Preparing for Convergence
Welcome to Convergence!
Yeah for registering for Convergence, and we're all looking forward to it.
To help with preparation and making your experience more enjoyable, we have
collected a few tips below.
- More info: For lots of info and a list of
what to bring, see https://convergence.net.nz/event-details/.
- Arrival: Site opens 27 Dec midday. Everyone
participates in the opening ceremony in the morning of 29 Dec. You may stay on
for a few days after closing on 3 Jan and ride the Convergence energy (and
help with pack-up please), but bring your own food for that time.
- Food: Meals are provided 29 Dec lunch
– 3 Jan lunch. Evening meal on 28 Dec for those who help set up, and
lunch/dinner after 3 Jan for those who help pack up. Bring your own
breakfasts and snacks.
- Rubbish + recycling: There is no rubbish
disposal other than food scrap compost! You must take your own rubbish and
recycling back. Pack it in, pack it out!
- Wind + tents: Strong winds are possible,
any tent would want to be sturdy and well-anchored. Bring tent repair gear
too, like pole segments and duct tape.
- Tent pegs: Must not be left behind. The
site owners complained last year that their lawn mower was damaged by lots of
tent pegs from Convergence people.
- Sleeping: A communal sleeping marquee is
available — you'll need a ground sheet, camp mattress, warm sleeping
bag, and maybe ear plugs.
- Octagon camping (car free walk in-area):
It is not possible to take cars or campervans there by either road. Both
roads are now 4WD only, and may become impassable after rainfall. There is
only an old long-drop, and no water supply.
- Flooding: Low-laying areas below Leigh
Lodge are likely to flood in bad weather and are not recommended for camping.
If you insist on camping there be prepared to move in the wee hours at short
notice!! I.e. you're on your own and the complaints department is closed for
the holidays.
- Insects: Can be a real nuisance if they
are of the biting kind. Don't forget your favourite repellent.
- Crockery: Bring your own plates and mugs,
and wash them yourself. BYO tea towels.
- Fridge/Freezer: There is less
fridge/freezer space available again this year; please bring as few
perishables as possible.
- Drinking water: All tap water is safe to
drink. River water is not safe to drink! Fire hose and outdoor bath
water comes straight from the river!
- Light: Most of the site is unlit at night
to celebrate the natural setting, so bring a reliable torch or two.
- Mobiles: There's no cellphone reception on
site. Areas with reception are 0.5km–5km up the road, depending on your
phone. It's an opportunity to take some time out and immerse yourself in the
physical, not the virtual.
- Massage: Massage tables are provided for
people to exchange massages. The facilities are provided, but not the service
— giver and receiver volunteers need to match up themselves. Tables need
to be protected and completely covered with 2 large towels; bring your
own.
- Large towels: Bring several bath/beach
towels, especially if you want to use the massage tables.
- Toilets: There will be lots of composting
toilets but no chemical ones again this year. Very few flush toilets are
available so don't miss the introduction to composting toilets.
- Bikes: They damage the camp ground and are
not allowed to be ridden on site.
- Torches: Are needed around most of the
site after sunset, it's unlit at night to celebrate the natural setting.
- Dress-up: There will always be
opportunities for dressing up, so bring whatever funky, outrageous, colourful
things take your fancy.
- Amberley Lodge: Bring a torch at night to
use the toilets or showers. The power is off everywhere except for the lights
in the hallway.
-
Hazards: The camp site is not an urban area,
so typical outdoors hazards are present. Take responsibility for yourself.
- Clay cliffs may have rock fall or may partially collapse, especially
with long or heavy rain.
- Some cliff tops are unfenced.
- The river is unsafe to swim in when up, and for up to 48 hours after
the last rainfall. The rain washes the stock effluent off the
paddocks.
- Amberley Lodge is a construction zone. Follow the signs and stay out
please where marked.
- Smoking, alcohol, drugs, dogs: Are not
possible inside the campsite boundary, as part of our agreement for use of the
site. Go off-site to smoke please. Take care of butts; fire risk is high.
- Co-creation: Co-created events and
workshops are always welcome, especially for children. Bring creative things,
and if you wish to offer a workshop, please do.
- Cardboard box: Please bring a big
cardboard box if you can, to be used with tree planting next winter (please
remove sticky tape from it).
- Glass jars: Plenty of glass jars for tea
candles for the New Year's Eve ceremony are still at Journey's End, but take
a few extra (without their labels) if you like.
- Expectations: It's often best not to have
too many, and to go with the flow instead. Convergence is different every
year so no-one can predict what experiences you'll have. Take responsibility
for your own experiences.
- Lost&Found: Lost & Found Property
can be brought to the "Found" space inside the Info Tent. Please only take
what belongs to you. Put your name and number on your things, or risk them
being given away at the end of pack-up. After Convergence (around 6 Jan)
details will be here:
http://convergence.org.nz/lostfound
- Updates: Check the updated version of the
registration info http://convergence.org.nz/prepare
again before setting out for Convergence.
Current as of 21 Dec 2019.