Frequently Asked Questions
These questions are largely worded towards potential conferees. Being a youth conference, we understand that parents and guardians may have other questions. If anything here doesn't cover something you want to ask, or even if you want slightly more elaboration, please let us know! Our email is [email protected]
Why would I want to spend a week in the woods with strangers?
It's kind of like summer camp for young adults. That is, you're in a totally new environment without distractions of your day-to-day life with a bunch of other weirdos in the woods. It's a chance to reconnect with ourselves, as well as connect deeply with other people. You get to do activities focused on art, music, games, dancing, roughhousing, being gross, being silly, being tender. And everyone there wants to be doing those things too! It's magical.
(Plus, you can come with your pal[s], and then you'll already know someone at the conference.)
(Plus, you can come with your pal[s], and then you'll already know someone at the conference.)
Is summer's End LGBTQIA+ friendly?
Yes! The majority of SE staff this year is queer and/or trans, as are many conferees. Trans inclusivity specifically is a priority of the conference, and we create a space where all gender identity and expression is celebrated.
What's the deal with no substances?
We have the no alcohol and other recreational drugs policy in order to be as inclusive as possible to as many different people as possible. This includes folks who are substance-free and don't want to be around people recreationally drinking or using drugs. We have a great time at Summer's End sober!
Just to be clear though, your medications are totally valid and not going to get you kicked out. We want to make sure that SE is a safe place for everyone and this means acknowledging that everyone has to achieve their baseline normal in different ways. If you have any questions about this (or anything else), feel free to contact us!
Just to be clear though, your medications are totally valid and not going to get you kicked out. We want to make sure that SE is a safe place for everyone and this means acknowledging that everyone has to achieve their baseline normal in different ways. If you have any questions about this (or anything else), feel free to contact us!
Is Summer's End religious?
Hell no! We encourage everyone to practice their own spirituality, from organized religion to nothing at all.
Is Summer's End political?
As with anywhere, everyone who comes here has political opinions and we seek to have open, respectful conversation. Politics are intertwined in our day-to-day lives, and so while we don't push any specific stance, we do not strive to be specifically apolitical.
With that in mind, we also have no tolerance for hate speech, including but not limited to racism, transphobia, homophobia, classism, xenophobia, ableism, and sexism. We respect opinions that respect everyone's existence.
With that in mind, we also have no tolerance for hate speech, including but not limited to racism, transphobia, homophobia, classism, xenophobia, ableism, and sexism. We respect opinions that respect everyone's existence.
Can I bring my friend/partner/cousin/barista?
Absolutely! Invite the people in your life - the more the merrier.
What do I bring?
Usually our conference has a mix of people who choose to camp and who may need to sleep inside. We generally prioritize people who are disabled in a way that requires a bed for the inside sleepers, but our number of beds has varied based on location as has the number of people who need beds. If you want to camp, bring anything you might need to do that! (Tent, sleeping bag, etc.) Some of our venues have required us to bring our own blankets in the past, but we'll be sure to send out further details on whether that will be needed prior to the actual event to anyone who has registered. You may also want to bring craft supplies, musical instruments, anything you feel like you might need or want for either your own enjoyment or for a workshop you might want to run. (Anyone gets to run a workshop if they want to!) Remember all the clothes (including socks, undies, maybe a swimsuit) you may need for the amount of time you're with us.
If you have medication and may come across a baggage check (like at a border or in an airport), make sure to have the original medication information (the bottle, box, prescription, etc) so that it can be easily identified by whoever is checking your bag.
If you have medication and may come across a baggage check (like at a border or in an airport), make sure to have the original medication information (the bottle, box, prescription, etc) so that it can be easily identified by whoever is checking your bag.
What is the location of this year's conference?
The address of this will be sent out via email, after registration! The broader location (such as the closest town name) as well as a land acknowledgement should also be posted around the time we have registration up.
I don't have a car! How do I get there?
We will have carpools going from Manchester, Boston, and other cities TBD. Talk to Em, our Ride Coordinator, and no matter where you are, we'll make sure you have a ride to get your butt to Summer's End!
Do I have to stay for the whole time?
We encourage folks to come for the whole week if they can!
But, that doesn't work for everyone's schedules, so come for whatever chunk works for you! Lots of people just do all or part of the weekend.
Only the weekend will be specifically oriented to accommodate non-weekers, but any day(s) you come there will be lots to do.
But, that doesn't work for everyone's schedules, so come for whatever chunk works for you! Lots of people just do all or part of the weekend.
Only the weekend will be specifically oriented to accommodate non-weekers, but any day(s) you come there will be lots to do.
Can I leave and come back?
We ask that once you're at Summer's End, you don't leave the site for non-emergency reasons. This helps create a safe container and consistency for everyone who attends. Sometimes, we will leave site as a group, like to go swimming nearby, but aside from this everyone stays on site for the time that they're there. If this is a problem for you or you have something specific you need to leave for, talk to us!
How many people will be there?
Conference size changes every year, and can vary throughout the week! The largest Summer's End was around 50-60 people, and the smallest in recent memory was as low as 12 attendees. SE 2018 ranged from 14-17 people, and SE 2022 had around 20. These numbers tend to ebb and flow year to year when new folks come in and older folks age out, as well as during the con when people come for smaller iterations of time.
What are your COVID-19 protocols for an in-person Conference?
The pandemic is still ongoing, and a large part of our conference consists of people who are medically high risk. The year after pandemic onset that we chose to go in-person (2022), we had a community meeting where we talked as a group about what would be required for us to feel comfortable or safe attending in-person. We ran risk numbers for transmission rates at both peaks and valleys in pandemic waves, and figured out different ways to mitigate risk as much as possible. We are in ongoing conversation with each other about current risks and mitigation measures as new strains develop.
Currently, proof of vaccination is required with registration, and asked to be as up-to-date as possible (ideally, you'll have had a booster or other vaccine within the past 6 months, but we understand that medical access can be difficult for a lot of people and can talk about it). We also require negative rapid tests. We will have those at the conference if you don't have access to them. Many staff are bringing true-HEPA air purifiers which will be running in all the communal areas during the conference, and any conferees who have one are encouraged to bring one, or a Corsi-Rosenthal box.
Masks are not currently required once we get through the threshold of testing negative, but we hope you'll not be intentionally going to a bunch of super-spreader events leading up to the con. That said, we encourage open dialogue about potential risk vectors so that we can appropriately contact-trace if need be.
Currently, proof of vaccination is required with registration, and asked to be as up-to-date as possible (ideally, you'll have had a booster or other vaccine within the past 6 months, but we understand that medical access can be difficult for a lot of people and can talk about it). We also require negative rapid tests. We will have those at the conference if you don't have access to them. Many staff are bringing true-HEPA air purifiers which will be running in all the communal areas during the conference, and any conferees who have one are encouraged to bring one, or a Corsi-Rosenthal box.
Masks are not currently required once we get through the threshold of testing negative, but we hope you'll not be intentionally going to a bunch of super-spreader events leading up to the con. That said, we encourage open dialogue about potential risk vectors so that we can appropriately contact-trace if need be.
how accessible is Summer's End?
We make sure that all the spaces you need to access for the conference are wheelchair accessible. Staff includes people who need wheels to get around, and we intend to bring ramps as needed to get over minor thresholds that are unavoidable.
We always have a room designated for people to hang out if they need to get away from the space and be alone for a bit, or talk to someone about something if they need, or hang out and read.
You aren't obligated to participate in all the workshops, but we do need to know where conferees are at (including if you're leaving the con, or just going into a hike in the woods) for safety reasons.
At the beginning of the con, we have an intro meeting where we talk about the etiquette around touching other people's mobility aids, and what those of us with audio or visual disabilities might need from others in order to feel included.
If you have specific questions or requirements about this, please let us know, either by contacting us or in the registration form.
We always have a room designated for people to hang out if they need to get away from the space and be alone for a bit, or talk to someone about something if they need, or hang out and read.
You aren't obligated to participate in all the workshops, but we do need to know where conferees are at (including if you're leaving the con, or just going into a hike in the woods) for safety reasons.
At the beginning of the con, we have an intro meeting where we talk about the etiquette around touching other people's mobility aids, and what those of us with audio or visual disabilities might need from others in order to feel included.
If you have specific questions or requirements about this, please let us know, either by contacting us or in the registration form.
I've heard meals are included, what about my dietary restrictions?
Let us know in your registration form about your dietary requirements and we'll accommodate them! If you have specific food you want to bring that's just for your midnight snacks or whathaveyou, that's cool too, just make sure you label it if you put it with other food stuff to avoid confusion. It's also best if we know as soon as possible if you have any severe allergies so that we can ensure other attendees aren't arriving at the conference with something that could kill you in their luggage.
This seems like a lot. I don't think I'll have the energy to participate fully. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Most conferees do not attend everything. We just ask that you make sure someone (usually a staff member who we have designated as "shepherd") knows where you are for safety reasons. If you need to nap or you're too anxious to be around other people, that's extremely valid. You're still just as much part of the con!
I'm disabled and need specific supports in order to access this kind of environment. What sort of support/accommodations can you provide?
AnA lot of people at our conference are disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent, and otherwise have varying bodies with varying needs. Our primary priority when looking at site locations is wheel accessibility, and the ability to use portable ramps if need be. A mainstay of the conference is also "Blue Lodge" which is a room dedicated to chilling out away from the rest of the conference. We fill it with books, zines, craft supplies, and some people will set up altars or other spiritual items. (We make it clear through labelling what is cool for everyone to use and what isn't.) This room is meant to be quiet unless people in that room decide otherwise. It's meant to be a comfort.
Many attendees also have differing communication needs. Some of the people currently at the conference have differing levels of ASL knowledge, and other languages. Currently we don't have the budget for an interpreter full-time throughout the week, but if you'd like to bring one, feel free to email us ahead of time so we can help with planning.
Many people at our conference are also familiar with AAC and some may use it from time to time. Please be conscious of this when getting to know other conferees, and make space for people who may need to write or otherwise take a moment to understand and respond.
If you have any specific needs or accommodations, let us know in your registration form! And if there's anything you're unsure of, please feel free to email us to ask. Our email is [email protected]
Many attendees also have differing communication needs. Some of the people currently at the conference have differing levels of ASL knowledge, and other languages. Currently we don't have the budget for an interpreter full-time throughout the week, but if you'd like to bring one, feel free to email us ahead of time so we can help with planning.
Many people at our conference are also familiar with AAC and some may use it from time to time. Please be conscious of this when getting to know other conferees, and make space for people who may need to write or otherwise take a moment to understand and respond.
If you have any specific needs or accommodations, let us know in your registration form! And if there's anything you're unsure of, please feel free to email us to ask. Our email is [email protected]
I have special dietary restrictions. What's your deal with that?
The registration form has an option where you can disclose whatever dietary needs or restrictions you have. We try to ensure that everyone has something substantial available to them at every meal, as well as options for things to snack on in between meals.