Arrival at Dancing Hearts Camp
You will be welcomed by one of the community and helped to find a circle. Then you can unload & set up your tent. If you are in a live in vehicle and want electric hook up, you will be shown to the hard standing areas where you can choose a space.
The aim is to establish manageable sized circles (about 6-8 structures in each) around a central fire. Small & round is beautiful! Finding a ‘home’ can often be one of the most challenging aspects of arriving at camp but have a wonder around and ask if you can join a circle - most people will be happy for you to join (please be aware that some people prefer larger circles and some prefer smaller circles). Once you are settled please welcome newcomers & help them to ‘land’. Turning folk away because you have saved spaces creates an unwelcoming culture. If you do want to save a place for a friend, why not save another space in addition for someone new to camp or whom you haven't camped with before?
Make sure you set up your tent or vehicle at least 20ft/6mtrs away from the central fire pit. Please leave room for emergency vehicles between circles – there should be a clear path around the site. Once you have set up your tent, please move your vehicle to the car park where it should remain until after the last closing session.
Live-in vehicles There is hard standing with electric hook. If you do not require electric hook up you can also join a circle with the vehicle parked against the hedge. Please check with the person who welcomes you to the field for options.
Be aware of the dangers of fire! It is essential that fire safety be a priority in your circle. Cooking and naked flames (e.g. candles) in enclosed spaces should be avoided. Do not burn a fire directly on the grass, in this field we use one raised fire bowl per circle. Ensure that your circle has a bucket filled with water beside your fire & if you have a stove within your structure, you must have your own fire bucket or blanket.
YOUR DAYS AT CAMP The camp will start with a gathering to which everyone is invited and encouraged to suggest and offer activities. From this an approximate programme for days ahead will emerge which you are welcome to participate in as much or as little as you want.
Enjoy your Circle: Your circle is your home for the camp, a great opportunity to share, laugh, play, sing, cry and learn. Meal times are a relaxed time to get to know each other. The evening meal is a shared experience with your circle or as a whole camp. If you are not confident to cook a meal, pair up with an experienced camper! Discuss your cooking rota, allergies, likes and dislikes with your circle. You may like to decide where to keep a fully charged mobile phone (for emergency use only).
Mobile phones: We ask that phones are turned off or on silent for the duration of the camp. We realise that many folk take photos with their phones and if this is the case please turn your phone onto airplane or do not disturb so that you do not disturb others and are not tempted to scroll!
Support Yourself. There are so many wonderful things to do on camp and so many wonderful people, however at times it can also be a little overwhelming. If you find yourself in need of support approach someone in your circle or one of Team Heart.
First Aid: Your first port of call is your circle or others on the field. If you are in need of urgent medical attention, call 999 and tell them your are at Burleigh Hill Farm, Unnamed Rd, St. Ives PE27 3LY Ticks: As with many areas of the countryside, ticks are a frequent occurrence. Although usually harmless, tick bites can cause a rash or, more seriously, Lyme Disease. It is recommended you regularly check yourself (and your children) for ticks - Inspect easy to miss nooks and crannies like armpits, groin, backs of knees, scalp and wash with flannel to sweep ticks from skin.
Tread Lightly: All waste must be taken home. Please pick up ALL litter - leave the site as lovely as you found it.
Get high on love: We are an alcohol and drug-free Camp. There is NO smoking in or around any workshops. Please be mindful of others at camp and ask members of your circle if they would mind you smoking there. Please do not discard butt ends in the grass and make sure they are fully extinguished before disposing of them safely. For everyone’s safety - do not smoke in your tents.
Amenities: There is a compost toilet in the hedge at the side of the field – lovingly constructed by members of the community in 2023. Please note that one handful of sawdust is plenty ‐ too much is a problem. Nappies, sanitary items and condoms should be put in bins ‐ NOT into the compost toilet. When you use this toilet please take a few moments to sweep up, wipe down and generally clean – leaving the toilets as you would wish to find them. Alternatively, there are flushing toilets (and hot showers) in the building near the entrance gate to the field.
Shop Well: By staying on site as much as possible we can greatly reduce the carbon footprint of our camp. A local Co-op is accessible by foot through field footpaths (approx. 15 minutes). If you are going shopping by care, ask if you can shop for others too.
What about the Children and Young People? We welcome children of all ages at the camp. They have an opportunity to connect to nature and have great time but parents are reminded that children remain their responsibility whilst at camp and must be supervised at all times. Parents are also responsible for checking out the suitability of any other activities on offer at camp and supporting their child’s attendance during sessions.