Access FAQs

Getting to Campout

What are the campgrounds like? How much movement should I expect?
Campout is hosted on the Four Quarters nature sanctuary and retreat center in the Allegheny foothills of central Pennsylvania. The terrain of the campgrounds is a sloped forest area, with some steep inclines, and a creek running through the center. Between major points of interest there are unpaved gravel roads, dirt paths, meadows, tree roots, unmaintained grass, rocky riverside banks, and elevated river crossings. Campout takes place across two main areas of the property, which are connected by a wooden suspension bridge, up one flight of stairs on one side, connected to the ground directly on the other. The first side, Main Camp, is the primary camping area, where one of the main stages is located. The second, New Camp, hosts the second main stage as well as a cabaret venue and additional camping areas. Getting around the performance areas and services at Campout involves a decent amount of walking, and can be physically demanding, with the longest distances approaching 20–30 minutes. Pathways can be very uneven, especially during inclement weather, as the grounds are prone to muddiness. Due to these conditions, Honcho Campout is best suited for those who can walk longer distances with minimal assistance, including those who use ambulatory aids (canes, crutches and perhaps rollators and walkers.)

Will there be support for people with limited mobility?
‍Due to the conditions of the grounds, Honcho Campout is best suited for those who can walk longer distances with minimal assistance. Campout can accommodate folks who use ambulatory aids (canes, crutches and perhaps rollators and walkers), and non-mobility device users such as those who are disabled or chronically ill, but can physically navigate a forest environment. There is a ride program for folks with limited mobility, which will run on an hourly schedule with designated pick up and drop off locations (Ride Cher.) Honcho Campout does not have the vehicle access to support folks who use wheelchairs or scooters at this time. Campout takes place in the woods and is not an overall ADA compliant location. That being said, the accessibility team is working hard to make Honcho Campout more accessible for folks with a variety of access needs!

Is there a transport option around camp for those who are disabled or have low mobility?
Yes! Ride Cher is a golf cart transport system for Campout attendees who are disabled, chronically ill, and folks with limited mobility. You’ll need an additional wrist band to access Ride Cher, please ask an Access Team member or inquire at the Wellness Tent to get one. Drivers are trained before Campout, have valid driver’s licenses, and are a part of the larger Access Team. Ride Cher operates hourly from from 8AM-8PM daily on the Main Camp side, traveling in a circular route between: 

• Queeries and Wellness
• Main Camp campsites (Central, Shady Pines, Big Bottom, Little Bottom)
• Rainbow Bridge
• North Crook campsite
• Circle of Whispers 
• Food Court/Showers
• High Meadow campsite
• Hemlock Hole

There is no Ride Cher route on the Grove side of camp; there is also no official Ride Cher route to the Mailroom or Main Camp Parking Area. Please coordinate with friends to get to and around those areas. Case by case exceptions may apply. Because of this we strongly recommend folks with limited mobility stick to camping in Main Camp. 

Will there be a transport option between Main Camp and New Camp?
If you have major mobility restrictions and need transportation to the Grove for programming, please talk to an Access Team member (before 7pm) or ask at the Wellness tent, and we will do our best to accommodate you! There will be evening ride access in a loop from Main Camp to New Camp every 45min, from 6:30pm until 30 minutes after the music stops every night (please check the program for detailed time tables upon arrival.) These rides will stop at Wellness Tent and Pick Me Ups at Main Camp, and The Grove Stage and Critters Lounge at New Camp. 

Spots will be limited, and are exclusively for folks with limited mobility — there will likely not be room for plus ones. We advise that you coordinate with your support network to meet you at one side of camp or another if you plan on using this night ride system.

If you have more specific questions, feel free to email access@honchopgh.com

Is there an accessibility staff who I can talk to about my specific needs before I arrive? 
‍Yes, the access staff is reachable at access@honchopgh.com for any questions.Please be patient as requests may take a few weeks to answer over the summer. 

‍What about once on site? 
‍The Honcho Campout Access Team will be on call for 8 hours each day, from 11am-7pm, to answer any questions and provide support as issues arise.

‍Is there a way to connect with other disabled people at campout?
‍There are two designated campsites for disabled campers! The first is located next to the Food Court with Camp ASL and another is behind the Queeries/Wellness tents (look for the tarped off areas that say “Reserved for Access.”) Both of these campsites will be along the Ride Cher route. If you would like to camp in one of these areas, please email us by August 1st at access@honchopgh.com and find an Access Team member when you arrive. 

‍I’m interested in the meal plan – how can I account for my dietary allergies?
‍The meal plan accounts for some common allergies including nuts, soy, gluten, and dairy. Other allergies such as sesame, alliums, and mushrooms will be marked prior to campout by the food teams. If you have several allergies (or lesser known/severe food allergies) we advise folks to meal prep and bring your own food to Honcho Campout, as cross contamination can occur while cooking in open air outside.

Navigating Campout

If I use a mobility aid, what will Honcho Campout be like for me?
‍Realistically, using a mobility aid at Campout is difficult, but definitely not impossible. We highly recommend that mobility aid users camp at Main Camp, to have easier access to Ride Cher and the Food Vendors. The terrain of Four Quarters ebbs and flows from steep hills, dusty roads, gravel, and after rain, a lot of mud. There are chairs at the stages for folks who use mobility aids to have a seated option. As a whole, we recommend building in extra time to get around, either walking, or waiting for Ride Cher. If you plan on attending, please bring traction footwear, good lighting (e.g. red headlamps), and consider bringing a support cane for uneven ground, or a portable camp chair if you need to rest often. If you need extra time to choose and set up your campsite, we advise buying a Wednesday Early Arrival pass, and traveling with friends who can help.

‍What if I get injured during campout? 
‍If you are having an urgent health emergency at Campout, please seek out the Wellness team first. If you get injured during campout, the Wellness tent has trained medics and nurse practitioners to support you in the immediate aftermath. If the injury isn’t serious, and you decide to stay at Campout, you can inquire with the Access Team to coordinate additional support you may need. 

‍Will there be EMT staff on site? 
‍The Wellness staff is a mix of nurse practitioners, medics, and a doctor. If you need to speak with an Access Team member, they are on call from 11am-7pm daily. Wellness at Main Camp will run for 22 hours a day with the exception of 6am-8am. The Wellness Tent at The Grove will be open during programming hours each night.

‍How accessible are bathrooms and showers?
‍The most accessible bathrooms and showers are located across from the Food Vendors, on the top of the hill in Main Camp. There is a shower chair installed in each of these showers, and they are accessed via sloped entry, usable for walkers, canes, and crutches. There are additional showers near Hemlock Hole, and the Big Meadow, both of which have a step or small stairs to enter. Honcho Campout has XL PortaPotties for those who need extra space for accessibility due to mobility aids or an additional person. Please be respectful of disabled attendees and give them priority when using all these facilities.

‍Is there a way for me to refrigerate medication, like insulin?
‍Yes. There is a fridge at the Wellness Tent at Main Camp next to Hemlock Hole for you to refrigerate your medication. If you would like to keep your medication with you, ice can be purchased on site for personal coolers. If you need to store equipment or medication such as insulin, please notify the access team in advance at access@honchopgh.com and we will coordinate with the Wellness team to arrange that for you.

‍What are COVID precautions taken at the event?
‍Honcho Campout is not a specifically COVID cautious event. There are masks and rapid tests available at Wellness, but there is no required testing. If you have additional questions about COVID best practices at Campout, please email the accessibility team and we can recommend some additional steps to take for precautions. We do not recommend folks who are highly immunocompromised attend Campout at this time, as there is no way to guarantee zero exposure. Keeping this in mind, masking is always a personal option, and most of the festival takes place outdoors. 

‍Are there sober spaces available? 
‍Yes, the library on site is a fully sober space. There are also two sober meetings each day!

‍What can I expect the stage environment to be like, as someone with higher sensitivity to light and sound?
‍Music at Honcho Campout is played at a volume typical of outdoor music festivals. The stages have brightly colored LED lights similar to a nightclub, and there is occasionally strobe lighting. There will be fog machines in use near the front of each stage area. Most layouts are quite open, which reduces crowding. There are large areas like the Great Meadow, quieter areas with trails, opportunities to engage in mindfulness activities, and a sober library space, separated from the music stages, that can serve as a peaceful place to take a break.

‍Are there low-stimulation spaces available?
‍Honcho Campout is a festival with varying degrees of loud music, lights, fog, and crowds. The accessibility team can recommend some tactics and items to lower the impact of environmental stimulation (please see our Packing List), and there are less stimulating areas throughout the camp. That being said, the sound and visual stimulation at Campout can be quite overwhelming at times. We recommend building individual plans with friends for folks who are prone to overstimulation.

Participating at Campout

Are there designated areas for those who cannot stand for long periods of time, but want to observe for shows and performances (e.g. accessible viewing areas)?
Yes! Hemlock Hole, The Grove, and Critters will each have a seating area with camp chairs reserved for disabled Campout attendees.

‍Are there ASL interpreters at Campout?
Yes. Honcho Campout Remarks, Hearsay Talks, Critters and Drag Performances will all have ASL interpretation. Late night events and workshops/classes are available to be interpreted upon request, and there will also be an ASL interpreter on-call 24/7 for medical emergencies. Check in with Wellness to speak with an interpreter.

Miscellaneous

Will electricity be available to charge personal or medical devices?
Camp sites at Honcho Campout do not have electricity. External batteries or charging packs are highly recommended for small devices, solar powered best if possible. Gas powered generators are strictly prohibited and will be removed. Limited power outlets for charging devices can be found at Pick-Me-Ups and Camp Services near Hemlock Hole when needed. If you have a medical device that requires electricity such as a CPAP, please bring a battery to charge your device. There will be re-charging stations for medical batteries near the Food Court as well as at the Wellness Tent at Main Camp. You are responsible for picking up your battery after it is done charging at Wellness. 

Does the campground admit service dogs?
Please email access@honchopgh.com with any questions regarding service animals.

Are there people with disabilities on your organizing committees?
Yes, the Accessibility Team consists of people with varying disabilities who have previously attended Campout, and have organizing experience around accessibility. 

Will there be an Access info session before Honcho Campout tickets go live?
Yes, there will be an information session on Google Meet on March 17th at 7:30pm EST/4:30PM PST. This will include a presentation and a Q&A session. Please also feel free to send us an email at access@honchopgh.com for any specific questions not answered in the session.