New Orleans vanlife Gathering Gathering Q&A
We’re glad you’re here! This weekend is a welcoming, friendly space where vanlifers can gather to share, learn, and deepen our community. Today, much of our interaction happens online, but this weekend in New Orleans, we’ll circle our modern-day covered wagons to share our skills and stories face-to-face, while doing what we love in the outdoors—and checking out each other’s rigs, of course!
Want to start the party early?
Matt from Enjoy the Journey Today and SamVanZam have begun a caravan to the New Orleans Vanlife Gathering! The Good Vibe Tribe started on October 12 and are traveling to all the must-see stops to enjoy live music, local attractions and campsites along the way.
Want to hop on the fun? All are welcome to join—and you can hop on the train at any time.
When is the best time to arrive/depart?
Address: The event will be taking place at The Mt. Hermon Surf Club (26201-, 26247 Par Road 316, Mt Hermon, LA 70450). The venue is about an hour and a half from the New Orleans International Airport and downtown New Orleans.
Check In: Gates will open at noon and you are welcome to check in after that! We ask that you do not arrive beforehand as we will be setting up for the event. Please find the sign for the Check In station.
Check Out: Please leave Mt. Hermon Surf Club no later than Sunday, October 20 at 3 pm. Please bring a bag of trash with you as you go!
Who is this event for AND IS IT OPEN TO ALL VEHICLES?
This is an all-inclusive event and we invite everyone to attend. Vans, buses, trucks, cars, motorbikes, swags, RVs, and bikes are welcome! Bring what ya got, and be prepared for three days of fun! The only requirement is that you pack a wide-open mind, a burning passion for alternative ways of living, and a desire to meet a whole lot of interesting people.
How do I register for the event?
What does my ticket get me?
In addition to entry, your ticket gets you this and more:
A weekend at Mt. Hermon Surf Club and its onsite amenities
A community dinner featuring Cajun Cohon de Lait
Late night music by DJ Benjamin Seyna
Engaging workshops and discussions on topics such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in vanlife, a mental health, solar and more!
The opportunity to meet other vanlifers
Is there a line up or schedule of activities?
This event is designed so you can choose your own adventure in some parts, meaning that you get to decide what activities you’d like to do! At other times, we’ll all be planning to gather for certain portions of the event.
How do I participate in Open Mic Jam?
We’d love for you to share your talents at the event! Open Mic Night is set for Friday and Saturday evenings starting at 8 pm onward! Get ready for an uninterrupted stream of talent from you, the community.
Do you sing or play an instrument? Bring it! Wanna tell some jokes, recite poetry, tap dance, beat box, yodel? Come on up! We’re calling all talent.
What’s the Creators’ Exchange?
You’re invited to bring your handmade creations to trade or sell! Sunday morning, we’ll set up a community Creator’s Exchange, a place in which we can buy, sell, and trade our handmade items in a welcoming atmosphere.
All and any handmade items are welcome at the Creator’s Exchange—stickers, drawings, postcards, crocheted goods, baked goods, soaps, paintings, henna tattoos, poems—it’s all gravy, baby! All we ask is that you keep it handmade and original to your own creations. No purchase items for resale, please!
What is the raffle about?
Thanks to our sponsors, we will be raffling off some camping and adventure gear hand-selected for this event. Raffle items this year include Vanlife Diaries t-shirts & books, Khala & Co reusable food wraps, Go Van gear, Bedrock Sandals, Hydro Flask water bottles, VIVOBarefoot shoes, Pura Vida Bracelets, VSSL kits, Gili gear, Voited blankets, Stasher bags, LifeStraw water bottles, Rumpl blankets, FinalStraw, Toad & Co. gift cards, Mohinders shoes, Yeti coolers, Leki camp chairs, LuminAID solar-powered lights, an Aeorpress coffee maker and more! We will be selling raffle tickets on site. Please bring cash.
What nonprofit does the event support?
Ten percent of the ticket proceeds will be going toward Healthy Gulf Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf Region.
Is this event only for those with campers? Can I bring a tent?
If you’re interested in registering but don’t have a van or access to one, there is ample room for tent camping on site.
How can I volunteer for this event?
We’ll take all the help we can get to make this the best event possible! Thank you for your support.
What’s the weather like in New Orleans this time of year?
The weather is forecasted to be high in the 80s and in the 60s at night. Currently, there's a chance of showers here and there, so make sure to bring clothing that will keep you dry and warm. You may also want to bring any sunshades or pop up tents to share with us for extra spaces to gather. We'd also advise bringing lots of sunscreen and layers. And don't forget to bring your costumes, accessories and flair so we can party in style!
What’s the food situation?
Please bring enough food for yourselves for the weekend. We'd love that you try to spend as much time with us at our location so you don't miss parts of our event.
There is a community potluck on Friday and a community dinner on Saturday. All other meals will be on your own, so come prepared to make your own breakfasts and lunches while getting to know your neighbors!
For the potluck: Don’t worry about bringing enough food for everyone; just bring enough to share. The potluck will be held on Friday night around 6 pm of the gathering. Make sure to remove your leftover food and any food containers no later than 9 pm on Friday evening.
For the community dinner: On Saturday, we will enjoy a community dinner featuring Cajun Cochon de Lait, a cajun pig roast of a whole young pig. The pig is slow roasted for 6 to 12 hours. The Chef is making vegan and vegetarian sides and salads. Please bring your own reusable plates and utensils.
A few additional things to note:
There is a cafe 5 minutes away with a Wi-Fi connection if you need to step away to grab a snack.
There are local grocery stores 20 minutes away to pick up food on the way to the venue.
Will there be alcohol there? Can I bring my own?
Stay tuned, but as of now, please bring your own alcoholic beverage of choice. We will have non-alcoholic beverages available, including a selection of drinks from Big Easy Bucha.
Will there be areas to fill up water?
Mt. Hermon Surf Club has well water available for filling up water bottles and gallon jugs.
Will there be restrooms? Showers?
There will be plenty of bathrooms and hand washing stations for everyone to use. There are also outdoor showers available.
Will there be areas where we can have campfires?
Mt. Hermon Surf Club has an established campfire ring and plenty of firewood. Bring your own camping chair and blanket if you have one. No satellite fires will be allowed.
Will there be hookups or other power sources?
Unfortunately, there are no formal campground-style hookups on site. Please plan to bring your own power in the form of solar or battery. We do not allow generators, as they detract from the overall experience.
Is there Wi-Fi?
No, but you should have service depending on your provider. We suggest you put your phone away for the weekend and be present with us as much as possible.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes– dogs are welcome. We want to meet them and pet them!
A couple ground rules if you’re bringing your furry travel buddy:
If your dog is off-leash, they need to remain within sight and under your control. No roaming dogs, please.
Be proactive. If you are not absolutely certain your dog will behave, consider keeping them on-leash.
Make sure to clean up after your dog and follow Leave No Trace principles. No one wants to step in your dog’s poop!
Don’t feed other people’s dogs without permission! Always ask their owner first.
Want to stay up to date?
Join us on Social Media! We’ll be sharing almost-daily updates about the New Orleans Vanlife Gathering over there, everything from workshop details to directions to logistical information to insider tips.
What’s Next?
We will be caravanning from New Orleans to Austin! Join us for an Austin Vanlife Happy Hour November 9 from 5-9 pm at Jester King Brewery.
STILL CAN’T FIND AN ANSWER?
Send ‘em our way! Kathleen, Noami or Dustin will get back to any of your queries, concerns, or comments.