Camp Rules
COVID-19 special rules for 2021: Facemasks are required at all times except during meals. Please maintain as much distancing as is possible at all times. Save hugs for a time when it's safer!
We will be doing as much as possible outdoors, so please choose your gear and camp clothing accordingly. Weather in south Louisiana in the spring can vary from chilly to hot, and often does so in the same weekend! And rain is always a good possibility.
Occupancy of the dining hall is strictly limited to a maximum of 50 at any one time (subject to change as the situation warrants). Please don't use the dining hall for socializing—get your food, drink, and do your shopping, then go back outside. We will have outdoor seating for meals and most other activities.
Onsite accommodations: We encourage as many people as possible to either tent camp or stay offsite. Space in the dorms is very limited and nearing capacity already, but there is plenty of space for tent camping.
Offsite accommodations: Cabins and tent camping sites are available 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).
Behavior: GCG is a safe space. Anyone who puts the safety or well-being of others at risk, creates a hazard to the site, or creates a situation that could have a hazardous outcome, will be asked to leave.
GCG will not tolerate sexually aggressive or other inappropriate behavior.
Clothing is not optional. No skyclad.
The land is sacred. Please pick up any trash and put it in the proper receptacles.
Please park in designated parking areas only.
Please respect the beliefs of others.
Please respect others’ privacy when taking video or photographs, Make sure anyone visible in photos or videos is aware that they are being photographed and has given permission to be included. In addition, there will be no video/photographs during ritual or meditation.
Alcohol: Alcohol is permitted, and the legal drinking age is 21 in Louisiana. Please drink responsibly — disorderly or drunken behavior will not be tolerated.
Illegal Substances: Please do not bring any substances that are illegal in Louisiana. No firearms or pyrotechnics (sparklers excepted) are allowed. Please abide by all local laws.
Fire: It is against park rules to dig or create additional fire pits. Fires must be contained in the large designated fire pit near the dining halll. The fire cannot be left unattended. If you start a fire you must fully extinguish it or turn over the responsibility for it to another adult before leaving the area.
Noise: Except at the discretion of the GCG Staff, please do not use electrically amplified musical instruments, radios, car stereos, etc. Peace and quiet hours (i.e., no music or drumming) are from 12:00 a.m. until 6 a.m. Earplugs will be made available for those affected by the snoring of others.
Children: Children under the age of 18 must be in the company of a custodial parent or legal guardian to attend the GCG.
Children under 12 must be supervised at all times; this includes trips to the dining hall. If your child is an early riser, make sure he or she does not leave your sleeping area until you can accompany him/her.
Do not leave children, of any age, unattended near any body of water.
Parents are, at all times, responsible for their children. Parents who do not, in the opinion of the GCG organizers, exercise good parental care of their children will be asked to leave.
We will have crafts and activities for children, however there will be no actual child care.
Animals: We are sorry, but park rules state that "Pets are not permitted within buildings or other enclosed structures on site. Only seeing-eye dogs are permitted in overnight facilities or near swimming areas. Pet owners are responsible for any injury or damage caused by their pets. Dogs and other pets are not allowed to run freely on park property." (https://www.crt.state.la.us/louisiana-state-parks/reservation-information/fees-and-facilities/index#Pets)
If you will be bringing a seeing-eye dog, please note this on your registration form.
Smoking: Smoking is strictly forbidden in all buildings and around children. There will be a designated smoking area. Please dispose of your cigarette butts in the provided receptacles only. Our central fire is sacred space and not to be used as an ashtray.
Vending: Table space will be made available for individuals to offer items for sale, but we ask that the items be related somehow to Druidry or earth-centered spirituality.
Local Wildlife:
Please be aware of the local wildlife. There may be alligators and snakes in the water. (Do not feed the alligators!) Bears are an outside possibility; wild hogs are also possible. We will have a flyer available to help you identify local flora and fauna you should be wary of. Other publications you may find of interest are A Birder's Guide to Louisiana and a list of the wildlife and plants of St. Tammany Parish.
We will be doing as much as possible outdoors, so please choose your gear and camp clothing accordingly. Weather in south Louisiana in the spring can vary from chilly to hot, and often does so in the same weekend! And rain is always a good possibility.
Occupancy of the dining hall is strictly limited to a maximum of 50 at any one time (subject to change as the situation warrants). Please don't use the dining hall for socializing—get your food, drink, and do your shopping, then go back outside. We will have outdoor seating for meals and most other activities.
Onsite accommodations: We encourage as many people as possible to either tent camp or stay offsite. Space in the dorms is very limited and nearing capacity already, but there is plenty of space for tent camping.
Offsite accommodations: Cabins and tent camping sites are available 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).
Behavior: GCG is a safe space. Anyone who puts the safety or well-being of others at risk, creates a hazard to the site, or creates a situation that could have a hazardous outcome, will be asked to leave.
GCG will not tolerate sexually aggressive or other inappropriate behavior.
Clothing is not optional. No skyclad.
The land is sacred. Please pick up any trash and put it in the proper receptacles.
Please park in designated parking areas only.
Please respect the beliefs of others.
Please respect others’ privacy when taking video or photographs, Make sure anyone visible in photos or videos is aware that they are being photographed and has given permission to be included. In addition, there will be no video/photographs during ritual or meditation.
Alcohol: Alcohol is permitted, and the legal drinking age is 21 in Louisiana. Please drink responsibly — disorderly or drunken behavior will not be tolerated.
Illegal Substances: Please do not bring any substances that are illegal in Louisiana. No firearms or pyrotechnics (sparklers excepted) are allowed. Please abide by all local laws.
Fire: It is against park rules to dig or create additional fire pits. Fires must be contained in the large designated fire pit near the dining halll. The fire cannot be left unattended. If you start a fire you must fully extinguish it or turn over the responsibility for it to another adult before leaving the area.
Noise: Except at the discretion of the GCG Staff, please do not use electrically amplified musical instruments, radios, car stereos, etc. Peace and quiet hours (i.e., no music or drumming) are from 12:00 a.m. until 6 a.m. Earplugs will be made available for those affected by the snoring of others.
Children: Children under the age of 18 must be in the company of a custodial parent or legal guardian to attend the GCG.
Children under 12 must be supervised at all times; this includes trips to the dining hall. If your child is an early riser, make sure he or she does not leave your sleeping area until you can accompany him/her.
Do not leave children, of any age, unattended near any body of water.
Parents are, at all times, responsible for their children. Parents who do not, in the opinion of the GCG organizers, exercise good parental care of their children will be asked to leave.
We will have crafts and activities for children, however there will be no actual child care.
Animals: We are sorry, but park rules state that "Pets are not permitted within buildings or other enclosed structures on site. Only seeing-eye dogs are permitted in overnight facilities or near swimming areas. Pet owners are responsible for any injury or damage caused by their pets. Dogs and other pets are not allowed to run freely on park property." (https://www.crt.state.la.us/louisiana-state-parks/reservation-information/fees-and-facilities/index#Pets)
If you will be bringing a seeing-eye dog, please note this on your registration form.
Smoking: Smoking is strictly forbidden in all buildings and around children. There will be a designated smoking area. Please dispose of your cigarette butts in the provided receptacles only. Our central fire is sacred space and not to be used as an ashtray.
Vending: Table space will be made available for individuals to offer items for sale, but we ask that the items be related somehow to Druidry or earth-centered spirituality.
Local Wildlife:
Please be aware of the local wildlife. There may be alligators and snakes in the water. (Do not feed the alligators!) Bears are an outside possibility; wild hogs are also possible. We will have a flyer available to help you identify local flora and fauna you should be wary of. Other publications you may find of interest are A Birder's Guide to Louisiana and a list of the wildlife and plants of St. Tammany Parish.
This is a private gathering; the coordinators of the gathering and stewards of the land have the right to enforce these rules. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled without refund.