About The Rainbow Gathering
Traditions Older Than Nations
The Rainbow Family of Living Light has no leaders or official organization. We exist merely by the many volunteers who come together as a council to define gathering locations and dates. Much goes into coordinating a Rainbow gathering, and much has been learned collectively about how to make the gathering happy and healthy:
COUNCILS
The first process of a Rainbow gathering is the council. We gather in council circles to voice and creatively resolve the issues and concerns of our gathering dates and locations. Participation in a council requires a focused mind, a listening ear and an open heart as we make critical decisions on how to best serve our purpose and goals. The power to listen is sacred to the process. All are welcome and encouraged to attend the council.
COUNCIL PROCESS
To give equal voice and lend a kind listening ear we pass a feather (or other sacred object) around the circle, with each person speaking in turn their clearest input to the current issue. Respect for the feather is essential. Many times the feather is passed without interruption or the need to address the people. The holder has the right to honor or reject anyone addressing them. The power resides with the feather and its holder can speak or answer questions as they please. Cross talk conversations with the feather serve no one.
CONSENSUS
Consensus of all free spirited persons participating in a council of the Rainbow is our chosen process for decision making. We have no leaders.
When we come together in council we discuss important issues until it is felt by someone to call for a consensus.
Consensus is reached through the circle's silence.
SCOUTING
After the first council consensus on where to host the gathering volunteers spread out through the region in search of the best locations. Scouts later rendezvous in another council of free spirits to discuss the locations and to reach a consensus on the location.
HOWDY FOLKS
When a site has been chosen, the Howdy Folks begin to spread word of the gathering to as many ears who will listen, and throughout the many Rainbow networks. Howdy Folks contains verbal instructions for when and where the gathering will be, as well as a map and driving directions.
SITE CRITERIA
A Kind and Caring Gathering will have:
• Good Water - deep springs or well protected surface - enough to fill the drinking, cooking, and washing needs of hundreds or thousands of people. They should be at a 200 feet distance from any main camp, compost or latrine to prevent contamination.
• Open Meadows - for people, councils, workshops, etc. Keep meadows clear of individual camps.
• Firewood - Lots of dead wood lying on the ground, for kitchens and friendship circles. Standing dead wood does not qualify as it should be left standing to fall on its own.
• Parking Space - Large enough for expected cars and vans, within reasonable walking and shuttle distance - but separate from the holding camp. Alternatives for the young children, elderly, and handicapped should be established. For optimum peace and safety, allow only supply and emergency vehicles into the holding camp.
• Only One Road - or as few as possible. You will want one road for ambulances and heavy supplies, but you don't want easy access for personal scenes. Conversely, don't set the site at the end of a dead end road. Place it on a thru road so there is both front and back gate access. No one site will have all these equal abundance. Look for a balance for all these needs.
SEED CAMP
At least a week before the gathering is to start, a group of volunteers arrive early to find and develop water sources, set up Welcome Home, dig the first latrines, locate and mark out the parking lot, lay out trails and remove obstructions, locate Main Circle, and begin Co-op Council. From this seed grows the flower of the Rainbow gathering.
THE FOREST SERVICE
The local forest rangers are notified of our gathering from Seed Camp. We honor their ecological concerns.
We do not sign permits or make agreements with the government. Nobody has the authority to sign such a thing, and we are exercising our rights, guaranteed in the Constitution, to assemble peaceably. This right was upheld by a Federal Court in Texas in 1988.
WATER
Water sources are our lifeblood, and must be protected from the very first day they are tapped.
The best drinking water comes from live springs, not seep water springs. Any water for drinking is marked off with strings or ribbons, and no campsites or latrines above are within 200 feet of them. This is in the best interest for the health of the water supply and all those who consume its nourishment.
Never pour liquid wastes into a water source or on the ground nearby. Use a gray water pit, dug at least 200 feet from open water to wash. Even bio-degradable soaps and can kill fish and micro-organisms if not diluted properly.
Never dip your own canteen or cup into a water source - use a common hose or dipper instead. This is for our health and safety.
Drink only water you know has been adequately filtered, or boiled. Even the purest looking water can contain micro-organisms that can cause severe intestinal illness. To be absolutely safe, get your water to a rolling boil and let boil for at least 15 minutes.
A safe alternative is to use bleach. One drop of bleach to one gallon of cold water. Let stand for no less than 20 minutes before drinking.
Keep dogs away from faucets, water sources, large meeting areas, and the kitchens. Unattended dogs don't burry their poop. Fly > Poop > Food.
WILDLIFE
We gather in the Cathedral of Nature and we keep it that way. We disturb the environment as little as we can by remaining on main trails and minimizing waste.
Please stay away from riverbanks and wetlands as these are vulnerable ecosystems that have existed before our arrival, and need to be protected so they can continue to exist after our departure.
Use things where they lie. The more you move, the more you will have to put back. Hang tarps from trees, make structural members out of branches - rather than cutting and setting posts. Cut no living tree, or break things off. Use only dead wood that is on the ground. Avoid cutting or forcing dead trees to fall. These are needed for the next season.
Make only a few trails and stay on them. Don't crush underfoot a whole area. This destroys the vegetation and all creatures that live there, its like a total invasion or destruction.
Don't litter or drop butts. Birds can pick up filter tips, insects can carry them away. Pick up trash left behind by those who are not yet conscious.
LATRINES
If you gotta go, go to a latrine (shitter). Never take a dump on top of the ground and walk off The first fly who sees it will go tell all the others. If you cannot find a latrine dig a hole, do your thing, and cover it well. Deep narrow pits 3 feet by 3 feet and at least 4 feet deep are best. Keep the excavated soil in a neat pile for fill-in when a person finishes their duty. Also keep plenty of ash from a fire pit near the latrine. After defecating throw some dirt over the waste then spread ash over the dirt. Make sure you leave no part of the waste showing so as to keep flies at bay. Large coffee cans provide rain proof covers for toilet paper.
The pit is filled entirely when the contents come up to within 18 inches of the surrounding ground level, and a new pit dug nearby but at least 8 feet away from the first.
Have hand wash facilities with chlorinated water nearby. Place signs on the trails nearest and colored tape to mark the path.
Untended latrines are a potential link between us and a very sick camp.
Latrines are at least 200 feet from open water, and never uphill from a spring.
RECYCLING
Reduce, reuse, recycle. Don't mix garbage and trash together. Separate, reuse, recycle, and dispose of the rest in a nature friendly manner a long the way from the Gathering.
There are recycling stations:
• Metal
• Glass of any kind. (These first two are taken to a local collection point.)
• Paper that we burn ourselves
• Recyclable plastics
• Trash and other materials that can't be burned safely or without toxic odors go into plastic bags, to be taken to a dumpster or landfill.
• Organic
• Lost and Found, to be left for its owner until the Gathering ends. In other words, there is no such thing as ground scores at a Gathering site.
• There are things left over at the free bin. After the Gathering anything left is taken to a local charity that can use them.
VILLAGES AND KITCHENS
The villages, kitchens, and large circles of family is really where it all happens. All camp needs - such as latrines, water, child watching, or security - are localized around village fires.
When you arrive, look around and find a concentration of tents to coordinate your camp with.
Lone campsites are easy targets for thieves. It is always best to camp in communities as they provide security when you are not in your camp.
RAIN
Rain is a part of every day life. Think about how water, rain, runoff or puddles will affect your campsite and fire. In other words, don't set up camp in a place obvious where water might flood you out if it should rain.
When you set up your tent - don't put it in low spots or gullies. Dry riverbeds are prone to flash floods. Ravines can become muddy and quagmires under thousands of feet when it rains.
Cover tents with tarps, and tie close to the ground so the wind doesn't blow them away. Prepare, the rain cometh.
FIRE
PLEASE no private fires. Share your heart with your neighbors. When you build a fire, have a shovel and a five gallon bucket of water near your fire at all times. Use only dead and dry wood. Never burn pine as this will make you sick with pine fever. Never throw plastics or synthetic materials into a fire.
Select a safe location. Watch for overhanging snags of deadwood. Keep your fire low - sparks fly far, even live trees can catch fire. If you must have a large fire, build it in a open area at least 20 from the tree line.
Beware of root fires. Line the inside and bottom of your fire pit with rocks. Scrape the ground free of loose duff, leaves, and grass for a least three foot around your pit.
Watch your fire at all times. Don't leave your camp behind until your fire is completely out and cold.
No fireworks! These generate high temperatures of heat and can easily catch surrounding trees, leaves, and grass on fire.
All are on the fire watch crew to make sure all fires are properly tended, and that buckets of water are nearby.
SUPPLY
Donations of food and materials are pooled in supply and redistributed. Supplies from individuals are brought here. This is a major operation, requiring daily councils and energy from many.
THE MAGIC HAT
The fund raising instrument for any Rainbow event is the magic hat.
The Rainbow gathering is free, but the Magic Hat gives everyone the chance to help with our collective need for cash. Money is used to buy food, medical supplies, and general necessities. By giving generously, each of us helps with our financial needs.
Money in the Magic Hat is cared for by a banking council of at least 3 persons. They keep written records of the amounts collected and who it is given to - open to anyone who wishes to see them.
The Magic Hat appears at meal times within the Main Circle where everyone is encouraged to show just before dark, and sometimes is carried thru camp by wondering minstrels.
SHANTI SENA
Shanti Sena are the peace keepers. If problems erupt, calling "Shanti Sena!" loudly will bring assistance.
Everybody is a peace keeper. We are secure because we all watch out for each other. Often a group can prevail in a personal conflict where a single person can't. We respond in non-violent methods only. Talking is done with respect and compassion. Offer your help in easing conflicts.
North American Rainbow Gathering (hence referred to as the Gathering) will be in the greater mid-Atlantic region (whatever that means) from July 1 - July 7.