The Land was made available for the first time in 2019 for community-organized events, gatherings, and programs. Out of concern for the health and safety of our community, WWTLC postponed 2020’s events until 2021 and we’re all looking forward to gathering back home on the Land at that time. You can join our mailing list, either email or postal, or our Facebook page to stay connected.
- Is there, or will there be, a WWTLC coordinator to manage events?
WWTLC will not be managing events on The Land. It is up to groups and members of the community to organize the kinds of events they wish to create. WWTLC has an Event Organizer Support committee, led by a board member, to support and coordinate the event application and scheduling process, as well as a Land Stewardship committee (also led by a board member) to oversee any prep work that has to be done on The Land. In addition, we foresee hiring short term, temporary staff positions to support the summer rental program, as needed. - Is WWTLC permitted, from a licensing and permit perspective, to operate as a
campground venue for events?
WWTLC has officially received its license to operate as a primitive campground, which is what was needed to allow camping events on The Land. This license will be posted on The Land as required by the state of Michigan. - When are event applications available?
The practical reality of resource constraints has meant that event applications have been available in mid-late September for the following year. There is always room for improvement. Our ultimate goal is to time the applications process such that Event Organizers can announce their dates for the following year’s events at the current year’s event. Our short-term goal is to make the applications available as early in the year as possible. - How do you assign events to weeks on The Land?
Event organizers are asked to identify their top 3 choices for their events. In order to keep prices reasonable, events with fewer than the minimum number of people required in any given year will be asked to combine with other events, dependent on mutually agreeable event intentions, etc. - From a legal and/or marketability perspective, what improvements to The Land will be necessary to successfully operation as a venue for groups that produce events?
We are acutely aware of the ongoing costs of stewarding The Land and are balancing that with making The Land available and useful for events that uphold the mission of WWTLC. Improvements that were identified as necessary from both a legal and/or marketability perspective that have been completed include installation of a new septic system and installation of a permanent concrete shower pad (including grading for accessibility and planting foliage to add privacy). As needs are identified, and funding is available, additional improvements may be made in accordance with the conservation easement. - Is there a capacity limit to how many women and girls can camp on The Land at one
time?
The campground license allows for 175 group camping sites, including tents for volunteer workers as well as event participants. WWTLC has set the cap for events at 300 adults. If demand is such that a higher capacity is needed, WWTLC will identify infrastructure improvements and incorporate the request into the campground license renewal process. - When are event application be available?
Our goal is to make the applications available as early in the year as possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling Event Organizers to announce their dates for the following year’s events at the current year’s event. The practical reality of resource constraints, however, has meant that event applications are available in mid-late September for the following year. - Will there be a contract?
Yes. There will be a contract that outlines the fees to rent The Land, payment schedules and requirements, rules and guidelines for use of The Land, as well as communicating what WWTLC will provide and what event organizers will provide. - What is the fee to rent The Land for a week?
WWTLC’s goal is to make camping on The Land reasonable and affordable, and comparable to what it costs to rent campsites at nearby campgrounds for a week, only instead of an assigned campsite in a public campground, a week on The Land offers acres of green camping space for relatively small and private events focused on women and girls. Events must be self-funding and cover costs. To that end, considerable time is spent on budget development, to enable fair and reasonable event fees and participant minimums. - Will there be a food option available?
Due to complexity of health department rules and regulations, WWTLC is unable to offer a food plan to participants. Great care has been taken to provide a community kitchen for event participants to cook their meals. In addition, Event Organizers have worked with local grocers and restaurants to put together a food plan for their individual events. - What will WWTLC provide to events on The Land? WWTLC will provide the infrastructure and venue space. WWTLC cares for upkeep and maintenance of The Land, including roads and paths. We’ll provide gate security, porta-potties, wrist band tickets, handwashing stations, hot showers, shade tent, fire pits, electric charging station(s), dish washing station(s), kitchen and dining space for participants to use, electric service for DART needs.
- What will event organizers need to provide for events on The Land?
Event organizers will need to support their events by handling publicity, collecting ticket fees, communicating with event participants, arranging for entertainment, activities, and workshops. Participants will need to bring their own food, tents, and chairs. - What will the map of The Land look like for events?
WWTLC’s Land Stewardship is responsible for layout of the space, tailoring it to smaller events. We anticipate more progress, plans for improvements in areas such as accessibility and land usage as we continue to learn through experience. Currently, the event village is raised in the area formerly known as “downtown” on the MichFest map, spanning roughly from the area formerly known as triangle to the area formerly known as main kitchen. - How do you assign events to weeks on The Land?
Event organizers are asked to identify their top 3 choices for their events. In order to keep prices reasonable, events with fewer than 100 people will be asked to combine with other events, dependent on mutually agreeable event intentions, etc.
