BE SAFE                                  PLAY HARD                             HAVE FUN

BNS strives to provide a safe and comfortable environment for its events for the attendees and staff. This Code of Conduct codifies what is expected of everyone that participates in a BNS event or BNS social media forum. BNS expects everyone to behave in an appropriate, mature, and responsible manner. Attendees and staff members are expected to treat others with courtesy and respect. All attendees, customers, and staff members are expected to abide by all laws, including federal laws, state laws, and local ordinances and resolutions. Harassment or intolerance is unacceptable. Incidents that violate this Code of Conduct should be reported to BNS staff. BNS staff will take reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of those reporting incidents if requested. Please be aware that if a law is violated BNS staff may need to provide information to law enforcement.

BNS may amend this Code of Conduct from time to time. Any changes to the Code of Conduct will become effective when the updated policy is made public. Use of BNS services or attendance at any BNS event indicates acceptance of this Code of Conduct.

Event Attendance Eligibility:

BNS strives to make all of its events safe and comfortable environments for the attendees and staff. As such, event attendance eligibility is governed by the following rules:

• All BNS event attendees must be 18-years-of-age or older. Should an event venue requires attendees to be 21-years-of-age or older, that information will be contained in the event premise and provided by the ticket vendor prior to ticket purchase.
• All BNS event attendees must possess valid government-issued identification that has their legal name and picture, and must present a valid government-issued identification at check-in and upon demand by any BNS staff member. Those without a valid government-issued identification will not be admitted and will not receive a refund. Valid government-issued identification includes, but is not limited to, a driver’s license, passport, identification card, and military identification. Event staff shall make the final determination if the presented identification is acceptable.
• All BNS event attendees must complete registration paperwork at check-in in order to participate in an event. Attendees who refuse to complete the registration paperwork will not be able to participate in an event and will not receive a refund.
• BNS reserves the right to refuse service to anyone. This includes individuals who:
  • Have been expelled from a Live Action Roleplaying (“LARP”) organization or convention due to allegations of harassment, for conduct that could be considered criminal, or for conduct that threatened the safety and wellbeing of others; or
  • That have been designated as someone whose membership will not be renewed due to allegations of harassment, for conduct that could be considered criminal, or for conduct that threatened the safety and wellbeing of others.

Such individuals are not welcome at BNS events. Upon learning of an individual’s alleged exclusion from a LARP organization or convention, BNS will make formal inquiry. If the LARP organization or convention confirm that the individual has been expelled or designated as someone whose membership will not be renewed for the reasons stated above, BNS will contact the individual and advise them that they are not welcome at BNS events. If the individual has already purchased a ticket to the event, the individual will receive a full refund.

Event Rules:

Everyone is expected to abide by the following rules when attending a BNS event:

• Do not damage the event space. This includes painting or sketching on walls, slamming doors, etc. Do not hang any flyers on any wall or other surface of the event space unless authorized by the event staff.
• All attendees are to carry or display their ticket, bracelet, or badge at all times and be prepared to present it upon the request of any staff member.
• Do not block doorways or other means of egress. Move to the side to allow the free flow of human traffic through the doorways and walkways of the event space.
• BNS is not responsible for lost or missing items. If you see an unattended item, please bring it to “Lost and Found” at the registration table. If an item is lost or misplaced, please check with “Lost and Found” at the registration table.
• Do not run or throw things inside the event space.
• Do not play music that others can hear.
• Bags, backpacks, and purses are allowed in the event space; however, they may be subject to search at the request of staff.
• Use common sense and be respectful everyone you encounter at the event.
• Do not violate the law.
• Everyone must comply with BNS staff instructions.
• Do not engage in physically destructive behavior.
• Do no endangering the safety of yourself or others.
• Do not cheat.

Anti-Harassment Policy:

BNS is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion. Harassment and other Code of Conduct violations reduce the value of the BNS event for everyone.

BNS does not tolerate harassment of participants or staff in any form.

BNS expects everyone to follow these rules at BNS events, on BNS social media forums, and in communication with other BNS participants and staff.

Anyone violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from an event without a refund at the discretion of the BNS event staff or removed from BNS social media forums. Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Verbal or written comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion;
• Explicit Sexual images in public spaces;
• Deliberate intimidation or stalking;
• Harassing photography or recording;
• Sustained disruption of an individual's attempts to communicate their thoughts or ideas;
• Inappropriate physical contact;
• Repeatedly blocking a person's means of egress;
• Unwelcome sexual attention; and
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.

If you are being harassed at an event, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact BNS staff immediately. BNS staff will be happy to assist participants contact event security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event.

Cosplay & Costuming:

Cosplay and costuming is both welcomed and encouraged at a BNS event. In order to preserve the friendly nature of the event everyone should abide by the following rules:

• All Attendees must have their private areas covered at all times.
• Material must extend at least 1-inch above the nipple and below, and to the sides of the breast, and at least 1-inch above the pubic area and below the crotch/buttocks. This coverage must remain in place while moving/bending/posing/etc. If your attire rides up/down, please extend it, find a way to secure it, or wear something under it.
• Torsos must be covered at all times. Mesh-shirts are allowed if they provide the required coverage of sensitive areas. Simply wearing tape over one’s nipples will not suffice. Capes will not be accepted in place of shirts – if you’re wearing one, please wear a shirt underneath.
• Shoes must be worn at all times.
• Cosplay shall not express hateful ideas.
• By Cosplaying at a BNS event you agree to abide by all these rules at all times.

Weapons Policy:

No functional weapons are allowed at BNS events. Simulated or costume weapons may be allowed as a part of a costume in compliance with the following guidelines:

1. All costume weapons must conform to state and federal law.
2. All weapons must be easily distinguishable from real weapons and must be constructed from safe, lightweight material. Approved materials include rubber, plastic (PVC, worbla, etc.), foam, cardboard and papier-mâché.
3. All prop firearms must be incapable of firing projectiles and have an orange cap on the barrel. Projectiles or any type of ammunition are forbidden. BB guns, paintball guns, dart guns, blowguns, fireball launchers, and water guns and their accompanying ammunition will not be permitted.
4. Nerf guns are allowed, but ammunition of any kind (foam or otherwise) is prohibited. Nerf guns must have triggers zip-tied to prevent guns from firing. It will be the responsibility of the Nerf gun holder to insure compliance with this policy.
5. Plastic air-soft guns are not permitted.
6. Metal weapons of any kind are forbidden, including hammers, scissors (including “safety scissors”), screwdrivers, saws, chains, nun-chucks, brass knuckles, shields, X-Men-style claws, handcuffs, etc. No “live steel” is allowed such as metal swords, knives, or blades of any kind.
7. Small, lightweight, metal objects like Sonic Screwdrivers, Lightsaber handles, umbrellas, and wooden wands are allowed, but must not be used as weapons. These items will all be subject to a weapons check.
8. Costume bows are allowed, insomuch as they are not strung and cannot shoot projectiles of any kind. All types of bows must have bowstrings removed.
9. Costume swords/daggers made from approved materials are allowed, but may not have any sharp edges. Wooden swords are allowed; however, all swords regardless of their material must be zip-tied to their sheaths to ensure that they cannot be drawn. If an attendee wishes to draw a sword to pose for a picture, the attendee must first inform event staff. Metal blades are not allowed regardless of whether they are sheathed.
10. No wooden or aluminum/metal bats are permitted. This includes baseball bats, cricket bats, clubs, paddles, golf clubs, and similar objects. Bats made from approved materials and wiffle ball bats are allowed.
11. Staves and walking sticks are allowed but must be made of lightweight wood or other lightweight material and may not have any sharpened edges or tips.
12. Items such as bullwhips, ropes and lassos are allowed, but must remain rolled and secured at all times. These items can be subject to a weapons check.
13. Incendiary or flammable weapons are prohibited, including any items that are capable of igniting sparks or flames, burning, exploding, or combusting.
14. No prop weapon shall be displayed in a threatening or menacing manner.
15. Prop weapons shall be kept in event space only. Upon leaving the event space the prop weapon is to be immediately secured and concealed.

BNS staff reserves the right to inspect all costumes and weapons on an individual basis in order to ensure that the event remains completely safe. Those who violate these rules assume all responsibility in the event of injury.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illicit Drugs:

Only those 21-years-of-age or older may consume alcohol at a BNS event. Only alcohol provided by BNS or the event venue is permitted. No outside alcohol is permitted at an event. Consumption or use of illegal substances is not permitted and law enforcement professionals will be alerted to such use. All event areas are non-smoking areas. Areas immediately surrounding exit doors are not smoking areas. If someone desires to smoke, vape or use any other form of electronic cigarette, that person shall to exit the venue. Everyone is expected to abide by state and federal laws. Failure to comply will result in expulsion from the convention without refund.

Photography and Video Recording:

BNS has an open recording and photography policy at its events; however, such activities must not impair the ability of other attendees to move through the event space. Attendees that choose to take photographs may not charge for them unless the event staff previously consents to such activity. Event staff must approve any photography or recording that requires dedicated floor space and/or freestanding equipment, such as lighting or other electronics. This will ensure that sufficient and safe space is available prior to any photo shoots. If sufficient space is not available, BNS will suggest specific areas for such photographic actives if available. Everyone attending a BNS event understands that both BNS staff and other attendees might film or photograph them without compensation and may use that film or photograph without compensation or acknowledgement.

Enforcement of the Code of Conduct:

Everyone at a BNS event is to abide by the Code of Conduct including staff, participants, observers, and vendors. Anyone asked to stop behavior that does not conform to this Code of Conduct shall immediately comply with that request. If someone at the event engages in harassing or disruptive behavior, or otherwise violates this Code of Conduct, event staff shall take any actions they deem necessary to keep the event a welcoming environment. This may include warning the offender, expulsion from the event with no refund, or expulsion from BNS social media forums. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear intent of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile. Everyone is expected to follow this Code of Conduct at all at BNS events, on BNS social media forums, and in communication with other BNS participants and staff.

***All rules and regulations are subject to change. ***

Failure to comply with the policies contained within this document may result in ejection from the event without a refund and/or potential legal action.