General Bort Meadow Information and Guidelines

1. Driving or getting a rideshare ride is the only way to get to Bort Meadow. PARKING IS LIMITED!
2. (Please see Driving Directions listed below.)
3. We will have space for 75 vehicles for camp attendees via Park Regulations. PLEASE CARPOOL!
4. 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.
5. Check the BTD FaceBook page for women who need a ride and for women who can give a ride.
6. If you arrive and parking is full you will have to find another location to park and make your way back to camp OR take an Uber/Lyft from Skyline Boulevard.
7. There is no parking at the Central Circle. If you leave your car there you run the risk of getting a ticket from a Park Ranger, except for the BTD Emergency vehicle that has a Disabled Sign.
8. There is absolutely no overnight RV or car camping in the parking lot. This is a rule of East Bay Regional Parks

1. Day Campers and overnight attendees bring their own food and drinks for breakfast, lunch, snacks.
2. There will be an option to purchase a catered dinner listed on the Registration Form, if you choose it, otherwise bring your own dinner (s).

• 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 including: tent, bedding, cooler, ice if you need it, pillow
• 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 Shekere (beaded gourd), be sure to bring it, as we will have several classes that will use the gourd; i.e., Amy Vitro and Afia Walking Tree’s Chekere class and Carolyn’s Güiro class.
  • Bring your dancing tights and shoes because we have 4 amazing dance teachers Denise and Julia, Sena, Ava, Qween this year!
• A recording device with extra batteries, a notebook and pens (Voice recording only)
• Still Camera (no videos of classes please!)*
• Masks if you choose , but not mandatory.
• 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)
• 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 possible 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 allowed only with the teacher's permission.
• Portable speakers and headphones are encouraged.
• recreational drugs
• illegal substances
• fireworks
• pets
• weapons of any kind
• alcohol
• amplified sound
• 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 10PM every day.
2. We will be checking in all registered attendees at the Gate.  There will also be a Registration Table for Walk-Ins at the Gate.
3. There will be a Welcome Canopy at the Central Circle for information and help to unload your car.
   
4. Please drop off your camping gear and drums in the Loading Zone  at Central Circle and then park your car in the lot. There will be women there to help you unload. If you are disabled somebody can drive your car back to the lot.
5. Parking is limited to 75 vehicles for camp attendees via Park Regulations. PLEASE CARPOOL! Check the BTD FaceBook page for women who need a ride and for women who can give a ride.  If you arrive and parking is full you will have to find another location to park and make your way back to camp OR take an Uber/Lyft from Skyline Boulevard.
6. There is no parking at the Central Circle. If you leave your car there you run the risk of getting a ticket from a Park Ranger, except for the BTD Emergency vehicle that has a Disabled Sign.
7. There is absolutely no overnight RV or car camping  in the parking lot. This is a rule of East Bay Regional Parks.
8. Smoking is only allowed near the bathrooms by the parking circle --- deposit butts in appropriate containers, NOT in trash cans or the campfire.

• Cancellations until JUNE 7 are subject to a $50 cancellation fee.
• Cancellations between JUNE 18 until July 7 are subject to a 50% cancellation fee.
• After JULY 7, fees are nonrefundable.

• Classes will start at 9:30 am sharp, so you should plan to arrive by 9:00 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.
• We’ll have half-hour breaks between classes and an hour for lunch starting at 1:00 to 2:00 pm.
• Classes will end at 5:30 pm. Dinner is at 6pm. The gate opens at 8am and closes at 10pm. All "Day Camp" Registrants must leave before 10pm.
• Bring your printed tickets. All you’ll do is show them to the wonderful women at the gate and tell them your name. 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:
• 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 Bort Meadow are welcome.
• Given the size and nature of Bort Meadow, 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.

We are not requiring vaccinations this year, but we strongly recommend them.

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.