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Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
So, what's better for a group of new Roo 18 year olds, camping with the car a mile away from the parents but with a place to lock up their phones and stuff or camping closer in tent only and stashing their stuff in an unsecured tent? Decisions decisions. And leave the young girls be W. if you we're them, which would you prefer? And is a good compromise having them camp next to the RV section? They could cruise by the car, lock stuff in or grab stuff on the way to center and maybe score some home cook/cold beverages. I could eyeball them without buzzkilling them. That section is in the south eastern section next to rte 24 no?
Katbur, these kids play summer lacrosse tourneys so they know how to hydrate but its still a concern. What do you tell a boy who thinks camelbaks are "gay". So stupid.
And is a good compromise having them camp next to the RV section? They could cruise by the car, lock stuff in or grab stuff on the way to center and maybe score some home cook/cold beverages. I could eyeball them without buzzkilling them. That section is in the south eastern section next to rte 24 no?
I was thinking of advising this for no matter what they do. Whether they car-camp or do tent-only they could leave valuables/things they don't want stolen with you guys in the RV and do a quick "check-in" of sorts before they go off to experience the festival.
I personally don't like leaving anything in my tent unsecured. It helps that Camp Inforoo is full of people and someone is usually there at all times but ya never know. I can't tell you the relief I feel when I get back to my tent and my Roo poster is still in it
Katbur, these kids play summer lacrosse tourneys so they know how to hydrate but its still a concern. What do you tell a boy who thinks camelbaks are "gay". So stupid.
You tell him "check out all those cute girls who have camelbaks. You can talk to them and compare your camelbak choices".
He'll likely see that so many people use them and they are great.
So, what's better for a group of new Roo 18 year olds, camping with the car a mile away from the parents but with a place to lock up their phones and stuff or camping closer in tent only and stashing their stuff in an unsecured tent? Decisions decisions. And leave the young girls be W. if you we're them, which would you prefer? And is a good compromise having them camp next to the RV section? They could cruise by the car, lock stuff in or grab stuff on the way to center and maybe score some home cook/cold beverages. I could eyeball them without buzzkilling them. That section is in the south eastern section next to rte 24 no?
That's exactly what I would suggest. Just an ability to touch base. Believe it or not the farm can be a bit overwhelming when you first get there, some might actually want to hang with you briefly at first
Tell him that wearing a Camelbak is so much easier than carrying around a water bottle. Plus it holds a lot more water, so you don't have to refill it as often. It also gives you a place to put extra sunscreen, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, snacks, camera, phone, etc. Not to mention they make a decent pillow if you can find a good nap spot. You can show him any day time crowd shot from roo and see how many people wear camelbaks.
I'd let them go camp in TO if that's what they want. Just let them know that their mistakes can mess up your whole group's weekend, so they better be smart.
edited to add- if I knew my parents were there with an air conditioned rv, you bet your ass I'd be sitting in there for a bit. So I would just accept that you may have guests at some point. Maybe even give them a spare key or something in case they really do need to get out of the heat for a bit. Just make sure you have an "if the van's a-rockin'" sign or something
Katbur, these kids play summer lacrosse tourneys so they know how to hydrate but its still a concern. What do you tell a boy who thinks camelbaks are "gay". So stupid.
I have a camelbak and I bang tons of chicks.
Kidding, of course but camelbaks do rule. I would sell him on the hands-free convenience of carrying a large amount of water with the added benefit of storage space. It would be wasteful and inconvenient to throw a bunch of water bottles in a backpack. And it's a good conversation piece. Plus I've never heard one person ever, male or female, make fun of someone for wearing a camelbak.
Also tell him he only has to use it at Roo. I'm sure he'll like it and warm up to it as soon as he sees the functionality.
Also the army uses them in desert warfare and those dudes are super tough.
Tell him he can fill it with magaritas and it won't seem quite so gay.
The umbrellas are a bit of a choke hazzard, though.
Seriously, it's hard to imagine how difficult it is to get a good night's sleep in a tent at Bonnaroo. You are surrounded by 80,000 people. The sun rises around 5 AM, completely lighting up your tent. Also, your tent is in the 90's by 6 AM. They might prefer to sleep in the relative quiet, shade and AC to the alternative. (Even if they spring for a shade tent, I have to guess that they'd get much better rest in an RV.)
Also, 100X yes on camel backs. I've gone every year since 2004 and finally broke down and bought one last year. My biggest reservation was always that it didn't seem like they provided enough storage because they are smaller than a standard backpack but it all turned out fine and it's sooooo much more convenient and refreshing to have your water supply strapped to your back. Also more eco-friendly.
Finally, I have to echo others. Water, water, water. You cannot get enough. Also, shade and suntan lotion. Finally, someone made an excellent point about the medical tents. They will take care of them no questions asked. Encourage the kids to stop in if ever something feels "off" -- better safe than sorry.
Post by LoveLuckLaughter on Jan 30, 2013 20:26:21 GMT -5
I've taken my teenage son to Roo twice. The first year he was 16, and his friend 15. I let them roam all day on their own, with plenty of water and money and snacks. However, I wouldn't leave Centeroo without them come late night. This was only because his friend was 15 and a girl.
He went the next year too. He was 17, and brought no friends that time. I let him have complete freedom, as long as he checked in. Same rule would apply today, at age 19. And in 10 years, at age 29. Do as you wish, just check in throughout the day via at least text.
We're all a mess of paradoxes. Believing in things we know can't be true. We walk around carrying feelings too complicated and contradictory to express. But when it all becomes too big, and words aren't enough to help get it all out, there's always music.
First year I went I was 20 and with my much older brother.It was my first time going to any festival such as Roo, so I was pretty innocent at the time. I was not really given any rules, just told to have as much as the essentials as possible; water,shade,and food.
Post by lukescrazyarms on Jan 30, 2013 23:19:22 GMT -5
I always felt like Roo was a community too....people kinda like, watch out for each other? I went for the first time when I was 19 with a buddy and we were completely unprepared and all of our neighbors around us just took us in and made sure we were on point....I feel like I did it last year with a few of my neighbors who were first time Roo'ers....kinda a pay it forward deal....the mentality is always great once your there though
Post by itrainmonkeys on Jan 30, 2013 23:26:56 GMT -5
Majority of Roo-goers look out for each other. But there's always a few bad eggs. Anytime you get that many people together in an area there's going to be some small amount of sketchballs.
Majority of Roo-goers look out for each other. But there's always a few bad eggs. Anytime you get that many people together in an area there's going to be some small amount of sketchballs.
yeah I feel like you can feel people out pretty quick...I guess it comes back to what everyone said about trust...if you trust your kids will make good decisions, then let them go and they will have the best time of their lives.
Off note: camelbacks are far from "gay"....it was an absolute lifesaver and the ultimate convenience the entire weekend...I made 1 trip for every 3 my friends with water bottles made....totally got better spots and got to check out more of the artsy stuff while I waited
I started attending festivals when I was 14 with my parents, hopefully my perspective will lend a hand.
The summer I turned 18 was the first year I was allowed to camp by myself, my parents reasonably requested I swing by before noon each day, and we did ( I too took friends, who were amazed at my parents coolness). And besides one unfortunate incident involving a friend getting fairly confused, disoriented, and wholeheartedly sidetracked and lost in a matter of no less than 4 minutes and ending up at my parents rv for an evening, we didnt cross paths after dark. It worked. I saw them everyday, the felt good with it, my friends enjoyed the pancakes and eggs and a mom in the morning.
It was like any other vacation, and my parents had the faith, maybe blind hope that they had prepared a responsible adult for the first of many adventures on hills, valleys, farms, and mountains with music, friends, family new and old. Looking back I will never trade the weekends I spent cramping my parents style, even though I had a couple nights that only one of them tucked me in when other old friends would meet us for a weekend. Treat this as a possible start to the great new beginning to making sure you continue a great relationship with your children. My parents enjoyed meeting new friends every year, and watching many grow up, even introduce a set of parents into the mix. They pushed the parental boundary a couple times, but were perceptive enough to back it off and tread a different direction. One thing that didn't was my dad sitting down with me, handing me a cold beer in a oh so sweet red solo cup, and asking me to not scare my mother and keep it respectable.
As far as camping, if they take a car, get them to go in early and guarantee they are in BFE. Your place is on the way...
Youtube some videos, show him the masses with their sweaty, faded, decorated camelbacks. I was stubborn for way too long on that subject.
Good luck!
Last Edit: Jan 31, 2013 0:51:28 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
We did in 2011 what you are doing this year. My son had just graduated high school and he and a bunch of his friends wanted to go to Roo instead of a senior beach trip. Good choice if I might say so myself. My wife and I had been attending the festival since 2006, so we knew what to expect. All of the graduates in his group were trustworthy so we let them camp away from us.
The most important thing is to prepare them for the experience. We decided to prepare them a Bonnaroo Survival Kit for them. On Thursday, before the shows started, we invited them to our campsite and cooked them all a nice hot meal. Then we surprised them with the Survival Kit which contained sun screen, extra water, toilet paper, beef jerky, gold bond powder, moleskins, battery operated spray bottles, a frisbee, LED flashlights, and other necessary sundries. After the festival they thanked us profusely for the gold bond!
My other advice is to make sure they are prepared for a lot of walking. Some of the kids in his group were not very fit and they struggled a bit. I decent hiking regimen in the weeks leading up to the festival should help get them prepared.
Above all, try to enjoy the festival yourselves as well. It is one of the safest places someone can be, as long as you take care of yourself. There is some petty crime, but I've yet to see any physical confrontations anywhere at the festival. Maybe I'm lucky in that regard, but I feel safer on the farm than in my own neighborhood sometimes.
These are just those water bottles with the fans on the end. If you fill it with ice and water they are very refreshing. They are also a good way to meet new friends during the hot day.
Fans, thats what I figured..I just thought I may have been missing out on something extraordinary. Whats extraordinary about a battery powered bottle? I dunno, but I was excited for a little bit.
