Survival guide

Come prepared,
and you’ll have more fun!

In the Survival Guide you’ll find some general advice and information that will help you make the most out of your participation in Vårlys.

THE GUIDE IS CURRENTLY A WORK IN PROGRESS DUE TO LOCATION CHANGE. PLEASE STAY UPDATED ON DISCORD - ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE WHEN IT IS COMPLETE :)

  • Vårlys is a co-created participatory event.

    At Vårlys we cultivate community through creative interaction. There is no hired entertainment, no artists, no headliners or commissioned work. Vårlys is unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising.


    There will be no sales or vending of any kind.

    This means that you are responsible for the experience. There are no spectators, only participants. Your ideas, your songs, your initiatives and your projects are the main event. Your creativity is the fuel for Vårlys’ fire!

    Vårlys is a leave-no-trace event. Whatever you bring you’ll have to take back home. Pack it in, pack it out!

    Vårlys takes place at Herøya island in Steinsfjorden, close to Sundvollen, in a majestic Norwegian landscape.

  • You’ll find all the principles and further explanation here.

  • Consent generally refers to a person's voluntary agreement to the proposal or desires of another. Consent comes into play in a variety of interactions that are common within the our community:

    Physical affection ranging from touching someone as a simple gesture, to hugs, to sexual contact

    • Sharing food and beverages

    • Being photographed and/or filmed

    • Assigning and accepting work

    Please think about your actions, requests and desires in relation to the person(s) you are interacting with at any point during Herlys (and beyond). Any breach of consent can be reported to the Rangers/Site Leads, and action will be taken according to the degree of severity.

    Here are some simple, helpful tips:

    Just ask!

    Clear, explicit communication is the best way to avoid misunderstanding. Relying on assumptions is not enough. Always ask when sharing food and beverages, taking pictures or filming, assigning work tasks and for any form of physical contact.

    Pay attention

    Remember that not everyone is comfortable with the same type of physical contact or expression as you and may have different ways to communicate their boundaries.

    Consent is revocable

    A person’s comfort level may change depending on the situation.

    Plan ahead

    Talk about what you want to do before anything happens, ideally in a calm, sober environment.

    Only YES means YES!

    Anything less than a clear ‘Yes’ is not consent. Treat it as a ‘No’.

    Intoxicated?

    Approach situations with extra caution when one or more are intoxicated. If someone tells you ‘No’ - or doesn’t clearly say ‘Yes’ - treat it as a ‘No’.

How to
get there

  • Location: Sæterbygda 57, 2870 Dokka

  • TBA

  • TBA

  • Vårlys express takes you from Oslo all the way to Torpa. Traveling to site and back home can hardly get any more convenient than this.

    Bus tickets will be published soon!

    The bus departs from Oslo Wednesday 21.05 at TBA.
    Return back to Oslo on Sunday 05.05 at TBA.

    Meeting point in Oslo: Haakon VIIs gate 13

    If the bus is full, see “Public transportation”

  • TBA

    Staying in a camper or van? Check out the Being there section

  • Upon arrival you will receive a wristband that must be worn for the entirety of the event. If your wristband is torn or falls off, please keep it and get in touch wIth either Gate or a Ranger.

    If you are seen without your wristband, you will be asked to prove you are legally at the event and, if you cannot, you will be told to leave.

  • You’re responsible to conduct a proper cleaning and moop sweep of your camping area and any other areas and buildings you have contributed to in terms of art, workshops and activities before leaving.

    All participants except the essential crew must leave the site by Sunday 16:00.

Being there

  • The quiet one

    We cannot guarantee silent camping, but we will have an area that is more restricted when it comes to sound. No amplified sound or content should be here.

    The main one

    More centrally located, with the possibility for some degree of amplified sound (adhere to sound policy) and content.

    Other

    There are lots of trees for hammocks.

    Disposable barbecues (engangsgrill) are not allowed.

  • Very limited amount of spaces for campervans. You need to apply through form to secure your spot.

  • Water for drinking

    There are taps on site where you can refill your water, and these will be marked with signs and on the map.

    Remember to bring enough containers to keep yourself hydrated.

    Water for cleaning/bathing

    River/stream

  • No dogs, pets or other live animals are allowed at the event. You will be turned away and denied access to both event and the land if you bring an animal.

  • All indoor locations on the have a no shoe policy. This is to preserve the flooring in line with the Leave No Trace principle.

  • TBA

    Do not dispose of anything but toilet paper, sawdust and what comes out of your body.

  • We do not allow participants to use gas or combustion heaters in their camp site. It can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

    Carbon monoxide is an extremely toxic and odorless gas which can’t be detected by humans.

    You can use camping gas for cooking outside in dedicated zones. Disposable barbecues (engangsgrill) are not allowed.

    No open fire is allowed on the island.

  • TBA

    The camping areas do not have electricity. We highly recommend that you bring a power bank to charge your devices.

  • At LYS events, drones are strictly prohibited for two main reasons:

    Privacy Concerns: Drones can intrude on participant privacy and cause discomfort, even without capturing images or videos. Operators must be ready to clarify their purpose if questioned.

    Wildlife Protection: Drones disrupt wildlife, especially in protected areas like Maurøya, a bird habitat. During the breeding season (April 15th to July 31st), disturbance can harm bird populations.

  • TBA

  • Some buildings are off limit to us, please respect this.

  • TBA

What to bring

  • • ID for check in
    • Hand sanitizer
    • First aid kit
    • Food
    • Drinks
    • Cooler box
    • Water containers
    • Warm clothing
    • Rain clothes
    • Boots
    • Tent
    • Sleeping bag/bed linen
    • Inflatable mattress
    • Cup for drinks
    • Plate
    • Bowl
    • Cutlery
    • Toiletries
    • Towel
    • Toilet paper
    • Trash bags
    • Medications
    • Prescriptions
    • Contact lenses
    • Flashlight/headlamp
    • Extra batteries
    • Portable ashtray

  • • Hand sanitizer

    • Painkillers

    • Band-aid

    • Sunscreen

    • Eye wash solution

    • Tampons/pads/menstrual cups

    • Condoms

    • Lip balm

    • Aloe vera

    • Insect repellent

    • Earplugs

  • • Art Installations
    • Costumes
    • Arts and crafts
    • Instruments
    • Decorations
    • Earplugs
    • Yoga mat
    • Pillow
    • Warm blanket
    • Trolley

  • • Dogs/pets/live animals
    • Excessive packaging
    • Weapons/fireworks
    • Fire lanterns
    • Flares
    • Bean bags
    • Feathers
    • Glitter
    • Disposable barbeques

    • Drones

  • Moop is an acronym for “Matter out of place” and refers to anything and everything that is not of the land where the event takes place. This can mean anything that does not originate from the site. Examples can be cigarette butts, glitter, food waste and build materials.

    Being a Leave No Trace event entails that there will be no trash cans at Herlys, which means that everything you bring in, you must take back with you. You pack it in, you pack it out.

    Before you arrive:
    • Remove excess packaging
    • Avoid glass
    • Leave your feathers, glitter, confetti and Styrofoam

    Everyone is responsible for their own trash and campsite. We ask you to kindly carry a moop-bag with you and please pick up any moop you find during the event. Secure everything in your camp and on yourself.

    Make a plan for how you are going to store and transport your MOOP. Please dispose of it responsibly. Do not dump your trash in quayside containers. If you brought it from home, you can take it home.

While preparing for Vårlys, keep in mind that you are responsible for yourself at all times, and that this event is an exercise in radical self-reliance.

There will be no vending at this event, so whatever you need to survive or wish to enjoy while participating, you are responsible for bringing it.

Be sure to bring what you need to survive and hopefully enjoy your time at the event. You can’t expect to go shopping for supplies during the event as you are dependent on boat transportation to get to and from the island.

Gifting is one of our principles, and a good expression of community, but you must take personal responsibility for yourself, your survival and wellbeing.

Participation

Vårlys is run by volunteers, and relies on the effort committed by the participants. Together, we are responsible for what this event is and can be.

When you secured your membership, you chose one of our volunteer roles. Check out the volunteering page in main navigation!

Health
and safety

  • Lillehammer Sykehus

    Tlf: +47 91506200

    Approximately 50 minutes drive

  • Apotek 1 Landsbyporten

    Storgata 55, 2870 Dokka

    Phone: +47 61 11 81 10

  • Fire: 110
    Police: 112
    Ambulance: 113

    Keep in mind the limited medical support on-site before you consider placing yourself at risk. You are responsible for your own safety and your own actions.

  • In Norway, there is a general campfire ban in place from 15 April to 15 September. All bonfires and open flames must be pre-approved and located in these designated areas.

    Open flames, pyrotechnics and other fire related activities are allowed in designated areas only.

    Any activity, performance or installation involving fire must be pre-approved before the event.

    Fireworks are prohibited.

    Keep barbeques and kerosene/gas burners at a safe distance from structures, vegetation and tents.

    We prohibit the use of gas/fire-sources inside tents or cabins as it can lead to suffocation, loss of consciousness and poses an extreme fire hazard.

  • Rangers are participants (like you) who volunteer a portion of their time to support the safety and well-being of others.

    If you are in need of urgent help or assistance, the Rangers also act as an initial point of contact with the Site Leads.

  • The infrastructure and facilities are not adapted for universal accessibility, but we welcome everyone to participate.

    Feel free to contact us on Discord or on contact@frostlys.no if you have any questions about accessibility.

  • • Keep hands clean
    • Drink enough water
    • Eat nutritious food
    • Take time to rest
    • Be kind to your body
    • Bring earplugs

Legal stuff

  • By attending this event, you agree that you have read this survival guide in its entirety and agree to abide by all the information and guidelines contained herein.

    Vårlys complies with all local and national laws, and all participants are reminded that you are bound by these laws.

    Vårlys does not condone illegal drug use and strongly advises against individuals taking risks with their health, as you are responsible for your own actions and safety. The use of illegal substances is a serious risk to your health and can result in your arrest.

    There will be no sales or serving of alcohol at the event, but if you choose to bring it for your own consumption we ask you to drink responsibly.

    No commercial or media photography or videography is permitted.

    Any act of assault or theft is a violation of the law, and may be cited or arrested as a felony offense.

    Dumping, leaking or spilling oil, fuel or other chemicals is illegal.

  • By attending this event you, the membership holder, personally and voluntarily assume the following risks for yourself by entering this event: risk of injury, serious injury or death by attending this event, and risk of damage, loss or destruction of personal property brought by you to the event (whether or not owned by you).

    You acknowledge and agree that Vårlys and Frostlys org is not responsible or liable for any damage, loss or injury to your person or your property sustained relating to your participation in the event and release Frostlys org from any claim arising from the use of this ticket. You also agree to Vårlys’ applicable policies, rules and terms and conditions.

    You are expected to insure all property brought by you to the event whether or not owned by you. If you need medical treatment or to be medically evacuated, you will be expected to cover these costs and so you should ensure you have adequate medical insurance in place.

    You must bring enough food, water, shelter and first aid to survive for the entirety of your participation and presence at the event. Commercial vending is prohibited, as are fireworks, rockets and other explosives. You agree to read and abide by all the rules contained in the survival guide, as well as all valid instructions from all event organizers, and to follow national and local laws. This is a leave no trace, pack it in, pack it out event.

    Memberships are non-refundable even if the event is terminated or cancelled due to harsh weather, pandemics, acts of nature, governmental regulation or other conditions beyond Vårlys’ control.

    Use of your Vårlys’ membership confirms your agreement to
    the terms reflected above.