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

  • Wednesday 21. May

    Gate 17:00 - 20:00

    Thursday 22. May

    Gate 17:00 - 20:00

    Friday 23. May

    Gate 17:00 - 20:00

    Saturday 24. May

    Gate - Only on call / Special request

    Sunday 25. May

    Gate 10:00 - 16:00

    Outside hours:

    TBA, on call solution, but plan for the regular opening hours

  • There isn’t much public transportation taking you all the way to the Torpa site.

    The best option will always be the Vårlys Express Bus!

    Second best option is a bus stop within walking distance, 10 minutes away.

    If you somehow can’t get all the way there we will shuttle from Dokka once a day, around 16:50. At this time buses from Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim all arrive. If you are on one of these, make sure to say so in advance so we know to come get you.

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


    The bus departs from Oslo Wednesday 21.05 at 17:00.

    Return back to Oslo on Sunday 25.05 at 14:00.

    Meeting point in Oslo: Haakon VIIs gate 13

    If the bus is full, see “Public transportation”

  • We have parking areas for parking! Notes for name/number will be given upon arrival. Follow the instructions given by the logistics team. We do not have an abundance of parking - so please try to share rides going to Torpa. If you have special needs, please reach out to the logistics team on Discord.

    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.

    Strike starts on Sunday and will continue until Monday, but we encourage participants to finish Strike by Sunday afternoon. Strike is everyone’s responsibility to ensure you have Strike plan for both your personal belongings and your camp. 

Being there

  • We have not separated silent camping zones from noise camping zones.

    Be a good neighbor and avoid having amplified sound in an area with a high density of campers. There is a lot of space to camp. We suggest if you want to play music that you place yourself away from the main camping area.

    There are lots of trees for hammocks.

  • Disposable barbecues (engangsgrill) are not allowed.

    You can use camping gas for cooking outside in dedicated zones. There will be one available communal area for cooking and eating in the camping area, but you must provide all your own cooking utensils and equipment.

    If you want to have a kitchen tent of your own, you are welcome to. Please ensure that the kitchen tent is atleast 5 meters away from any other tent. 

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

    About VanLand

    • We have two areas with limited parking for vans, and you need a confirmed parking pass to park here. 

    • Due to the limited space, we cannot have theme camps and content in VanLand. This way we can maximize the number of vehicles. 

    • As of now - there are no extras included in the vehicle pass. This means you need to bring what you need. No power will be provided. 

    Please check Discord for updates regarding changes, possibilities and information. 

  • No unattended open fire is allowed at the location. There are several historical wooden buildings, and tents with people.All planned fires must be reported ahead of time in order to ensure fire safety. 

  • Water for drinking

    There is one tap on site where you can refill your water, and it will be marked on the map.

    Remember to bring enough containers to keep yourself hydrated.

    Water for cleaning/bathing

    Water for cleaning/ bathing/ cleaning dishes will be the river/stream, as the well has limited drinking water.

  • 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.

  • There will be enough toilets for the event. Some are rented and some are already at the location.

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

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

    If you want to use a generator make sure it is far enough away in order to avoid sound disturbance and also does not cause a fire hazard. Gasoline must be stored at least 10 meters from the generator itself.

    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.

  • TBA

  • Vårlys has an area called Kidsville. This area and its amenities are reserved for our families and their kids up to 6 years old.

    There is a small house with some rooms for families, and the possibility to camp around this house.

    Kidsville has access to its own toilet, and a kitchen area. There is no running water in the kitchen.

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

  • 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.

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

    • Candles (flame)

    • Bean bags

    • Feathers

    • Glitter

    • Disposable barbeques

    • Drones

    • Candles

  • 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.