CLSNA' LamontCentral Forum

James · Senior Member

So you want to host a tent?

James · Senior Member

Various tent pictures...please add yours and any advice too!

-- Edited by James on Thursday 19th of May 2011 01:08:54 PM

EoinDubh · Senior Member

It does not really take a lot to get started with a tent. Not even a tent.

It helps to have a duck to keep the Campbells in line.

Our tent at the end of a 2 day games.

-- Edited by James on Thursday 19th of May 2011 01:14:57 PM

redwasp1910 · Newbie

I will be hosting the Clan Lamont tent in Minden, Louisiana April 6, 2013. If you have any ideas, let me know. I have already purchased the tent, the banner, the parade flag, the Sept name banner, Kilts for my family members and a bunch of literature, knick-knacks and information.

Bob Clemons

redwasp1910 · Newbie

James, It was great to get to visit with you and the others at the Arlington Games in 2011. I will never forget the time at the restaurant afterwards.

I will be hosting the Clan Lamont tent in Minden, Louisiana April 6, 2013. If you have any ideas, let me know. I have already purchased the tent, the banner, the parade flag, the Sept name banner, Kilts for my family members and a bunch of literature, knick-knacks and information.

Bob Clemons

LaCalif2 · Senior Member

Welcome Robert. We really appreciate you taking the time to host a tent and proudly representing Clan Lamont. I suggest you bone up on Scottish history in general and Lamont history specifically. If you need any Lamont information in handout form please let us know and we will get it to you. It helps so much when you meet a stranger in front of your tent even if they are not Lamonts. I always have some goodies (home made snacks and water especially) to treat guests and a little "water of life" to toast the Chief. Have a sign in sheet to maintain contact with the visitors even if they don't join the society. Start taking pictures early and often. This is an area that I fell down on and now kick myself. MOst of all have fun and smile often because you have the best seat in the house!

redwasp1910 · Newbie

Tom,

Thanks for the correspondence. I readily accept all advice, so thanks. Those are some great ideas. Yes, I woul love a copy of anything you have to offer. I have run off many pieces of the Lamont history, but there seems to always be just a little more to learn.

I look forward to meeting more of "the Clan".

Bob Clemons

LaCalif2 · Senior Member

smile What materials do you have? Were they from the internet (electricscotland, etc)? In my tent I have copies of "A Short History of Clan Lamont" "The Surrender of Clan Lamont" , "Whats a Chief, What's a Chieftan" among others. All these were created years ago by Ogden Lamont and others. I have at least 8 different handouts, some general in nature and others more specific. I also have colored printouts of Chief Peter Lamont, Cadet Family Crests and the Chiefs Crest.

More??

Bradley Turner · Member

What I think would be helpful is more information about WHERE to buy many of these items. Banners, flags, photos, maps, and even where to buy a tent, the appropriate size of the tent, etc. would all be very helpful. I see examples of all these various things that people have with their tent, but nobody seems to mention the places they've bought them.

I saw one clan, Clan Davidson, has a PDF explaining the do's and don'ts, and other valuable information- especially for those who have never hosted an event tent or anything. I just think the more information the better and would encourage more clan members to host tents at events in areas that are not currently represented.

I also don't know, but if there are expensese incurred for tent registration, etc... does CLSNA reimburse for this or is everything out of our own pockets?

Since my area is not represented, I am considering putting together a tent; not this year, but for next. Since I am new to this and have never been to any of these events before, I am taking this year to explore what is out there and where we could use representation. This is why I am curious about all the little details.

http://www.clandavidsonusa.com/Regional%20Director%20Support/CDS%20Tent%20Guidance%2012-20-11%20Low-Res

EoinDubh · Senior Member

I took a look at the Davidson PDF and it looks pretty standard. Most games use a 10' x 10' tent space. That size tent is pretty easily found at larger sporting goods stores and even at Home Depot as well as online. A common one is EZ-Up (http://www.buyshade.com). That is what I bought. The banneers at the top of the tent generally come from a local sign and banner shop. Anything with tartan is generally home made. I picked up a folding table and a piece of heavyweight stain resistant cloth to coner it and a small foldup bookshelf along with a cooler and a few foldup camping chairs. That is basically it. Clan Lamont has a CD with a lot of documents on it. I printed out a lot of that and put it in binders and framed a printout of the picture of the chief and a few other things t put on the table.

Games generally charge for clan tent spaces and I pay for that and submit an expense report to the National Treasurer.

Here is a photo of my tent last year at the Sacramento Valley Highland Games in California.

Clan Lamont tent

The parade banner and the banner in the tent came from Celtic Jackalope (http://www.celticjackalope.com) I also got tee shirts from them.

-- Edited by EoinDubh on Friday 15th of February 2013 06:50:48 AM

Bradley Turner · Member

Thank you very much for your reply. I know what it said in the Davidson PDF may seem pretty standard to someone who has hosted a tent or has been to several outings, but for us newbies it is all new. ;)

As far as the banners, many have them made at local sign shops, but where exactly do you get the graphics to give them? With prevous places I've worked that used signage, they usually required a high resolution image... but most graphics you find online are only 72 dpi.

It is nice to hear the DIY suggestions, perhaps other members who have hosted tents can also chime in with their experience; also, your links to the places you have purchased things are a great help too!!

Thanks again!!

ACrowe · Veteran Member

Bradley Turner wrote:
Thank you very much for your reply. I know what it said in the Davidson PDF may seem pretty standard to someone who has hosted a tent or has been to several outings, but for us newbies it is all new. ;)
As far as the banners, many have them made at local sign shops, but where exactly do you get the graphics to give them? With prevous places I've worked that used signage, they usually required a high resolution image... but most graphics you find online are only 72 dpi.
It is nice to hear the DIY suggestions, perhaps other members who have hosted tents can also chime in with their experience; also, your links to the places you have purchased things are a great help too!!
Thanks again!!

We just went to sign shop and had them make a one color Clan lamont sign in Old Gothic ( i think) font. They only charged us $35 for it.

EoinDubh · Senior Member

I do not see from your posts in this thread where you are located, but check with your Regional Director at http://www.clsna.us/contacts.html and he should be able to get you a CD with the graphics and handouts for the tent with a lot more.

Bradley Turner · Member

I live in West Central Wisconsin (aka the frozen north).

I actually found what appears to be a very reasonable banner printer, http://www.esigns.com/

The pricing is very inexpensive and they offer printing in a variety of sizes. What is nice is they actually offer a guide on how to format your design as well as templates for various software programs.

LaCalif2 · Senior Member

Bradley. I am late in welcoming you to the forum and to hosting. As you have noticed most of us started small and it snowballs from there. The site that Michael gave you is quite experienced in our needs here out west. If you find someone else please let us know. After all we are Scots looking for better (sic cheaper) availability. The Davidson site was really an eye opener for me. It reminded me of deploying to the "desert" and swamps. What games are you going to attend? Anything we can do please let us know.

Bradley Turner · Member

The biggest event in the area I live is the MN Scottish Festival & Highland Games. They have a "Clan Row" and seem to be welcoming to clan participation. What I found bizarre, is how many of these Scottish festivals refer to vendor participation as "by invitation only" and restrict it to vendors that only sell merchandise- instead of actually welcoming clan participation.

I just found out that there is also a local, small town, "Renaissance Festival" here at the end of June, so that should be interesting.

There is also the Highland Games in Waukesha. The registration fee for vendors 'promoting a business' is $350 for a 10'x10' space and they require ACORD certificate of insurance; does CLSNA provide the insurance info or are we required to insure our own tents?

LaCalif2 · Senior Member

We shy away from events that require that out here. We are not commercial vendors as we are not in the business of selling anything of real value. Our handouts are free to the public and all we are doing is sharing our knowledge and hoping to spread Scottish hospitality. The Clan coordinators for the sites are our points of contact. We are non profit 501(c)3. The Queen Mary Games out here in Long Beach got high handed like that and the Clans for the most part chose not to participate and the attendance plummeted (maybe the price of $25 per day each person and $25 to park had an impact-go figure). Sooner or later they will realize that the Clans and their members are the draw. Pleasanton is $22 each for two day entry, $8 to park and $45 for a two day tent site and they have 30-40k attend. That's why they have been in continuous operation for over 138 years.

Bradley Turner · Member

It makes me wonder if there is a separate process for clan participants, as I have seen another posting in this forum regarding Clan Lamont participation in the Wisconsin Highland Games a year or two ago. Thankfully the Minnesota Festival is MUCH closer to me- the WI Highland Games on the other hand, are about 275 miles away.

LaCalif2 · Senior Member

You are right in most cases. The clans usually are entered and apply at a much lower rate. Out here ours range from $25-45 per event. Ours are listed as a separate item in the web site which connects you to the Clan Convenor for the event. I click on the web site part that says clans and see where it leads me. Hope this helps.

ACrowe · Veteran Member

Here is a picture of my tent display from last year.... I will post my new upgrades after this coming weekend ;)