worktrade

Our Worktrade is now closed for 2022. 

Thank you for everyone who applied! Passes are still available for purchase online until Saturday, June 4th, and at the gate starting Tuesday, June 7th.

The Firefly Gathering couldn’t happen without the help of its wonderful Worktraders! Thank you for your interest in contributing your hands and heart to helping make this event happen.

Before you apply, be sure to read the Worktrade Position Descriptions and the Worktrade FAQ thoroughly. Everything you need to know, including most commonly asked questions, are here for you on this page!

There are a limited number of Worktrade opportunities for the Gathering. We make our best effort to assign applicants to one of their top three choices (which you can indicate on your application), but please note that we can’t accommodate everyone. We’ll make sure to clear your assignment with you before committing you to it.

please note

We won’t assign you a shift until we receive your Attendance Fee and Refundable Deposit. Read more about how to submit or why we ask for a deposit below in our Worktrade FAQ section.

Filling out the Worktrade Application does not guarantee you a spot in the Worktrade Program. If you don’t get assigned, your Attendance Fee and Refundable Deposit will be reimbursed.

positions

Thanks so much for considering worktrading with Firefly! Our application for 2022 is now closed. We hope to see you next year! Please see the Gathering tab of our website for more information on purchasing passes. 

Thanks so much for considering worktrading with Firefly!

 Please read the following carefully before filling out the application.

There are a wide variety of worktrade positions available. Please read the Position Descriptions (below) thoroughly so you know what you’re signing up for. If a position has a specific skill set that is required, please be sure to list your experience/training under the “Requisites” section in your application.

Our Worktrade Application is Closed to the Public.
If You Have Already Been Approved & Need to Submit An Application, Do So Here:

General Worktrade Shifts don’t require significant expertise or special skills: simply a desire to help.

Specialty Worktrade Shifts require expertise and special skills. Some include working closely with staff and instructors.

worktrade commitments

PARTIAL WORKTRADE

FULL WORKTRADE

TIME COMMITMENT

15 hours / 2 full days (unless otherwise noted)

30 hours / 4 full days / Entirety of Setup/Breakdown (unless otherwise noted)

WORKTRADE FEES

Non-Refundable $175 Attendance Fee

Refundable $50 Deposit

Non-Refundable $40 Attendance Fee

Refundable $75 Deposit

MEALS

2 meals/day during the event
3 meals/day during Setup/Breakdown

2 meals/day during the event
3 meals/day during Setup/Breakdown

PARTIAL WORKTRADE

TIME COMMITMENT

15 hours / 2 full days (unless otherwise noted)

WORKTRADE FEES

Non-Refundable $175 Attendance Fee

Refundable $50 Deposit

MEALS

2 meals/day during the event
3 meals/day during Setup/Breakdown

FULL WORKTRADE

TIME COMMITMENT

30 hours / 4 full days / 

Entirety of Setup/Breakdown (unless otherwise noted)

WORKTRADE FEES

Non-Refundable $40 Attendance Fee

Refundable $75 Deposit

MEALS

2 meals/day during the event
3 meals/day during Setup/Breakdown

shift descriptions

PRE-EVENT  Now –  Saturday, June 17th

SETUP  Saturday, June 17th – Tuesday, June 20th

DURING  Tuesday, June 20th – Sunday, June 25th 

BREAKDOWN  Sunday, June 25th – Tuesday, June 27th

POST-EVENT: Tuesday, June 27th – Saturday, July 15th

full trades

Firewood 
Setup, During, Breakdown

Firewood Crew’s job is to process firewood and distribute it to our many fires in preparation for the event. If you are handy with a chainsaw or a splitting maul, then the firewood crew is the perfect crew for you. This position requires attendance of all of Setup and Breakdown.

Or, Scroll On to Read All Partial Trade Options!

partial trades

Firewood 
Setup or Breakdown

Firewood Crew’s job is to process firewood and distribute it to our many fires in preparation for the event. If you are handy with a chainsaw or a splitting maul, then the firewood crew is the perfect crew for you. This position requires attendance of either all of Setup (17th-20th) or all of  Breakdown (25th-27th).

Parking 

During

Set up parking lots, help people park, welcome folks to the event, and maybe wear a cool vest! Crewmembers must have good spatial awareness and the ability to be simultaneously assertive and welcoming. You’ll be working closely with our Site Crew. Partial trades need to be able to arrive by 9am on the 20th and stay until the end of the day on the 25th.

Shuttle Driver
During Event

Help shuttle folks from our satellite parking lot to the main gathering site. This is ONLY a Full Worktrade if you have a vehicle that can pull a trailer full of folks with their gear in the back of the truck (we have the trailer). We will compensate you for gas.

Ready to Apply? Click Below!

Questions? See our FAQ below. For further inquiries, please contact our Worktrade Coordinator at worktrade@fireflygathering.org

specialty positions

Shuttle Driver (Full or Partial Trade)

During Event

Help shuttle folks from our satellite parking lot to the main gathering site. This is ONLY a Full Worktrade if you have a vehicle that can pull a trailer full of folks with their gear in the back of the truck (we have the trailer); In this case, you’re responsible for completing 20 hours during the event. We will compensate you for gas.

Questions? Please contact our Worktrade Coordinator at worktrade@fireflygathering.org

To apply, click below

faq

The Worktrade Application will be available starting February 1, 2023. We encourage folks to apply sooner rather than later!

Options for this are limited. This can work well when a During Event position is paired with a Pre-Event position, but we do not allow folks to do more than one During Event position. Please note that if you are only available for Setup OR Breakdown, we cannot assign you to a Setup/Breakdown position, as these are typically full trades that we do our best not to split into partials.

Attendance Fee – A $40 fee is passed on to our site hosts, Deerfields Retreat Center, for every person on-site during our gathering. The $175 Attendance Fee paid by Partial Worktraders includes this fee and the cost of a discounted full-event ticket.

Refundable Deposit – We want to know that you will come, as we need the help you are agreeing to give! Over the years, refundable deposits have provided the best assurance of accountability. We will keep your deposit only if you don’t show up or don’t complete your hours for a reason we deem unacceptable. If an immediate family member dies or you break your leg, and/or you cancel by April 30, 2023, we will give back your deposit. If you decide to change your plans, your ride falls through, or you cancel after April 30th, we probably won’t give it back. We rely on worktraders to run this event, so please resolve what you need to resolve in order to follow through on your commitment! We thank you.

You can expect to hear from us within 10 business days. We only process Worktrade Applications once the Worktrade Attendance Fee and Deposits are received. If you are mailing a check, please give adequate time for the check to get to us. If it has been more than 10 business days since you’ve submitted your Attendance Fee and Refundable Deposit, please contact our Worktrade Coordinator at worktrade@fireflygathering.org.

We accept payment by credit/debit card upon submission of your online application. All Attendance Fees must be paid online. Your Refundable Deposit can be paid online upon submission of your application, or you can choose to send us a check if you apply prior to May 15th. Mailing a personal check is a great alternative for folks who don’t have the funds to pay online, as we will not cash your deposit unless you do not show up for your worktrade as agreed.

If you wish to pay your refundable deposit by check:

  • Send a personal check for $75 for a Full Worktrade application or $50 for a Partial Worktrade application
  • Make the check out to Firefly Gathering and put “WT Deposit” and the worktrade applicant’s name in the memo line
  • Mail to the address included in the automatic email confirmation you’ll receive after submitting your application

By successfully completing your worktrade assignments and having a Firefly Staff sign off on your contribution to the gathering! If you complete your worktrade, we will refund your online payment or rip up your check.

Our worktrade positions require a lot of care and focus, and can involve equipment and activity dangerous to untrained people. For this reason, we do not allow children to hang out with you while you worktrade. Please arrange to have someone you trust care for your children’s needs during your worktrade shifts. If you are worktrading during setup/breakdown, please arrange to have your children cared for offsite. We are willing to consider exceptions if your child is 12 or older as long as they can safely be onsite without supervision and you are willing to be responsible for their needs, including food, in addition to your worktrade responsibilities. 

Please contact our Worktrade Coordinator at worktrade@fireflygathering.org if you have questions or would like to discuss options.

Yes! We are happy to offer a 20% discount on child and youth passes for the children of worktraders. Please note this discount is intended only for your children/those you parent, and is not available for additional kids that may come along with you. Please reach out to our Worktrade Coordinator at worktrade@fireflygathering.org for details.

Worktraders have the option of purchasing meal passes for their children attending the event. Again, please keep in mind that this is intended only for your own children/those you parent, and not your friend or neighbor’s children. Child meal tickets cover meals during the event only and do not include setup/breakdown meals. Prices are as follows:

  • Ages 3-7: $75 per person
  • Ages 8-17: $150 per person

Due to the limitations of our kitchen, Firefly is unable to offer meals to additional guests and adult family members of worktraders, and adult guests will not have the option to purchase meals from our kitchen. 

Worktraders will receive free satellite parking, but if you would like an onsite parking pass you’ll need to purchase it separately. If your position requires you to have a vehicle onsite, the Worktrade Coordinator will let you know and you will receive a free onsite parking pass. 

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Kimberly Dunn

Finance Manager (she/her)

Having grown up in a multicultural family, Kimberly’s love for languages and traditional cultures is infused into everything she creates. After many years overseas, she now calls the Appalachian mountains her home and continues to keep the adventure alive by staying close to the wild. Kimberly is a singer songwriter, dancer, women’s circle facilitator, personal finance astrologer, bookkeeper, yoga teacher, and chef.