Frequently Asked Questions about Oklacon

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F.A.Q.'s for Oklacon

General

What Should I Bring?

A valid, current, government-issued photo ID that shows your date of birth. No ID, no registration, no exceptions.
If you will be under 16 by the start of the convention, you must come with a parent or legal guardian, as well as this form.
If you will be under 18 by the start of the convention, you must come with this form.
Cash in small bills ($10 and $20 denominations). Don't count on local ATM's to be working.
Someone who hasn't been to Oklacon before
Warm weather and cold weather clothing.
Pillows, blankets, and a sleeping bag if staying in A-Frames or tents
Hygiene gear; vitamin C is a good idea too at any event in the cool outdoor nights!
Cooler for perishables (Turkey Roost has no extra food storage room)
Clothes for getting dirty (some events are just, well... dirty!)
Expect to be in the wilderness, prone to temperature extremes from 45 degrees to 75 degrees at this time of year.

What Should I NOT Bring?

Expensive electronics or laptops. Oklacon cannot be held liable for equipment that is damaged, lost, or stolen. Besides, it's a gorgeous state park, who needs these things?
Any sort of firearm, even if unloaded, disabled, or peace-bonded. Park rangers are state law enforcement officers and do not tolerate the presence of these devices anywhere in the park. Those with conceal-carry permits are prohibited by Oklahoma statute from bringing any firearms into the park without the park manager's written permission, and Oklacon disallows any such weapon on any spaces it rents.
Any sort of disabling device, including tasers, mace, pepper spray.
Oil, gas, and electric space heaters are not permitted in any A-Frame buildings, so bring a thick quilt or sleeping bag instead to stay warm at night.
Concessions. The park prohibits the resale of food and drink except by licensed vendors. The convention is the only vendor with permission to sell concessions, and the convention provides options for bottled water, soda, juices, candy, sweets, muffins, and even the components to make hotdogs and hamburgers, at the group camp site. Concessions are very inexpensive, ranging from 50¢ for soda to $3.00 for large canned energy drinks. Regular meals are provided at no extra charge.
Drama. Oklacon is a DRAMA-FREE zone, so come with the right open-minded attitude that will let you enjoy the wonders of the great outdoors and serene peace that nature provides.

Traveling

I'm flying in to Oklacon, but I cannot rent a car to get to the park. How can I attend?

Please follow us on your favorite social network to ask for a ride share. Quite a few friendly faces reside in Oklahoma City and will be willing to pick you up from the airport on the way to the convention. Also, if you are looking to ride share with other out-of-state attendees making the drive, please post your interest in the forums. Most individuals who offer to share a ride with you will expect you to split the cost of gas among the other passengers in the car. Oklacon is only an hour outside of Oklahoma City.

What are the coordinates of the convention?

35.93570, -98.43873

Parking

Where can I park?

Oklacon works closely with Roman Nose State Park Rangers and the park's land management staff to create designated parking areas each year. These will be clearly marked upon approaching Group Camp Site #2. You may be asked to move to an appropriate spot upon arriving or after parking to be in compliance with the park's instructions to prevent any involuntary towing at the vehicle owner's expense.

Is there any more overflow parking?

Yes, there is an area you may park that is at the bottom of the hill, outside the first cattle guard, that you may park in. If you have any questions about parking, you may ask any "SECURITY" badged volunteer or a staff member at the official Oklacon Registration desk.

Is there any area where parking is strictly prohibited?

Yes, do not park on the side of the road between the two cattle guards - both the horses and the park will ask you to move. Do not park at the stables without permission from the stables. Obey all signage in the park regarding parking or off-road vehicle usage, as these rules are still in effect, and the park is still open to the general public, during the Oklacon event.

My friend is authorized to park on the black-top and they said it is okay for me to double-park behind them, is this okay?

No. Both park officials and emergency vehicles need to be able to get in and out of that area easily, at all times. Double-parking is prohibited.

Who can park on the black-top at Turkey Roost?

Space for Oklacon organizer's vehicles and Safari's is reserved from immediately to the right of the cattle guard to the back door of the main building. A-Frame sleepers and tent owners may temporarily park in several spaces next to the organizer's area, in front of the dumpsters, to load and unload equipment for up to 30 minutes at a time. Parking on the blacktop is strictly by Oklacon-issued parking permit only. Staff are not granted a parking permit unless they are determined to require one to perform their functions at the camp site (security, loaders, Safari's, etc.). While permits last, Super Sponsors will be issued a parking permit allowing them to park in the remaining spaces across from these reserved spaces after receiving their vehicle decal upon checking in at registration. Properly marked ADA vehicles may park on the black-top as well, but must also receive an Oklacon parking permit.

If I can't park on the blacktop, where else can I park that is close to turkey Roost?

Just before the cattle guard at the top you may turn off to the left and drive on the grave and hardpack road for about 100 yards. To the left, a large number of cars may park on an angle and to the right you may also parallel park. Volunteers may be present to direct you to a space, as the concern for the environment and erosion issues caused by ruts car tires create is paramount to the park's rangers. If you park in an area the park rangers declare is unsafe for the natural environment, you will be asked to move to a permitted space.

Pets

Can I bring my pet to the convention?

Yes, however they can only be kept in personal tents, RV's, or by permission from the park in private cabins.

What are the rules on pets that I supervise while at the convention?

While unattended at tents, pets must be properly and securely staked or crated. While attended, pets must be leashed at all times. Owners must pick up after their pets, and pets that destroy park property or leave 'messes' may generate fines to their owners, as cited by the park rangers and maintenance staff. Non-owners are requested to ask permission from owners before petting / feeding pets. All pets must be collared and tagged at all times. Every domesticated pets brought to the park must have a rabies tag on their collar, and pet owners must have their current, complete vaccination paperwork with them in case park rangers inquire.

Can I keep my pet in the A-frame?

Under no conditions can any pets be kept in A-Frames, per the rules of the Oklahoma Parks Department. A-Frames are considered community space.

Can I bring my pet into the Roman Nose resort lodge?

No, per the rules of the Oklahoma Parks Department.

Can I bring my horse to the convention?

Yes. In fact, we have had convention attendees bring their horses in past years. You will need to reserve space which is very limited with the park directly. All horses must travel with current documents indicating a negative EIA (Coggins) and a health certificate if from out of state. These will be checked by the park rangers and/or game warden upon arrival.

Can I bring an exotic animal to the convention?

This depends on your choice of lodging, state park rules, and intent. Even Safari's Sanctuary has to provide the necessary documents to the park rangers and/or game warden, including USDA permits and extensive vaccination records. You may be asked to present your exotic animal license issued by the Department of Fish and Game, your federal commercial breeders or non-commercial breeders license, veterinary inspection papers, or any number of other documents. When in doubt, be sure to contact the Roman Nose staff and Oklacon staff prior to coming. If the park determines a pet is not allowed in the park, there will be no place it can be stored anywhere within Roman Nose State Park.

Can I bring pets into the Turkey Roost building?

As space is limited, this act is generally discouraged but some exception may be made on a case by case basis. Safari Sanctuary's animals will always have the precedence for space in the Turkey Roost. No animals are allowed in the kitchen at any time.

Service Animals

Can I bring my service animal to the convention?

Yes. This differs fromt he pet policy because service animals are not pets. Qualified service animals are brought by attendees with disabilities, and these animals are specially trained to assist the disabled attendee with a particular facet of their disability. Service animals should be registered with SARA, NSAR, or USARplus, as well as the appropriate state authorities that license and register these animals. Registration requests each owner bringing a service animal also bring their registration papers so they can be checked off at registration should Security have questions distinguishing any individual animals as qualified service animals or as pets. Oklacon will not ask about any person's specific disabilities, which is private information attendees are not expected to disclose.

What are the rules on service animals that I bring to assist me with my disability at the convention?

Service animals should never be left unattended on any group camp area, including Turky Roost, A-Frames, and tents. Service animals must be leashed at all times. Owners must pick up after their service animals, and any service animal that destroys park property or leaves 'messes' may generate fines to their owners, as cited by the park rangers and maintenance staff. Non-owners are requested never to touch or pet a service animal, which is present to assist its owner with its disability, not to receive attention as a pet. Service animals should always be affixed with the customary vests or jackets indicating their status, including their service animal registry tags or badges. All service animals must be collared and tagged at all times. Every service animal brought to the park must have a rabies tag on their collar, and service animal owners must have their current, complete vaccination paperwork with them in case park rangers inquire. Just as pets who lack the required documentation can be ordered removed from the park by park rangers, service animals also must have the required documentation to prevent such orders. As both a state park and a wildlife refuge, the protection of the park wildlife will trump the ability to host both pets and service animals, as determined by these state park rangers.

Can I keep my service animal in the A-frame?

Yes, provided the required documentation is present for the qualified service animal. However, please take special note about A-Frames: Activity in A-Frames, which are shared by up to 16 people, may run past 2AM. Service animals and their disabled owners often need the predictable quiet times that only private bedding accommodations can afford. For these reasons, while qualified service animals are absolutely welcome in A-Frames with their owners, we recommend their owners consider tents, hotel rooms, motel rooms, or RV accommodations for the sake of their working animal.

Can I bring my service animal into the Roman Nose resort lodge?

Yes, provided the required documentation is present for the qualified service animal.

Can I bring my service animal into the Turkey Roost building?

Yes. However, please note that fursuiters often walk through the Turkey Roost, and this can sometimes frighten animals, and without careful supervision, fursuiters may not see small service animals as they walk. No service animals are allowed in the kitchen at any time, and any volunteer who requires a service animal who wishes to work in the kitchen will be assigned another area of the convention to assist instead.

Registration

Can I attend Oklacon if I am under 16 years old?

If you will be under the age of 16 at the start of the week in which Oklacon begins, you may atted Oklacon if, and only if, your legal guardian comes with you and stays as your chaperone and if you also bring a Guardian Permission Form that is both signed by your legal guardian and notarized by a Public Notary. A legal guardian can be a parent or another relative who acts as your legal guardian, as determined by a court or other legal decree; it cannot be an older sibling of age, an uncle, or any other person. A Public Notary is a person registered with the State who can verify the identity of people signing forms. There are thousands of Public Notaries in every state, and if you do not know one, someone at a local financial institution (a bank or a credit union) almost always has at least one public notary on staff. A Public Notary usually charges a small fee of $10 or less to verify your identity, sign, and stamp the document.

Even though your parent is coming, we STILL need the associated permission form signed and notarized so we can verify the person attending with you is your legal guardian. We realize the thought of coming with your parent or guardian may be somewhat awkward. Rest assured that every year we have between three and ten entire families attend, so your parents will have things to do and folks to hang out with even as you may have other events you with to attend.

Can I attend Oklacon if I am at least 16, but are still under 18 years old?

If you will be under the age of 18 at the start of the week in which Oklacon begins, you may atted Oklacon if, and only if, you provide a Guardian Permission Form that is both signed by your legal guardian and notarized by a Public Notary. A legal guardian can be a parent or another relative who acts as your legal guardian, as determined by a court or other legal decree; it cannot be an older sibling of age, an uncle, or any other person. A Public Notary is a person registered with the State who can verify the identity of people signing forms. There are thousands of Public Notaries in every state, and if you do not know one, someone at a local financial institution (a bank or a credit union) almost always has at least one public notary on staff. A Public Notary usually charges a small fee of $10 or less to verify your identity, sign, and stamp the document. This document is VERY IMPORTANT, as you will not be admitted to the convention nor permitted to stay on the Oklacon state park areas without it. If you bring a proper form, no parental chaperone is required.

We realize the thought of explaning the furry fandom to your parent or legal guardian in order to obtain their written consent on the permission form may be somewhat awkward. But don't let it be! Furries are some of the best quality, life-long friends you will ever make. We encourage you to refer your parents to our About Us page for more information, especially if you haven't shared our interest in all things animal before. And just remember -- there can be a lot of weird things on the Internet about furries and the furry fandom, but this convention is simply a fun social event that brings friends together with a common interest to share in a week of outdoor campground activities at a public state park. Doesn't get any more squeaky clean and innocent than that! :)

Why do I have to show government issued photo identification?

Due to the unique nature of our convention, and the inherant risks of operating in direct proximity to nature, we require that 100% of attendees are fully known to the registration staff. Reasons for this include, but are not limited too, everyone's safety and security while communing in our convention areas, protecting minors from exposure to alcohol, protecting those under 18 from participating in certain events, such as auctions, being able to provide critical information to emergency services, and more.