Campsite Challenge

2008 Winners, Camp Run A Muck

To extend the spirit of sustainable festivation into the campgrounds, Planet Bluegrass introduces How Green is your Grass? - a new creative campsite challenge. Coordinated by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, this contest encourages all of us to raise the bar for sustainable camping by honoring campsites that excel in achieving the highest levels of the Leave No Trace philosophy.

2008 Winners

Congratulations to the 2008 Winners: Camp Run A Muck. They will be receiving Town Park camping passes for the 2009 Festival. Also congratulations to the daily campsite winners: Camp Liam & Lilly, Camp Tucson Revival, and Camp Soap Box.

We received impressive entries from nearly every campground (every one but the new high school campground). Thanks to these and many many other thoughtful, sustainable campsites, the footprint of the Festivarian campers was drastically reduced. Thank you and congratulations to everyone who helped make this possible. Give them a virtual pat on the back over at the Festivarian Forum.

How Do I Participate?

The contest is open to all campers in any of the Planet Bluegrass-managed campgrounds. To nominate your own campsite or one of your neighbors:

  1. Take a digital photo of the campsite
  2. Print out your campsite photos at the Leave No Trace booth in Greentown.
  3. Submit a campsite entry form along with your printed photos.
  4. Stop by the Leave No Trace booth each day to view all the campsite entries. Campsite finalists will be chosen daily by staff and Festivarians.
  5. Planet Bluegrass will select the grand prize winner after the campground pack-out is complete on Monday. The winner will be announced in the next “Notes from the Planet” email and on this web page (see above). 

How Do I Win?

We will be judging on three simple criteria:

  1. Cleanliness. Are you repackaging the food you bring? Are you keeping a tidy campsite? Are items secure and not susceptible to wind gusts? Are you safely disposing of cigarette butts?
  2. Sustainability. Are you separating your recyclables, compostables, and then placing them in the correct bins at the campsite waste stations? Are you reusing products (cups, utensils, water bottles, bags) instead of trashing them? Are you using any alternative energy sources to power your campsite? Did you bike or carpool to the festival; are you offsetting carbon emissions using wind credits or carbon offsets? Will you pack out as much as possible when leaving? Did you do anything to reduce your homes’ energy while attending the festival?
  3. Creativity. Does your campsite have a theme? Are you utilizing any unique and innovative camping techniques?

What Do I Win?

Camp Tucson Revival

One nominated campsite will be chosen as a finalist each day. Finalist prizes include: Chaco Footwear, New Belgium Beer, Leave No Trace memberships, and more. One grand prize winner will be selected after the campground pack-out on  Monday from the four daily finalists. This grand prize winner will receive a pair of Town Park Campground passes for the 2009 Festival.

For More Information

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide. Visit at www.LNT.org or call 1-800-332-4100