Winter Count Life in Camp (FEBRUARY 18-24, 2024) Registration opens November 1.

Where the gathering will take place:

Winter Count will take place on a private, 200-acre property located aproxmimately 30 min. east of Florence, AZ. Please keep the site clean and orderly. Please keep your camp clean and remove all trash and signs of fire when you leave. Fires in fire pans only.

Winter Count is a drug, alcohol and firearm free event.

How it works:
Once you have registered online for the gathering, you will receive information on the location of the site and a myriad of other information. Check-in will take place at the gate when you enter. This is a private event so if you have not already purchased a ticket to be at camp, then you will not be permitted to enter. We need to know ahead of time if you will be coming. If we do not have your name on a list, you won't be allowed to enter.

Please follow the printed event schedule, and do not arrive until Saturday.
We have set Onsite Check-in times, and once Check-in is closed, you will not be able to enter camp.
Onsite Checkin Schedule: Saturday- 10am-6pm, Sunday: 9am-6pm, Monday-Friday 7:30am-6pm.

Our gates will open at 10 am on Saturday. Please do not arrive to camp before this.
All participants must check in and obtain a wristband and a tag for your vehicle. The wristband will be your meal ticket and provide class access, so don't lose it. The tag for your vehicle will allow your vehicle to remain on premises.

Everyone who registers will be maintained on our mailing list. You can change your preferences for receiving emails from us once you receive your first email.

Camps and Camping
Our camp is a primitive site and has no RV hook-ups. Plan to camp in tents, tipis or RV’s/vehicles. Driving access to several parts of camp will be limited so plan to camp away from your vehicle. We have designated areas for RV's, trailers and cars in certain camps. If you are bringing an RV, consider bringing a bicycle since the main RV camp is about 1/2 mile on the road from Main Camp--or less if you take the trail. No generators allowed anywhere outside of the area where RV's park. Generator hours are 8am-5pm.

Shelter
We would like to encourage you to camp away from your car. A parking area will be provided for you in an area away from tent camping. There will be tent camping (no vehicles in this area) and a large area for camping in your vehicle whether it be a van, a gypsy wagon, a truck or RV. If you are staying in tent camping, you will be able to drive your belongings in to your camp, then drive back out to parking.

No vehicles will be allowed in the main camp area as this detracts from the more primitive flavor of the camp.

Bring some type of weatherproof shelter. It is generally good weather but Biblical rains are possible. Temperatures may range from the 30’s F. to the 80’s F.  Common shelters are canvas wall tents and tipis, yurts, backpack tents, and even improvised shelters.

Clothing
Classes in tailoring, footwear and sewing are regular topics of interest. Bring clothing that will keep you warm, shelter you from the sun, keep you dry in the rain and tell us who you are. This is not a "clothing optional" event nor is it a "period" event.

Water
It's a desert! Drink plenty of water. Potable water is available at the site. Please limit its use to drinking and cooking. Drink regularly, especially in the heat. Bring a container to transport water to your camp.

Light Sources
Bring a flashlight, candle lantern or kerosene lamp for your own use. Avoid bright LED lights that light more than the area intended to be lit. Headlamps that have a "red" setting are greatly appreciated as they will affect your night vision and everyone's experience in a positive way.

Toiletries
You will need to supply all of these. A solar shower may be a good idea for a mid-week rinse. If you want to take a hot shower in a facility, expect to drive 40-60 minutes. Keep yourself and utensils clean. (A dishwashing station will be set up after dinner for you to wash your dishes.) Diseases spread quickly in an unsanitary camp, so be on guard.

Fires- 
*No ground fires are permitted in camps. Bring a fire pan if you plan to have a fire.
*Please do not gather natural firewood from the site. A central pile of wood will be provided. If you plan to burn more than a small amount of wood, please bring your own.
*Do not leave charcoal or ash in campsites. Move all residue to the central fire pit.

GARBAGE
*Please take responsibility for your own trash by taking it to town or otherwise disposing of it yourself.
*The Kitchen trash cans are for central kitchen and event organization garbage only.

Electronics
In a time where electronic devices are in most everyone's lives, we ask that you are discreet when using your cell phone and other electronics. Amplified music and electronic sounds of any kind are prohibited.

Food
As part of your registration fee, we will provide dinners Sunday through Friday.

The food we serve tends heavily towards organic, when we can manage that, which is most of the time. The meals that are served at Winter Count receive rave reviews for being nutritious, varied and tasty. We provide vegetarian and meat options but are unable to accommodate people with specific food allergies. We do try to accommodate non-dairy choices in some cases by not adding a dairy product to the meal itself, but once again, be prepared to take care of your own dietary needs. All meals will have a wheat and other gluten-containing products free option but we cannot say any of our meals are gluten free, nut free, or soy free for that matter being that we cook all of our meals in the same kitchen using the same utensils.

Each day's menu will be posted for the following day to help you plan.

You will need basic utensils for eating. There are no tables or chairs for mealtime, so folding furniture is a good idea.

This year, some folks will be offering breakfasts for sale. Also new this year, ice will be available in camp. Food stores are a 30-40 min.drive from camp.

The Mercantile
The Mercantile is where you can get a myriad of things for camp. There are some snack items, utensils and toiletries if you forgot them, as well as items from the instructors and lots of wool clothing and blankets!

Dogs!!!
Revised dog policy effective March 2018: Participants are not permitted to bring dogs, other than service dogs, to Winter Count. If you aren't sure whether or not you have a service dog........ you don't. There will be no exception to this rule.

If you see a dog in camp, it belongs to an instructor. It is required to behave in the best of manners. We are moving this direction to reintroduce dogs on a limited level back in camp.

To get the full rundown on Dogs..... Click here.

To find out more about: 

Classes and how they work.... Click here.

The gathering schedule for the week.... Click here.

Travel Info..... Click here.

Rideshare.... Click here.

Kids and Youth Program..... Click here.

Work Trade... Click here.