What to Expect

 

GLF Retreat is a 4 day camping flow arts festival. It runs from Noon on Thursday 8/15 to 3pm on Sunday 8/18. There will be a variety of workshops by talented instructors, so come ready to learn and grow alongside one another. This year, there will be more music than ever before, featuring three stages, with impeccable sound sponsored by JTree Life, powered by Void. 

The Pond Stage will have daytime music to enhance your playing, lounging, swimming and ziplining experience. 

 

The Treehouse Stage is another point of interest, and a whimsical wonderland for playing, dancing, lounging or shenanigans. 

Each night, the main focus will be at the fire circle, which will feature the Fire Circle Stage with projection mapping by GLF Productions, live Artist, a Cerebral Concepts dome, and of course LOTS OF FIRE.

 

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Check In/Arrival

 

You will be greeted upon arrival by our lovely gate team. Make sure to have your ID ready for check in. You will then be able to take your car to the camping area to drop your things off before taking your car to parking. (Some campsites may not be accessible by car.) There will be some car camp sites available if you will be camping in your vehicle, or if you wish to have it by you. 

 

Attendees may arrive starting at Noon on Thursday 8/15. Gate will close each night at 10pm and reopen each morning at 10am, so please make arrangements accordingly.  

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Self Reliance

 

Each individual is responsible for themselves and their needs for the duration of the event. Please bring everything you will need to live comfortably while you are there. This includes camp gear, food, cooking and eating supplies/utensils, rain gear, clothing options/ layers for ever changing Michigan weather. There will be outdoor showers on site, so bring soap/shampoo (ideally biodegradable) that you’d like to use. The venue is close to shops in town, and gates will be open from 10am-10pm if you need to make a supply run. 

 

Camping

 

There are a variety of camping options available, including some beautiful campsites in the woods, car camping (car camping pass can be purchased at our ticketing page), hammock camping, or camping in the field.  Campers and RVs are allowed (RV passes are available on our ticketing page). 

 

Because everyone is different and has different needs while camping, make sure to bring what will make your campsite comfortable to you. This may include a tent, cot, sleeping pad, canopy, tapestries, hammock, tarp, chairs, table, cooler, lights/lantern, etc… 

 

Be mindful that there is poison ivy on site! We recommend sticking to the trails, especially if you aren’t confident identifying it. To get rid of poison ivy, you must remove the oils that cause irritation by washing and wiping with a dry towel/paper towel. We recommend Tecnu as a great poison ivy remedy, you can get it at most drug stores. Dish soap or any soap that will remove oils will suffice as well. Try to avoid contact with any clothes/items that have been exposed to reduce spread. 

 

Food and Water

 

We recommend bringing food with you, but there will be a food vendor on site. Monster Foods will be providing delicious vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options! 

If you plan to cook on site, make sure to bring anything you need to do so(camp stove, pans, utensils, dishes). We recommend using reusable dishes for the event to minimize waste. Dishes can be cleaned with wet wipes or a vinegar/water solution in a spray bottle and towel. Difficult messes may require a scrubbie. Please dispose of food waste in your trash bag, and not on the ground. Or better yet, eat or share as much food as possible to minimize waste. 

 

Please make sure to stay hydrated. It will help you have the best time you can have. We recommend that you bring plenty of water with you. A larger receptacle and a convenient carry bottle are both recommended. There is potable water on site to refill as needed.  

 

Electricity

 

There is very limited electricity on site. There will not be electricity access at your campsite, but there will be a charging station with limited availability at HQ. 

 

You may bring a generator for your camp if you’d like. (Any loud generators will be required to use a baffle box and be placed in such a way that is respectful to others.) We recommend being mindful of this when choosing the location for your campsite.

 

Bathrooms/Showers

 

There will be portable toilets, and one permanent out house for use during the event. 

 

There is a bath house with three shower stalls available for use. You are responsible for your own shower products. 

 

 

Respect

 

This is an all inclusive community event, and all participants are expected to treat each other with respect. We strive to provide a safe environment for all to enjoy. No hate speech or violence will be tolerated, and will result with removal from the event without refund.  

 

Sustainability

 

This is a LEAVE NO TRACE event. All participants are expected to respect the land that we are so grateful to occupy for the retreat.  No littering. Trash and Recycling bags can be acquired at the LNT area,  please use them appropriately. Trash and recycling should be disposed of in proper receptacles at the LNT area.

 

This year, we are elated to have our very own Sustainability Organizer. Perry will be leading our LNT team to help ensure that recyclable materials are recycled effectively. Our planet is precious and needs our help to minimize its destruction.

 

What NOT to Bring

 

No firearms of any kind will be allowed on site.  

 

Pets are not allowed on site. We know you love your animal companions and it is difficult to be away from them, but they will have to stay home for this one.  

Thousand Suns has dogs and chickens on site, so you may see them during the event. For the safety and comfort of their animals and yours, no other animals are allowed.

Registered service animals are allowed to accompany you as needed. If this is the case, please email info@greatlakesflow.com prior to the event.  

 

Community

 

GLF Retreat does not happen without our wonderful community, and the hard work and energy they put in to make the event possible. Huge thanks to our organizers, first aid volunteers, striders, and on site ambassadors who have already worked hard or signed up for on site shifts. 

 

If you are interested in volunteering at the festival, there will be opportunities to sign up at HQ. Each volunteer shift worked will be rewarded with a raffle ticket for our volunteer raffle on Sunday morning. Many of the prizes are donated by our vendors, other small businesses and flow festivals.  

 

Vendors

 

There will be a variety of vendors providing lovely goods and services including, but not limited to clothing, props/toys, art, jewelry, and massage. Many of the vendors will accept card and digital money, but it may be a good idea to bring cash.  

 

What to Bring

 

• Yourself, and a willingness to learn, share and cooperate with others

• ID

• Drinking water and container

• Food

• A plate, bowl, spoon, fork, and cup (we recommend reusable, and unbreakable)

• Tent

• Props - Many instructors will have extra props to share during workshops, so no worries if you don’t have every prop, you can still participate.  

• Chair(s)

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellent

• Comfortable shoes

• Clothing options/layers for hot and cold weather 

• Light source for camp

• Headlamp 

• Toothbrush/toothpaste

• Deodorant

• Soap, shampoo/conditioner (There are outdoor showers on site)

• Towel

• Bedding

• Rain Gear

 

You May Want 

 

• Bathing suit

• Hammock

• Canopy

• Blanket/ Something to lounge on by the fire circle

• Cooler for cold items

• Camp stove/cooking utensils

• Caffeine

• Ear plugs

• Hand sanitizer

• Wet wipes

• First aid/emergency kit

• Wagon

• Hand Drums