FAQs

All Campers are requested to make a non-refundable deposit to hold their space at Pleasures of Beltane. Campers are asked to make their deposits immediately following their acceptance with full payment due by February 15, 2024. 

Refund schedule:

• Before February 15th any payment made, less non-refundable deposit

• From February 16th to April 1st, 50% of any payment made, less the non-refundable deposit

• There are no refunds after April 1st* 

*Any Camper who cannot attend Pleasures of Beltane due to USA laws preventing entry will be eligible for a full reimbursement. We ask that you email us at pleasuresofbeltane@gmail.com if this is a potential issue for you. 

NOTE: This is being re-evaluated and will be updated in 2024*. 

At this time, there will be no vaccine requirement to attend Pleasures of Beltane. We do have to comply with regulations set by the Mendocino Woodlands and we don’t foresee this changing.

We are asking camp attendees to take the risks of Covid and the welness of their fellow attendees seriously and to do your best to minimize risk for the 7 days before attending camp. Knowing that jobs/travel etc. will be different for each, we are asking people to limit their contact with others and especially public spaces and gatherings as much as possible in the 7 days prior to camp. We are also asking people to use masks and other preventative measures if they are required to be in higher risk situations during this time.

Pre-admission and daily Covid tests will be required. This will help everyone feel more comfortable attending camp. Please make sure you bring masks and Covid tests to cover 4 days. If anyone tests positive during camp, they will be asked to leave if they are able to be housed elsewhere or go home early. If that is not an option, we will have some designated cabins for folks to move into and isolate. If this happens we will support these folks by setting up a meal delivery system and supporting any illness needs within our skills and capacity. Anyone who tests positive and is isolating at camp will be asked not to attend any indoor or outdoor camp events or have on-going contact with others. 

*Campers coming from out of the USA will need to comply with the CDC rules for entering the US. As of December, 2022, people need to be vaccinated. Specific requirements are outlined here:

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/covid-19-travel-information.html

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html

The Pleasures of Beltane camp is a Reclaiming Camp and we request people review and agree to the Principles of Unity, which can be found here: https://reclaimingcollective.wordpress.com/principles-of-unity/.

Reclaiming strives to be an anti-racist community.  Here are 9 ways to be less racist at witchcamp.  They are all based on personal experiences I have had at various camps.  Why "less" racist and not "non" racist?  Because given the white supremacist culture we live in, there is no way to avoid racist conditioning.  Being completely non-racist is not possible; what IS possible is living anti-racist lives of constant learning, growth, and action.

This is a short list, and there are many other things that can be done, but 3x3 is a powerful spell, so use it in good health! 

-Rachel Yukimura

How to be Less Racist at Witchcamp

1. When first meeting someone, don’t immediately ask them about their race or ethnicity. Those kinds of conversations often require the trust of an established relationship.

2. When BIPOC create groups or events that exclude white people, remember that we need separate spaces in order to feel safe, often because we feel marginalized in majority-white spaces, like this camp.

3. If a BIPOC opens up to you about their background, remember that they are an individual human being, and do not make generalizations or assumptions about them or their identities.

4. Do not sexualize or fetishize BIPOC or their identities (eg. “Asian women are subservient”).

5. Do not expect BIPOC to educate you about racism. If you have a question about race or racism at camp, ask a fellow white person who has done work in these areas, attend an optional offering, and ask questions of BIPOC who have explicitly offered their knowledge and perspective.

6. Remember that reverse-racism does not exist. Prejudice can occur in any direction, but racism is institutional, and we live in a country founded on white supremacy.

7. Address racism when you see it. If someone does or says something racist, you might pull them aside and have a conversation about it. Even if they respond defensively, you have planted a seed of awareness that will hopefully lead to more respectful behavior in the future.

8. If you are told your behavior had a negative impact, take a deep breath and apologize without making excuses. Even if you had good intentions, it is important to acknowledge your impact.

9. Remember that being anti-racist is a life-long process. We were all raised in a racist overculture and must overcome deeply ingrained conditioning. Do not expect yourself to be perfect, and remember that the work and learning are never done!