Gulf Coast Gathering 2020
March 19-22
Group Camp 3, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville, LA
Theme: "Beyond the Mists of Myth and Legend": Exploring the Stories of the Past
Special Guest: Pat Booker, Irish Bard
Also Featuring:
Arthur ("ZZ Birmingham") Billington, Bluesman and Honorary Bard of OBOD
Registration is now CLOSED
March 19-22
Group Camp 3, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville, LA
Theme: "Beyond the Mists of Myth and Legend": Exploring the Stories of the Past
Special Guest: Pat Booker, Irish Bard
Also Featuring:
Arthur ("ZZ Birmingham") Billington, Bluesman and Honorary Bard of OBOD
Registration is now CLOSED
For 2020, our sixth annual gathering, we will be focusing on the myths and legends of various cultures. Pat Booker will be presenting "Gods, Fairies and Cattle Rustling: An introduction to the Irish Myths," and Arthur Billington will look at the influence of pagan West Africa's cultural mores on the rise of blues music as he tells us about "Natural Magic and the Blues: An exploration illustrated with live music and song." Details on our other workshops will be announced soon.
A note about our theme: "Beyond the mists of myth and legend" is a line from one of Damh the Bard's songs, "Cloak of Feathers," the final piece of his Blodeuwedd trilogy. As most of Damh's songs revolve around Celtic (and other) myth and legend, we thought his line was a fitting descriptor for our theme, and he graciously gave us permission to use it. If you're not familiar with Damh's music (newly arrived from Aldebaran, perhaps?) you can check out his website at Damh the Bard: Nature, Myth, Magic, and Music.
A note about our theme: "Beyond the mists of myth and legend" is a line from one of Damh the Bard's songs, "Cloak of Feathers," the final piece of his Blodeuwedd trilogy. As most of Damh's songs revolve around Celtic (and other) myth and legend, we thought his line was a fitting descriptor for our theme, and he graciously gave us permission to use it. If you're not familiar with Damh's music (newly arrived from Aldebaran, perhaps?) you can check out his website at Damh the Bard: Nature, Myth, Magic, and Music.
Gulf Coast Gathering is a private event for OBOD members and their families and friends, and is sponsored by Highland Oak Nemeton, an OBOD grove and registered 501(c)3 non-profit spiritual organization in Baton Rouge, LA.
If you are interested in attending and are an OBOD member or know a member who will sponsor you, you may join our Facebook Group, OBOD Gulf Coast Gathering. Please answer the verification questions when you apply to join.
If you are interested in attending and are an OBOD member or know a member who will sponsor you, you may join our Facebook Group, OBOD Gulf Coast Gathering. Please answer the verification questions when you apply to join.
Join us amidst the live oaks and cypresses in beautiful Fontainebleau State Park on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, as we leave behind the mundane world and spend a long weekend communing with the earth, trees, and skies of Southeast Louisiana. GCG 2020 will be our sixth annual gathering!
ACTIVITIES
Alban Eilir ritual
Workshops and classes
Hands-on activities
Guided meditations
Nature walks and tree visits
OBOD grade breakout sessions
Bonfires and Eisteddfodau
Silent auction
Others TBA
Group initiations will be available to any OBOD member who has not already had a group initiation in his or her current grade.
There is no official vendors' area but space will be available for those who wish to offer for sale items related to Druidry or Earth-centered spirituality.
FACILITIES
We have Fontainebleau's Group Camp 3 reserved for our gathering. Our camp is on the shore of a freshwater pond near the Lake, with a pier and platform over the water. The camp itself has dormitory-style sleeping arrangements (bunk beds, see photos) and a fully equipped kitchen/dining hall. All buildings have heating/air conditioning, toilets, and showers; one of the dorm buildings is handicapped-accessible. Each pair of bunk beds has an adjacent electrical outlet. Tent camping areas (no electric outlets) are adjacent to the dorms and the Dining Hall; a separate building with toilets and lavatories is conveniently located nearby.
Onsite accommodations are limited to a maximum of 50 staying in Group Camp 3, including tent campers, because dorm space will be reserved for everyone in case of inclement weather.
Offsite accommodations for people wanting to attend but who are unable to stay in the dorms include cabins and tent camping areas in the main part of the park (click here to check for availability and location), and there are several B&Bs and hotels in nearby Mandeville and Lacombe, LA (click here for TripAdvisor's list). RVs are not permitted in the group campsite, but there are RV sites in the main campground (click here to check for availability). We can accommodate up to 10 participants staying offsite, for a total of 60.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Three meals a day will be served at the gathering. (Click here for menu) Vegetarian options will be available at each meal but please note that dairy products and eggs will often be used even in vegetarian dishes. We will do our best to have some non-dairy/egg and gluten-free choices available, but will not be able to produce full vegan or gluten-free meals. If you have food concerns, there are several markets and restaurants near the camp where you can purchase food that meets your requirements. Refrigerator space will be available to those bringing their own food, but kitchen space is limited so please keep that in mind if preparing your own meals. Those providing their own food are welcome to share in the camp's coffee/tea/mead, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: The mead offered at GCG is NOT covered by your registration fee. It is provided by volunteer mead-makers who donate their time and materials so adult participants (age 21 and over) can enjoy this classic beverage. Limited quantities are available, so please drink responsibly. Donations to offset the mead-makers' expenses are greatly appreciated!
CHILDREN
Children are welcome at GCG, but anyone under 18 must be in the company of a custodial parent or legal guardian. Children under 10 must be supervised at all times. Unattended children are not allowed in the dining hall. Do not leave children, of any age, unattended near any body of water. Parents are, at all times, responsible for their children. We will have crafts and activities for children to do, however there will be no actual childcare available.
COST
A non-refundable $50 deposit is required at the time of registration; payment in full is due by January 15, 2020. Your registration is not complete until at least the deposit is received.
CHORES
Volunteers to help with camp chores (meal prep, clean up, fire-tending, etc.) will help make the camp run smoothly. If you are physically able, please sign up for one or more chores when registering.
ACTIVITIES
Alban Eilir ritual
Workshops and classes
Hands-on activities
Guided meditations
Nature walks and tree visits
OBOD grade breakout sessions
Bonfires and Eisteddfodau
Silent auction
Others TBA
Group initiations will be available to any OBOD member who has not already had a group initiation in his or her current grade.
There is no official vendors' area but space will be available for those who wish to offer for sale items related to Druidry or Earth-centered spirituality.
FACILITIES
We have Fontainebleau's Group Camp 3 reserved for our gathering. Our camp is on the shore of a freshwater pond near the Lake, with a pier and platform over the water. The camp itself has dormitory-style sleeping arrangements (bunk beds, see photos) and a fully equipped kitchen/dining hall. All buildings have heating/air conditioning, toilets, and showers; one of the dorm buildings is handicapped-accessible. Each pair of bunk beds has an adjacent electrical outlet. Tent camping areas (no electric outlets) are adjacent to the dorms and the Dining Hall; a separate building with toilets and lavatories is conveniently located nearby.
Onsite accommodations are limited to a maximum of 50 staying in Group Camp 3, including tent campers, because dorm space will be reserved for everyone in case of inclement weather.
Offsite accommodations for people wanting to attend but who are unable to stay in the dorms include cabins and tent camping areas in the main part of the park (click here to check for availability and location), and there are several B&Bs and hotels in nearby Mandeville and Lacombe, LA (click here for TripAdvisor's list). RVs are not permitted in the group campsite, but there are RV sites in the main campground (click here to check for availability). We can accommodate up to 10 participants staying offsite, for a total of 60.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Three meals a day will be served at the gathering. (Click here for menu) Vegetarian options will be available at each meal but please note that dairy products and eggs will often be used even in vegetarian dishes. We will do our best to have some non-dairy/egg and gluten-free choices available, but will not be able to produce full vegan or gluten-free meals. If you have food concerns, there are several markets and restaurants near the camp where you can purchase food that meets your requirements. Refrigerator space will be available to those bringing their own food, but kitchen space is limited so please keep that in mind if preparing your own meals. Those providing their own food are welcome to share in the camp's coffee/tea/mead, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: The mead offered at GCG is NOT covered by your registration fee. It is provided by volunteer mead-makers who donate their time and materials so adult participants (age 21 and over) can enjoy this classic beverage. Limited quantities are available, so please drink responsibly. Donations to offset the mead-makers' expenses are greatly appreciated!
CHILDREN
Children are welcome at GCG, but anyone under 18 must be in the company of a custodial parent or legal guardian. Children under 10 must be supervised at all times. Unattended children are not allowed in the dining hall. Do not leave children, of any age, unattended near any body of water. Parents are, at all times, responsible for their children. We will have crafts and activities for children to do, however there will be no actual childcare available.
COST
- Adults (age 18 and over):
- $150 for the weekend, meals included
- Children 6-17:
- $75 for the weekend, meals included
- Children <6:
- $10 for the weekend, meals included
- Day rate: One day, meals and beverages included: $50
A non-refundable $50 deposit is required at the time of registration; payment in full is due by January 15, 2020. Your registration is not complete until at least the deposit is received.
CHORES
Volunteers to help with camp chores (meal prep, clean up, fire-tending, etc.) will help make the camp run smoothly. If you are physically able, please sign up for one or more chores when registering.