Wrockstock Etiquette

[Abby]

Hey guys... we've had a few issues at past Wrockstocks that I feel need addressing. I'm going to try and cover most of it, but this may get updated as I think of things.
Nobody will get in trouble  about these things except for the alcohol stuff... I just want people to be more considerate of each other while at Wrockstock.

1. Common courtesy as fans - Okay, we ALL love the bands a lot, we wouldn't be there if that wasn't the case. However, some people take it too far and end up accidentally hurting other people's feelings.
I know that nobody means to be rude or thinks they're better than anyone else, that's not the issue here.
I also know that everyone at Wrockstock is a nice and loving person, but sometimes people let their excitement get the better of them.
I've seen a lot of people try and talk to their favorite band members, only to be interrupted by others or had others butt in front of them. It's even happened to me, of all people. That's just rude.
So please, just take a second to to make sure you're not butting in front of someone else or interrupting when asking for autographs or hugs. There is plenty of time for everyone to visit with you.
A lot of Wrockstockers are very shy or timid and just can't bring themselves to compete for someone's time or attention. Please be aware of others hovering nearby or looking like they're waiting to talk to someone, and please give them the opportunity to do so. It's the right thing to do and shows what a thoughful person you can be.
It breaks my heart when I hear that people never got the hug or autograph that they were after because they couldn't get near the person they wanted to see.
Now I know for a fact that the band members are very good about taking time to talk to everyone, but it's easy for them to get overwhelmed and miss the quiet people waiting off to the side, so we all need to help each other out with this.

2. Parties/Visiting other people's rooms/cabins - If you are a guest hanging out in someone else's room or cabin, you need to be respectful of the people staying there, and the people in neighboring cabins and rooms.
Just because a cabin door is open, does not mean it's okay for you to enter without knocking. There's only 4 keys given out per cabin, and those staying in them have to leave their doors open to allow the people staying in those cabins access.
If you are invited into someone else's space, please clean up after yourself, don't go into bedrooms or areas where people are sleeping or keeping their personal stuff unless permitted by the people in that room or cabin. Also, if you are asked to leave, please do so quietly and without argument. Maybe those people just want to go to bed, its not worth making a personal issue out of it.

3. Drinking - Nobody likes a sloppy, loud drunk. I know sometimes the booze can sneak up on you, but ease up when you start feeling the room tilt. I hate seeing people staggering around the property, it's kind of embarassing, especially when little kids are asking their parents whats wrong with that person and I sure as heck don't want the Lodge staff seeing any of our people acting like the village idiot.
It IS okay to drink there, but we need to be a bit more discreet when it comes to people being really hammered. If one of your friends is at that point, try and just keep them in the room or cabin til they sober up enough to deal with polite society.
Also.. NO BOOZE is allowed to be brought in the Room of Wrockquirement or consumed on any other part of the property other than your rooms or cabins. Not by bands, not by staff and not by attendees.
You may go to your room and have a tipple if need be, of course, but you're not to be walking around the property with alchohol unless you're carrying to another room.

4. Noise - Please remember this is a family event. While WS3rd will be Muggle-free, it will not be family-free. A lot of bigger families use the cabins, too and need it to be quiet so the kids can sleep. Please, if you're not outside smoking, stay inside the cabin or room that you're hanging out in.
We need everyone to try to be fairly quiet when outside after midnight... property-wide.

[Abby]

Continued.....

5. Mealtimes - This one is my special baby, LOL.
Please let people finish their food before socializing in the Great Hall, WS staff especially. Most of us are on a schedule of sorts that weekend and don't always have time for a leisurely meal. I won't talk with my mouth full, and when I have people coming up to me and asking me stuff while I'm trying to eat, I don't get to eat more than a few bites. Usually my food gets cold or I have to get going by the time I'm done talking to people. I have low blood sugar and am working very hard that weekend, so I really need to eat a full meal. Please take a quick glance to see if people are still eating or at least ask if they can talk before striking up a conversation.
The exception to this, of course, is an emergency situation...

6. Concert Etiquette - In 2008 a girl got a nasty head wound from someone's camera flying around on it's wrist strap cracking her in the head. That's not cool, guys. Keep your cameras either in your pocket or in your hand, please.
Also, no shoving to be up front or sneaking around to the backstage area where the bands are getting ready to play or resting after their set. Mind other people's feet when jumping around and also be aware of the little kids... They can't see unless they are up front and I don't want any of them being smushed. Give the little dudes a few feet of space, you can see over them anyway.
Also, please don't mosh... ever. We have too many kids and people who don't want that kind of stuff going on near them. If you feel the need to express your love of Wrock thru violence, go punch a tree or something.

7. Mess - Trout Lodge is in a protected forest as well as being a really lovely place for us to have Wrockstock.
Please... pick up your cigarette butts and throw them away!! Same with water bottles, food wrappers, everything you might have that could become litter. DO NOT THROW ANYTHING INTO THE LAKE, FOURCHE CREEK OR THE TROUT PONDS!!!
Also, if you leave your room or cabin a total mess, expect your credit card to be charged an extra $300- $500 dollars in cleaning fees. That includes and is usually caused by spilled alcohol on carpeting. (This is why no booze is allowed in the RoR!)

8. CHILDREN - Wrockstock and Trout Lodge are both very family-oriented. We welcome all ages to come and enjoy the property as well as providing activities geared towards kids and families. That being said.... everything that happens outside on one's own room or cabin must be kept strictly PG in nature. No overly gory or sexy costumes or clothing may be worn. Swim suits need to be designed and worn so they are not inappropriate to be seen by very young children or more conservative people.  
Any movies, music, readings or artwork displayed in a public area must also be PG. Trout Lodge staff and Wrockstock staff reserve the right to ask you to take your activity back to your room or cabin, or ask you to change if your clothing is deemed inappropriate.

All children under the age of 12 MUST be accompanied by a parent or family member over the age of 18 at all times. Trout Lodge has age restrictions for many of their activities, such as boating and swimming. We suggest you check their website to make sure your child can participate in something, and whether or not you must be in attendance.
http://www.ymcaoftheozarks.org/troutlodge/activities

Please note, not all the things listed there will be available at Wrockstock, check our website's activities page for more info.
http://stlouisareawizards.com/wrock/activities.php

Also... the Room of Rockquirement, the Wampum Willow and Craft Alley are not babysitting services, you must be with your kids under 12 at all times. Of course, most Wrockstock Staff members will be happy to watch them for a few minutes if you need to run back to your room or something, but you need to ask one of us first, don't just assume we're paying attention to the fact that you left... we're often quite busy ourselves. And please be understanding if we can't at the time.

We ask that every single person that attends keep a sharp eye on every child they see in or near any water source... of which there are many on the property, i.e. the lake, the trout ponds, the creeks.... I don't care what you have going on, if you see a kid near the water without an adult obviously supervising them I expect you to get right over there and stay with that kid until their parent can be located.