Tues, June 29th – Tues, July 6th
Maine Earth First! is excited to host this year’s Round River Rendezvous. Here are some things we want you to know before coming:
About The Site:
This year’s rendezvous will be on private land with permission from the landowner. It is a beautiful piece of land on the south branch of the Dead River outside of Stratton (see below for directions). Because our hosts are generously letting us use their land, we need to make absolutely sure that everyone is respectful to their land and community. This is a community that Maine Earth First has organized in and will continue to organize in, and any of your actions will affect our reputation here.
The closest towns are Stratton and Rangeley. There are stores in each of these towns to buy provisions for your camping trip if you haven’t done so before getting there. Please be supportive of the local economy, and be an asset to the small businesses in these communities. There are grocery stores in Stratton and Rangeley, as well as hardware stores and general stores that will have some of your basic needs.
Since this is a small community, our presence here is very public and well-known, and there is some confusion about what we are doing here. It is important to put a face on our movement, and combat some of the negative rumors floating around about us.
Why We are in the Western Mountains:
Earth First!ers in Maine have been organizing with local grassroots groups that are opposed to industrial wind-power on the remote mountain ridges in Western Maine. It is through this organizing that we have made connections in this community, and gives us a good opportunity to further this connection.
Things to Bring/ Things not to Bring:
To:
-Respect for the land-owners and the local community: We are blessed to have this space. Don’t ruin it for us by doing anything stupid.
-Bug repellent: The mosquitoes, black flies, and deer flies can be brutal here, so be warned.
-Rain gear/dry clothes: It rains a lot up in the mountains
-A good tent/ tarps/bug net: For the above reasons. Even if its not raining, a tent is necessary to be able to sleep without being carried away by mosquitoes.
-Food and Water: We have a local source of water to provide to the camp, but the more people are self-sufficient, the less burden you put on the logistics committee. The same goes for food. There will be a kitchen, but we cannot guarantee that we can meet everyones dietary needs.
Not To Bring:
Dogs: The landowners do not want dogs chasing wildlife on their land, and will shoot at loose, nuisance dogs.
Drugs: There will be all sorts of people at the event, including families with children, so keep it clean.
Trouble to the Locals: Be polite in town. Make friends with our hosts and neighbors. Support local businesses!
