Frequently Asked Questions

The Whole Being Weekend is a yearly gathering in the mountains of Southern California bringing together a diverse group to celebrate our common community, express our joy in connection, and share one big heartspace. The WBW started in 1971 and has operated continuously since then, annually hosting hundreds of loving people for food, friendship, workshops, singing and dancing, renewing old connections and making new ones. There is truly nothing like it in the world.

The Whole Being Weekend is produced by Whole Being, Inc., a California non-profit organization devoted to the betterment and connection of our community at large. Our goal is to create a dynamic gathering at the lowest possible price. What makes The Whole Being Weekend unique is the active participation of the hundreds of people who attend. With everybody chipping in — some a little, some a lot — we are able to create an atmosphere of community, connection and participation, truly making this event yours.

Your fee covers all workshops and entertainment, all meals, plus and lodging or camping! When you register for the Whole Being Weekend, your fee includes all meals, lodging or camping, all entertainment, workshops, drum circles, dancing — EVERYTHING. There is no extra fee to take part in any activity or meal. This is what makes the Whole Being Weekend unique. Once in the door, you can put your wallet away.

We have three rates for attendance: Full Weekend (Friday through Sunday), Partial Weekend (Saturday and Sunday), or Saturday Only.

We calculate what it costs to produce the event and determine a price per person that will pay this, with enough left over to start it up again next year. Costs include camp rental, purchase of food and supplies, paying our headline entertainment, advertising, rental of equipment, insurance, lifeguarding, and other costs. Costs are kept low because nearly all the effort is done by volunteers. If this event were run as a for-profit enterprise, it would cost three or four times what it does.

We have three rates for attendance: Full Weekend (Friday through Sunday), Partial Weekend (Saturday and Sunday), or Saturday Only.

We strongly discourage this and there is a hefty price to pay if you choose to do this. Because we must buy lots of food to feed everyone, we need to know how many to feed. By purchasing for those who we know will be there, we are able to feed everyone adequately, and reduce our waste by not buying for folks that do not come. So please don’t wait to decide!

If you have registered and for any reason are unable to attend, let us know as soon as possible. If you cancel before September 1, you will get refunded 80% of your fees. Cancellations between September 1 and September 11 will be refunded 50% of your fees. Cancellations after September 11 will not be refunded. Refunds on payments made through PayPal will be refunded through PayPal. Refunds made by check will be refunded by check after October 15.

Before starting the refund process, consider gifting your ticket to someone who you think would benefit from this experience. If you still wish to cancel your reservation, contact us and tell us your reasons. Click here to go to the Contact page, to fill out the Contact Form.

This is truly a community-created event. Everyone is asked to volunteer at least two hours during the event for several reasons:

– When we all work together we are co-creating the world we want to live in. – You get to meet and work with interesting and creative people. – This is what keeps the price so low. – And It’s fun!

For the most part, yes. The organizers all have day jobs and do not make a living off of the Weekend. Some key positions — those that the success of the Weekend are dependent on — require an extraordinary effort, and a handful of people with these skills are paid a stipend, though not nearly enough to compensate them for their work.

All meals are vegetarian. Every meal will have dairy-free and gluten-free options, though the kitchen is not vegan or gluten-free. We do our best to use organic ingredients and this year will feature much more locally grown produce than ever before. All meals will feature something fresh — a salad or some fruit — along with something hearty and nourishing. The menu is not decided until just before the Weekend so we can’t tell you exactly what is planned, but it is always healthy and delicious!

No. Because of the volume of food we are preparing in a limited time, the size of the kitchen and the necessity of buying items in large quantities, we are unable to prepare specific items for you. However, we do our best to offer a large range of items to choose from that meet most dietary restrictions, including vegan and gluten-free. If you have particular dietary needs, please plan on bringing them with you, though our kitchen is not available for personal cooking and cooking is not permitted in the camping areas.

Certainly, and some folks choose this. There are a number of quality restaurants with a wide range of choices in Idyllwild, about 15 minutes away. But we will not reduce your fees if you choose to do this.

The campground has few paved areas and is not level. Activities take place throughout the camp and may require travelling across unpaved areas, through a grassy meadow or up small hills. At night this is done in the dark. If you have limited mobility, please take all this into consideration when attending. We do have several shared dorm rooms with handicap facilities. If you require them, please let us know on your registration form.

It takes us many hours to set up the camp — the parking lot, registration station, kitchen and lots of behind-the-scene stuff. We cannot let you into camp if we don’t have things set up and in past years this has created a backup on the highway that is unnecessarily dangerous.

Likewise, late arrivals are equally difficult. If you can’t leave your home or work in time to arrive at our gate in Idyllwild by 9pm, please wait until Saturday morning out of respect for the volunteers who’ve already put in a long day, and for the campers asleep in their tents and cabins.

And always, arrive at the Weekend with joyful relief and a respectful attitude. It’s likely that whomever’s helping you arrive at camp will have been in the sun for a while eating dust or dealing with darkness. Be cooperative and gentle with us! We’re here to help! We’re glad you’re here too, but be aware that kids and other humans are on the roads and drive slowly! Please save the celebration for when you can do it with your feet on the ground.

Carpool carpool carpool! Why not share a ride with someone who is also coming to the Weekend? Not only do you save on gas, space in the meadows get freed up for camping and playing. You might even make some new friends along the way! A little company can make the ride seem shorter. To facilitate this, we have a Carpool Bulletin Board to help those who are offering or looking for rides to find each other.

bedding (sleeping bag, pillow, etc.), clothes for both hot Please bring with you: days and cool nights, a flashlight, personal needs (toothbrush, soap, etc.), towel, and tent and groundcloth if camping. Earplugs are handy if you are in a room with someone that snores (or if you snore, bring some to share with your roommates!). Most importantly, bring your joyful self, a positive attitude and a willingness to share in creating a beautiful experience for everyone!

Please leave at home: candles, incense, cooking gear (no flames or burning objects are allowed in the camp), all pets, and alcohol. No pets are allowed in the camp (even poochie!), so please leave them at home or with someone else. You will be turned away without a refund if you have a pet with you.

We have several options for your stay. Most people prefer to camp using their own tents and camping equipment. But for those of you who want less to bring up and to sleep inside, the camp offers several options, all at no extra charge.

When you register, you will be asked what type of accommodation you would prefer. You will be contacted later for more information such as your gender preference or others with whom you’ll share a cabin.

• Non-private cabins sleep 8 (think summer camp)
• Non-private Dorm rooms sleep about 12
• Non-private Field tents sleep about 10
• Premium Cabins sleep 5
• RVs

A limited number of Premium Cabins are available for an additional $199 per party charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Each Premium Cabin is carpeted, has a private shower and room to sleep five people (four single bunks and a double bed). Premium cabins are only bookable for the entire weekend (2 nights). Those who reserve a Premium Cabin are solely responsible for filling it with their choice of party members. The WBW will not assign anyone else to your cabin. All adults sharing a cabin must be registered for the WBW.

There are full hook-ups for five RVs and an additional nine with water & electrical. A dump station is behind Bathroom C below A-frames 27 – 29 on the East side. These are available on a first-come first-served basis and there are plentiful in-car sites without hook-ups, also first-come first-served.

There are a limited number of vendor spaces available for artisans and businesses compatible with our vision.

Our policy is that you must have attended at least one Whole Being Weekend as a non-vending participant before you can be considered to be a vendor. That way you can get a sense about what the WBW is all about, and get a feel for what is truly going on here. This is not a swap meet where anyone can sell anything; only products deemed appropriate will be considered. We will be accepting applications to vend after the opening of registration. Vendor fees are $50, pre-paid, in addition to registration fees.

We are once again offering “The Healing Garden” for healers to nourish others with their gifts. The opportunity to give and receive healing arts is available for anyone who is registered for the Weekend.

The Healing Garden is a community healing space. Any massage therapists and all varieties of healers will be welcome to set up their tables and equipment, along with their business cards/fliers to share during these FREE healing sessions. The School of Healing Arts is curating the Healing Garden. We are looking forward to their presence at the Weekend.