Youth Work Ireland Monaghan Youth Information would like to advise festival and concert goers to be prepared for their time away, especially young people who may be going on their own for the first time. Many Leaving Cert students may be attending Oxegen next week to celebrate the end of their exams instead of going on holidays. “A good music festival should be one of the best experiences of your life, but get it wrong and it can turn into a nightmare.” said Katrina Mc Bride from Castleblayney Youth Information Centre. She also pointed out that www.drinkaware.ie have come up with a list of survival tips and a festival survival guide, which the Youth Information Service have summarised below.

Make sure you are organised by keeping in mind the following tips:

• First of all don’t forget your tickets!!!! – you’d be surprised!
• Take cash and a mobile phone, and keep them in a safe place – spread it            about on your person so if you lose some you may not lose it all.
• A festival is no place for your best clothes - think less catwalk and more      mud pit. You will need a rain poncho, something warm, wellies, sunhat and bring plenty of socks.
• Don’t forget to bring some loo roll, baby wipes and hand cleansing gel,        toothbrush and toothpaste and some sun block.

If you’re camping you will need:

• Tent (check your bag for pegs and poles). Set up your tent as soon as possible after arrival and mark it with a flag so you will know it when you return.   Make friends with you neighbours, so they can help keep an eye on your gear.
• Take plastic bags, bin liners and tape – you can use them to sit on and even for shoes!
• Bring a torch so you can find your tent in the dark!
• Water – Bring as much as you can. If you are drinking alcohol you will be seriously dehydrated. Drink at least a litre a day.
• Eat something
• Always drink in moderation and keep your wits about you. NEVER accept a drink from a stranger or leave your drink unattended as you never know what you’re getting or what could have been put into it.

And don’t forget to enjoy yourself!

Please call in for your copy of the Oxegen Survival Guide in any of our three Youth Information Centres in Castleblayney, Carrickmacross and Monaghan. Youth Work Ireland-Monaghan’s Youth Information Service is part-funded by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The service is free and confidential and no appointment is necessary. Youth Work Ireland Monaghan Youth Information is also on Facebook and on the following websites www.youthinformation.ie, www.youthworkireland.ie/monaghan.