Welcome Bass Coast 2023 Team

Bass Coast Festival is held on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Nlaka’pamux and Syilx people. Please take a moment to learn about the area. Bass Coast takes place on the shared Traditional Territories of Nłeʔkepmx and Syilx. Please take a moment to learn about the area. We Are Nlaka'pamux  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ESGaLTsxBU 

We invite you to be part of our innovative creative experience as we celebrate our 15th year.

About Merritt

Merritt is 270 km northeast of Vancouver. For more information about Merritt, check our website: https://basscoast.ca/pages/merritt

Mandatory viewing. Bass Coast training Videos

Bass Coast has produced 6 short training videos for all Bass Coast team members, artists and in-house participants. These videos will cover cultural appropriation,

consent, harassment and bystander intervention, local cultural knowledge, and harm reduction. Please watch all 6 videos and complete the quiz before you arrive onsite.

https://basscoast.ca/bass-coast-team-education-series - Site password is: AVANTGARDEN

LINK TO QUIZ

Supply and Signage requests

Supply and Signage Requests are now closed. Please review your Supply & Signage Request.  Here is a link to the Supply Sheet. If you still would like to request supplies or signage, email anna@basscoast.ca and your reporting manager directly.

Email Communication Expectations

Please respond to emails within a 24 hour period. Please ensure to Reply All. 

Your Ticket

Bring at least 1 piece of government issued photo ID. Our permit does not allow anyone under the age of 19 to attend the festival. No exceptions.

You will be sent a QR code to your email before you arrive. Pick up accreditation at the Staff gate.

When Can I Arrive

Please arrive the night before your shift to allow time for you to set up camp and settle in. If it isn’t possible to arrive the night before your shift, please let us know at anna@basscoast.ca

Directions and Staff Gate Hours

Enter through the Staff Gate -  located 1km past Moon Shadows Campground at 1145 Neilson St, Merritt, BC. We ask that you drive slowly down the dirt road to reduce the dust for campground residents. 15km/hr max. 

Staff Gate Hours: 

• Sun, June 25 - Sat, July 1: 8am - 6pm
• Sun, July 2 - Tues, July 4: 8am-12am
• Mon, July 3: 8:00am-12am
• Tues, July 4: 8:00am-12am
• Wed, July 5: 9am-12am
• Thurs, July 6: 9am-12am
• Fri, July 7: 9am-1am
• Sat, July 8: 9am-10pm
• Sun, July 9: 9am-4pm
• Mon, July 10: CLOSED

*Accreditation will ONLY be available at the Staff Gate.

PLEASE NOTE

General Admission ticket holders may arrive on site on Friday July 7 at 9:00am at the earliest. Early entry tickets are now sold out. No general admission ticket holders arriving before Friday will be permitted on site. NO exceptions.

Vehicle Passes

Team members will be given a vehicle pass upon entry at the staff gate.

Production Forest Camping

Team members can walk-in camp in Production Forest Camp (space permitting). It is behind The Cabin Stage and Slay Bay Stages. Vehicles are only permitted if you are sleeping in your vehicle. This requires pre-registration. Check the email titled “Bass Coast 2023 Production Forest Camp Registration: ACTION REQUIRED” which contains the link to register your vehicle to park in the forest.  Registration closes on June 15.

Registered vehicles must enter the forest before Wed. July 5 at noon after which it opens to artists (first come, first serve). All registered vehicles will be given a FOREST PASS upon check in at the staff gate. Any vehicle without a FOREST PASS will be removed as of Wed at 10am.  

If registered vehicles are not parked in their final spot by Wed at noon, we cannot guarantee there will be room in the forest. There will be no “in and outs” until Monday at 10am. Alternatively, team members can park vehicles in Production or overflow Parking.

Everyone staying in the forest will require a specific wristband. If you have a significant other who is GA and staying in the same tent, you may request a wristband to access Production Forest Camp by filling out the TEAM INFORMATION COLLECTION FORM that was sent with your contract via email with the subject line: 2023 Bass Coast Contract for Services: ACTION REQUIRED. If you require this re-sent please email anna@basscoast.ca or productionassistant@basscoast.ca. Deadline June 10th.

Camping in General Admission

Campsite A, B, C and Ventura are closed until Wednesday at noon when open to the public. Volunteers and Team may join the gate line up to move sites at 1pm Wed - not before. Please do not move your camp while on shift as it could take multiple hours to move through the line and set up camp. There is no 'skip the line’ for IN HOUSE Volunteers & Team on Wednesday - even with a wristband.

On Thursday, Volunteers & Team (in-house) can move to GA and skip the line after 11am if they have a wristband.

What Should I Bring / Festival Amenities

Reusable water bottles - Free water is available on site. Bring your own water bottle. Please do not bring glass of any kind. 

Food vendors - From July 6 - 10 there are healthy food vendors and bars open on site. Appropriate shoes and clothing - The terrain and weather varies. Water or river shoes and waterproof clothing are recommended. 

Camping gear - headlamps / flashlights, sunscreen and bug spray. Prepare for all conditions. 

Camping - It can be extremely windy. Please ensure all tents are secured with rebar and loose items are securely fastened.

Accessibility - Please read for updated information about Bass Coast accessibility ethos.

Fire ban - Please no fires, fireworks, open flames, or grills. Camp stoves are ok. 

Cash and credit - During festival days there will be ATMs available on-site. The bars, ice, showers and general store are cashless. Individual vendors may be cash or card. 

Showers - While there are 2 shower locations on site, all team members will have access to showers in Campground B. Locations available will be updated on site. Shower tokens details are included in your contract.

Checklist

• Headlamps / flashlights
• The terrain is a little uneven, bring appropriate shoes
• Water or river shoes are helpful
• Bankcard or cash (there are ATMS onsite)
• Don’t forget the sunscreen and bug spray
• Fresh socks for every day
• Water bottle
• Coffee mug
• Plates and utensils (we have a washing station in food vending) 
• Warm clothes for night
• Chair for your camp
• Recycling system for your camp
• Bike if you are camping far from stages
• Snacks for camp

Shower price: 

• Team members: $5 
• General Admission: $9 

Show your wristband to the shower team to receive the reduced price. 

Please clean up after yourself and limit your showers to 5 minutes. It is costly to pump the tank.

Weather at Bass Coast

Prepare for all weather. The temperature and weather conditions can change dramatically. Bass Coast is a camping festival. All your equipment will have to be able to withstand the elements and provide you with the comfort you need to be an active member of the Team.

Food and Drink

Team members will receive meals at the team kitchen according to their contract. Please bring your own plate, bowl, reusable mug and cutlery. You have been emailed a QR code with the subject line Bass Coast Team Meal QR Code. 

The QR code is required to scan in for all meals. This QR code was sent when you completed your Team Information Collection Form that was sent when you filled out your contract. Please screenshot and/or save to your phone as you will need it to redeem meals on site. Kindly make sure that the QR code and full name are clearly visible when capturing a screenshot. 

Food vendors will be available onsite from Thu July 6 - Sun July 9. Please bring a reusable vessel for coffee and water. There is potable water available and coffee available at the Volunteer Centre during your shift. As of Thursday July 7 there is a $20 re-entry fee per vehicle if you need supplies and are exiting Camp A,B,C or Ventura.

No plastic disposable water bottles will be sold on site and no glass bottles are permitted. Please visit our first timers guide and FAQs

Clear Expectations

For the duration of your time on-site you are a representative of Bass Coast and we ask that you are friendly, upbeat and engaged when interacting with all involved. We expect you to perform your team duties effectively, as well as help others who may need assistance. It is your responsibility to take care of your own health and well-being, in order for you to perform your assigned Team roles and responsibilities successfully and effectively. 

Please don’t:

• Use profanity
• Play on your phone for extended periods of time
• Come late or leave early for your assigned team duties
• Chat too long with friends whilst performing your assigned duties

Please Do:

• READ the Code of Conduct and read our FAQ to familiarise yourself with team expectations.
• Read the volunteer welcome package to know what we expect of volunteers. - Site password is AvantGarden
• Arrive rested, clear, and sober for every shift.

 Bass Coast ETHOS

Please familiarise  yourself with the ethos of Bass Coast: 

SUSTAINABILITY

HARM REDUCTION

RESPECT

USEFUL CONTACTS and MAPS FOR TEAM MEMBERS

Prepare for your shift

Please bring water, snacks, sunscreen, hat and clothes for a change in the weather and anything else you think you might need for the duration of your shift. You must be self-sufficient while on shift.

Team members must wear tops, bottoms, and closed-toed shoes while working. A high visibility vest, steel toed boots and hard hats may be necessary if you are working in and around machinery or at heights. Please bring your own safety wear. 

TEAM SAFETY CLOTHING GUIDELINES

1. Wear required protective equipment, such as goggles, gloves, hard hats, and more, to safeguard against specific workplace hazards.
2. Use high-visibility apparel, such as reflective vests, jackets, or shirts, to enhance visibility in low-light or high-traffic areas.
3. Wear personal protective clothing, including tops and bottoms. 
4. Utilise safety harnesses and fall protection systems when working at heights to prevent falls and minimize the risk of serious injuries.
5. Dress weather-appropriately to ensure comfort and safety, considering factors like extreme temperatures, rain, or other environmental conditions.

Prioritise safety by following these clothing guidelines.

Keeping a Daily Log

Please use this  DAILY LOG FORM to take notes of your work activities whilst on shift. This will help us learn how to improve the experience from year to year. Your notes will provide a useful resource when it comes time for you to provide feedback on your Bass Coast team experience.

Missed Shifts and Late Policy

Every Team member is required to be on time, present and SOBER for their team member responsibilities. If a task or appointment is missed, or you have not completed your assigned team responsibilities, you risk being asked to leave the festival. 

Please inform your direct report and/or anna@basscoast.ca if there are any anticipated delays or interruptions to your schedule. This INCLUDES transportation issues and travel plan changes. If you are not sober for your shift you will be relieved of your team duties and another team member will have to take on your responsibilities in your absence.

Festival safety is everyone’s responsibility, no matter what team you are on. Everyone on site plays a role in harm reduction, as we are all the eyes and ears of the festival. As you participate, please take care of yourself and each other. Remind people to take breaks, drink water and come pop by the Harm Reduction space for a break as needed. Check in with anyone looking confused, lost or unwell and remind them where Harm Reduction is located.  We will be offering support, harm reduction supplies and information all weekend.

Harm Reduction services are open to patrons and everyone involved in the festival. There is zero judgement if you come in needing supplies or to ground yourself in the Harm Reduction area. If someone is having non-medical distress such as anxiety, looking lost or upset, please walk them to Harm Reduction which is on the path to Slay Bay as you enter the forest (it’s a large space, you can’t miss it). 

Consent Culture

We are all responsible for promoting consent culture. Checking in on someone who looks uncomfortable is as easy as: “Hey! My name is Sam, and it’s my job to make sure everyone is feeling good all weekend. Are both of you alright? Can I help you with anything?” Don’t hesitate to involve security in helping address any creep vibes onsite.

Naloxone / Narcan FAQ

There are many team members and volunteers trained in administering Naloxone. We will not have formal training for additional teams onsite. There will be naloxone placed in strategic locations around the festival site that First Aid can administer if appropriate. Naloxone (Narcan) is for use with opioid overdoses only; fentanyl, heroin or codeine. In case of an overdose, First Aid will be on the scene within minutes. The best action to take is to open the patient's airway and assist them with rescue breathing if necessary. Getting rescue breaths into an opioid overdosing patient is the primary action to be taken. (See details below).

FIRST AID 101

If you see someone in need of medical attention, find someone with a radio immediately and have them call First Aid. Team members with radios are located at Camp A, B, C and Ventura outposts, harm reduction lifeguard chairs at the back of every dance floor, General Store, Volunteer Centre, bar managers or any of the festival gates. All security members have radios. First Aid teams will move quickly to help.

How to Call for First Aid and Manage Medical Distress

Ensure you provide First Aid with the three most important pieces of information they need: 

• Who you are 
• Where you are
• What is happening (keep it simple i.e. “I am with an unconscious patient”)

The First Aid l team will move quickly to help you, once you call for their assistance. The following are some basic steps that can help you while First Aid arrives at your location.

BASIC FIRST AID

ASSESS: Try to get a handle on the patient's condition. Breathing? Pulse? Somewhat responsive or unresponsive to pain stimulus (do not hesitate to apply a STRONG pain stimulus to an unconscious patient)? 

REPORT: Report the incident to First Aid: Who are you? Where are you? What has/is happening?

Open the AIRWAY.

Administer CPR if needed until medics arrive. Please do not administer any medications of any kind to the patient without notifying First Aid. If the patient is conscious and can instruct you to help them take life saving medications (eg. EpiPen) please do so and notify First Aid.

Fire Safety

If you see a fire:

1. Inform Security, First Aid or any team member with a radio.
2. Give Dispatch as much info as possible on location and what is burning.
3. FIGHT the fire ONLY if it is small and you are able to.
4. Evacuate all guests and patrons in immediate danger to a safe location. (200 ft away)
5. Help people requiring assistance
6. Proceed to a safe area and wait for the fire response team.

Bass Coast has a recovery and evacuation plan in place. Should the area require evacuation, our trained team members will give you instructions as to what to do should an event of this nature occur. 

Bass Coast takes place in a very dry climate and we need your help to prevent fires. Please dispose of any cigarettes in designated bins and encourage your community to do the same. Pocket ashtrays are available at the General Store. 

Lost and Found

Bass Coast Lost and Found is located next to the General Store. The Lost and Found station is for both team members and guests to inquire about any lost items, or to drop off any found items. The Lost and Found station will be manned during the day only from 10:00am - 5:30pm. The Lost and Found team cannot retain or store any large lost or found items.

Final Inventory

If you are responsible for your department inventory, count every item and fill out the supply sheet. Please ensure that you have followed all steps required by the Inventory Manager

Equipment Return

Return all equipment immediately after use (ie., radio, golf cart, etc.) and ensure they are signed back in.

MOOP and leaving Bass Coast

As you prepare to leave Bass Coast, please sort all garbage and recycling from your campsite and bring it to the designated area. We encourage you to take the time you need to rest, pack your campsite and belongings thoroughly and feel ready for the journey ahead. 

The festival is over at 9am on Monday July 10th. Please plan ahead to be rested and ready to leave by 5pm if you are not scheduled to work during the post-show period. Plan a designated driver if needed.

Before leaving your campsite, walk a grid and ensure that you have LEFT NO TRACE. That means no glitter, no feathers, no bobby pins, no orange peels, no trace. Please bring all recycling, garbage and compost to the dedicated stations set up. Help us take care of the land.

Pick up Pay Cheque

Pick up your cheque at the Staff Gate on Monday July 10th or after your shifts are completed post festival. Prior to picking up your pay cheque, please ensure all inventory and equipment that you are responsible for has been submitted and approved.

 Your Team Feedback

We are continually working to improve the team experience at Bass Coast. 

Please fill out our debrief form after the festival by JULY 31, 2023. 

If you are Manager or Coordinator please fill out THIS FORM

If you are Assistant Manager or Team Member please fill out THIS FORM

Please let us know how we can support you to continue to be a part of our Bass Coast Team for years to come! 

Thank you for creating the 15th edition of Bass Coast with us!

xo

Andrea, Liz, and Anna

Bass Coast Spa Information

Due to high demand, Bass Coast Spa offers priority booking to Bass Coast Team members for Thursday, July 6th. Visit the BASS COAST SPA WEB PAGE to book a massage with your preferred practitioner. Contact the practitioner via their booking link or email, providing your full name, department, and the code SPAGARDEN2023. This code does not cover the service cost and is only valid for a single use on Thursday, July 6.  If you have questions please contact: BassCoastSpa@gmail.com

Important Numbers

Production Manager: Anna Hilliar   +1 (604) 726-4044 anna@basscoast.ca

Production Manager Assistant: Jennafer Harkness +1 (604) 813-5405  productionassistant@basscoast.ca 

Music Director Co-Founder: Andrea Graham  +1 (604) 849-0886

Artistic Director Co-Founder: Liz Thomson +1 (604) 907-2229

Finance Administrator: Brittney Rand +1 (604) 704-3958

Directions

The festival site is located one mile southwest of the City of Merritt, BC, just off the Coquihalla Hwy. 

FROM KELOWNA

• Take Hwy BC-97C to Merritt
• Once in Merritt, continue through onto the Princeton - Kamloops Hwy BC-97C
• Turn left on COLDWATER Rd.
• Turn right onto POOLEY Rd.
• Turn left onto NEILSON St (gravel road). 
• Enter the festival site from the STAFF (east) GATE. 

FROM KAMLOOPS

• Take Hwy BC-5 S towards Merritt 
• Take exit #286 from the Coquihalla hwy and head towards Merritt City Center along Princeton-Kamloops Hwy BC-97C
• Turn left on COLDWATER Rd.
• Turn right onto POOLEY Rd.
• Turn left onto NEILSON St (gravel road) 
• Enter the festival site from the STAFF GATE. 

FROM VANCOUVER

• Take Hwy BC-1 and then Hwy BC-5 N towards Merritt
• Once in Merritt, take exit #286, keep right at the fork, and head towards Merritt City Center along Princeton-Kamloops Hwy BC-97C
• Turn left on COLDWATER Rd.
• Turn right onto POOLEY Rd.
• Turn left onto NEILSON St (gravel road). 
• Enter the festival site from the STAFF GATE. 

Drive 1km past Moon Shadows Campground at 1145 Neilson St, Merritt, BC

PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY PAST MOON SHADOWS 15 km / hour

Bass Coast Emergency Line: 1-672-699-6606

Festival FAQS

Online Schedule

Site Maps

Harm Reduction

Sustainability

Towards Equity

Bass Coast Harassment and Assault Policy

Bass Coast App