FAQ
- What is Feral!?
- How much does Feral! cost, and why?
- When is Feral!?
- Why is Feral! during the week this year?
- Where is Feral!?
- How do I get there? (And Other Transportation Info)
- Who is welcome?
- Why is Feral! 19+ in 2008?
- What should I bring with me?
- Is alcohol allowed at Feral!?
- Can I bring my pet to Feral!?
- What is required for visiting Canada from the United States or overseas?
- What credit cards or bank cards are accepted in Canada?
- How can I get in touch with other campers?
- How can someone reach me while I'm at Feral!?
- What facilities are there?
Feral! is a five day Furry event in the wilderness of Ontario, Canada where fans of anthropomorphic art, writing, games, and lifestyle (aka. Furries!) can gather together in a relaxed atmosphere far away from the stresses of ordinary life.
Feral! was started by members of the Toronto furry community wanting a local Convention for Canadian furs and others worldwide. However, the TorFur members wanted something distinctive that was a truly different experience from any other furry con.
In late 1997, Terry Wessner proposed a "Furry University" concept, which would host drawing, writing, costuming workshops in intensive, hands-on sessions. At the same time, Dan "Silfur" Markey put forth the idea for a "Summer Camp" for furry fans, complete with bus ride, counselors, and outdoor activities. Ken "Pardus" Suzuki, and many volunteers and friends merged these two concepts together into what is now known as Feral!
For more history of Camp Feral! visit our WikiFur entry.
How much does Feral! cost, and why?
Well, we always said 'We should include a pie chart on the website' to help furs understand why the price of a Feral! registration is higher than those offered by hotel conventions.
The first reason is because Feral! is all-inclusive: the cost of lodging at Feral!, on-site activity costs, all of your meals (a full breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack for each full day) and the cost of most workshops and activities (excepting workshops with materials costs such as costuming) are included in your registration fee! When you consider the full cost of a typical weekend furry con in a hotel (hotel room, food in the hotel or local restaurants, etc.) Feral! is actually a great value for your money! In 2005, one fur referred to Feral! as 'The greatest entertainment value for your money on the planet.'
The second reason is that because Camp Feral! is such a unique event insurance companies aren’t quite sure how to insure it! As a result, Camp Feral is subject to a rate created uniquely for Feral itself, and due to it’s various complexities the rate is generally higher per-registrant than most other conventions.
And here's the pie chart!
Note: Feral! is operated by a not-for-profit corporation. We do not aim to retain a surplus in any given year, and generally have relied greatly on additional donations from our benefactors in order to continue operating. The staff of Camp Feral and our Patrons and Sponsors help keep Feral running as well as keeping registration costs as low as possible through their generosity.
Feral! 2008 will be held from Sunday, August 24th to Thursday, August 28th, 2008.
(Note: Traditionally Feral has been held either Wednesday to Sunday or Saturday to Wednesday, but is subject to Camp Arowhon’s calendar which, for both 2007 and 2008, has resulted in abnormal time slots. It should be noted that in 2008 our slot allows for furs to arrive in Toronto a day early if they wish to find accommodation and take part in our pre-Feral events, or stay in Toronto through the following weekend for Post Feral events)
Why is Feral! during the week this year?
In 2008, Camp Feral's dates are Sunday, August 24th to Thursday, August 28th. This is chiefly because our schedule is directly tied to Camp Arowhon's calendar and we have a limited choice of dates. The Camp Feral! Staff strives to choose the earliest dates available so as not to conflict with schools and colleges and to also catch as much of the warm summer weather before it becomes too cold.
Feral! 2008 is being held at Camp Arowhon in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.
How do I get there? (And Other Transportation Info)
Attendees have the option of either driving themselves to the Feral! campsite, or riding to and from the camp on the Feral! bus. For more information, please see our transportation page.
In 2008, Feral! will become a 19+ event. This means that furs aged 18 or younger cannot attend.
Those 19+ who are interested in outdoor furry fun and fellowship, and who enjoy fresh air, clear skies, sunshine, and bright stars at night are welcome at Feral!
Since it’s inception, Camp Feral! has always been an all-ages event. This, however, has meant an increase in insurance rates to accommodate minors, as well as a great deal of logistical work to cover legalities. As our insurance rates will drop dramatically by making Feral! a 19+ event, we are hoping additional funds can be transferred to our operational costs, and perhaps even into a registration fee decrease!
8. What should I bring with me?
What you should bring:
- Canadian citizens should bring their provincial health card. U.S. and other foreign citizens should bring proof of health insurance coverage, whether it be national, or private. We do carry a certain amount of required emergency medical coverage which will pay for evacuation and some emergency treatment, however this coverage only applies while you are at Camp, and not during your journey to Feral!
- Government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or a driver's license.
- If you are on any medications, be absolutely sure to bring enough for the duration of Feral! There are no pharmacies or drug stores within an easily accessable distance from the camp.
- A sleeping bag, sleeping roll, or blankets; and a pillow. (Camp Arowhon has cabins which have bunks and mattresses.)
- Insect repellent
- A flashlight (this is an absolute must, as the terrain around Camp Arowhon is densely treed and somewhat rocky, and very dark at night)
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or more!)
- A bath towel
- Soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream, etc. (colognes and perfumes are discouraged, as they tend to attract mosquitoes and black flies!)
- Warm clothes for the evening: we suggest hoodies, long sleeved shirts or sweaters as the temperature can drop by ten degrees celcius or more in the evening.
- Day clothes that you don't mind getting dirty
- Long pants, and hiking boots (for the Predator-Prey game, as there are thorns and prickly bushes around the play area)
- Money to help cover materials workshops, off-site activities, and purchases you wish to make. (There is a trading post where our talented artists sell their wares and take commissions)
The following items are highly suggested but not required:
- Umbrella or poncho
- Snacks/soft drinks, if you wish (please note that Arowhon is nut and seed free, as many children who attend during the summer are allergic!) Please bring drinks in cans or plastic bottles - glass is prohibited.
- A re-usable water bottle such as a "nalgene" bottle, to carry beverages in (Arowhon prefers to avoid potential littering situations as much as possible)
- A swimsuit
- Art supplies
- Art to show or sell at the Art Trading Post (Please notify us prior to Feral! if you need a table!)
- A musical instrument, hand drums, percussion instruments, and/or sheet music for the campfire sing-a-long and Musician's Circle
- Your original poetry or favoure piece to read, if you wish to participate in the Poetry Corner
- Board games, or card games
- Tennis racket/racquet, if you want to play tennis!
What we discourage you from bringing:
- Candles, incense, etc. - anything that could accidentally start a fire is strongly discouraged!
- Valuables
- Computers (you can if you want, but remember that Feral! is in the wilderness, and as such, there are no internet hookups)
- Cell phones and pagers - most will not work as there are no cell towers nearby!
What you may not bring:
- Firearms, Crossbows and Airguns (Per Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act)
- Fireworks (They are banned in provincial parks)
- Any knife other than pocket utility knives and small folding-style camping knives
- Any hazardous substance, including anything highly combustible, explosive, or toxic
What you must ask for permission to bring:
- Anything that looks like a firearm or other deadly weapon
- Anything that launches or fires a projectile, other than a standard watergun or Nerf-style foam gun
- Any other weapon, including martial-arts type weapons
Please note that outdoor tobacco use is allowed on the Arowhon grounds in designated areas, provided that all cigarette butts are placed in the provided receptacles.
If you're not sure whether you should bring something, please ask us about it.
We have, in the past, allowed campers to bring certain items such as staffs for purposes such as martial arts demonstrations. If you want to do something similar, please be aware that you must ask for permission to bring anything weapon-like before you arrive, and you may be required to have it peace bonded and/or held by Arowhon staff outside of any time you are making a demonstration that's been approved in writing by Feral staffers in charge.
Responsible alcohol consumption will be allowed at Feral! this year, subject to these rules:
- Drinking is permitted in designated areas only. We'll let you know where these are after you arrive.
- No drinking allowed before 5:00pm each day.
- The waterfront area is absolutely off limits for anyone who has been drinking alcohol, no matter how much or how little they have imbibed.
- No glass bottles! - They are banned by our site. (Exception: You can bring a bottle of wine to have with dinner, which we will keep for you until you request it. Please e-mail us at info@campferal.org if you'd like more information about this service.)
- Aluminum cans, boxed wine, and plastic bottles are acceptable, but all drinking vessels must be recycled using the provided recycling boxes on site.
- All drinking at Feral! is to be done in responsible moderation.
PLEASE: Only bring alcohol for yourself to consume. Large quantities of alcohol, except for wine being donated for special events and planned for by Feral! staff, should not be brought to supply the entire camp. This could potentially lead to someone overconsuming. Many members of Feral! staff are smart serve certified, but since we cannot be everywhere at all times, we encourage you to drink responsibly and only bring enough to enjoy for yourself during the camp.
Unfortunately, you cannot. It is against Camp Arowhon policy, and the facilities are also not suitable for pets.
What is required for visiting Canada from the United States or overseas?
The requirements depend on your country of citizenship, and how you will be traveling to Canada.
If you are a U.S. citizen traveling by air: You will need to show a passport upon entry to Canada. Please note that this is a change from previous customs and immigration policy, new this year. A birth certificate and driver's license, military I.D. or other identification is no longer acceptable if you are traveling by air.
If you are a U.S. citizen traveling by any other means: You will need to show either a passport, or both proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a birth certificate) as well as proof of identity (such as a driver's license) in order to enter Canada.
If you are a citizen of any other country: You will almost certainly need a passport and possibly a visa as well. To find out what the requirements for citizens of your particular nation are, we suggest that you visit Immigration Canada's Visitor Services page for further information.
What credit cards or bank cards are accepted in Canada?
Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted almost everywhere in Canada. As well, some less common cards such as Discover, JCB, En Route, Diner's Club, and a few others are accepted in the odd location. Most Canadian ABMs (Automated Banking Machines) are part of the Interac, Plus, Cirrus, Maestro, or Visa Electron banking networks, so any U.S. ABM card which has the symbols for one or more of the above-mentioned networks on the back of the card can be used in most Canadian ABMs.
How can I get in touch with other campers?
The easiest way to do this is to register. When you do so, you have the option of joining the Feral! Camper's Mailing List where you will be kept up to date with the latest news and developments with regard to Feral!, and hear from both first-time and veteran campers.
In 2008, we are also introducing a Camp Feral forums for all campers who are registered. If you are not a registered camper, you will be able to view the forums but will not be able to post.
How can someone reach me while I'm at Feral!?
We will provide the number for the camp to you by e-mail, well in advance of Feral. It should only be used as an emergency contact number; whoever calls can leave a message which will be relayed to you. There are pay-phones (calling card or collect calls only - no coins) to return the call, and for any other call you wish to make.
The very first Feral! was held at Camp Arowhon Outdoor Centre in 1998, we returned there for 2004-2007, and we are returning for our eleventh event in 2008!
Camp Arowhon is a traditional summer camp established in 1933, located on a private lake inside Algonquin Park, a major wildlife refuge about 250 km north of Toronto and 300 km west of Ottawa. Arowhon has a beautiful cedar-log main lodge, many unique and varied cabins located close together in the central area of the site, facilities for workshops and performance, indoor and outdoor climbing walls, archery, swimming, canoeing, sailing, and kayaking. As well, there is a softball diamond, a basketball/volleyball court, 4 tennis courts, field games such as Predator-Prey, and several campfire pits.
The accomodations at Arowhon are cabins, which sleep between eight and twelve, and some cabins have electrical hookups. A late-night cabin will also be made available. Hot showers and flush toilets are available, as well as privies close to each cabin.
