Your Witch Camp Second Year FAQ's

Leave the outside world behind as we get ready to build our Witchy world together. All you need to do is be you. Witch Camp is a beautiful, supportive, life-changing experience. Every single time I do Witch Camp, I do a spell to call the people who are ready for the experience. You heard the call on the winds and you are meant to be here! You're about to be surrounded and lifted up by some of the most amazing, magickal people you've ever met. Witch Camp is a safe, supportive environment where we can learn and grow together! On day one, we make an agreement of kindness, honor and respect. Just like the Knights of the Round Table, we recognize that we all come together powerfully as equals and we each have something valuable to share (even if you aren't sure what that is yet). In this environment of safety and respect, it allows our inner Witch to "remember" and be revealed.

The weather in New Orleans in October traditionally has highs averaging around 80 to upper 70's and lows around 60. It's my favorite time of the year to be in New Orleans and that is why we chose to have camp during this time. The weather is beautiful. PRO TIP: BRING LAYERS! It's always smart to bring layers - most times during the day - I am in a sundress or a slip and then at night I've got my black tights, combat boots and leather jacket on. Definitely bring a small umbrella as there is usually a day or two of rain! Please see "What should I pack? Gimme the checklist!" for more details!

Please read this whole cute list!

• One black outfit (for Wednesday, of course!)
• One white outfit (for Friday's final ritual). We only wear white for the photos and then our ritual in the late/afternoon, evening time. I recognize that we are Wild Witches who might get very dirty if we wore this white all day, so never fear, we will not do that! In the past, people have brought white slips, a Victorian style Gunne Sax white dress, I wore a falling apart wedding dress once. A white jumpsuit is cute. A white toga works for everyone! Anything that makes you feel comfortable and magick. 
• Pack layers just in case. Maybe tights you can wear under your clothes, and a light sweater or Springtime jacket. 
• Pack shoes so that you can explore! I'm going to be living in my Doc Martins for probably most of of the week.
• Please bring your own drinking vessel (portable water bottle) for our circles. The Mystery Mansion has a filtered water system that you can fill your own container with!
• Pack a bathing suit if you feel like going to the Country Club on our afternoon breaks (it is cute as hell!), or if you are in the mood to have a cute outdoor bath in the clawfoot tub! Sometimes the weather works with us to make this happen!
• Fun accessories for ADORNMENT! That sequin cape? That purple wig? Crystal crown? The ring of flowers for your hair? If you've got something that you feel brings out the magick in your spirit to the OUTSIDE, then wear it! I'm bringing press on tattoos for everyone that wants one! This is a safe place so you can adorn yourself in a way that makes you feel good.
• A small umbrella isn't a bad idea if you've got the room.
• Make-up Party. If you're a makeup person, I'm bringing some stick on crystals for our faces and golden mica to anoint ourselves with if you chose to! If you have anything fun, feel free to bring!
• Feel free to bring any of your own magickal tools that you love like tarot cards or oracle cards or anything that would enhance your experience.
• ALSO - we are doing a Witchy Swap Meet - you know that deck or wand or magickal object that is gathering dust in your closet? Bring and we will all put in the middle and that item can move on with someone who loves it and you might find a fun thing you love, too!
• Bring a photo of you as a child. It would be best if you could bring a physical copy or print it out before we gather together - so you can put Little You into the circle with all us, too! I know they want to come to Witch Camp, too!
• Make sure you leave a little space in your suitcase for magickal items to come home with you. There's ton of magick Witchy shops in New Orleans with cool stuff!
• If you identify as a lighter sleeper, you might want to bring the tools that you need to comfort you for a good night's sleep in the artistic and beautiful Bywater neighborhood. Sometimes you can hear the train whistle in the distance or the low horn from the boats in the harbor at night. Generally, it is a pretty quiet place, and for your comfort and well rest, we provide a sound machine and a fan in every room. If you sleep extremely light, perhaps you might want to pack headphones with you or anything else to make you feel comfortable! 
• Bring some cash to have on hand or an atm card because if you are planning on going shopping, some stores in New Orleans only take cash.

• For the Grimoire Workshop: Please bring your magick journal (you can bring a brand new one or one that you have been using).

•  For the Relics Workshop: Please bring an object that has some meaning to you. It could be a piece of jewelry (ring, bracelet, necklace) or really anything that has a story that you can share. Examples of things that Witches brought last year were: a small piece of bark from a special tree, a lucky coin from an arcade, a small vintage flashlight, a tiny dinosaur figure.  If your object is not something wearable, it should be something that could fit easily in a pocket. 

There is not parking at the actual Mansion, but there is street parking right around it. In past Witch Camps, driving Campers were able to find parking spots on the block with ease. For extra security, as we are in a bustling city, I would always recommend having a steering wheel lock. 

On the Monday of our first day of Witch Camp together, we are beginning check-in at 11am-4pm. This is a time where you will be shown to your room, you can take a shower, a nap and chill and walk the grounds. David Varlow and our appointed Cottage Witch, Odetta will be there to welcome you. David will be making his famous "Warlock Lemonade" and treats in the Wonderland Kitchen. We gather together at 4pm for our welcome time.

WITCH TIP: Most Campers walk to Satsuma (3218 Dauphine Street) and grab lunch or a coffee and go shopping at Bargain Center (legendary thrift store 3200 Dauphine Street).

Our check-out is Saturday by Noon. Our final ritual is on Friday night and Saturday is a free day where you can enjoy New Orleans or let the experience of the week wash over you.

Our Cottage Witch for the 2024 Fall Season is Odetta!

Consider Cottage Witch a resource for personal problem-solving and vibe curation. Cottage Witch helps maintain the magickal frequency of the space through gentle reminders and daily acts, ensuring our space is ready and conductive for the most beautiful magick-making. Cottage Witch is not the housekeeper, but can assist campers with general inquiries, trouble-shooting and provide assistance in house cleanliness and comfortability, energetic and otherwise.

Yes! There is a fridge for us in the kitchen of the Mansion. You will access to it to store your own food if needed! Our lunches together will be vegetarian, and our soups will be vegetarian based soups. If there are any additional eating restrictions that you may have, please check your email and respond to the Witch Camp form!

Yes! If you know of someone who is in your same week of Witch Camp that you would like to room with please let us know! We will be sending each camper a Witch Camp Welcome by email, where we ask this question, so we can make this the best experience for you as possible!

Grimoire Workshop: Please bring your magick journal (you can bring a brand new one or one that you have been using).

Relics Workshop: Please bring an object that has some meaning to you. It could be a piece of jewelry (ring, bracelet, necklace) or really anything that has a story that you can share. Examples of things that Witches brought last year were: a small piece of bark from a special tree, a lucky coin from an arcade, a small vintage flashlight, a tiny dinosaur figure.  If your object is not something wearable, it should be something that could fit easily in a pocket. 

Taxis are available at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport at the Arrivals Curb just outside of the Level 1 Baggage Claim near Door 7. Taxis are $36 from the airport to the Mystery Mansion. The airport is extremely friendly (there's probably going to be a live jazz band playing somewhere to greet you), and it's also small so it's very easy to navigate!

On the way home, a hired car service (Curb,Lyft, or Uber) are probably your best bet with door to door service. And if a few of you are leaving around the same time, you can split the cost of the car to the airport!

Travel Safety Tip: With Ubers, please make sure the license plate matches and ask your driver who they are picking up. Get into the car after they say your name. 

Absolutely! Each day, we have our lunch break in the courtyard from 1-2pm. Lunch is always offered for you in the courtyard Tuesday through Friday and it is optional for you. From 2pm to 5pm each day, we have time for exploring or relaxing.  Typically, we go on a fun group shopping day to the French Quarter on Wednesday during our mid-day break!

Witch Camp instruction and group activities ends on Friday evening with our closing dinner. You will also have the morning on Saturday up until noon at our check-out time to explore.

I'm so excited that you are getting to explore New Orleans for the first time with me and your Witch Camp friends! It's a mystical and beautiful place!

A note about the people and community. People are really friendly in New Orleans and more often than not, people will say hello as they pass you on the street. It's just local culture to be kind and I love it!

David made a map for all of you to check out - you can find it here!

Also, when you arrive, there is a Welcome Binder in each room that will let you know of the special places to explore and to eat!

One of the things New Orleans is known for is its amazing food and all the Witchy stores!

Here are some recommendations: 

Local Music:

DBA & Spotted Cat on Frenchmen Street.

Hi Ho on St Claude.

If you want to see some legendary blues performers:

Preservation Hall

Here are some restaurants that you might enjoy nearby the Mansion:
Alma (breakfast/lunch/coffee)
Satsuma (breakfast/lunch/juice)
Bywater Bakery (breakfast/coffee/pastries)
Elizabeth’s (great for brunch)
Frady’s (poboys)
Suis Generis (dinner)
Rosalita’s tacos (one of my budget favs! outdoor, dinner)
N7 (reservation required, fancy outdoor, dinner)
Bacchanal (outdoor, dinner - they also tend to have live chill dinner music and it's amazing)
Pizza Delicious (lunch dinner)
Elysian Bar/Church (dinner, outdoor & indoor in a beautiful historic church)

Thrift Stores:

The Bargain Center (it's kind of a must-do in the Bywater - all sorts of interesting finds, some handmade clothing, antique things from old New Orleans mansions, books, mardi gras costumes - you never know what you'll find!)

Fun Clothing Stores:

Fifi Mahoney's (there's one location walking distance from us! Fun wigs, accessories and kitchy fun)

Trashy Diva (in the French Quarter)

Trixie's Burlesque Boutique (in the French Quarter)

Witch/Voodoo Stores:

Crescent City Conjure

Haus of Voodoo

Path of Awakenings

Cottage Magick

Voodoo Authentica

If it is hot enough while we are there - the Country Club is walking distance and has a pool and amazing cocktails!

There's so much to explore!

Witch Camp is following county, state and federal (CDC) Covid-19 guidelines in place. 

As of May 5, 2024, Orleans Parish is categorized as having an extremely LOW Covid-19 Community Level, when considering the three CDC measures together and using the thresholds listed in the CDC chart. This is the lowest it has been since 2020. In the months following and up to this date, the New Orleans Parish has continued with LOW Covid-19 Community Level ratings.

Even with that good news, we should all be aware and careful leading up to our event. Please be mindful to avoid large group settings and please wear a mask if you are in an enclosed space with other people leading up to Witch Camp. I ask that you please take a home test or get a PCR before you leave home and wear a mask during your travels and on the plane so you can arrive to Witch Camp healthy and ready to have the time of your life! I appreciate your understanding as I know we all want to do our best to keep our community safe. 

Yes! I'm glad you asked! 

• Please bring your own portable drinking vessel to camp. There are pure water coolers on site, and you can refill your vessel and carry with you everywhere. This eliminates plastic bottle waste and is greatly appreciated by our environment! 

When you arrive, there will be a Welcome Binder in your room with the details of your specific Wi-Fi pass as well as all sorts of fun things to do and see in the area!

Wonderland is magickal and so is this carefully curated art space. Our hostess, Stacy has put so much love and care into the home and has completely transformed it for Witch Camp!  These are the few house rules that she asked me to pass on to you: 

• Keep noise to a minimum, particularly after 9:30PM in consideration of our neighbors.
• Use the antique furniture gently. If you happen to break anything, please let me know.
• Turn the window units off when you are not in the room. The main house central air will remain on. If you'd like it to be turned up or down, let me know.
• If you use dishes outside of the scheduled meals, please wash, dry and put away, right away, all used dishes, silverware, pots and pans.
• If you'd like to empty your trash at any time, place it in the city trash bins on Desire Street, beyond the garage, behind the metal sliding gate.
• Place all used towels in the laundry basket and just leave the sheets on the bed.
• Please close the doors of your personal rooms when you are not in them.
• Please make sure you leave your keys at check-out with your Cottage Witch!
• There are several wi-fi networks on the property, and each room has a card with the wi-fi details waiting for you!
• Have fun and enjoy the fantasy of this space! There is magick in every corner!

We have all worked so hard to get to Witch Camp, and when we dedicate ourselves to our magick - incredible things happen! Witch Camp is a world that we create and we do our very best to the leave the outside world behind. For this reason, we do not allow cell phones, tablets or computers into the main house, unless you have an emergency situation. We have a designated cell phone area on the property and you can use your device in your room as long as it is considerate to your roommate. We find that this maintains the peace and calm of Witch Camp for all.