Refuge Outdoor Festival
August 18 – 20, 2023
It’s our sixth anniversary and we’re excited to meet you outside for the 2023 Refuge Outdoor Festival! This email has all the important information you’ll need to help you prepare and stay safe, including:
EVENT INFO: Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground
31020 NE 40th St, Carnation, WA 98014
August 18 – 20, 2023
PACKING LIST: What to Bring
REFUGE DAY: Prep Edition @ REI Flagship
PARK INFO: Campground & Parking Details
OUR VALUES: Our Festival Principles
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFO: Who to Contact for Help
EVENT INFO
The 6th Refuge Outdoor Festival is fast approaching and we have designed a robust weekend. We ask that everyone try something new and make a friend or two. Let’s make this sixth year one to remember!
You will need to make your personal schedule via Sched, as many of the workshops have capacity limits. (Note: Some activities will take place offsite.) Please remember to bring a photo ID for check-in and as collateral for the silent disco, yes youth will also need to leave a collateral item such as IDs, keys, or cell phones. The weather during this time of year is generally between the high 70s and 50s with little rainfall. There are currently no burn bans. To learn more about the burn restrictions, visit the WA State Department of Natural Resources website: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/burn-restrictions
During the event, photos or video may be taken to document the festival for future use. At check-in, you’ll have the opportunity to opt-out, if you would prefer that your picture not be used in the future.
Friday, August 18
Check-in opens at 3pm and closes at 9pm. Early check-in will not be available. If you will be arriving later than 9pm, please email info@refugeoutdoorfestival.com.
Workshops & activities will begin at 4:30pm.
Saturday, August 19
Check-in (and registration for day passes) opens at 8am and closes at 9pm.
Workshops & activities will begin at 8:30am.
Sunday, August 20
The Info Desk will be open at 7:30am. On Sunday afternoon, we’ll gather to say our goodbyes and make any final connections before we hit the roads. All guests must be cleared out of their campsites no later than 3 pm. Workshops & activities will begin at 7:30am.
Accessibility
The festival area consists of uneven terrain, paved and unpaved walkways. We will have portable bathrooms, including ADA accessible options, with additional facilities throughout the park. There will be loud music at this event and flashing lights. ASL interpreters will be available at all mainstage activities, and upon request. If you require additional accommodations in order to fully participate, please let us know at info@goldenbricksevents.com.
PACKING LIST
General:
- Any gear for water activities, hiking, biking, etc. If you don’t have gear, don’t worry- we’ll have plenty for you to do that won’t require it.
- A good book or journal, if you like to read.
- Games, art supplies, telescopes, musical instruments, and more. Bring your things and build community.
- Don’t forget your camp chair and a reusable water bottle.
Attire:
We’ll be outside in the mid-summer air, so dress accordingly. Please remember this is a family-friendly event.
Comfortable shoes, including a pair of sturdy, closed-toed athletic shoes or hiking boots, will come in handy. Sandals may also be useful if you plan to get in the creek. For recreational activities consider bringing the following items: a small daypack for carrying snacks/clothing/water, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and other personal items. Check out the agenda to get a better idea for what to bring or download the Fridie Outdoors app to check out their Festival Camping section on Refuge Fest and which delivers camping know-how in the moments you need it.
Lodging:
Field Camping: If you’ve purchased field camping with your festival pass, you’ll need to bring your own tent, sleeping bag, and other camping essentials (or signup to access our gear bank). Please note that you will pick up your items onsite at The Outpost, and return onsite before you depart. Request deadline has been extended to August 8th.
RV or Campervan: If you have selected an RV or Campervan spot, you will be assigned a site and will need to bring items to be self-contained. There is potable water, a dumpsite (outside the park), or electrical hookup on the campgrounds.
REI Glamping Site: If you have upgraded your experience to a REI glamping site. The site will be set up and broken down for you, including a tent, cots, sleeping pad, sleeping bag w/ liner, and side table.
Yurt: If you signed up for a yurt, you will need to bring linens or a sleeping bag and other camping essentials.
Food:
A communal camp kitchen will be available for use, including eight camp stoves and cookware (list of Kitchen Contents). You are also welcome to bring your own camp cooking equipment (including stoves and grills) and food items. Pressurized gas, propane (LP Gas) stoves, and fire pits are permitted. There is access to potable water and a greywater dump area near the camp kitchen. Greywater is old dishwater (and other contaminated water), which must be dumped in a specified area.
A limited assortment of pre-packaged meals will also be available for purchase from our Outpost, which will be located near the camp kitchen.
*NEW*
The Outpost:
We are excited to announce our new festival store. The Outpost will be located near the camp kitchen. Stop by to
- Purchase swag, ice, wood, and a limited assortment of pre-packaged meals
- Pick up your gear bank request
- Drop off gear swap items
REFUGE DAY: PREP EDITION
Join us on August 13th for our day of prep at the flagship REI in Seattle. RSVP HERE. Refuge Day Prep Edition is designed to support people at all levels of outdoor engagement to prepare for their adventures including Refuge Fest.
—
PARK INFO
About King County Parks
Prior to the white settlement of the Snoqualmie Valley in the late 1850s, the area that currently serves as Tolt-MacDonald Park was one of several large permanent wintering villages that the Snoqualmie Tribe occupied along the Tolt, Snoqualmie, and Raging Rivers. Just 40 minutes from downtown Seattle and a short drive from Redmond, Tolt offers a true recreation destination with a little something for everyone. For more park information visit King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park.
City of Carnation
Carnation is a rural western Washington community of 2,220 residents that is approximately 1.1 square miles in size. Within easy reach of Seattle, Carnation features an abundance of natural beauty and outdoor experiences.
Getting There & Parking
There is parking onsite. We highly recommend carpooling to the event. Please consider coordinating with your friends or family. Parking is included with your registration. Carpooling is encouraged.
Need transportation or Gas Card Support? Shuttles will depart from Seattle, Shoreline, and Skyway
Transportation TO Refuge
Friday, August 18th, 4:30pm
Saturday, August 19th, 9:30am (To Be Finalized)
Transportation FROM Refuge
Saturday, August 19th, 10:00pm (To Be Finalized)
Sunday, August 20th, 3:00pm
RSVP Here. Request deadline has been extended to August 13th 8PM.
COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS
We are committed to creating an accountable and transparent space and acknowledging the inherent lack of safety in our systems and institutions. Together, we will explore ways to create an environment where everyone feels valued, represented, and included. These are our grounding practices:
- We will center and uplift Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) voices. We encourage folks that identify as BIPOC to take up space and invite non-BIPOC folks to be intentional about the space they take at this event.
- We will share from personal experiences and not share the experiences of others.
- We acknowledge that we are all learning and we all make mistakes. We remain committed to accountability as we make those mistakes.
- We acknowledge the difference between intent vs. impact, and take responsibility for any harmful impact we may have on members of marginalized communities.
- Harassment, bullying, threats, or physical violence will not be tolerated
By purchasing a ticket, you agree to the following:
Golden Bricks reserves the right to refuse admission or to eject a pass-holder for behavior likely to cause damage, injury, or nuisance. This is a hate-free safe space. If a pass-holders behavior is unbecoming of policies that Golden Bricks has set forth, ejection will be immediate. Intoxication or aggressive behavior is unacceptable and will result in ejection from the park. Those ejected from the venue will not be readmitted to the event and tickets will not be refunded.
OUTREACH
Please support us by spreading the word and sharing this image on social media. Thank you!
Tag us at @refugeoutdoorfestival
#LetsMeetOutside #RefugeFest
EVENT CONTACT INFORMATION
Please check our FAQ. If you need to reach us for any other reason, email info@refugeoutdoorfestival.com before the event. During the event, please come by the info desk with your questions.
For the latest and greatest information follow along on our IG @refugeoutdoorfestival. We’re looking forward to seeing you at Refuge Fest!