Dance Camp Wales has always been a shared experience. There are occasions when campers unavoidably have to arrive late, to leave early, or take time out in the middle of Camp. But for the lucky majority, it is a shared journey for old friends and new, taking place over ten days in a safe and relaxing environment.
We are able to hold the Camp in our enviable location on the understanding that it is, essentially, a private gathering, for members only, with no visitors encouraged or allowed to stay. Our host, our insurers, the licensing authorities and the D.C.W. Core Group are all in agreement on this point.
There are times when people from outside the Camp want to visit, to see relatives and friends, to satisfy their curiosity or because they've heard it's a Festival, and the response has to be, “sorry, no.” In the past, we've tried an “open afternoon” on Market Day, but many people find this an unsettling and unwelcome intrusion. We have recently asked campers to wear wrist bands in the hope that this will deter casual callers and identify those who shouldn't be there, but the problem of uninvited visitors persists.
The feedback that the Core Group receives tells us that we are not doing enough about it. So, we need a positive commitment from all who come to Dance Camp Wales this year. We are asking that all of us, on booking, confirm that we will not invite visitors to the camp nor invite them to stay if they turn up. The Core Group will insist that anyone not booked in, leaves at once. The Gate Crew will endeavour to put D.C.W. campers in touch with visitors in the case of emergencies, otherwise the pub in Creswell Quay is an admirable place to arrange to meet, off the site. We hope that you will understand and approve of this decision.