Theme Camp Setup Guide

1. WHAT IS A THEME CAMP?

Theme camps are the heart and soul of Underland, embodying the principles through the creativity and spirit of their creators and makers. These camps aim to welcome, engage, and entertain other participants, transforming the event into a vibrant and
dynamic community.

Theme Camps can be anything that you can dream of - a sunset margarita bar, an afternoon BBQ and ice-cream station, an epic party, a soulful sound experience, a massage centre, a chill space, offer comfort, a talk, a demonstration, a water fountain, a foundry, a dance-yoga class and the options are literally endless.

Think about what you are good at that others would enjoy getting to see you share.

All sizes and ideas are embraced. Imagine your camp as a small slice of Paradise within the expansive lands of Underland. Whether it’s an intimate setting for 2 or 3 guests at a time - or a dozen, or a grand space accommodating many more. We recommend you choose a camp project that matches your crew size and available resources.

To ensure that theme camps at Underland are diverse, engaging, and aligned with our community values, we have established these guidelines under which to operate.

2. WHAT SHOULD YOU OFFER?

Your camp should be interactive and have some visual presence. It should offer activities, events or services for the Underland community. Creative and well-thought-out concepts are always appreciated. We value diversity of experiences and uniqueness of services.

Community participation and expression means thinking outside the box and not just replicating existing experiences with a different façade. Consider what you may be able to offer to those outside your own camp - radical inclusion invites you to examine perspectives outside your own and participation provides the space for you to bring your best, welcome the stranger, and make some light.

3. WHEN SHOULD YOU OFFER IT?

Consider offerings during the day and at night, and in harmony of our quiet times. A camp bustling with activity during the day but closed at night leaves a gaping, dark and lonely void on the paddock.

Having eveningctivities planned at your camp will make for a better experience for everyone.

Think about connecting with your neighbouring camps and sharing plans – sometimes a combined effort can lead to some great magic, and the best music is made with harmony.

4. FULL EVENT PARTICIPATION

Theme Camps should be present and operational for the entire duration of Underland. Please ensure your camp is set up before the event starts and is active until the end. Placed camps that haven’t arrived at a reasonable time won’t be guaranteed a spot.

Any unregistered camp will be required to sign agreements on site at a minimum, and won’t be guaranteed any ability to operate.
All registered theme camps are allowed early access to the site via early arrival passes. Pass-outs will be considered in rare circumstances, so get in touch.

5. KEEP IT TIDY

Keeping your area clean is essential. Therefore, camps will be asked to submit a MOOP (Matter Out Of Place) plan, demonstrating how the camp area will be kept tidy and how this will be managed.

A good track record with MOOP from previous years is crucial. If your camp has previously not upheld their commitments and responsibilities, your future theme camp registration may be rejected.

6. KEEP YOUR SOUND PROMISES

Should you be any kind of sound camp, you’ll need to agree upfront to a certain size sound rig and agree to follow the Underland Sound Guidelines, along with adhering to the local sound requirements in the area your camp is placed.

You will be required to soundcheck before gates open and may be directed to place your speakers facing in a certain direction.

7. KEEP IT LEGAL, KEEP IT SAFE

Camps must operate within legal parameters, of all laws. Our safety guidelines, inclusion policies, and all other agreements are imperative. Theme Camp leads will be required to adhere to all the safety requirements laid out by our safety officers and agree to ensure that their Theme Camp agrees.

8. YOUR TRACK RECORD MATTERS

We recognise that everyone comes to Underland with the best of intentions and a desire to contribute positively. While we understand that sometimes things don't go as planned, consistent follow-through is crucial for the success of our event.

9. BRANDING? NO. DE-COMMODIFICATION? YES.

Underland is a tool for change in the world, and the principle of De-commodification is key to our Paradise experiment.

Branding, promotion and activation of any products or services is simply not allowed and deeply uncool. Any Theme Camps operating as a branding or marketing exercise or, using branding in any way, will be shut down – or at the very least, asked to completely remove or cover up all branding (this includes excessive camp branding). This also extends to how your Theme Camp exists outside Underland (for example fundraisers) and it’s important to remember that your offering and aesthetic is your gift, and is inherently not transactional.

10. IDEALISM

We are after all an experiment in inventing the world anew, so if your whole camp is powered by solar and wind or other generated power, we’re all going to be impressed. Similarly, if you have any other innovations that you are using in or at your camp (like greywater evaporation contraptions, or innovative shower designs), your efforts will be viewed favourably and help us with placements in the future.

11. THE CREATIVE RATIO

Your camp's space allocation will not be measured on the amount of people in your camp but the size of your gift. This ratio is a balance between the number of campers, the offering of your camp and the number of vehicles that you need to run your operations. Also consider that sometimes the path of least resistance can prove to be the best. You will always need to compromise your vision and balance your efforts with making sure you’re present in your immediacy.

Just imagine what you can evolve over a number of years, and start simplifying when time is of the essence.

12. QUICK CHECK-LIST

Theme camps should:

• Be visually stimulating
• Offer an interactive experience
• Have a clear theme
• Offer a service to the citizens of Underland
• Be neighbourly
• Embody our principles and uphold our values, rules and inclusion policy
• Follow safety protocols
• Maintain a good MOOP record
• Be operational and open to the public from Event Start to Event Close
• Follow the Sound Policy

13. FUNDING

As part of our commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community at Underland, we offer a range of grants. Our funding stream designed to be more inclusive and support a broader range of creative projects.

This initiative is designed to encourage more experiential projects, including performances, unique community services, and other dynamic experiences that enrich Underland for us all. We believe this allows us to help foster a diverse array of creative expression and interactions across Underland.

We encourage all aspiring contributors, whether part of a theme camp or not, to apply and bring your innovative ideas to life.

14. HAVE FUN!

Theme Camps are the heart and soul of our time together. They embody our principles, values, and bring out the brightest, most brilliant parts of our favourite humans doing our favourite things.

Always remember that positive intention behind how you want people to feel is not just about the welcome stranger, it’s also about your team. Lead with light, love, magic and share that spark.