Seattle Mind Camp 8 is coming up fast.  For those of you who aren’t sure what to expect, this guide will hopefully give you a bit of an orientation.  Even you Mind Camp veterans might want to look over the details, here, as a few things have changed this time around:

I don't have a ticket yet, where do I register?
Head over to the Mind Camp 8 registration page!

When should I arrive?
The doors will open at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 15.  Opening remarks and introductions will start promptly at 12:00pm, so please arrive in time to check in, mingle, check out the session candidates along the walls.  Note that if you’re hoping to present a session, you should arrive on time to post your Session Organizer Candidate Form.)

How do I get there?

Mind Camp 8 will be held at The Hub, the brand new coworking space in downtown Seattle. The address is 220 2nd Ave South, Seattle, 98104. It's one block east of Occidental Square and Grand Central Bakery, one block south of Smith Tower, three blocks north of the Seahawk’s CenturyLink Field, and directly across the street (to the east) from Waterfall Garden Park.

Where do I park?
There are street parking, parking garages, and surface parking lot options, all near The Hub. They've compiled a list over on their Location page that you can reference. If you'd rather not drive, you can use SideCar to get to the event!

SideCar is hooking attendees up with $25 in credit that you can use to get a ride to and from the event! The promo code MINDCAMP2012 is good for $25 for all first time SideCar riders. Download the app in the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store, create an account and enter the promo code. The $25 will not appear until you take your first ride, but you'll get confirmation that the code has been added to your account. This code will not expire until midnight on 12/31/12. SideCar will have drivers out and about Saturday and Sunday afternoons ready to take folks to and from the Mind Camp event, so you don't have to worry about the logistics of where to park and how much it will cost!

What will the introductions be like?
We are working on this - and it will be fun.  The aim is for everyone to have a chance to say something, and for these introductions to start priming the pump for later discussions. Expect the traditional Mind Camp game of Rock-Papper-Scissors to take place!

What else should I expect?  How do I participate?
You are expected to participate in some fashion, so come ready to share the things you’ve been working on or that get you excited.  Do note that Mind Camp is an NDA-free zone, so if you can’t talk about it, don’t bring it up.

See Getting Ready for Mind Camp - The Philosophical Guide for an explanation of the unconference concept.

What will be provided?
Room space, speedy Wi-Fi, chairs, power outlets, LED televisions and projectors. If you need or want anything more that what is provided, then you’ll have to bring it with you. Also, food! We will be providing Mind Camp attendees with lunch and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday morning!

What to bring
It’s up to you, of course, but if you plan to stay overnight, you might want to gear up.

• Comfortable clothing will be helpful.
• Aside from the items mentioned above, don’t assume anything will be there.  Bring what you need, especially for your presentations.
• Bring a sleeping bag, pillow, toothbrush, ear plugs, sleeping mask, teddy bear…that sort of thing.
• Bring snacks and drinks; we’ll be providing lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, but we encourage people to bring stuff to share. It's a social snack and drink mash-up fest.
• Bring your own power strips and extension cords.
• Bring any electronic stuff you have to swap or give away.
• Bring your gaming gear, portable or otherwise.

Will there be Wi-Fi?
Yes!

What will the rooms be like?
A handful of conference rooms, plus two other areas set up for sessions, plus common areas.

Who can I ask if I have questions?
We’ll identify the organizers and Camp Counselors, who are there to make sure you have a great experience.

What about alcohol?
We have agreed with our hosts, The Hub, that there will be no alcohol allowed on premises. Please respect that decision. In addition, if you go out for drinks and get smashed, you won’t be let back in.

Do I have to stay overnight?
No.  Mind Camp is your event, and you can make of it what you will - but you’ll miss out on some very interesting things if you decided to leave! Seriously - overnight is where a lot of good stuff happens.

Can we take pictures?  Can we record audio and video?
Unless you are specifically asked not to do so by another attendee, please feel free to document as much of the event as you can. We’d love to feature your videos on the Seattle Mind Camp YouTube channel.