TOMKAT CODE OF CONDUCT
LAST UPDATED: DECEMBER 18, 2023
At TOMKAT, we want to encourage an open and inviting atmosphere for everyone. To help ensure this, we do have a set of rules (the “Code of Conduct”) we require all Attendees follow. Please note that any violation of the rules below will result in consequences such as, but not limited to: a formal verbal and/or written warning, suspension from subsequent event(s), being banned from all future event(s), and/or immediate ejection and removal from the event and premises. No refunds will be given to any persons removed from the event under these circumstances.
All attendees must be 19 years of age or older.
Respect
Respect all individuals at TOMKAT.
No touching (smacking, hugging, tickling or anything else that makes contact with another person) without their consent first. If someone asks you to leave them alone, respect that. Just because one person is having physical contact with an individual does not imply permission for all to have physical contact. Ask first.
Be respectful when speaking to others. Be mindful of your words and pronouns. If you cannot say something nice, say nothing at all.
Please, drink responsibly.
Respect the property of those around you.
Don’t use toys that don’t belong to you, don’t eat food that isn’t yours. If you’d like to use something, ask.
If you damage someone’s property, you are responsible to make amends.
Respect the venue.
Clean up after yourself. Pick up your trash and empties.
Dispose of dirty diapers properly in the designated areas.
Dispose of cigarettes properly. Do not throw them on the ground.
If you damage the venue or see damages to the venue, you must immediately alert an organizer. The person who damaged the property is responsible for the repairs.
Privacy
All information regarding events, scenes, participants, or conversations are to be held in strict confidence. Breaching event confidentiality may result in consequences, up to and including legal action.
TOMKAT is a private event. Please use discretion. When leaving the property during TOMKAT you will respect the surrounding community, neighbors, and not bring attention to TOMKAT.
Photography
Personal Photos: Do not take pictures, videos, or audio recordings without receiving consent first. Not sure? Ask!
TOMKAT Photographers: Marked photographers will be taking photos throughout the event. They will ask consent before taking photos.
Furthermore, bracelets must be worn by anyone that wants to have photos taken of them by the TOMKAT photographers and receive them after the event.
If you do not feel comfortable at any time with being recorded or of any recorded content of yourself you reserve the right to tell someone to stop or delete the content. The person recording is required to respect all such requests.
Cabins
No outdoor shoes allowed to be worn in the cabins.
From 10:00am to 10:00pm, the living room areas are available to the public for activities.
From 10:00pm to 10:00am, the living area is to be for those who paid for it.
If you are hanging out in the cabin, please respect those that paid for it, and if they ask you to leave (within reason), please do so. Keep in mind that the living room is also the bedroom for some. If it’s late, you might be asked to leave.
Clean up after yourself.
Food
The kitchen is open to all except when communal meals are being prepared. Priority is to be given to communal meal preparation. Refer to the schedule and/or an organizer for more details.
The fridge is for communal meal food only. All food must be stored either indoors or in vehicles. There are bears in the area so please be mindful of food storage and food disposal.
If you use the kitchen, please clean up after yourself. Do your dishes quickly.
All attendees are expected to help with the preparation and/or the cleaning up of at least one meal. A sign-up will be done close to the event.
Food Safety
General
Always ensure food is safe to eat
Always be conscious of food allergies
If there are issues, please inform organizers.
Cleaning
Please make sure to always wash your hands before handling any food or items in the kitchen.
Please thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables to remove chemicals or microorganisms present on the surface of the food.
Please always wash all utensils and cooking tools in between different ingredients to avoid cross contamination. (Especially true for raw meat vs cooked meat)
Please always clean all surfaces where food is being prepared or cooked
prior to beginning food preparation
during the process if more than one ingredient is used
and after food preparation is complete.
If any of the food falls on a surface other than the one cleaned to prepare it, please be sure to clean that surface, and discard the ingredient to avoid contamination.
Cooking
Please be sure to cook all meat at an adequate temperature to avoid possible illness.
Please ensure raw meat does not come in contact with cooked meat.
If food is not consumed immediately after cooking, it can be kept up to 30 minutes outside before it has to be either refrigerated or heated and kept at a temperature above 65 degrees Celsius in order to prevent bacterial growth.
If an item is cooked and left for an extended period at room temperature, please discard it. Reheating it will not make it magically safe again. (Some exceptions apply for food that doesn't need to be refrigerated after cooking. When in doubt, air on the side of caution. If you have questions, ask).
If food is not being used or cooked, it needs to be stored back in the refrigerator or other container to avoid spoiling or cross-contamination.
Meat or heat sensitive food that has been put out for too long should be discarded to avoid illness
Remember, heating during cooking should be uninterrupted to ensure food is cooked properly.
Only thaw meat you are planning to cook. Thaw meat in the refrigerator only.
Please turn off appliances once cooking is done and please clean them properly so they can be used by others.
Serving meals
Always use clean dishes and utensils for serving food. If you are unsure about the cleanliness of an item, please clean it before using it.
If a part of the meal falls on the floor or an unclean surface, please discard it. The 5-second rule doesn’t exist when serving food.
If a person complains that their meal taste weird, the cook themselves should verify whether or not the item is good to eat. If it is found that an item is unsafe for consumption, please throw the rest away and inform anyone who ate it and an organizer (preferably one of the safety officers).
Please serve food in a timely fashion. Remember that food shouldn’t be left at room temperature too long.
For food that tastes or looks suspicious (for example hamburger meat that is bloody) please report it to the cooks so it can be dealt with immediately.
If there is a food safety issue, please report it to both the cooks in the kitchen and to an organizer.
Food Storage
Please safely store all food and ingredients. Food is to be stored inside or in cars. Please do not leave food outside or in tents due to animals in the area. Gay bears and teddy bears are lovely to come to camp. Real bears are not.
If you notice any food is moldy, rotten, or suspicious, please discard it immediately.
Food should not be left unattended. Unless food can safely remain at room temperature, it should be discarded. For safety, unattended food that cannot be left at room temperature will be discarded.
Please be conscious of food allergies when storing food.
All leftovers should be refrigerated if needed.
If you have any concerns over food safety, please immediately report it.
Nudity
Nudity is welcome amongst the land, except for in the littles pavilion, in cooking areas, and eating areas.
Anyone participating in acts of nudity must keep a towel with them to place on any sitting surfaces.
BDSM
Safety comes first. You must ALWAYS ask consent, ensure proper aftercare is given, defer to the official TOMKAT dungeon monitors, and seek proper medical care. No drinking or drugs while engaging in BDSM.
You may partake in BDSM play in the adult pavilion and in designated outdoor areas. The outdoor areas will be marked.
The following activities (and adjacent activities) are prohibited unless you make arrangements with an official TOMKAT Organizer: needle play, fire play, edge play (including, but not limited to, waterboarding, breath control, knife play, cutting, branding, scarification, electroplay, mummification (including facial restrictions), piercing, suspension, and bloodplay)
If you are unsure of an activity, please ask an official TOMKAT Organizer
If there is blood at any time for any reason, the scene must stop and the area must be properly sanitized.
Supervision
During play, please use the buddy system. Ask a friend to watch your scene and grab additional help if needed.
If you think your scene would benefit from an official TOMKAT dungeon monitor, please speak with one to arrange and schedule one.
If you are wanting to go off into the woods to engage in play, please notify someone and bring one of the provided whistles to use in case you need help.
Messy Diapers
Messy diapers are permitted with the following limitations to respect other attendees:
Messing or being messy is only permitted in the presence of others that have consented to it.
Changes must be done either in your own room/tent, bathroom, or away from other groups of attendees
Indoor spaces and cooking areas are strictly off limits while messy
You must dispose of the soiled diaper at the designated outdoor disposal area immediately after a change.
For those with medical conditions we understand that you will try as best as possible to follow the above rules.
We understand that you will do your best to keep a clean and enjoyable environment for all at TOMKAT by discreetly taking care of your situation.
COVID-19 Protocols
TOMKAT will be following the current rules and regulations for the municipality where the event takes place.
The event takes place in West Nipissing, Ontario, Canada. Whatever the rules are for this area at the time of the event is what TOMKAT will be requiring.
All attendees will follow whatever the current regulations are during the TOMKAT event.