Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Faire located?
The Faire is located at the Cedar Lake Outdoor Center in Chelsea, Michigan. You can view a map and get directions by clicking here. The Cedar Lake Outdoor Center is also known as the MUCC Camp and the address is 2500 Pierce Rd, Chelsea, Michigan. Directions: Take exit 157 off of I94 just west of center of Chelsea. Go north on Pierce rd 1.7 miles until you reach it. It is easy to find! You'll see "Great Lakes Herb Faire" road signs.
Can I attend one day of this Faire rather than the whole weekend?
Registration is for the entire weekend. While you are welcome to attend only one day, the price is still the same. We are unable to offer day passes. You will find that the Faire takes on a life of its own and part of that has to do with it being the same people from the beginning to the end of the Faire.
How advanced of an herbalist do I need to be?
This Faire is for the full range of herbalists!! If you have a budding interest or if you have been studying for years, the Faire will have much to offer. This is a great opportunity for beginners to get a taste of what herbal medicine has to offer and will provide an outlet for advanced herbalists to fine-tune their skills. The study and practice of herbalism is a life long exercise. It begins with one step and from there, the road is infinite. We do our best to label classes as beginner, intermediate or advanced. However, advanced herbalists are always learning, even from beginner classes and beginners can take away much from advanced class so please don't let a label throw you off if a subject really inspires you.
Will I have an opportunity to ask questions about my personal health?
Due to the classroom-type nature of most of the sessions, we request that you refrain from asking personal questions about your own health so as to respect the time of the other students. You are welcome to ask teachers if they do private consultations.
How accessible is the Faire?
The grounds of the Faire are mostly lawn; the terrain is fairly smooth but there are some gentle hills and slopes, and patches of rougher ground. Trails are mostly smooth dirt. There is an vehicle access road that reaches all cabins. Most buildings have one or two steps leading up to them. Classes are held in tents on the lawn or in one of two buildings, one of which is near a parking are. The dining hall has a parking area and an access ramp. There is an accessible bathroom and shower near the dining hall. If you have questions about accessibility, please reach out to us by email: [email protected].
Is any financial aid available?
Yes! We offer scholarships for folks who have a strong interest in herbal medicine but are unable to pay for the registration of the Faire. We also have a work-exchange program that grants 50% off admission price in exchange for 6 - 7 volunteer work hours during the Faire. Please see the "Work Exchange & Scholarships" page for more information.
How rustic are the cabins?
Pretty rustic! They are dorms for a summer camp. It's not the Marriott, but they are cozy and many find sharing space to be part of the community learning experience and a great way to meet and chat with other herbalists. The cabins consist of bunk beds (12-15 beds per cabin) in an unheated cabin. The bathrooms are not inside the cabin but are located nearby. Bathrooms have electricity, several stalls, and one or two sinks. Everyone staying in a cabin must bring their own bedding or sleeping bag. We will have all women cabins and several all gender/family cabins. If there are suddenly enough men for their own cabin, we could potentially have an all male cabin however that has not happened yet. September is usually very nice with mild weather; however, it could be cold, so if you plan to stay in a cabin, please bring plenty of bedding to keep yourself cozy. Unfortunately we are unable to have space heaters in the cabins due to fire hazard. There will be a quite/lights out time, however there will be multiple places, both inside and out (campfire) where the late nighters can gather without disturbing those who are sleeping.
Can I drive to the cabins to unload my car?
You will have an opportunity to drive your car back to the B and C cabins where you can park. The A cabins along with the main camping area are close enough to the parking lot that it should not be a problem to carry your things or you can drive up, unload your things and then take the car back to the parking lot. If you arrive late there may be too many tents near the A cabins to make it safe to drive near. If you think you will need help unloading your belongings, please let us know at registration and we will have someone help you.
Where can I stay offsite?
Please see our lodging page for a not complete list of places to stay offsite.
Where can I camp at the Faire?
Camping is essentially allowed almost anywhere that is not in the main Faire area except at the beach. We will have a couple of designated camping areas where most people will camp, but if you desire, you may camp elsewhere as long as it does not interrupt the flow of the Faire. If you are unsure if it will be in the way, please ask or choose another spot. There will be a campfire where people may be up late chatting, so if you are an early-to-bed person, make sure not to camp near the fire. People may also be at the beach at night, so that may be another place to avoid. There are lots of quiet spots if that is important to you.
What is the bathroom situation?
The bathrooms, to be honest, are not the fanciest you have ever seen. There are 4 bathrooms around the grounds - one main block by the mess hall and 3 others by each set of cabins. All bathrooms are all gender. There are also showers across from the dining area and one permanent private bathroom, as well as Porta Potties, that you are welcome to use.
Can I buy individual meals rather than a whole meal plan?
If you do not purchase a meal plan, there will be no guarantee that there will be food available for purchase each meal. You are welcome to hang around until the meal plan folks have been fed and if there are leftovers, we will have meals for purchase. But please do not count on it. We highly recommend the meal plan. Our cooks are top of the line and we are using top of the line ingredients, many of which are local and organic! Each meal has gluten free and vegan options.
What if I do not purchase a meal plan?
If you do not get a meal plan, you will need to bring most of your own food or purchase it from town. You can cook outside your campsite or cabin if you bring your own stove, but there are no cooking facilities in the cabins. The cooks will have the main kitchen in use throughout the Faire so you will not be able to utilize the main kitchen. There are some places about 10 minutes away in the town of Chelsea that you can purchase prepared food and there are also a couple of grocery stores.
New Chelsea Market- small health food store https://www.facebook.com/NewChelseaMarket/
Coffee shops/cafes:
http://www.zouzouscafe.com
http://plaidmelon.com
Very yummy but expensive restaurant http://www.commongrill.com
General grocery http://country-markets.com/locations/
There are other options as well, but these are some local favorites.
Will classes be recorded?
Yes! Each year we record the majority of the classes. This gives folks an opportunity to buy recordings of classes that they really wanted to attend but were unable to be at because of another great class! Please know we cannot guarantee that every single class will be recorded - some are not recorded due to the nature of the class or the teacher's preferences. During registration, you can choose to pre-order a discounted bundle of all recordings. You can also decide to pre-order the recordings bundle during the Faire - simply visit the Great Lakes Herb Faire info tent in the marketplace. Class recordings take a bit of time to process and are typically available by November or December. Once they're ready, you can purchase and download individual or bundled recordings through our website.
My child is 12. Can they go to adult classes?
If your child can sit through a 1.5 hour class without disruption, or leave if need be, and they have interest, we very much encourage them to go to adult classes!
I see there is a lake there can I swim?
Unfortunately, swimming is prohibited at the Faire. To be legal there, we would need a life guard and we do not plan to have one there for several reasons. In many prior years it has been too cold for most people to even think about swimming and also there is not enough time!! The weekend is packed and it is difficult to schedule a time for lifeguarded swimming even if it was warm enough.
Is there first aid?
Yes! We will have a First Aid tent available in the Marketplace. Someone will be at the tent the vast majority of the daytime Faire. During the night, we will have a phone number where someone can be reached in case a need arises in the night. Even if you do not need First Aid, come check out the First Aid tent. There will be an apothecary loaded with herbal medicines and other tools of the trade. Chelsea Urgent Care and Chelsea Hospital are both around a 10-15 minute drive away from the Fairegrounds.
Is there Internet?
Depending on your carrier, cell phone reception is decent for some, not great for others. Internet may or may not be working in the dining hall. Last year it was, the year before it was not, but theoretically it was supposed to be. So please don’t count on it. There will be a place you can charge your phones near registration.
Will I receive a certificate upon leaving?
We currently do not provide CEU’s for our attendees. Hopefully in a future year we will be able to offer this!
What should I bring?
Still have questions?
Email us at [email protected]
The Faire is located at the Cedar Lake Outdoor Center in Chelsea, Michigan. You can view a map and get directions by clicking here. The Cedar Lake Outdoor Center is also known as the MUCC Camp and the address is 2500 Pierce Rd, Chelsea, Michigan. Directions: Take exit 157 off of I94 just west of center of Chelsea. Go north on Pierce rd 1.7 miles until you reach it. It is easy to find! You'll see "Great Lakes Herb Faire" road signs.
Can I attend one day of this Faire rather than the whole weekend?
Registration is for the entire weekend. While you are welcome to attend only one day, the price is still the same. We are unable to offer day passes. You will find that the Faire takes on a life of its own and part of that has to do with it being the same people from the beginning to the end of the Faire.
How advanced of an herbalist do I need to be?
This Faire is for the full range of herbalists!! If you have a budding interest or if you have been studying for years, the Faire will have much to offer. This is a great opportunity for beginners to get a taste of what herbal medicine has to offer and will provide an outlet for advanced herbalists to fine-tune their skills. The study and practice of herbalism is a life long exercise. It begins with one step and from there, the road is infinite. We do our best to label classes as beginner, intermediate or advanced. However, advanced herbalists are always learning, even from beginner classes and beginners can take away much from advanced class so please don't let a label throw you off if a subject really inspires you.
Will I have an opportunity to ask questions about my personal health?
Due to the classroom-type nature of most of the sessions, we request that you refrain from asking personal questions about your own health so as to respect the time of the other students. You are welcome to ask teachers if they do private consultations.
How accessible is the Faire?
The grounds of the Faire are mostly lawn; the terrain is fairly smooth but there are some gentle hills and slopes, and patches of rougher ground. Trails are mostly smooth dirt. There is an vehicle access road that reaches all cabins. Most buildings have one or two steps leading up to them. Classes are held in tents on the lawn or in one of two buildings, one of which is near a parking are. The dining hall has a parking area and an access ramp. There is an accessible bathroom and shower near the dining hall. If you have questions about accessibility, please reach out to us by email: [email protected].
Is any financial aid available?
Yes! We offer scholarships for folks who have a strong interest in herbal medicine but are unable to pay for the registration of the Faire. We also have a work-exchange program that grants 50% off admission price in exchange for 6 - 7 volunteer work hours during the Faire. Please see the "Work Exchange & Scholarships" page for more information.
How rustic are the cabins?
Pretty rustic! They are dorms for a summer camp. It's not the Marriott, but they are cozy and many find sharing space to be part of the community learning experience and a great way to meet and chat with other herbalists. The cabins consist of bunk beds (12-15 beds per cabin) in an unheated cabin. The bathrooms are not inside the cabin but are located nearby. Bathrooms have electricity, several stalls, and one or two sinks. Everyone staying in a cabin must bring their own bedding or sleeping bag. We will have all women cabins and several all gender/family cabins. If there are suddenly enough men for their own cabin, we could potentially have an all male cabin however that has not happened yet. September is usually very nice with mild weather; however, it could be cold, so if you plan to stay in a cabin, please bring plenty of bedding to keep yourself cozy. Unfortunately we are unable to have space heaters in the cabins due to fire hazard. There will be a quite/lights out time, however there will be multiple places, both inside and out (campfire) where the late nighters can gather without disturbing those who are sleeping.
Can I drive to the cabins to unload my car?
You will have an opportunity to drive your car back to the B and C cabins where you can park. The A cabins along with the main camping area are close enough to the parking lot that it should not be a problem to carry your things or you can drive up, unload your things and then take the car back to the parking lot. If you arrive late there may be too many tents near the A cabins to make it safe to drive near. If you think you will need help unloading your belongings, please let us know at registration and we will have someone help you.
Where can I stay offsite?
Please see our lodging page for a not complete list of places to stay offsite.
Where can I camp at the Faire?
Camping is essentially allowed almost anywhere that is not in the main Faire area except at the beach. We will have a couple of designated camping areas where most people will camp, but if you desire, you may camp elsewhere as long as it does not interrupt the flow of the Faire. If you are unsure if it will be in the way, please ask or choose another spot. There will be a campfire where people may be up late chatting, so if you are an early-to-bed person, make sure not to camp near the fire. People may also be at the beach at night, so that may be another place to avoid. There are lots of quiet spots if that is important to you.
What is the bathroom situation?
The bathrooms, to be honest, are not the fanciest you have ever seen. There are 4 bathrooms around the grounds - one main block by the mess hall and 3 others by each set of cabins. All bathrooms are all gender. There are also showers across from the dining area and one permanent private bathroom, as well as Porta Potties, that you are welcome to use.
Can I buy individual meals rather than a whole meal plan?
If you do not purchase a meal plan, there will be no guarantee that there will be food available for purchase each meal. You are welcome to hang around until the meal plan folks have been fed and if there are leftovers, we will have meals for purchase. But please do not count on it. We highly recommend the meal plan. Our cooks are top of the line and we are using top of the line ingredients, many of which are local and organic! Each meal has gluten free and vegan options.
What if I do not purchase a meal plan?
If you do not get a meal plan, you will need to bring most of your own food or purchase it from town. You can cook outside your campsite or cabin if you bring your own stove, but there are no cooking facilities in the cabins. The cooks will have the main kitchen in use throughout the Faire so you will not be able to utilize the main kitchen. There are some places about 10 minutes away in the town of Chelsea that you can purchase prepared food and there are also a couple of grocery stores.
New Chelsea Market- small health food store https://www.facebook.com/NewChelseaMarket/
Coffee shops/cafes:
http://www.zouzouscafe.com
http://plaidmelon.com
Very yummy but expensive restaurant http://www.commongrill.com
General grocery http://country-markets.com/locations/
There are other options as well, but these are some local favorites.
Will classes be recorded?
Yes! Each year we record the majority of the classes. This gives folks an opportunity to buy recordings of classes that they really wanted to attend but were unable to be at because of another great class! Please know we cannot guarantee that every single class will be recorded - some are not recorded due to the nature of the class or the teacher's preferences. During registration, you can choose to pre-order a discounted bundle of all recordings. You can also decide to pre-order the recordings bundle during the Faire - simply visit the Great Lakes Herb Faire info tent in the marketplace. Class recordings take a bit of time to process and are typically available by November or December. Once they're ready, you can purchase and download individual or bundled recordings through our website.
My child is 12. Can they go to adult classes?
If your child can sit through a 1.5 hour class without disruption, or leave if need be, and they have interest, we very much encourage them to go to adult classes!
I see there is a lake there can I swim?
Unfortunately, swimming is prohibited at the Faire. To be legal there, we would need a life guard and we do not plan to have one there for several reasons. In many prior years it has been too cold for most people to even think about swimming and also there is not enough time!! The weekend is packed and it is difficult to schedule a time for lifeguarded swimming even if it was warm enough.
Is there first aid?
Yes! We will have a First Aid tent available in the Marketplace. Someone will be at the tent the vast majority of the daytime Faire. During the night, we will have a phone number where someone can be reached in case a need arises in the night. Even if you do not need First Aid, come check out the First Aid tent. There will be an apothecary loaded with herbal medicines and other tools of the trade. Chelsea Urgent Care and Chelsea Hospital are both around a 10-15 minute drive away from the Fairegrounds.
Is there Internet?
Depending on your carrier, cell phone reception is decent for some, not great for others. Internet may or may not be working in the dining hall. Last year it was, the year before it was not, but theoretically it was supposed to be. So please don’t count on it. There will be a place you can charge your phones near registration.
Will I receive a certificate upon leaving?
We currently do not provide CEU’s for our attendees. Hopefully in a future year we will be able to offer this!
What should I bring?
- Reusable mug for the delicious herbal teas that will be available, as well as coffee.
- Warm clothes! Hopefully it will be warm weather, but if not you will appreciate having an abundance of warm clothes.
- Comfortable clothes for classes as well as for the yoga and tai chi that will be offered.
- Blankets/Sleeping bag/bedding if staying onsite.
- Pillow
- Rain Jacket/umbrella
- Cash or checks for the marketplace. Some vendors may not take credit cards
- Shoes appropriate for walking on trails
- Pens/Pencils
- Notepad
- Snacks. While meals will be provided if you choose a meal plan, you may want an extra snack here and there.
Still have questions?
Email us at [email protected]