We completely understand that plans can change unexpectedly and that asking for a refund often comes at a stressful or difficult moment.
We want to be as clear and open as possible about why we’re not able to offer refunds, and why tickets to events like ours are treated differently under the law than most other purchases.
Please know this isn’t a lack of care. It’s simply what allows us to keep running our events, paying our team and suppliers, and making sure everything’s in place for us to be able to provide an amazing experience. We really appreciate your understanding and support.
The simple reason: your ticket funds the event upfront
When you buy a ticket, the money isn’t held until the event happens.
It is committed almost immediately to building the event, things like:
toilets, showers and waste services
infrastructure and site build
activity leaders, performers and crew
stages, sound, lighting and structures
security, medical support and safeguarding
licensing, insurance and safety planning
staff and operational teams
equipment hire, vehicles, power and generators
Events are expensive to build and those costs start long before anyone arrives at camp.
That means by the time someone asks for a refund, the funds have usually already been spent to create the event they booked.
Unlike many other purchases, event tickets can't simply be refunded and resold- demand, timing and capacity all make this very difficult.
Why events are treated differently
Tickets for events are usually treated differently from typical consumer purchases because they’re time specific and capacity limited and because the money is used to fund costs committed in advance.
In simple terms: once a ticket is purchased, the event is already being built around it.
This is why event tickets don’t fall under the same cancellation rights that apply to many other products and services.
It’s not about lack of compassion
We want to be really clear: this isn’t because we don’t feel for you, we really do.
We know that real life can bring all sorts of unexpected challenges, including illness and emergencies, family crises, changes at work, financial pressures and lots of other situations that are completely out of your control.
But if we offered refunds each time circumstances changed, it would quickly make it impossible to run the event and would put Camp at risk for everyone.
What we can do instead
Even though we can’t offer refunds, there are often other options available depending on timing and circumstances, such as:
marketplace to resell your ticket- which opens when all ticket tiers have sold out
exchanges to future events (in instances of serious ill health with required evidence)
weekend swaps (subject to availability and only when tickets are on sale- if a date clash prevents you attending)
The best option depends on your booking, the time of year, and the current ticket availability, so please check the relevant Help Centre pages, or contact the team and we’ll advise what’s possible.
A gentle note on refunds
We completely understand why people ask, and we’re always happy to explain our policy as clearly as we can.
If we’ve confirmed that a refund isn’t possible, please trust that our team has checked carefully. Once we’ve explained the policy, continuing to request a refund won’t change the outcome and it can put our support team in a difficult position.
We really value respectful, kind and constructive conversations and we appreciate your understanding and support in helping us keep things that way.
Thank you
We know this isn’t always the answer people hope for, and we truly appreciate your understanding.
Our events are only possible because we commit funding early and ticket sales are what allow us to build the experience safely, responsibly and sustainably.
If you’d like help finding the best alternative option for your situation, our team are here to support you.