Dark Skies is different things to different people. It's hard to describe if you've never been in an environment like this. Its like describing a certain color to someone who has never had sight. But at a higher (and far less philosophical) level, Dark Skies is:
- A Leave No Trace Event - We come out to this beautiful piece of nature & want to make sure that whatever we do out there leaves no mark. Leave No Trace is simply cleaning up after yourself and if possible making it look better than before you got there. Your mother isn't here - and if she is, I'm sure she doesn't want to clean up after you yet again.
- A Gifting Society - The buying and selling of goods and services is prohibited. This just takes away one more thing that makes our lives more difficult and replaces it with gifting of goods and services. For more information - click here.
- Radically Inclusive - We want everyone to come out and enjoy the event. We have room for everyone who wants to come and participate - and we look forward to seeing your participation out there.
- A Participatory Experience - NO SPECTATORS! Coming out there means that you want to get involved - be that putting up a theme camp, or volunteering your time, or displaying your art for everyone to see. If you want to watch 'freaks', realize that you're only a few miles away from Las Vegas & if you're out there - you are a freak!
- Radical Self Reliance - You're in the middle of a desert; there are no Quick-E-Marts to run off and get a bottle of water at. If you want it, you need to bring it - that means shade, food, water and weather appropriate clothing. It is your responsiblity to make sure you are prepared - we're not your mother & I'm sure that she brought enough water.
- An Experiment in Community - we all come from various places, both physically and mentally, and gather together in order to create a temporary community in the middle of no where. This is not a rave, this is not a camping trip - this is a community.
- A DO-Ocracy - If something needs to be done - do it! Don't wait around for someone to tell you what to do or have them do something for you. Do it yourself.