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Volunteer Resources

Things that  VIMF volunteers need to know…

2012 Information Coming Soon but we have left last year’s information up just so interested folks can get a feel for what we do in this area…

Returning volunteers should have been contacted by their previous crew coordinator and did not need to fill out an online application. HOWEVER, if you are a returning volunteer from 2011 and have not been contacted by your crew coordinator email volunteer@islandmusicfest.com as soon as possible to let us know!

We have done our best to place all new volunteers but please know that we receive more applications than we have spots to fill. If we haven’t found a place for you, please try again next year!

Getting here/Parking:

There is a free shuttle for volunteers, run by Comox Taxi, that operates a continuous loop throughout festival time. You can park and ride from North Island College or Driftwood Mall. Additionally, there is the Destiny River Festival Express that is a $2 ride each way, from the same park & ride locations.

There is a bike-lockup on site if  you wish to ride down.

Parking is available on a first-come, first-parked basis – free parking is available at Comox Sports & Recreation Centre, or $5 parking is available at Vanier School.

 

Volunteer Check In & Getting Your Volunteer Credentials

Volunteer Check-in is located at the Curling Club parking lot off of Headquarters Rd at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds. Be sure to give yourself time to park and walk.

All volunteers much check in each day to receive a new wristband for the day (that means volunteer wristbands are only valid for a single day). You will be checking in under your Crew Name – be sure you know the name of your crew!

Volunteer Check In is open: (UPDATED July 4!)

Wed. July 6th 1:30 – 9:00pm (for your Thursday wristband)
(For volunteers camping in public camping there will be a volunteer checkin at the camping gate,  Wed only 1:30 – 9:00pm)
Thurs July 7th 10:00am – 10:00pm
Friday July 8th – 9am – 10:00pm
Saturday July 9th 7:00am – 7:00pm(may be extended if warranted)
Sunday July 10th 7am – 6:00pm

Make sure you have everything you need with you, too (ID, shoes, sunscreen, water bottle, medications, etc). We need you onsite during your shift, so if you’ve forgotten things, that really impacts the rest of your crew. There is a lockup on site for volunteer personal effects.

Volunteer Camping

There are 2 campgrounds at VIMF. Volunteer Camping and Public Camping. Public camping is paid only (even for volunteers). You are welcome to camp there but you must pay the same as our public campers. If you camp in Public Camping you must have already checked in as a volunteer and have your volunteer wristband – otherwise you will be asked to purchase a weekend pass before being admitted.

Volunteer Camping is free for MusicFest volunteers and your partner/spouse (OR 1 super close best buddy) and your dependent children (ONLY if they are too young to volunteer – otherwise they should be volunteering!)

These non-volunteering guests MUST hold a weekend pass. PLEASE NOTE - your non-volunteering significant other MUST hold a ticket for Alison Kruass if they wish to camp on Wednesday or Thursday Night.

To get access to the volunteer campground, you must have volunteer credentials (so check-in first!) and your guests must check in at the same time as you. All campers in Volunteer Camping must register with Volunteer Camping Hosts when they arrive.

Camping Check In Hours are:

Wednesday July 6th -  3pm to 9pm
Thursday July 7th -  10am – 5pm (walk in only after 5)
Friday July 8th – 9am – 2:00pm (walk in only after 2 pm)
…later arrivals on Friday MAY be walked in with their vehicle as space and safety allows

While You’re There

Be mindful of your camping footprint – there are a lot of people who camp in volunteer camping and we want there to be adequate space for everyone.

If you bring furniture (couches etc) into the campground the Hosts are going to ask you for a $20 cash deposit or ‘removal insurance’. Have your money ready.

Please DO NOT attempt to remove vehicles before Monday morning. If you know you need to leave Sunday please park outside the campground. It is VERY dangerous to drive in or out of a packed campground of 1000 people in the dark. It’s just can’t happen

Parking for volunteers is available at the Comox Valley Sports and Aquatic Centre on Vanier Drive for free or park a bit closer at Vanier High for $5 per day.

Better yet, leave your car at home! Volunteers are welcome to use the Destiny River Festival Express shuttles from the Driftwood Mall, North Island College and The Old House Village Suites in Courtenay. $2 per ride (kids are free). You can park for free at Driftwood Mall, too. A full schedule for the shuttle is available on the Destiny River Festival Express page! There’s the free bike lock-up on site, too.

Food & Drink

Our fabulous volunteer kitchen serves up a meal on Friday evening and Lunch & Dinner on Saturday and Sunday. There will be vegetarian/vegan options available. However, if you have other dietary needs (gluten, raw, etc…) please be prepared to look after your own nutritional needs for the weekend. It is almost impossible to meet individual needs when catering for 1400 people! We also have a hospitality tent that offers light snacks and drinks for in between meals.

Please be sure to bring a water bottle (we will not provide disposable water bottles), warm clothes for the chilly evening, a hat, sunscreen and any medications you might need.

Staying in Touch

If you have other questions be sure to ask your Crew Coordinator. You should know who they are (their name), the name of your crew and how to get a hold of your crew coordinator (email or phone).

If all the great information above doesn’t answer your question, you can email our Festival Volunteer Coordinator, Linda, at volunteer@islandmusicfest.com to resolve any confusion. She is a very busy woman so be sure to read before you email please!