Newcomers Guide

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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 hacker camp

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, which are self-organized micro-communities that form the social backbone of the camp
  • Creative exhibitions, from fire-breathing sculptures and interactive LED installations, to projection mappings, and everything in between
  • Nighttime spectacles, like laser shows, light displays, and fire performances
  • Capture the Flag (CTF): Competitive hacking challenges and scavenger hunts
  • Party areas with community-organized music and performances
  • Family areas - 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 hacker camps

People are drawn to hacker camps 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 hacker camp, 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

Attending WHY2025

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.

Getting into and around WHY2025

Once you've reached the WHY2025 site, you will find the WHY2025 Map quite useful, as it will help you orient yourself and find out where everything is - from the entrance (which you can also find using signage in the area), to the countless villages and tents with cool stuff all around the event. You should be able to get a lot of what you need from right within the premises (there is even a supermarket!), but you are free to leave and come back at any time during the camp.

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

The WHY2025 Wiki

The Wiki (where you are right now) is an extremely valuable resource for staying informed before and during WHY2025. It contains a lot of information about virtually every aspect of the camp, and pages get updated very frequently with additional information.

For help navigating the Wiki, refer to the sidebar on the left of the page which has links to nearly every major page on the Wiki. A lot of them also contain links to other pages, so if you're having trouble finding a specific page, it may be worth checking the sidebar to see if you can find a page that might link to what you're looking for.

If that doesn't prove helpful, there is also a search bar on the top right, where you can search for pages or content by keywords.

The Infodesk

During the camp, the information desk (or the Infodesk) is the first place to go if you have some sort of issue or question. The Infodesk crew is willing to help out with many different things if you ask nicely.

Further reading

  • Staying up to date - a list of sources where you can get in touch and stay up to date with WHY2025
  • Infodesk - some slightly more in-depth information about what kinds of requests the Infodesk can help with
  • Special pages - useful links for advanced Wiki navigation

Keeping yourself, others, and your belongings safe

##TODO##

General safety guidelines

  • Be respectful and inclusive towards all individuals, embracing diversity and ensuring a friendly and welcoming environment. Harassment, discrimination, or aggressive behavior is not welcome.
  • Respect personal boundaries, and if someone tells you you are crossing them, step back.
  • Ask for clear consent before any physical contact, be mindful of personal space, and ensure your attention is welcome.
  • Practice environmental respect by cleaning up after yourself, using provided bins, and taking care of the surroundings.
  • Be mindful of designated quiet zones, accessibility needs, and safe spaces.
  • Strive for balanced communication, allowing all voices to be heard and listening actively.
  • When taking photos or recordings, always ask for clear consent, and do not touch anyone’s tech or setup without permission. Be mindful of others' privacy before taking recognizable pictures of strangers.
  • Keep noise levels down between 01:00 and 7:00. Camping around the FamilyZone must be quiet from 21:00.
  • Open fires (bonfires, barbecues using charcoal or wood) are not allowed due to safety reasons. Gas-powered stoves and barbecue grills are permitted with a fire extinguisher nearby.
  • Follow electricity safety guidelines, using outdoor extension cords (IP44), grounded cables/plugs, and keeping indoor equipment dry. Avoid overloading the power supply and do not leave powered equipment unattended. Be aware of morning dew and take precautions for electronic equipment.
  • Keep emergency routes free and ensure tents do not block entrances/exits of neighbors.
  • Use tent pegs that can withstand high wind speeds and use enough guy ropes to secure your tent.
  • Drugs (of any kind and any amount) are not allowed.
  • As much as possible, take home everything you bring to WHY2025, including larger items.
  • Smoking is not allowed in public tents.
  • Powder fire extinguishers are strictly prohibited.

Taking care of your valuables

What to do in an emergency

  • Contact Team:Safety via:
    • GSM: ##todo## Store this number in your phone now
    • DECT phone: 911
    • Handheld radio: Talk to anyone with one
    • As a last resort, call 112 on your mobile phone
  • State the nature of the emergency and the exact location

If anything makes you or someone else uncomfortable and asking them to stop does not work, reach out to a cohesion volunteer or the designated safety crew. Contact information for the Cohesion team is ##todo##

Further reading

What you can do at WHY2025

Non-nerdy stuff

Slightly nerdy stuff

  • Attend some talks - Talks will be given on a variety of different topics, some more nerdy than others - from climate change to obscure hacking, and everything in between. They are incredibly interesting and fun to listen in on! But if you somehow find one boring, don't worry - you are free to leave a talk at any time. For more info, see Talks.
  • Participate in the Secret Token challenge - There will be text tokens hidden all around WHY2025, each one behind a simple puzzle or challenge which you need to solve to decipher and claim the token. It's a lot of fun to look around for tokens, and some of them are hidden in really interesting places!

Very nerdy stuff

  • Join or start a village - Villages are groups of people which get together around a shared interest. A lot of them do geeky stuff like hacking, hosting workshops, or setting up cool displays. See Newcomers Guide#Villages for more information on villages!
  • Attend a workshop - There will be lots of different workshops to attend at WHY2025 about many different topics, in varying levels of geekiness. Previous workshops include a surface-mount soldering guide for beginners, Ubuntu Touch app development, radio broadcasting via commercial satellite, data-mining WhatsApp groups and more.
  • Tinker with your badge - WHY2025 attendees receive an event badge with plenty of sensors, a screen, and other fun stuff to play around with. People write cool software for it, and there's a lot to check out. ##TODO## verify this!
  • Participate in the CTF - CTF stands for Capture The Flag. Think of it as a 'game' where people compete to be the first to solve hacking puzzles. They range in difficulty from fairly easy to super complex and difficult, and there's something for everyone, no matter your cybersecurity experience.

Further reading

##TODO## program page, secret token/ctf, workshops, badge

  • Villages - see the list of villages, and find one you might like to get involved in

Volunteering

The Orga Crew

The orga crew refers to everyone who is helping out with organizing WHY2025 before (and during) WHY2025. As a whole, it consists of hundreds of different people, but they are split into small teams, each one tackling a specific aspect of the event (such as decoration, badges, or safety). You can see a list of all the teams on the Teams page. Getting involved is easy - check the Vacancies page to see a list of teams who need additional members, and get in touch with one of them to see how you can help! You may also try to contact teams that are not on the vacancies page, and they might have a spot for you!

The Angel System

##TODO##

Further reading

  • Volunteering Guide - Detailed information on how the WHY2025 organization works and how you can be a part of it
  • Teams - See the list of teams and their contact information, in order to find one you might wanna join

Camping

The campsite

##TODO## expand this out once more information is given - where exactly can you and can't you camp? The WHY2025 site is divided into several fields.

What you need to know if you plan on camping

  • You need a Camper ticket if you want to bring a camper van or similar. These are almost always sold out, and the waiting list already has many people on it, so the likelihood of getting one is unlikely.
  • If you plan on bringing a large tent (larger than 25m2), there are special requirements for these. See Team:Safety-Fire#Large_Tents for the specific rules and regulations involved.
  • For powering your stuff, SCHUKO (type F) plugs are available in distribution cabinets all throughout fields. Remember to follow safety rules, be considerate, and keep things dry. See Power on the fields for more information.
  • Follow the safety rules and regulations. These are described and linked above - see Keeping yourself, others, and your belongings safe for more information.

The 6-3-1 rule

With so much fun stuff to do, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself during WHY2025. We have a rule-of-thumb for you to remember during the camp, called the 6-3-1 rule, which states that you should do all of these every day:

  • Get (at least) 6 hours of sleep
  • Eat 3 meals
  • Take (at least) 1 shower

Following this rule every day ensures that you're taking care of yourself to an extent - and that means you're making the most of your time too!

Further reading

Talks

What are the talks about?

WHY2025 talks can be about pretty much anything - software, hardware, art, climate change, privacy, ethics, you name it. In previous events, there were hundreds of talks spanning all of these (and more!) subjects, and a great way to get a feel for how diverse the talks are is to check out the talks from past years' events.

  • MCH2022, the previous event, had talks about hacking barcode scanners, climate change, breaking DOOM by changing the value of pi, AI face scanners, and attribution, among many others. Take a look at the full list!
  • SHA2017, the event before MCH2022, had talks about tracking down scam call centers, hacking human DNA, creating escape rooms, biometric ID, and even a talk from an actual NSA whistleblower.

Ultimately, if you have something cool you want to share, it's probably worth giving a talk about!

How to submit your own talk

Submitting a talk is really simple. Just go to the Call for Participation page and fill in some details about your talk.

There is also some additional information on the page regarding some loose categories (like "Show and Tell" or "Hacking" which you might want to base your talk around - but these are entirely optional to follow!)

Further reading

Villages

What actually is a village?

A village is an area of the camp where people with a specific shared interest or goal get together and conduct various different workshops and activities. Essentially, villages are groups of people that want to organize themselves, camp together, collaborate, and sometimes even show off cool stuff like fancy lights or workshop areas.

How to get involved in a village (or start your own!)

##TODO## write about how to actually join a village

Starting your own village ultimately boils down to:

  • Planning - How many people do you want? What will your village be about? What will you do? It's important to get an idea of all of these things first and foremost.
  • Registering - Once you've planned out your village, it's time to register it and give it a home on the Wiki. Fill in the village registration form to create your village!
  • Reaching out - If you've done the above two steps, you have officially made a village. Congratulations! Now, if you want to do something particularly special or awesome, it's worth reaching out to Team:Villages and letting them know!

Further reading

  • Villages-FAQ - more in-depth information about what villages are and how to start one
  • Villages - see a list of all the currently registered villages, and maybe find one you like!
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