carathir030retouchedAbout Us/FAQ

You can contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fill out THIS FORM

 

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions.

You'll find MANY additional questions answered on our Forum.

 

Q- What is your camper demographic?

The majority of our campers are not seasoned LARPers. Most are people interested in learning and participating in a role playing experience. As such, our camp robustly blurs all boundaries of age, sex, race, sexual preference and religion. We do cater to a more mature crowd however. Camp sessions focus on adults and older teens. Anyone under 17 requires a guardian while at camp. Our staff are NOT babysitters or kiddie counsellors; they are actors and artisans who help create the camp experience. We welcome families wholeheartedly and do have many kid-specific activities throughout the day. Parents will be rehosponsible for their children at all times.

Camp Carathir is designed to cater to people with any of the following interests (in no particular order):

  • Fantasy fiction enthusiasts: Tolkien, Forgotten Realms, Harry Potter, Twilight, CS Lewis, George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones), etc.
  • Historical reenactors, amateur historians, medievalists and cosplayers
  • Actors and performers
  • Renaissance Faire patrons, participants and enthusiasts
  • Gamers, specifically the RPG genre: WoW, Warhammer, Elder Scrolls (Skyrim, Oblivion, etc), DragonAge, etc.
  • Tabletop and CCG gamers: Magic:The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons
  • Musicians
  • Craftsmen and artists wanting to learn trades like blacksmithing, beekeeping, or glassblowing
  • Experienced LARPers

If you have any of the above interests, you'd have a blast at Camp Carathir!

 

Q- Who's behind Camp Carathir?
Camp Carathir is a private venture, but run much like a non-profit. Our small year-round logistics staff are volunteers. Then there is our High Council, an informal governing board of passionate folks who plan and organize, steer and improve the camp experience. High Council members receive discounts on Registration, as well as other perks. Joining the Council is open to anyone, even you! Visit the forums to learn more.

Our logistics staff is augmented during actual camp sessions by a variety of historical re-enactors, local acting troupes, and skilled craftsmen (most of whom are also volunteers).
We operate as an LLC based out of Central Oregon. We do not own camp property, rather we rent an existing ACA+ accredited camp for the weeklong sessions. This handy accommodation helps to keep costs reasonable and lets us focus on creating the experience.

Our business model is pretty simple: Any net revenue generated is put directly back into the camp session that you're attending. We want to constantly improve the experience for you and us. Keeping the camp experience fresh and exciting is what we're here to do, it's why we're doing it, not for money. In the registration packet, you'll recieve a breakdown of where the dollars go and you'll realize how great of a deal it is!

Our long term business goal is to open several camps simultaneously across the country, and each year we hope you come back to enjoy the new locations, storylines, adventures, meet new people, and make lifelong friends!

 

Q -Wait, just how much will this cost?
Our rates from last year are still up. Click Registration to the left. There is much to calculate: food, fuel and transportation, skilled artisan staff, and insurance all play important factors. Our rates are only a fraction of other themed camps (adventure, weight-loss, horse, or sports camps). Our price is comparable to generic program youth residential camps, and far less pricy than most destination resorts, dude ranches, cabin retreats, or group lodges. If you break it down by the day, you're basically getting 3 great meals, amazing entertainment, and lodging...all inclusive...for less than a small room at a Holiday Inn!

 

Q- So is this a LARP event?

Well, sort of. Some aspects of Camp Carathir compare to NERO, Solar, SCA, or other fantasy larping communities.

For our normal camp sessions, you will not dress up as green-painted goblins, don fake dwarf beards, or wear elf-ears for a week. All our campers are 'humans' and you can consider this more like an adventurous Renaissance Faire than a LARP event. You also won't be counting mana points or picking magic spells from stat sheets; no rulebooks or membership dues either. Magic that exists in camp will involve actual physical manipulation of the world, not make-believe beanbag spells. Camp is more of a lifestyle than a game. You will carry real metal weapons, can venture through a million acres of National Forest, and spend your days practicing professions, entering in competitions, completing quest missions, or just relaxing at the tavern!

 

Q -Where is Camp Carathir? What's it like?

Our destination for 2012 is not known yet. Our prior camp location was on the border of the magnificent Deschutes National Forest, in central Oregon. See 'Camp/location' on the main menu.  Bus service will be provided from Portland Int'l airport PDX (2.5 hours), Salem (1.5 hours), as well as from the Redmond RDM regional airport (40 min). Weeks prior to your arrival, our carpenters and general staff work hard to transform the camp into the perfectly realistic environment you imagine. There 'are' amenities such as hot running water, showers and other facilities. However, electricity is disabled and technology is not allowed. We take pride in the quality of your stay (because we stay here too!) and provide clean cabins and lodges with comfy beds. Food, clothing, weapons, linens, and other amenities are also provided by us. It's all inclusive, don't even bother bringing cash!


Q -Can my guild or large group reserve the camp or get a block of cabins?
Yes. No matter the group size, we usually can accommodate. Please have your GM or leader email us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


Q -How does combat and character creation/advancement work?

There are no 'levels' or arbitrary measurements of skill (agility, willpower, fortitude, stamina, etc). Campers achieve advancement by actual personal achievements; completing tasks, crafting objects of worth, and winning competitions. A camp economy provides a way to upgrade your status and appearance, professions allow you to acquire skills, combat victories and competitions provide renown. Badges can also be collected and displayed to further your recognition. Badges are given for achieving ranks in professions, mastering weapon trainings, and completing difficult tasks.

Combat itself is managed effectively by a combat system that creates a culture of technical skill and eloquence, as opposed to the wild swinging and hitpoint shouting that plagues LARP events.


Q -I want to volunteer or become a staff member
We are quite selective for most roles, requiring experience or skills in a specific trade (beekeeping, glassblowing, cooks, etc). Artisans such as our woodworker, blacksmith, tailor/leatherworker, and nurse also need very specialized job skills. If you possess any of these artisan skills, make sure to mention it.
Our general staff is paid comparable to other summer camps, and we of course provide food and lodging for the duration. We also pay for training days prior to camp, as well as benefits such as wrap parties, transportation, etc. General staff should have current CPR/1stAid certification (we can help you get that if needed). We also love having staff with good acting skills. We hire from a lot of acting troupes! A drama or acting background will help you when applying :)
In addition, we won't be requiring volunteers, though large guilds/groups who join us may decide to have some of their own members act as moderators or "NPC's". Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Another option, is to join the High Council. You can visit the forums to learn more. The High Council is open to anyone willing to devote a few hours a month. In High Council meetings, we plan and help make Camp Carathir a reality!

 

Q -I have another question...
Please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for anything. Better yet, check out the Forums on this site to see many other questions and answers.