Camp Sparkle

Hi All

We may have a problem with Camp, and need to discuss matters with you all in good time. Hence this post. I know that some of you are already making travel arrangements, so nopseud and I wanted to get this out as soon as possible. Please let people know that they need to check Dreamwidth, if they are not usually online here.

It is the Corona virus, of course. CV is already here in the UK, not sure which counties have been listed, and it probably doesn't matter where it is now, because by June, presumably, it will look different. As a result, there could be a lot of disruption to travel; there could be difficulty doing touristy things, or, some of us could be ill or infected and unable to attend. There could be increased risk from being in planes. There could be advice from various governments about whether it is safe to travel. Who knows.

Something else I would like to mention: I was talking to someone last night who works for an insurance company, and who advised those present that anyone who wants travel insurance that will cover disruption to travel due to the health scare, get your travel insurance right NOW, because in a couple of weeks' time you won't be able to buy it any more.

Anyway.

So we have to figure out whether we are going to go ahead with Camp.

Financially, the deal is this: I have paid the deposit on the house (£800), and the remainder of the cost (£2,266) must be paid in late April (eight weeks before our booking starts). I usually put it on my credit card, and am reimbursed after Camp, when everyone has paid. If we cancel after paying the full rental, the payment is non-refundable unless they can fill the house during our week, or at least part of the week, in which case we would get some back. If we cancel early, we lose the deposit (we only get it back if they can re-let the house for the entire week). If they have to advertise the place as a late cancellation, there is usually a reduction in the price so we would not get back everything we have paid. Well, *I* have paid.

If we decide to go ahead, I think we need firm commitments from you that you will be paying a share of the rental even if you can't make it, for *whatever* reason. In other words, even if Camp does not happen, you'll pay your share. Or if you're ill and cannot come, you'll pay your share. Etc. (Obviously if Camp happens and you are unable to be there, you won't be paying for food!)

Alternatively, we cancel, in which case our options are:

1. Cancel now, on the grounds that it gives the best chance of the house being re-let and us getting the deposit back.

2. See how things go, and reconsider cancelling in late April rather than paying the balance.

Your thoughts?


ETA I'm not, personally, that scared of the virus itself, though Beast is more worried than I am. What does worry me is what our government, and/or other governments, may do to try to deal with it. Italy seems to have clamped down on all kinds of stuff. It may be that the UK government will decide that being *seen* to be doing something is better than actually doing something useful. Additionally, if it does take stronger hold, I can see flights being cancelled (for lack of passengers - people won't want to be cooped up in a plane with potential sources of infection), considerable disruption to travel, that kind of thing.

From comments, it looks as though waiting until April is the best choice.