Adventure Camp
May 30 - June 1, 2025
Your Call to Adventure…
Explorers needed! From the redwoods of Mendocino, a call for aid has gone out! The mythical creatures of the Redwood Realm have contacted the Explorers Guild, seeking to reconnect with humans of like mind and heart. These Asterifolk have hidden from us for centuries, and for the first time are inviting humans to take part in a festival. This won’t be just a pleasure trip, though. In order to participate in the ritual at the core of this event, we will have to prove ourselves through a series of trials.
Lorenei, the story dragon we’ve met on several occasions and emissary from the Asterifolk, has conveyed that the Asteri are reaching out to humans because they are in some kind of trouble. The friendly relationship the Explorers have cultivated with Lorenei is why they are inviting us specifically. The Explorers Guild is looking for the most intrepid and courageous Explorers to take part as we build a relationship with and offer assistance to the mythical creatures of the woods. Will you join us?
Lorenei is asking for your help, will you answer the call?
What is Adventure Camp?
Adventure camp is a three day adventure in the woods. The Explorers Guild is collaborating with Bay Area artists to create a fully immersive world where participants engage with other people and characters, face challenges, and co-create a legendary story.
Meet the Asterifolk
There are new creatures and experiences waiting for you to discover
Ok, but tell me more…
Participants are encouraged to sign up in teams of 5. This is the group you will spend most of your time and share a cabin with. Teams will not be competing against each other. If you don’t have all 5 people, it’s ok. We will matchmake to fill out the roster. However, it’s highly suggested to register early together with whoever you want on your team. There will be a form for your team and a form for each person to fill out. Once your registration information and payment is complete you will receive a confirmation.
About a month before the event, you’ll get a packing list and final details. There will also be some additional context for the adventure you’re about to partake in.
Where you’ll stay
Each team will be assigned 2 rustic but comfortable cabins. They sleep 4 people each and have a fireplace, balcony, and closet, but no electricity or heat.
The event is being held at Mendocino Woodlands, Camp 1. This large camp is set in the redwoods and boasts a number of amenities including a dining hall, dance hall, and toilet and shower facilities. In addition to accommodations, we will also provide delicious, healthy meals and snacks. See below for more information about dietary restrictions.
The historic, 87 year old Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps constructed camp facility is built amongst the redwoods and neither the grounds or the cabins are wheelchair accessible. The event will require walking several miles on uneven, unpaved ground over the course of the weekend. Participants will be active at night in low light conditions. If you have any issue that might make attending difficult please contact us so we can figure out together if Adventure Camp is right for you.
All participants will need to arrive on Friday, May 30th, between 3 and 5 pm. You’ll get a short window of time to make your cabin feel comfortable before the adventure begins.
Friday night you and your team will enter our world. From that moment until Sunday morning you’ll be asked to be an Explorer. Unlike other LARP (Live Action Roleplay) formats, you will not be expected to play a character. Instead, we encourage you to put your best traits forward and be a courageous version of yourself.
During the weekend you and your team will develop relationships with other participants and characters. You’ll work with your team and members of other teams to navigate physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Teams do not compete against each other. No two teams will have the same experience, but we will all be playing in the same world in a large interconnected story. Along with the designers, all participants will create and shape an epic story together.
By the time we reach the end, you and your teammates will have grand stories and visceral memories of our weekend together that will last for years.
Previous Events
“The amount of thought, backstory, handling of branching possibilities behind the scenes – just staggeringly wonderful. I keep trying to tell friends about it and falling short.” - Caravan Rally Participant 2021
Adventure Camp is a new structure for the Explorers Guild, but we’ve been going on multi day story expeditions for years. One of our most renowned is Caravan Rally, an event which took ten teams in cars on an all-night epic adventure, interacting with puzzles, characters, and completing the following day. This structure was wildly fun in many aspects, but we worried about sleep deprived people driving for long periods. We didn’t want an accident to be the reason we stopped this event.
“It was amazing! This was my first time, I didn't have much to go on to inform expectations, and I loved it. Would do again in a heartbeat (but after I catch up on sleep).” - Caravan Rally Participant 2018
Another piece of feedback we took from Caravan Rally was that more people wanted to be a part of the stories; that when ten teams all descended on an experience, often only a certain number could actively engage. We also heard some desire for more available amenities like bathrooms, and a closer proximity to accommodations.
All of this leads us to Adventure Camp. Our goal has been to take the previous Caravan Rally magic and set it in an awe inspiring location. Participants will have food available and be a short walk away from their cabins and bathrooms. Also our adventures into the night won’t have the added danger of operating heavy machinery. Despite our love of a road trip experience, we’re really excited to host a story-world in a camp setting.
Mendocino Woodlands
Our adventuring site is located in the redwoods
Costs, Meals, & Lodging Details
The cost of this event is $390/person for tickets, until April 18th. On April 19th, the price will go up to $450/person. The ticket price includes a $50 non-refundable deposit. We can’t offer refunds on any tickets after April 30th. If a participant is no longer able to join after April 30th, we can review replacing them with someone else on a case by case basis. A few discounted tickets will be available for strike/clean-up volunteers. Please contact us if the regular price is out of reach for you.
In addition, there is an annual membership fee of $10 to join Explorer’s Guild, if you are not already a member.
Your ticket will provide you and your team with all accommodations and meals.
The event will take place at Mendocino Woodlands Camp 1. It’s an approximately 4 hour drive from SFO. Our timing is crucial, so please give yourself plenty of time to arrive between 3 and 5pm on May 30. The accommodations are rustic, 4 person cabins. Each team of 5 will be given two cabins and may plan their own sleeping arrangements. With the abundance of cabin space, we hope everyone is able to create a sleeping arrangement that suits them and their team. The cabins have no electricity and are unheated, though they do have a fireplace. The beds are twin-size metal frame with a cushion. You will need to provide your own bedding and towels. Weather can be changeable, but is typically cool during the day and cold at night. In the event of rain, the event will go on.
We will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, but please be aware that we have a limited budget and a volunteer staff, and may not be able to guarantee that all dietary needs can be met or ensure a kitchen free of cross-contamination. Vegan options will be available, but we may be limited in our ability to provide gluten-free or lactose-free options for all meals during the weekend. Please stipulate your dietary restrictions and let us know of any serious allergies or intolerances, and if we are concerned we won't be able to meet your needs, we'll reach out ASAP to check in.
In a Nutshell
Event Date: May 30 - June 1, 2025
Location: Mendocino Woodlands Camp 1
Arrival Time: Between 3 and 5pm on Friday May 30th
Teams: 5 people per team, individual registrants will be grouped with smaller teams
Accommodations: Each team gets 2 cabins
Food Provided: Vegan and Omnivorous options
Cost: $390/person (until April 18th) + $10 if you aren’t an Explorers Guild member
Need more information about Adventure Camp? Want a more detailed breakdown? Check out the links below!