Reclaiming Rave Culture: Camp Wonkru Arrives on the Scene

Tired of polished parties? NCS and Camp Wonkru are delivering community-first raves with a focus on vibes, safety, and unapologetic self-expression.

If you live in the metro NYC area and want an old school rave experience in our modern times, look no further than Nocturnal Creature Society (NCS). The events that the collective hosts in and around the Big Apple embody all the traditional elements of rave culture (semi-autonomous zone, tricked-out warehouses, dark basements, sleep deprivation, and PLUR vibes) while actually having permits and things like safe exits in case of emergency.

At a time when there seems to be a split happening where many spaces are attempting to become highly polished with luxurious VIP service, NCS is among those taking the other tack and returning to basics. Walk into an NCS party and you’ll immediately feel like part of a collective, and you’ll understand that this is a music-and-vibes-first space.

From these origins, NCS has launched Camp Wonkru, its first weekend festival, in upstate New York from July 18-20. The location of this nascent event is the New Echo Lake Resort, which perfectly reflects the ethos of Camp Wonkru. Not only is this a beautiful lakeside location for music and camping, but the owner has taken great lengths to protect the space from outside influence. This allows events like Camp Wonkru to create a true autonomous zone for a proper multi-day rave experience.

Camp Wonkru and NCS represent a growing movement that parallels the origins of the rave scene.

Throwing raves has become increasingly challenging due to rising costs, complicated permitting, authoritative municipalities. This is why Camp Wonkru is going back to basics. The idea is simple: put the basic infrastructure and stages in place, provide a space and community structure for attendees, and let everyone build the best possible experience — together. NCS abides by the grassroots ideal to create a space that is exactly what the community desires, rather than what the organizers think they want.

While this NCS mission isn’t new, a recent incident at a party steeled their resolve to push forward with a community-driven, autonomous zone festival. Local police raided an entirely legal and permitted event held by the collective in Newark. Plain-clothed police did not identify themselves and then allegedly used excessive force, including with DJ Frankie Bones. The police allegedly hadn’t obtained a warrant, nor did they seem to have cause. To this day the purpose of the raid is unclear and no charges have been filed.

After what happened to Frankie Bones at our last event, we’ve been reminded painfully that our culture is still being targeted, misunderstood, and criminalized.

Now more than ever, it’s essential that we create safe spaces.

Now more than ever, we need to feel like we belong.

Now more than ever, we must remind the world: We are not criminals. We are a community.

We will not let fear silence us.We will not let intimidation stop us.We will not be erased.

These spaces, our spaces deserve protection, respect, and freedom.

Together, we are strong.
Together, we are one.
Together, we are Wonkru.
NCS

Camp Wonkru is also based on a core Burning Man principle: radical self-espression.

While NCS is in no way connected to Burning Man, it’s hard not to make the connection between Camp Wonkru’s mission and the one of the most exalted principles from the playa. As the organizer’s put it:

Imagine a world where you could be your true self…. A place where no one judges you for who you are. Where the humdrum and noise of daily life fade away… and you’re surrounded by people just like you. Where you can let it all out and not have to worry. We live in a world that’s always go-go-go. No pauses. No deep breaths. A world where imagination is boxed in, creativity is rushed, and connection is surface-level.

We deserve better.
You deserve better.
You deserve more.

Welcome to CAMPWONKRU

Camp Wonkru exists in the “regional festival” space that we highlighted in our previous article about the future of dance music festivals. There’s a growing movement, especially coming from urban hubs, to create moderately sized autonomous zones for three to five days to get revelers away from the rat race and into a creative flow state centered around music, art, and free expression.

Events of this size have many different ideals, and Camp Wonkru falls into my personal favorite category: operate in the spirit of freedom while putting a structure in place to provide safety and support for attendees. To that end, Camp Wonkru will have private security, first aid support, and a safety team built from community members.

Full disclosure: I’m personally running the safety team, a service I provide at other events and I’m excited to provide to Camp Wonkru. This will include harm reduction, consent monitoring, and sanctuary services. There is a clear distinction between events that plan for and provide safety services and those that do not. Often the latter devolve over the course of the weekend while the former see patrons through comfortably to the end.

I’m personally super excited for this new event and can’t wait for July. Ready to learn more? Check out the zine here and begin your quest to Camp Wonkru today!

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