Dear Friends and Citizens,

The time is fast approaching when we’ll all be together to celebrate the Independence once again. In the spirit of ensuring to the greatest degree possible that we all have the best of all possible times, and realizing that the Citizenry of Darbukastan are the most logical and intuitive of Peoples, We, the Ministry of Comfort and Coziness do hereby and with all good wishes, make the following recommendations nonetheless:

If you think you might need it, and have room for it, Bring It!! This is true especially if it pertains to:
1.Keeping dry. Believe it or not, it has been known to rain at DID. A fly for your tent can be your best friend. Ground cloths are nice as well. Slickers/raincoats are recommended and waterproof boots have been traded for as much as ten camels and a score of Kazakh carpets in years past.
2.Keeping warm. We have seen temps in the high 40’s at night in years past at this time of year. Our Ministry of Meteorology ensures us that conditions will be remarkably mild and dry but they are notorious pranksters. A warm coat and good blanket will make you feel better about yourself and everything else if it gets cold.
3.Keeping cool. Seems to be silly following #2 above but is still good advice.
4.Keeping relatively close to your current skin pigmentation. Sun screen is a beautiful thing. We do occasionally see the sun here. It even more frequently sees us.
5.Keeping you fingernails from being overworked. We have numerous life forms here which seem to have been placed here by Darbukastan’s answer to “Murphy”, known hereabouts as “Bully” (pronounced “Boolie”). Bully laughs out loud when folks do not bring bug repellent or camp in the wooded fringes where he planted poison oak. Please do not encourage him.
6.Keeping our fauna healthy. We hate it, but we cannot allow you to have your pets on the farm as we do have critters here that do not do well with other animals. Thanks for your understanding.
7.Keeping your slumbers golden. You may find it helpful to have a pair of earplugs for those moments at night when the peacocks decide to let us know there is something happening somewhere on the farm. If you have not experienced them in person, ask one of the older Citizens, they can be loud. We also have a rooster or two here and they love 4:45 am. Just a thought……
8.Keeping your “Wee Ones” safe. We are happy to have children here but ask that you monitor them closely while they are here. There are many things that they might get into here that would be unhealthy for them. We also ask that you keep your children and young people in the areas which are obviously designated as DID- related. The forests around the farm can be dangerous. For example, there are more and more bears seen in these hills every year. We have not seen them in the inhabited areas of the farm but they are in the woods surrounding us. Please help us help you keep your children from harm.
9.There are numerous ponds and streams which will be inviting to all, especially our younger Citizens. We have no lifeguard and ask you to understand that you use the water at your own risk. We also ask that, if you use the water at all, you do so during daylight hours only.
10.Virginia law states that only those over 21 years of age are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages. We have no ability or desire to change this rule and reserve the right to ask violators to leave the premises without refund of any registration monies.
11.No illegal substances are allowed at Spirithaven Farm.
12.You will be asked to check in and sign a waiver upon your arrival. We will have a gate this year and have, unfortunately, been forced to have people wear a bracelet identifying them as paid participants or instructors.
13.We recommend that you arrive during daylight hours, especially as the site for the main “community area” has changed. It is much easier to select a campsite and set up camp at a time when you can see what you are doing.
14.DID staff will be wearing T-shirts identifying them for your convenience. If you have questions or problems please see one of them or see the person working the gate.

We greatly appreciate you all taking care of yourselves while you are here. We have a really nice “Vibe” at DID and it is largely because this community cares about others as much as we do about ourselves. We value our time together and want to keep things peaceful and healthy for all concerned. That is a formula for a good time and one our Citizens have followed since DID #1. Thanks for helping to maintain the Magick!!