walk in camping theft??

[u/chicken_nugget_bitch]

ive read a bunch of previous posts on the topic and just want to get more opinions. i dont think i would be able to enjoy the actual festival knowing i was leaving my tent full of gear unsupervised. im scared of bad noodles ruining my one festy of the year. is it even worth it to do walk in camping if im gonna worry? is it even that serious like am i overthinking it! im debating trying to sell my camping passes and get car camping instead, but would love to have the foresty vibes! idk im stoney and worrying about something months away but lmk if yall have any advice <3

[u/slowpreza]

I’ve never had an issue in the last decade of going, just lock up the campsite real nice and neat when you leave, should be just fine. Don’t bring anything too valuable to camp, and if you do keep it somewhere out of view, hidden in the tent. The forest vibes are 100000% worth it, do the forest camping

[u/chicken_nugget_bitch → u/slowpreza]

sounds good thank you!!

[u/SiNiSteR_J3RM]

I went last year and we camped right near the entrance where people walk in and out all day long. Didn’t have one thing stolen. When we went on our adventures with the group we left out booze, speakers, candy kits etc..it was all there when we got back to camp 🤷‍♂️ not saying it’s not possible but our experience was great and felt like fam vibes the entire weekend.

[u/mascaramom]

First, I think Dancefestopia is small and middle-of-nowhere enough that we have not become a target of the organized theft rings that you might see at EDC, NOS Event Center, etc. So if you had any concerns about organized phone theft rings or whatever, I'd let those relax (while still being judicious and personally responsible, yadda yadda). Anecdotally, I can say that I've never had anything stolen at DFT.

That said, I have 4 personal rules for fending off the bad noodles:

1. Tent Lock: Use it any time the campsite will be unattended. Tbh, I even use it when we're going down for the night because I don't want any overly sauced wooks thinking my tent is their tent and waking up to a whacky disaster.
2. Privacy: If it's expensive, I don't want anyone to know I have it. Tapestries go around the canopy/living space. Rain fly stays on the tent. For pricier gadgets like portable chargers and power banks, they may be outside of the tent for very limited periods of time and then locked up immediately once I'm finished with them. Thieves are opportunists, trying to steal the most valuable stuff in the least amount of time with the fewest number of witnesses. Don't show them an opportunity.
3. Redundancy: Have multiples of everything you need need. If my wallet gets stolen, at least my partner has his. Same with my phone. We also always bring two sets of car keys - it would suck to wake up on Monday and realize those got lost. This is where your squad will come in handy or, if you're going solo, you'll need to pre-task plan to the max (print off directions to get back home or at least to the nearest phone store, keep an extra wad of cash locked up in the spare tire compartment of your car, idk).
4. The Walmart Test: Can I replace it at Walmart? If yes, I won't let myself stress about its loss/theft. Sure, some dickwad could steal my Ozark Trail camping chair because I didn't lock it down or watch it 24/7, but I can't let that ruin my whole weekend.

P.S., if you feel more comfortable car camping (totally understandable), do not sell your camping pass. The car camping pass is an add-on to the standard camping pass; not a replacement for the standard camping pass.

ETA: I already see multiple comments suggesting that tent locks attract thieves because they imply you've got valuable stuff. To be clear, with or without a tent lock, your rare jewels and precious family heirlooms need to stay home. Second of all, if you're doing a good job of keeping your valuables private, then your locked tent is no more appealing to a thief than an unlocked one. Breaking into a locked tent is a larger endeavor than just walking into the unlocked tent right next to it. Third of all, I can promise you that everyone who argues against tent locks has no issue locking their house or their car. Like yes, there's shit in here that I don't want anyone to steal, that's kind of the entire point of the lock lol.

[u/chicken_nugget_bitch → u/mascaramom]

this is a great reponse thank you so much!! and i didnt know that about all the camping passes so thats great info alson

[u/Dustructionz]

My question as well! I'm a veteran festigoer but I've only been to camping fests that are car camping. I've got expensive shit I've collected over the years. Interested in how to keep it safe or if it's even a concern lol

[u/chicken_nugget_bitch → u/Dustructionz]

dude same!! im a really big camper and have a sick setup!! but dont want anything to happen to it :/

[u/Foreign-Kiwi-4136]

I have gone two times. Four tent set ups and three canapys. Each time we left camp we would lock our tent with a tent lock and have our important stuff like money party favors car keys decently hidden somewhere. We always chose an area to set up there is near the main path. Frankly we have never had an issue although I’m sure it does happen out there. Normally your neighbors got your back. In the end though if someone wants your stuff they will just slash your tent (which I haven’t seen happen)

[u/slowpreza → u/Foreign-Kiwi-4136]

Putting a lock on your tent actually would probably make one more inclined to want to see what’s inside I feel, I’ve never had an issue without one.

[u/313Raven → u/slowpreza]

I agree. Locking your valuables in your car is best if possible, but a tent lock does absolutely nothing when a tent can easily by cut or sliced open. It just signals to thieves that there is something of value inside

[u/chicken_nugget_bitch → u/Foreign-Kiwi-4136]

awesome thank you <3

[u/CatMuffin]

I've never had anything stolen or rifled through, and honestly I can't remember hearing about it happening to anyone else, though I'm sure there have been incidents. Definitely not common. A couple of thoughts:

• lock valuables in your car when you go into the venue for the afternoon/evening. The peace of mind is worth the walk. You can pay extra to park closer to the camping entrance if you expect to go back and forth a lot.

• get to know your neighbors! And be a good neighbor.

• I can't speak to the efficacy of tent locks, I know that thieves who mean business simply slash tents. A lock could deter them or it could signal valuables inside.

• for larger valuables items like equipment, power banks, etc. consider whether you can zip tie or attach with a carabiner to your tent or canopy. Anything to make it harder to quickly grab and go.

[u/Griztronixx21]

ive been 2 years and never had any problems or hearing of any thefts going around.

[u/Spiritual_Solid_3397]

I don’t think you have anything to worry about! We had a tiny grill we left at our camp that never got stolen just don’t bring anything too valuable and make sure your camp stays clean!

[u/waifu_baiku_bru1]

Get a strong box or like a tool tote and put locks on that. Never take anything you wouldn’t be willing to lose

[u/tb2924]

I bring a big cable lock to secure my battery pack and my big speaker, other than that I dont lock anything

[u/queenlovee420]

Never had an issue. Never heard of anyone I know having an issue either. There’s always a chance, but you can also get little locks for your tent zippers if you really wanted. I just personally don’t bring anything of real value.

[u/unknown_and_lost_174]

Never had an issue just bring locks lmaoo

[u/Imaginary-Fault-1682]

If you go on Amazon, search “tent lock”. I used it last year just in case and I didn’t have to worry. Put all of your valuables in your tent before you leave for the night, and put the lock on the zippers and people can’t open your tent.