FAQ – SisterSpace of the Delaware Valley

FAQs

Our Most Frequently Asked Questions!

Here are the answers to questions we get asked most often. If whatever you’re looking for isn’t covered below, contact us at info@sisterspace.org.

When is the SisterSpace Weekend Women’s Festival? What are the hours?

SisterSpace always takes place during the weekend after Labor Day. The 2023 Weekend starts on Friday, September 8th –gates open at 10 a.m.— and ends on Sunday, September 10th. All campers must be off the land by 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Can I arrive early (or stay late)? I need to get there on Thursday (or leave on Monday).

Sorry, but no. Unless you are a registered SisterSpace volunteer, we cannot accommodate any arrivals before 10 a.m. on Friday or departures after 5 p.m. on Sunday. There are hotels and motels in nearby Aberdeen, and campgrounds and RV parks within driving distance of the SisterSpace land.

Where is the camp? What’s the address and phone number?

The SisterSpace Weekend Women’s Festival is held at Camp Ramblewood, 2564 Silver Road, Darlington, MD 21034. Check their website at www.ramblewood.com.

If you need to reach someone from SisterSpace or an attendee while the festival is in progress, call the camp at (410) 457- 4160.

What should I bring?

If you’re staying in a tent or RV, you must bring your own tent or RV. If you’re staying in a cabin, beds are provided with comfortable Tempurpedic mattresses, but you must bring your own bedding, pillows and linens. Other suggested items include sleeping bags, warm blankets, warm clothes (it can get cold at night in the country in September!), Toiletries, Flashlight/lantern, Rain gear, Allergy & other medications, Special dietary items, Spending money (buy your holiday gifts early – our Vendor Village will have what you need!), Games, Sports equipment (softball gloves, etc.), tennis racquet, yoga mat, Bathing suit, Drums and other musical instruments, folding/beach chair and/or picnic blanket/groundcloth for outdoor concerts and activities (Note: tall chairs will be placed in back, low chairs and blankets may sit closer to stage), Binoculars, Suntan Lotion, Bug Spray, Water Bottles, Comfortable shoes, and Earplugs. A list will be sent to you when you receive your Registration Packet.

Can I bring my dog (or cat or hamster or ferret, etc.)?

Sorry, but pets aren’t permitted. Please don’t bring them, as you and your pets will be asked to leave. If you are traveling with your pet and need boarding info, Ramblewood recommends contacting Hickory Animal Hospital in Hickory, Maryland (approx. 11 miles from camp).

Can I bring my kids?

Girls/NB AFAB children of any age are welcome. Boys/NB AMAB children ages 7 and under are welcome.. Child Care is not currently available at camp, and children are expected to be accompanied by an adult at all times. Please be aware that some workshops are not appropriate for youth; kids will not be admitted to those. There are lots of other workshops and fun things for kids to do with their Moms, Aunties, Grandmothers, etc.

I see that all meals are included. Please tell me more.

Meals include Friday: lunch and dinner, Saturday: all meals; and an extended brunch on Sunday. A more detailed meal schedule and menu will be posted on this site before the event. Unfortunately, we cannot serve meals outside of the scheduled times, and cannot accommodate special requests due to dietary concerns. See additional info below.

I am a vegetarian or vegan. What are my options?

Vegetarian or vegan options are available at every meal. Additionally, there is a full salad bar available at all lunches and dinners. If you have any more specific questions, feel free to contact us.

I have other special dietary needs. How can you accommodate me?

If you have particular dietary needs, you must come prepared to provide for yourself. We will not be able to prepare individual meals, or provide food storage or cooking facilities.

Ice can be purchased from the General Store.

I understand. So, can I bring a grill or stove on which to cook my own food?

Sorry, but no. Unapproved open flames are prohibited at the camp, so please leave all grills, camp-stoves, etc. at home.

I have limited physical mobility…what options do I have?

For mobility concerns anywhere in camp, we offer a golf cart shuttle. This is available to anyone who has need of it, even if they are not staying in the wheelchair accessible cabins.

What about wheelchair accessibility?

The camp is situated on a large slope, some parts steeper than others. There are blacktop paths leading to the major event buildings, as well as lots of grassy areas. Those buildings are accessible via ramps, the occasional short gravel driveway, and sometimes a few feet of grass. The Hannah Senesh Arts Pavilion (where Arts & Crafts, and some workshops take place) is accessed via a fairly steep grassy hill. Lodging cabins mostly have steps. Wheelchair accessible cabins are comprised of 2 cabin areas under a single roof, each sleeping 7-10 persons. Each cabin area has a bathroom with two toilet stalls, one of which is larger/accessible; and two shower stalls, one of which is larger/accessible. The larger shower stall has a bench installed, however, it is strongly suggested that you bring your own if you need a bench. The one that is installed is rather slippery and is really built for those who can stand but would like to be able to rest. The two sinks in each cabin area are on a closed cabinet with no space underneath the sinks for footrests. Wheelchair cabins are not closer to any one particular event building or area than any other cabin; they are merely in line with the rest.

What about deaf accessibility?

ASL interpretation is available for performances, with prior notice. Contact us if you’re planning to attend and need ASL interpretation.

Who attends SisterSpace Weekend Women’s Festival? Who is welcome?

SisterSpace draws an incredibly diverse crowd in terms of age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and identity. Anyone who identifies/lives their life as a woman or a non binary person assigned female at birth is welcome. We encourage anyone interested in attending SisterSpace Weekend Women’s Festival to ask any questions about the organization and the event, and gather as much information as possible so that each person can make the best decision for herself/themself and the space we’ve created. It’s the hope of SisterSpace that everyone who attends feels comfortable in an extraordinarily freeing, encouraging and safe environment. Each person who enters the space is asked to do so with an enormous amount of respect, understanding and appreciation. We trust that each woman/nb AFAB person is capable of evaluating her/their own potential presence at SisterSpace with regard to these guidelines.

I can’t afford the festival registration fee…are there scholarships?

SisterSpace has always advocated making the weekend as accessible to as many people as possible, including those facing financial challenges. We are happy to be able to offer the Linda Bacon-Bass Memorial Send-A-Sister Fund to help defray the expense associated with coming to SisterSpace. The amount available varies from year to year, and is dependent upon contributions. For more information about scholarships, click here.

Do you serve alcohol?

SisterSpace does not sell alcohol. You are welcome to bring your own. All applicable Maryland laws still apply – you must be 21 or over to consume alcohol at camp. (Please note that anyone found to be selling alcohol to others will be asked to leave, with no refund.)

It’s a private camp, right? Can I bring other “substances”…?

No. Note that illegal drugs are just that – ILLEGAL. Even though SisterSpace takes place in a private space, all federal and state laws still apply. Please leave the “stash” at home.

I sleep with a CPAP. Can I bring it?

Cabins at the camp have electricity, so CPAP users are encouraged to choose cabin accommodations and to arrive early to facilitate choosing a bed that’s suitably close to an outlet.

What are my mass transit options for getting to and from the camp?

We will run a shuttle from the Aberdeen, MD station to the camp (about a 15 minute drive). Based on the Amtrak schedule, we will have our van at the terminal several times on Friday; pickup times will be listed in the letter acknowledging your registration. We will provide Sunday transportation back to Aberdeen with shuttles running periodically between noon and 5 pm.

Please try to schedule your arrival to meet one of the scheduled shuttles. If you miss the shuttle, call us at camp. If you are flying into BWI (Baltimore airport), take the Amtrak train to Aberdeen and we’ll pick you up from there.

I registered and paid, but now I’m unable to attend. Can I get a refund?

You may request a refund up until the Aug 15th refund deadline. Only 50% of your registration fee (excluding your $50 workshift deposit, which is 100% refundable) is eligible for refund. No refunds will be issued after Aug 15. NO EXCEPTIONS.