Newcomers Guide

This page is being actively worked on, and far from complete right now, so if there's some information you think should be here, feel free to add it if you know where to find it, or if not, check back soon.

todo add a Q&A box

This page is aimed at those who are new to this camp (attending for the first time this year), or to hacker camps in general. If that's you, welcome and here you will find answers you yearn for. Below, you will find information (ranging from "nice to know" to "essential to your experience at WHY2025") about some of the most significant areas of interest of the camp.

The page is quite long. However, all the information is organised into topic sections, arranged loosely in order of importance. You are encouraged to use the Table of Contents below to help you navigate to the sections you need. Each section contains a brief description and some essential information about a topic, as well as a "Further reading" section where you can find links to more in-depth information.

What even is a hacker camp?

A hackercamp is a unique blend of technology conference, outdoor festival, and community gathering that creates a temporary village of tech enthusiasts, creators, and innovators. Unlike traditional tech events, hackercamps take place outdoors, with participants camping in tents across an open field transformed into a vibrant tech ecosystem.

The Essence of a Hackercamp

At its core, a hackercamp is a self-organized space where hackers, makers, artists, activists, and technology enthusiasts come together to learn, create, and celebrate technology. The landscape comes alive with colorful LED installations, interactive art, hand-built sculptures, and high-tech experiments happening in every corner.

Key elements that define the hackercamp experience include:

• Talks & Workshops: Covering topics from cybersecurity and privacy to hardware hacking and creative coding
• Villages: Self-organized micro-communities that form the social backbone of the camp
• Creative Exhibitions: Fire-breathing sculptures, interactive LED installations, and projection mappings
• Nighttime Spectacles: Laser shows, light displays, and fire performances
• Capture The Flag (CTF): Competitive hacking challenges and scavenger hunts
• Party Areas: Community-organized music and performances
• Family Zones: Spaces where children and parents can explore technology together

Who are they for?

Hackercamps welcome a diverse community of participants:

• Tech Professionals: Developers, security researchers, and IT specialists
• Makers & Tinkerers: Hardware hackers and DIY enthusiasts
• Artists: Digital creators, light artists, and interactive designers
• Activists: Privacy advocates and digital rights supporters
• Curious Beginners: Anyone interested in learning about technology
• Families: Parents and children exploring tech together

The beauty of hackercamps is that they're designed for both experts and newcomers. You don't need to be a professional hacker or programmer to participate—just bring curiosity and a willingness to engage with technology and the community.

Why People Attend Hackercamps

People are drawn to hackercamps for many reasons:

• To connect with like-minded individuals and build community
• To share knowledge and learn through hands-on experiences
• To collaborate on projects with real-world impact
• To experience the unique atmosphere of creativity and innovation
• To discover new passions and potential career paths

At a hackercamp, you don't just observe technology—you actively engage with it alongside others who share your enthusiasm. For many participants, these events become transformative experiences that lead to lasting friendships, collaborations, and new directions in their technological journey.

Further reading

• https://why2025.org/post/111

Attending WHY2025

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• No info about the badge yet?

Getting a ticket

It goes without saying, but WHY2025 isn't cheap to setup and run, so if you want to attend, you will need to buy a ticket. You can get one at the online ticket shop. You can also purchase parking for your car or campervan, as well as tents and sweet WHY2025 merch. There are also options for those who aren't well-off enough to afford a full-price ticket, but these are manually validated.

What to bring, and what not to bring

See the What to bring page for more detailed information on what exactly you should bring, but generally, here's what you should consider bringing to WHY2025. You may not have, need, or want every item on the list, but they are all worth considering.

• Camping equipment (tent + mounting, sleeping bag, blanket to sit on etc.)
• Your electronics (make sure to protect any sensitive data, it's a hacker event after all!) and power for them (powerbanks, power cords etc.)
• A paper copy of your ticket (you may not need it, but it's good to have just in case)
• Tools and equipment (eating utensils, trash bags, lanterns/flashlights, etc. - just things that are nice to have, check What to bring for a detailed list)
• Hygiene stuff (toothbrush + toothpaste, shampoo/shower gel, towel, razor, lotion, deodorant, etc.)
• Health/safety stuff (sunblock, earplugs, insect repellent, any medication you might need, etc.)
• Clothes for both sunny and rainy weather (you don't want to be stuck in your tent if it rains!)
• A USB-C cable for your badge (you'll probably have one if you're bringing your electronics, but it's mentioned here just in case!)

There are also a few things that are better off being left at home:

• Pets (except service animals) (as much as we love animals, the camp isn't a pet-friendly space)
• Microwave ovens (they can disrupt wireless networks)
• Exceptionally power-hungry devices (the power grid is an issue, so be considerate)
• BBQs that run on solid fuel (for safety reasons; see Team:Safety-Fire for more information)

Getting to the event site

WHY2025 will take place in Geestmerambacht, about 42km north of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. You can get there by car, public transport, or bike. Travel by boat is not an option for this event. For more information on the specific routes and directions to use, see Location.

Your badge

##TODO## update this section once badge information is released (maybe ask Team:Badge?)

Further reading

• Tickets - detailed information + FAQ about tickets and buying them
• Location - details about the different ways to reach the event site
• Camping - things worth knowing if you plan on camping
• What to bring - a comprehensive list of things that you should bring, things that you shouldn't bring, and other general considerations
• Facilities - the facilities and amenities we already provide for you
• Team:Safety-Fire has a list of regulations on the kinds of gas tanks, cooking equipment, tents etc. you are allowed to have

Staying informed

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• https://wiki.why2025.org/Facilities#Infodesk

Keeping yourself, others and your belongings safe

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• https://wiki.why2025.org/Code_of_Conduct
• https://wiki.why2025.org/Cohesion_Guidelines
• https://wiki.why2025.org/Team:Safety-Fire#Camp_Rules
• https://wiki.why2025.org/Facilities#Safety
• https://wiki.why2025.org/FAQ#Regulations

Volunteering

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• https://wiki.why2025.org/Volunteering_Guide
• https://wiki.why2025.org/Vacancies
• https://wiki.why2025.org/Teams

Camping

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• https://wiki.why2025.org/FAQ#Camping,_buildup_&_teardown_and_villages
• https://wiki.why2025.org/Camping
• https://wiki.why2025.org/What_to_bring
• https://wiki.why2025.org/Facilities

The 6-3-1 rule

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• 6 hours of sleep, 3 meals, 1 shower / day