension cords into. Bring 50'.

Wifi? Phone service?
Don’t count on either, but some carriers come through clearly. There is free wifi near the main lodge.

Is the pool heated?
Nope. But the jacuzzi is right next to it. You’ll figure something out.

Safety and harm reduction

More info coming soon. Topics for this section: harm reduction, trip sitting, medical team and resources, drug testing kit and demo, our stance on autonomy and drug use, emergency evacuation plan

Our social contract

Welcome queer family, music nerds and weirdos to our experiment. We are primarily an excuse for nerds to play music for and dance with each other. And also eat together, hang out, make friends and create  art.

The community of the gathering springs from your  generosity and good energy. Anything can happen. 

In planning the gathering, we set our course according to the following values. In cases where friction or conflict arises, we will use these as our waypoints for remediation and resolution. 

Self Expression & Creativity

We are primarily an event where we get to better know each others creative interests and personalities. Bringing and expressing your honest self is your biggest gift to others. We support challenging and provocative creative expression.

Nonaggression, Consent & Ethical behavior

We believe in peaceful interactions based on consent. We believe that ethical behavior only happens in the absence of coercion.

We recognize that many of us are privileged to live in areas where our queerness and personhood are valued, but that many of us live under threat of coercion, aggression and violence. We recognize that among queer communities some of us feel relatively disadvantaged, and that normalized status quo to some is recapitulation of various regimes of oppression to others. 

We want the gathering to be a space where we can all practice being better with each other.

Body positivity & Sex positivity

We celebrate queer bodies, queer sexualities and queer sex. We want you to have the best sex possible.

Inclusivity, Participation & Volunteerism

We are a no-spectators event. Every camper can, should, and is invited to participate in ways they decide. We would not be able to produce a low cost gathering without your willingness to volunteer.

Friend making

The gathering exists for making new friends and strengthening existing friendships.

Egalitarianism & Autonomy

Your personhood, body and liberty are yours to govern, and are as valuable as anybody else’s. You can attempt any adventure you choose: creative, spiritual, physical, emotional or sexual.

Respect for the land

We respect and value the rarity and fragility of queer owned spaces devoted to building community. We strive to be good guests on the land.

Conflict resolution

If you feel you are the victim of physical aggression, bullying or coercion, or any form of transphobia, misogyny or homophobia, please find one of the gathering crew so we can work out how to remediate the issue.

We will remove anyone from the event who intentionally acts to harm, intimidate, threaten, abuse or shame others.

Terms & conditions

Specific Policies from the venue

• No fires, flames, candles, or incense burning.
• All campers must observe all rules posted by Saratoga Springs Retreat Center or the event organizers.

Animals

• No dogs

Smoking

• No smoking except for designated areas.
• We will be fined for each cigarette butt and roach found on the ground or outside smoking areas

Pool and jacuzzi areas

• No glass, ceramic, or breakable containers inside the pool fence. We will be fined $50 for each breakable container seen or found in the pool area.
• No penetrative sex in the hot tub. No, really. No penetrative sex in the hot tub.

Our policies

• We are a rain or shine event.
• No refunds, except in case of emergency.
• We are a private event and no visitors will be admitted without a ticket at the gate.
• We are a surveillance-free event. No drones. No recordings or photography without consent

Transfers

If you registered for a bed, your ticket with will show the assigned bed on it.
If you need to transfer or resell your spot, make sure you give your ticket to the new camper. They will need to show that ticket at the gate and that bed assignment transfers with your registration.

Liability release

Purchasing a ticket or entering the grounds will act as your verification that you have read through and agree with the following.
In exchange for participation in the Gays Hate Techno Spring 2020 gathering organized by GHT Productions LLC, of 2751 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland, California, 94601 and/or use of the property, facilities and services provided by GHT Productions LLC, Matt Fisher and the organizing volunteers, I agree to the following:

1. AGREEMENT TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. I agree to observe and obey all posted rules and warnings, and further agree to follow any oral instructions or directions given by GHT Productions LLC, Matt Fisher, or volunteers or contracted employees acting under his direction.

2. ASSUMPTION OF THE RISKS AND RELEASE. I recognize that there are certain inherent risks associated with participation and volunteering at the gathering and I assume full responsibility for personal injury to myself, and further release and discharge GHT Productions LLC, Matt Fisher or contracted employees acting under his direction for injury, loss or damage arising out of my use of or presence upon Saratoga Springs Retreat Center, whether caused by the fault of myself, my family, Matt Fisher or other third parties.

3. INDEMNIFICATION. I agree to indemnify and defend GHT Productions LLC and Matt Fisher against all claims, causes of action, damages, judgments, costs or expenses, including attorney fees and other litigation costs, which may in any way arise from my use of or presence upon Saratoga Springs Retreat Center.

4. FEES. I agree to pay for all damages to the facilities of Saratoga Springs Retreat Center caused by any negligent, reckless, or willful actions by me or my family.

5. APPLICABLE LAW. Any legal or equitable claim that may arise from participation in the above shall be resolved under California law.

6. NO DURESS. I agree and acknowledge that I am under no pressure or duress to sign this Agreement and that I have been given a reasonable opportunity to review it before signing. I further agree and acknowledge that I am free to have my own legal counsel review this Agreement if I so desire.

7. ARM'S LENGTH AGREEMENT. This Agreement and each of its terms are the product of an arms' length negotiation between the Parties. In the event any ambiguity is found to exist in the interpretation of this Agreement, or any of its provisions, the Parties, and each of them, explicitly reject the application of any legal or equitable rule of interpretation which would lead to a construction either "for" or "against" a particular party based upon their status as the drafter of a specific term, language, or provision giving rise to such ambiguity. Accordingly, the Parties specifically reject the application of Cal. Civ. Code §1654 to this Agreement, as well as any other statute or common law principles of similar effect.

8. ENFORCEABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement, whether standing alone or as applied to a particular occurrence or circumstance, shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement or of any other applications of such provision, as the case may be, and such invalid or unenforceable provision shall be deemed not to be a part of this Agreement.

I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT AND UNDERSTAND IT. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT BY AGREEING TO THESE TERMS AT BELOW OR SIGNING IN AT THE GATE WHEN I ARRIVE AT SARATOGA SPRINGS RETREAT CENTER I AM SIGNING THIS RELEASE, AND I VOLUNTARILY SURRENDER CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS.