General Bort Meadow Information and Guidelines

Drum camp is around the corner, and we are SO EXCITED!! AND we are so very happy that ALL of you are coming. It is a moment we give ourselves to be in the company of beautiful, fun and inspirational women for a couple of days. It is a time to recharge, relax, and reflect in the beautiful Ohlone hills that are right here in Oakland, Ca. What a blessing!

As a Day Camper this year, a lot is different. You’ll be coming in and out every day, and you’ll just bring your drum/s, lunch and snacks, water/water bottle, and whatever else will make you comfortable for the day (a longer list to prompt you is below). You’ll be able to store your drums overnight if you’re coming multiple days.

Driving or getting a rideshare ride is the only way to get to Bort Meadow. (Please see Driving Directions listed below.)  However, PARKING IS LIMITED!  We will have 55 parking spaces available onsite on a first come, first served basis and between 65 and 80 of you coming to camp each day, depending on the day.  If it is at all possible, please carpool.

Here is a tool that can make self-organizing rides to and from camp a little easier. Please add your name if you are able to offer a ride, or if you are looking for a ride. Find a match with other campers around the same time, and reach out via phone to confirm with your driver!  You can access the Born to Drum Self-Organized Carpool List by clicking here.  A great place to meet up is Redwood Rd and Skyline Blvd, just 4 miles from Bort Meadow.  If you rideshare all the way to camp, it is highly likely that you will be able to get a ride back to a convenient location after camp.

• If you have mobility limitations, we will have disabled spots in the lot and can arrange to get you back and forth to Camp Central from the Disabled Parking Area in the parking lot.
• Camp is not very wheelchair friendly and we do not have a W/C accessible shuttle.
• If you have accessibility or other concerns please contact us ASAP before camp.

What To Bring

• Your camping equipment.
• Your prescriptions and other medicines.
• Your drum(s) or percussion instrument(s)! Check class descriptions for instruments, equipment, and clothing recommended for various classes. In addition, please note:
  • If you have a Chekere (beaded gourd), be sure to bring it, as we will have several classes that will use the gourd; i.e., Amy Vitro’s Chekere class and Carolyn’s Güiro class.
  • Bring your dancing tights and shoes because we have 4 amazing dance teachers this year!
• A recording device with extra batteries, a notebook and pens (Voice recording only)
• Still Camera (no videos of classes please!)*
• Masks for events/classes. (TBD)
• Sunscreen (#15 +)
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle with your name on it!
• Refillable spray bottle if you want to really stay cool
• Clothing for hot days
• Clothing/layers for cold mornings, evenings, and overnights
• Good walking shoes/boots
• Stretchy/loose clothes for dance classes (jeans not recommended)
• Swimsuit for pond swimming Saturday & Sunday
• Towel or two
• 2+ Flashlights, with backup batteries. Bort Meadow is dark at night.
• Phone charger
• Toiletries in a portable bag: you will not be able to leave toiletries in the bathrooms/showers
• Contribution items for the community altar
• Cash or checkbook for tee shirts and vendors! (Electronic payments are not reliable due to lack of cell service!)

What Not To Bring

• Valuables. Women Drummers International assumes no responsibility for loss of or damage to personal property.
• Video camera/recording device. Video recording of your classes is not allowed.
• Portable speakers. Recorded sound is strongly discouraged at camp. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have 2.5 days of only live sounds. If you do want recorded sound for yourself, headphones are strongly requested.
• recreational drugs
• illegal substances
• fireworks,
• pets
• weapons of any kind
• alcohol
• amplified sound audible over 25 feet away
• generators

Camp rules are listed below. Failure to follow the rules could result in individuals or the group being asked to leave the Meadow and could jeopardize our future use of Bort Meadow.

1. BORT MEADOW HAS A LOCKED GATE.  It will be open and attended from 8AM to 7:15PM every day.
2. From 8-10 AM every day, we’ll be checking everyone in at the gate (there will be no registration desk in the camp this year).  Please spread the word – there is no option for walk-ins to camp this year.
3. Smoking is only allowed near the bathrooms by the parking circle --- deposit butts in appropriate containers, NOT in trash cans or the campfire.
4. Parking is limited to 55 vehicles for camp attendees. PLEASE CARPOOL. If you arrive and parking is full you will have to find another location to park and make your way back to camp.
5. Please do not leave unattended vehicles in Drop off Circle at center of Park except Camp Shuttle with Disabled Placard. (please drop off your drums by the loading zone and then park your car in the lot)

Thank you for your attention to these important details about camp.

To be determined

• Cancellations until JULY 22 are subject to a $50 cancellation fee.
• Cancellations between JULY 22 until AUGUST 7 are subject to a 50% cancellation fee.
• After August 7, fees are nonrefundable.

(Posted April 29, 2024)

• Classes will start at 10 sharp, so you should plan to arrive by 9:30 as there will probably be a line checking in at the gate and you’ll need time to park and walk to your first class if you’re driving.
• Classes are size-limited so we can social distance.  This is new for us and we are still figuring out how to help people equally distribute around all the classes.  Expect more communication about this before camp.
• We’ll have half-hour breaks between classes and an hour for lunch starting at 1:30.
• Classes will end at 6 and the gate will close at 7:15, so we’ll have some time to hang out with people and shop. Bring your printed tickets – yes, we’ll have tickets this year and they are coming out next week. All you’ll do is show them to the wonderful women at the gate and tell them your name (which will be on your ticket, too). There is no cell service so if you want to show your tickets on your phone, you’ll have to download them before you come!
• IF you are driving a car, you will put the ticket on your dashboard for the day.
• You will be directed to the parking lot (to the left at the bottom of the hill), OR to quickly drop off your drum at the Camp Central circle then drive back to the parking lot, where an attendant will direct you how to park. After 10AM the lot will be unattended and very likely full, so don’t be late!
• If you have mobility limitations, we will have disabled spots in the lot and can arrange to get you back and forth to Camp Central from the Disabled Parking Area in the parking lot. Camp is not very wheelchair friendly and we do not have W/C accessible shuttle If you have accessibility or other concerns please contact us ASAP before camp.

There is NO cell access at Bort Meadow.  Please let your friends, family, and emergency contact know this.

• Children and teens are welcome at Born to Drum if accompanied by an adult who is a registered and paid attendee at camp. Children under 4 attend for free. Children between 4-10 attend for approximately 50% of the adult fee. Please read carefully the following safety information:
• Walker Creek is a 1700-acre property with many buildings, a pond, creeks, and wild animals (both day and night sightings of coyotes, foxes, and raccoons).
• Boys 10 years and younger are welcome to come to Born To Drum.
• Teens who can attend classes independently, or with their moms, and who can safely navigate Walker Creek Ranch, are welcome.
• Given the size and nature of this year’s location, children under 12 or any youth who need supervision, will need to be under the supervision of an adult. We have a separate waiver for children and will ask on the registration form what adults will be taking care of the children.
• Thank you for understanding the limitations on our ability to accommodate children this year.

(Updated on April 29, 2024)

We are not requiring vaccinations this year, but we strongly recommend them. Please take a look at current CDC and WHO guidelines as we get closer to camp. We will recommend wearing masks at all indoor events.

Directions Coming Westbound on Interstate 580

1. U.S. 580 W to CA 13N, exit 26A towards Berkeley.
2. Exit Carson Street toward Redwood Road.
3. LEFT onto Mountain Blvd.
4. RIGHT onto Redwood Road. Continue on Redwood Road and cross Skyline Blvd. Drive 4 more miles and Bort Meadow Staging Area is on the right. Look out for balloons and signs. It is approximately an 8 minute drive from the intersection of Redwood Rd and Skyline Blvd to Bort Meadow.

Directions Coming Eastbound on Interstate 580

1. U. S. 580E to 35th Avenue exit in Oakland.
2. LEFT on 35th Avenue. 35th Avenue becomes Redwood Road. Continue on Redwood Road and cross Skyline Blvd. Drive 4 more miles and Bort Meadow Staging Area is on the right. Look out for balloons and signs. It is approximately an 8 minute drive from the intersection of Redwood Rd and Skyline Blvd to Bort Meadow.

Directions Coming Southbound on Highway 13

1. Highway 13S to Redwood Road exit in Oakland.
2. LEFT on Redwood Road. Continue on Redwood Road and cross Skyline Blvd. Drive 4 more miles and Bort Meadow Staging Area is on the right. Look out for balloons and signs. It is approximately an 8 minute drive from the intersection of Redwood Rd and Skyline Blvd to Bort Meadow. Cross Skyline Blvd and drive 4 more miles. Bort Meadow Staging Area is on the right. Look out for balloons and signs. It is approximately an 8 minute drive from the intersection of Redwood Rd and Skyline Blvd to Bort Meadow.

For directions from Google or other Maps you can enter Bort Meadow Staging Area.  You will lose cell reception at some point after you cross Skyline Blvd so: From Redwood Rd and Skyline Blvd, go 4 miles south on Redwood Road. Bort Meadow is on the right. Look for balloons and signs. It is approximately an 8 minute drive from that major intersection to Bort Meadow

To ensure that all patrons have a wonderful time, and to protect the health and safety of our community, we reserve the right to refuse attendance.