Unruly Folk Festival Survival Checklist

Before You Pack

• Check prohibited-items list
• Check bag-size rules
• Check chair/seating rules
• Check outside-food rules
• Check medication requirements
• Check medical-food exemptions
• Check bottle/hydration rules
• Check cooking/stove rules
• Check cutlery/tool rules
• Check trolley rules
• Check re-entry/pass-out policy
• Check Companion Card / PA ticket arrangements
• Check accessible entrance
• Check accessible parking/drop-off
• Check accessible campsite
• Check accessible toilets
• Check Changing Places
• Check accessible showers
• Check viewing platforms
• Check ground-level accessible viewing
• Check quiet/sensory spaces
• Check medical/welfare locations
• Check medication refrigeration
• Check sharps disposal
• Check medical-device charging
• Check mobility-device charging
• Check wheelchair/mobility-aid hire
• Check accessible shuttles
• Check seating/rest areas
• Check shade
• Check captioning
• Check Auslan/BSL/interpreters
• Check hearing loops
• Check audio description/sighted-guide options
• Check assistance-animal arrangements
• Check queue accommodations
• Check evacuation arrangements
• Save accessibility-team contact details

Test Your Gear Beforehand

• Put the tent up
• Take the tent down
• Check all poles
• Check all pegs
• Check guy lines
• Check zips
• Check groundsheet
• Sleep on camping mat/mattress
• Test camping pillow
• Sit in the chair that works for your body
• Test any mobility equipment
• Wear festival shoes
• Wear festival bag fully packed
• Test earplugs
• Test ear defenders
• Use camping cutlery at home
• Use camping mug/bowl
• Test water bottle
• Test head torch
• Test power banks
• Test charging cables
• Practise reaching urgent medication
• Practise opening pouches/containers
• Check bag weight
• Walk around wearing/carrying everything
• Check you can sit and stand with the bag on
• Check you can keep one hand free
• Get changed inside your tent
• Check you can comfortably sit upright in tent
• Check you can stand in tent if that matters to you
• Check doorway height/width
• Check you can reach tent zip
• Check room for chair/mobility equipment

Always-On-Me Essentials

Both

• Ticket/pass
• ID
• Bank card
• Emergency cash
• Phone
• Access pass/documentation
• Emergency information card
• Essential medication
• Earplugs
• Keys
• Transport card
• Neck wallet / cross-body pouch / secure zipped pocket
• Phone tether if useful
• Breakaway lanyard where appropriate

Emergency Information

BothAccess

• Copy in wallet
• Copy behind phone case
• Copy in main bag
• Copy with trusted person
• Copy in tent if camping

Include:

• Name
• Emergency contact
• Allergies
• Relevant medical conditions
• Essential medications
• Communication needs
• Mobility needs
• What helps
• What should be avoided
• Campsite/location information
• Optional QR code as an extra, not the only copy

Communication Kit

BothAccess

• “If I can’t communicate” card
• Yes/no card
• Notes app ready
• AAC app if used
• Small whiteboard if useful
• Symbol/communication board
• Pain/body diagram
• Prewritten phrases

Useful phrases:

• I need somewhere quiet
• I need medical help
• Please don’t touch me
• Please write that down
• I need to sit down
• I can’t understand you here
• Where is the accessible toilet?

Decision-Fatigue Card

BothAccess

Why Do I Feel Like Shit?

• Water
• Food
• Too hot
• Too cold
• Toilet
• Medication
• Pain
• Breathing
• Too loud
• Too bright
• Clothes/texture bothering me
• Need to sit
• Need to recline
• Need shade
• Need quiet
• Need to stop talking
• Need to leave the crowd
• Need medical help
• Need camp/home
• Am I actually still enjoying myself?

Festival Priorities

BothAccess

• Choose Must See acts
• Choose Would Love acts
• Mark Spoons Permitting acts
• Schedule proper breaks
• Schedule time to do nothing at camping festivals
• Decide bail-out threshold before arrival

Day Festival Bag

Day

• Ticket
• ID
• Access documentation
• Neck wallet/cross-body pouch
• Bank card
• Emergency cash
• Pen (for an emergency number on your arm if your phone dies)
• Phone
• Small power bank
• Short charging cable
• Water bottle where permitted
• Musician earplugs
• Stronger earplugs
• Ear defenders if useful
• Sunglasses
• Hat/cap
• Sunscreen
• Medication
• Emergency card
• Communication card
• Decision card
• Safe/familiar snack where permitted
• Cooling towel
• Hand fan
• Mask
• Sanitiser
• Tissues
• Period products
• Anti-chafe
• Blister supplies
• Poncho
• Warm layer
• Stim
• Hair ties
• Spare socks if practical
• Waterproof pouch
• Portable seating where permitted
• Analogue watch

Sensory Kit

BothAccess

• Musician earplugs
• Stronger earplugs
• Spare earplugs
• Ear defenders
• Sunglasses
• Cap/visor
• Eye mask
• Stim
• Chew/gum if appropriate
• Mask
• Familiar hoodie
• Communication card
• Quiet-space location saved
• Exit route saved

ADHD Anti-Loss Kit

BothAccess

• Carabiners
• Key clips
• Phone tether
• Wallet tether
• Retractable reel
• Earplug case attached to bag
• Bottle clip
• Bright luggage tag
• Glow tag
• Contact details inside bag
• Bluetooth tracker if useful
• Bag map saved on phone
• Everything has a permanent home

Dyspraxia-Friendly Adaptations

BothAccess

• Oversized zip pulls
• Textured zip pulls
• High-contrast labels
• Colour coding
• Easy-open containers
• Flip-top bottle
• Wide-mouth bottle
• Straw bottle
• Lidded cup
• High-sided bowl
• Familiar cutlery
• No-tie/elastic laces
• Slip-on camp shoes
• Hands-free head torch
• Reflective guy-line markers
• Pre-portioned food
• Keep one hand free
• Long-handled shoehorn if useful
• Folding grabber/reacher if useful

Modular Pouches

BothAccess

Sensory

• Earplugs
• Ear defenders
• Sunglasses
• Stim
• Mask
• Communication card

Body

• Medication
• Inhaler
• Supports/braces
• Anti-chafe
• Blister supplies
• Pain-management items
• Cooling item

Weather

• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Poncho
• Cooling towel

Toilet

• Tissues
• Sanitiser
• Period products
• Disposal bags
• Access key/pass

Tech

• Power bank
• Short cable
• Backup cable

Food

• Safe snack
• Cutlery
• Straw
• Seasoning

Camping Shelter

Camp

• Tent
• Tent with enough usable height
• Enough floor space
• Wide enough doorway
• Accessible zip position
• Room for chair if needed
• Room for mobility equipment if needed
• Groundsheet
• Poles
• Pegs
• Spare pegs
• Guy lines
• Spare guy line
• Mallet where permitted
• Tent repair patches
• Pole repair sleeve
• Gaffer tape
• Reusable cable ties
• Dry bags
• Rubbish bags
• Entrance mat/sacrificial towel
• Colour-coded tent poles/sleeves
• Tent instruction card
• Setup photos saved offline

Tent Organisation

CampAccess

• Landing-pad basket
• Wet-zone bag
• Dirty-clothes bag
• Clean sleeping zone
• Hanging organiser
• Homeless-object basket
• Glow-in-the-dark zip pulls
• Reflective guy-line markers
• Glow tape
• Low-level battery light
• Important items stored waterproof
• Medication stored waterproof
• Electronics stored waterproof
• Sacred dry clothes stored waterproof

Make Camp Findable

CampAccess

• Distinctive flag
• Bunting
• Reflective marker
• Distinctive tent decoration
• Battery lights
• Photograph camp from approach route
• Photograph nearby landmarks
• Save map pin
• Write campsite location on emergency card
• Save landmark route

Carrying Gear To Camp

CampAccess

• Check total weight
• Check number of bags
• Check walking distance
• Check terrain
• Check gradients
• Check number of trips needed
• Check trolley rules
• Check accessible shuttle options
• Check unloading options
• Plan rest stops
• Decide who carries what
• Large-wheel trolley if permitted/appropriate

Seating And Body Support

BothAccessCheck

• Tiny folding chair
• Full camping chair
• High-backed chair
• Folding stool
• Ground chair
• Sit mat
• Foam pad
• Inflatable cushion
• Pressure-relief cushion
• Lumbar support
• Footrest
• Picnic blanket
• Walking-stick seat where appropriate

EDS / Hypermobility / Chronic Pain

BothAccess

• Familiar braces/supports
• Familiar insoles
• Compression garments already used
• Pressure-relief cushion
• Lumbar support
• Footrest
• Mobility aid
• Anti-chafe
• Recovery shoes
• Different seating positions
• Reclining/rest option
• Planned recovery periods
• Avoid debuting new supports at festival

Asthma / Respiratory

BothAccess

• Prescribed rescue medication
• Preventer medication as normally used
• Spacer if used
• Backup supply where appropriate
• Medical information
• Mask if useful
• Medical location saved
• Exit from dense crowds identified
• Stage-haze/strobe information checked if relevant

Deaf / Hard Of Hearing

BothAccess

• Hearing-aid batteries
• Hearing-aid charger
• Cochlear-implant charger
• Power bank
• Waterproof case
• Drying equipment
• Retention clips
• Spare consumables
• Cleaning kit
• Backup communication method
• Check captioning
• Check Auslan/BSL
• Check hearing loops
• Check haptic access

Blind / Low-Vision

BothAccess

• High-contrast labels
• Tactile pouch markers
• Different textured zip pulls
• Consistent bag layout
• Voice notes
• Spoken route information
• Audio campsite directions
• Check sighted-guide options
• Check audio description
• Check Braille/tactile information
• Check assistance-animal facilities

Diabetes / Time-Critical Medical Care

BothAccess

• Medication
• Monitoring equipment
• Hypo treatment
• Spare supplies
• Medical documentation
• Sharps supplies
• Disposal plan
• Cooling/refrigeration plan
• Food exemption checked
• Water access checked
• Medical location known
• Power requirements planned

Epilepsy / Photosensitivity

BothAccess

• Strobe warnings checked
• Lower-stimulation viewing option checked
• Seizure plan shared where appropriate
• Emergency information easy to find
• Prescribed rescue medication accessible
• Medical location known
• Exit route known

Migraine / Light Sensitivity

BothAccess

• Familiar medication
• Sunglasses
• FL-41 tinted glasses if they help you
• Cap/visor
• Ear protection
• Water
• Quiet-space location
• Escape route
• Sensory downtime planned

Allergies / Anaphylaxis

BothAccess

• Prescribed emergency medication
• Medication immediately reachable
• Trusted person knows location
• Emergency information card
• Food rules checked
• Medical-food exemption checked
• Ingredient/allergen information checked

Ostomy / Continence / Urgent Toilet Needs

BothAccess

• Accessible toilets located
• Changing Places located
• MLAK key for accessible toilets (Australia)
• Urgent-access arrangements checked
• Spare supplies
• Dedicated change kit
• Disposal bags
• Medical-waste arrangements
• Clean-water access
• Spare clothing
• Lighting for night-time changes
• Privacy options checked

Assistance Animal

BothAccess

• Registration requirements checked
• ID/documentation
• Water
• Food
• Relief-area location
• Shade
• Rest plan
• Surface temperature considered
• Crowd plan
• Noise/pyrotechnics considered
• Camping arrangements
• Emergency veterinary information

Wheelchair / Mobility Aid

BothAccess

• Cup holder
• Phone mount
• Accessible organiser
• Under-seat storage
• Waterproof pouch
• Rain protection
• Pressure cushion
• Cane/crutch holder
• Lap blanket
• Gloves
• Reflective tape
• Charger
• Repair supplies
• Weatherproof electronics cover where approved
• Spare ferrule/tip for cane/crutches

Optional fun:

• Wheel lights
• Battery lights
• Spoke decorations
• Stickers
• Streamers
• Bell
• Horn
• Decorative joystick accessory
• Safe marker/flag

Sleeping

CampAccess

• Sleeping bag
• Mat/mattress
• Pump
• Mattress repair patch
• Familiar camping pillow
• Familiar pillowcase
• Eye mask
• Sleeping earplugs
• Ear defenders
• Sleep headphones if used
• Downloaded familiar audio
• Comfortable sleep clothes
• Warm socks
• Blanket
• Comfort object/teddy
• Water beside bed
• Night medication
• Torch within reach

Sacred Dry Outfit

Camp

• Underwear
• Sacred Dry Socks
• Shirt
• Comfortable bottoms
• Warm layer
• Stored in waterproof bag
• DO NOT RAID

Camp Sensory Recovery Station

CampAccess

• A chair that works for your body
• Ear defenders
• Eye mask
• Soft clothes
• Warm layer
• Blanket
• Familiar mug
• Safe snack
• Water
• Stim
• Book or e-reader
• Downloaded comfort media
• Charger
• Cooling equipment
• Medication
• Pillow

Arrival-Night Kit

Camp

• Zero-effort meal/snack
• Water
• Medication
• Warm layer
• Sleep clothes
• Torch
• Toiletries
• Earplugs
• Phone charger

Final-Morning Kit

Camp

• Clean underwear
• Clothes
• Toothbrush
• Medication
• Easy breakfast
• Water
• Charger
• Travel documents

Camp Kitchen

CampCheck

• Permitted camp stove
• Approved fuel
• Ignition method
• Pot
• Pan
• Lid
• Pot grip
• Bowl
• Mug
• Lidded food container
• Fork
• Spoon
• Knife only where permitted
• Chopsticks
• Straw
• Straw cleaner
• Cooking utensil
• Chopping board if permitted
• Can opener
• Bottle opener
• Tea towel
• Sponge
• Washing-up liquid
• Small basin
• Mesh drying bag
• Food-storage bags

Tiny Flavour Department

Camp

• Salt
• Pepper
• Favourite seasoning
• Hot sauce
• Familiar condiment
• Tea
• Coffee
• Sugar/sweetener

Safe / Familiar Food

BothAccessCheck

• Familiar breakfast
• Safe snacks
• Reliable protein
• Crackers
• Favourite cereal
• Shelf-stable comfort food
• Easy calories
• Minimal-preparation food
• Familiar flavourings
• Food Festival You will actually eat

Hydration

Both

• Familiar bottle
• Flip-top/straw/wide-mouth style that works for you
• Larger camp water container where permitted
• Electrolytes if part of your normal plan
• Bottle identification marker

Toilet Bag

Both

• Toilet paper
• Tissues
• Sanitiser
• Period products
• Disposal bags
• Spare underwear
• Torch
• Access key/pass
• MLAK key for accessible toilets (Australia)
• Personal toileting supplies

Personal Care

Camp

• Washcloth/flannel
• Soap
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Floss/interdental supplies
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush
• Hair ties
• Quick-dry towel
• Spare towel
• Shower shoes
• Toiletry bag
• Non-glass mirror where permitted
• Clothesline where permitted
• Clothes pegs
• Mesh drying bag

Period Kit

Both

• Familiar products
• Extra products
• Spare underwear
• Disposal bags
• Usual pain-management supplies
• Dark spare bottoms
• Cleaning supplies

Sexual Health

Both

• Condoms/barriers
• Contraception
• Relevant medication
• Other personal safer-sex supplies

Tiny Body-Repair Kit

Both

• Plasters
• Blister dressings
• Dressings/gauze
• Medical tape
• Cleaning wipes
• Anti-chafe
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Personal pain relief
• Bite treatment
• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Tweezers where permitted
• Spare shoelaces

Feet

Both

• Broken-in shoes
• Familiar insoles
• Normal braces/supports
• Plenty of socks
• Spare dry socks
• Blister supplies
• Anti-chafe
• Spare laces
• Recovery footwear
• Camp shoes

Hot Weather

Both

• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Hand fan
• Cooling towel
• Shade plan
• Light clothing
• Personal heat-management plan

Cold / Wet Weather

Both

• Waterproof jacket
• Poncho
• Waterproof trousers if useful
• Warm layers
• Dry socks
• Bag cover
• Dry bags
• Waterproof electronics pouch
• Hat
• Gloves
• Spare towel at camp
• Dry sleep clothes

Tech

Both

• Phone
• Small day power bank
• Large camp power bank
• Short cable
• Backup cable
• Medical-device chargers
• Hearing-device chargers
• Cable labels
• Analogue watch
• Head torch
• Backup torch
• Spare batteries

Download/screenshot:

• Ticket
• Map
• Timetable
• Accessibility guide
• Transport details
• Emergency contacts
• Offline map
• Important routes
• Comfort media

Battery Rule

• At 50% reduce casual use
• At 30% use low-power mode
• At 20% essential functions only

Useful Phone Alarms

• EAT
• WATER
• MEDICATION
• REST
• LEAVE FOR MUST SEE
• CHECK TRANSPORT
• RETURN TO CAMP
• CHARGE DEVICE

Navigation

BothAccess

• Entrance → accessible viewing
• Stage → sensory space
• Stage → accessible toilet
• Camp → medical
• Camp → arena
• Exit → pickup
• Photograph landmarks
• Save camp pin
• Print timetable
• Waterproof paper map
• Save accessible routes offline

Group Plan

Both

• Primary meeting point
• Backup meeting point
• Photograph group before entering
• Agree what happens if phones die
• Agree what happens if separated
• Share emergency contacts
• Share where urgent medication is if appropriate
• Agree useful hand signals
• Agree what “I need to leave” means
• Respect that friends are not automatically carers

Camp Whiteboard

Camp

• Must See acts
• Meeting time/place
• Dinner
• Weather
• Who is where
• Approximate return time
• Important reminders

Queue Survival

BothAccessCheck

• Sit mat
• Portable seat if allowed
• Water
• Ear protection
• Stim
• Hat
• Fan
• Snack
• Offline entertainment
• Ask about alternative queue arrangements

Multifunctional Heroes

BothCamp

• Carabiners
• Bandana
• Large scarf/sarong
• Microfibre towel
• Binder clips
• Rubbish bags
• Sit mat
• Hoodie
• Gaffer tape (a few metres wrapped around an old card)
• Reusable cable ties
• Dry bag
• Lidded food container

Tiny Repair Kit

CampCheck

• Tent patches
• Mattress patches
• Pole repair sleeve
• Spare cord
• Spare pegs
• Reusable cable ties
• Gaffer tape
• Sewing kit
• Safety pins where permitted
• Spare batteries
• Spare charging cable

Emergency Extras

CampCheck

• Foil emergency blanket
• Whistle/personal alarm
• Backup torch
• Emergency cash
• Spare glasses
• Backup critical-device supplies

Duplicate Only The Catastrophic Stuff

• Spare glasses
• Spare earplugs
• Spare charging cable
• Duplicate emergency information
• Backup payment method
• Backup light source
• Backup critical medical/device supplies
• Extra dry socks

Before Leaving Home

• Weather checked
• Transport checked
• Road closures checked
• Exit plan known
• Last train/bus known
• Accessible pickup known
• Re-entry rules checked
• Phone charged
• Power banks charged
• Medication packed
• Emergency cards packed
• Tickets downloaded
• Screenshots saved
• Day bag tested
• Tent tested
• Bag weight tested
• Shoes broken in
• Food packed
• Water plan known

Prepare Home For Future You

BothAccess

• Clean bedding
• Comfortable clothes
• Easy food
• Drinks
• Medication
• Charger
• Shower supplies
• Low-light option
• Quiet space
• Minimal next-day commitments if possible

Before You Walk Out The Door

Can I Get In?

• Ticket
• ID
• Access documentation

Can I Pay?

• Card
• Backup payment
• Emergency cash

Can I Communicate?

• Phone
• Communication card/AAC
• Emergency information

Can I See?

• Glasses/contacts
• Sunglasses

Can I Hear Safely?

• Hearing equipment
• Ear protection

Can I Breathe?

• Prescribed medication
• Medical location known

Can I Take My Medication?

• Medication
• Documentation
• Storage
• Reminders

Can I Eat?

• Food plan
• Safe food
• Cutlery

Can I Drink?

• Bottle
• Water plan

Can I Regulate?

• Sensory kit
• Quiet-space plan

Can I Move Safely?

• Mobility aids
• Appropriate shoes
• Hands free where possible

Can I Rest?

• Seating
• Reclining/recovery option

Can I Stay Cool?

• Heat kit

Can I Stay Warm?

• Layers

Can I Stay Dry?

• Waterproofs
• Dry storage
• Sacred Socks

Can I Sleep?

• Shelter
• Bedding
• Sensory setup

Can I Find My Things?

• Everything has a home

Can I Find My Way?

• Map
• Routes
• Landmarks

Can People Help Me?

• Emergency info
• Communication plan

Can I Fix Small Problems?

• Repair kit

Can I Get Home?

• Exit plan
• Transport plan
• Battery reserve

Can I Actually Carry All This Shit?

• Yes

If not:

repack before Festival You gets lumbered with Past Me’s bad decisions.