CAPERCON POLICIES

CaperCon is committed to providing a safe, respectful and enjoyable convention experience for all. Please take a moment to review our convention policies to minimize the potential for violations. By purchasing your CaperCon pass, you agree to abide by the terms below.

Parental Consent Form found under ‘Registration Policies’ below.

Thank you.

General Policy and Rules of Conduct

Children under 12 MUST be accompanied by an adult at all times, and said adult must be present at the time of registration.

Smoking is not permitted on the convention site and must be conducted off premises or at a designated location.

Alcohol and other substance use are not permitted at all in or around the convention area (public places), unless otherwise stated. Attendees suspected of violating this policy will be asked to leave the convention site at the discretion of security.

We encourage a family-friendly environment. Please refrain from swearing on-site.

CaperCon and its partners are not responsible for lost or stolen property. Please do not leave your valuables unattended. A lost and found station will be at the Data Desk location. Please drop off all found belongings/badges to a staff member.

Be respectful of all staff, partners, volunteers, attendees, security, the venue and its surrounding grounds. Disruptive or rude behavior will not be tolerated.

Certain events are in higher demand, and as such may be subjected to an attendance cap. Please follow staff direction and line up in an orderly fashion, and keep conduct professional (no line cutting or spot-holding). Staff will do their absolute best to accommodate as many attendees as possible. You may have to line up early to ensure participation or viewing. Attendees may be turned away if and when the capacity cap is met. If/when a cap is met, be respectful to staff and follow their instructions as crowding is a fire hazard and their primary goal is the safety of everyone at the convention. 

Photography and filming is welcome on the premises, unless a panel or event specifies otherwise. All photography and filming done while on-site is to be used for personal and non-profit use only. Remember to be courteous and ask attendees, guests or anyone else for permission before capturing their image and/or using it for personal projects. If they do not consent, do not capture their image. Attempts to take inappropriate photos or videos will not be tolerated. Refer to the Harassment Policy for more information.

Harassment and Violence will not be tolerated at CaperCon. Failure to comply may result in your immediate removal from the site by security and a permanent ban from future CaperCon events. Review the Harassment Policy for more information.

Costumes must remain appropriate and family-friendly with no perceived risk of exposure or offensive content. Review the Costume Policy for more information.

Weapons and costume props admittance is at the strict discretion of security. Review the Weapons Policy for more information.

REGISTRATION POLICY

Pre-registration payment is non-refundable. Registration and/or bracelets may NOT be resold.

You must present a valid photo ID of yourself in order to pick up your convention pass/bracelet.

(Driver’s licence, Nova Scotia ID, passport, or school ID are all acceptable. Date of birth must be present on the ID.)

Accepting your attendance to CaperCon (purchasing a pass) means you have read and agreed to abide by CaperCon’s Rules of Conduct and Safety Policies.

Attendees who are between the ages of 13-18 and wish to attend without a guardian MUST bring a consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian. Forms will be available online to print before the convention and also during convention weekend at the Registration Desk. They must be given to staff in order for the pass to be valid for entry to the convention.

Download parent consent form HERE

Bracelets must be worn and visible at all times as they identify you as part of the convention. Lost bracelets must be reported to registration staff immediately. Lost bracelets will not be refunded.

Bracelets being shared, copied, or forged will NOT be tolerated. This includes the use of fake identification. Convention privileges will be revoked without refund and you will be removed from the convention by security.

CaperCon reserves the right to remove convention privileges from attendees who do not comply with the rules of conduct and safety policies. NO REFUNDS will be given in this event.

Due to professional obligations, guest appearances are subject to change or cancellation. Refunds cannot be issued in the event of a guest cancellation. Please refer to our website and official Facebook for the most current news in regards to guest scheduling.

COSTUME POLICY

All reasonable measures are to be taken to ensure that no inappropriate body parts may become visible while at the convention.Tights or pantyhose are to be worn under any bottoms that may create the risk of exposure or have less coverage than standard underwear briefs.

Men (and applicable individuals) who plan on wearing tight/form fitting bottoms, need to wear a dance belt (or other garment that performs the same function of covering the crotch from exposure).

Bikini or bra style tops must provide adequate coverage and ensure there is no perceived risk of exposure. Fashion tape is highly recommended.

CaperCon staff reserves the right to ask individuals to cover up at the convention’s discretion. If you are unsure, please feel free to contact staff prior to making costume plans. It would be unfortunate to put forth all your efforts into a costume, only to have it deemed unfit for convention use.

If your costume restricts your vision or is excessively large or bulky then you MUST have a handler with you at all time (a person who is not restricted in vision or movement to guide you through crowds and doorways). We have narrow passages that are often crowded with attendees and their safety is paramount. Please consider this while designing your costume. 

Offensive clothing is not acceptable. You will be asked to cover up or remove offensive clothing and/or accessories or you will be removed from the convention until you change. Repeat offences may result in your convention privileges revoked with no refund.

Please refer to the Weapons Policy listed below for information regarding costume accessories. 

WEAPONS POLICY

All props or weapons must follow the weapons policy. Security reserves the right to confiscate weapons or props at their discretion. 

All weapons and props that enter the convention site MUST be approved by security staff and peace bonded. Peace bonds are a tag that indicates your weapon/prop was inspected and is convention safe. Tags MUST remain on your weapon/prop for the duration of the convention.

Any and all variations of horseplay with props and weapons will NOT be tolerated on the convention site (this includes mock-fights outside of those sanctioned within the demonstration area in the gaming section). Some weapons or props may be required to be securely fastened to the owner so that attendees and staff will not be at risk to be hit or come in physical contact with the prop or weapon. Please ask staff for more information if unsure.

Weapons are not to be drawn or wielded in large or crowded public areas. Offenders will have their weapon/prop confiscated by security.

Acts of extreme negligence or public endangerment may result in criminal prosecution beyond the control of CaperCon. Non-attendees may act in the extreme or call authorities if they feel unsafe/threatened. The public may be unaware of the convention’s presence in the community and view your weapon/prop as a threat. Please exercise caution when travelling between the convention, restaurants, hotels, etc.

Security decisions are final and non-negotiable.

The following weapons are RESTRICTED from the convention. There will be:

NO live ammunition firearms, even if there is no ammunition loaded or the firing pins have been removed. Authorities will be contacted immediately upon discovery and no warnings or second chances will be issued.

NO functional replica guns that have the capacity to hold a charge. These include, but are not limited to: pellet guns, BB guns, airsoft guns, paintball guns, cap guns, etc. Functional replicas will be confiscated for the duration of the convention.

NO mace, pepper spray, or tasers.

NO concealed weapons. These include, but are not limited to: knives, switchblades, brass knuckles, etc. Upon discovery of a concealed weapon, authorities will be contacted and the offender will be removed from the venue.

NO projectiles. These include, but are not limited to: long slash recurve bows, crossbows, slingshots, blow guns, boomerangs, etc. Even if rendered inoperable by removing the string, or not bringing arrows/bolts, these weapons are not allowed. Projectiles will be confiscated for the duration of the convention.

NO nuisances. These include but are not limited to: water balloons, filled water guns, silly string, etc.

NO chemicals or fire hazards. These included but not limited to: fireworks, firecrackers, caps, sparklers, smoke powder, etc.

NO metal blades, regardless of sharpness. These include but are not limited to: knives, kunai, swords/katanas, sword cane, axes, daggers, hatchets, etc.

Or ANY other weapons prohibited by Canadian law.

The following weapons are PERMITTED but at the discretion of security. They may be denied entry or confiscated if deemed unsafe.

Martial arts weapons are at the strict discretion of security. These include but are not limited to: nunchucks, tonfas, batons, etc. Remember: if it’s metal-bladed it is still restricted.

Blunt weapons are allowed provided misconduct is not foreseeable. These include but are not limited to: staffs, sticks, clubs, canes, etc.

Hard props are allowed. These materials include but are not limited to: wood, glass, fibreglass, etc. Edges are required to be blunt and sanded smooth.

Large/heavy props are allowed provided there is no foreseeable risk to attendees. Attendees may be requested to demonstrate its expected use to deem appropriateness. It may only be allowed out for costume contest purposes. Having a handler (another adult to help you navigate crowds and doorways) is recommended.

Home-made replica guns are permitted provided they are constructed with allowable materials. Realistic props that are easily confused for functional guns, must have the barrel tips painted or taped with a bright colour. This colouring is not to be removed while on convention grounds. Please contact convention staff if you are unsure if your gun replica falls within these guidelines.

We encourage prop makers to construct their props and weapon replicas with convention-friendly materials such as: foam, worbla, resin, paper mache, cardboard, plastic, etc.

Any items purchased at the convention, once removed from their sealed package, are subject to the weapons policy and will need to be peace-bonded. If they are a restricted item (metal-bladed katanas being one common example), do NOT open its seal until you are off convention grounds.

Please contact the staff if you require further clarification on the weapons policy and if it applies to your prop/weapon.

HARASSMENT POLICY

A bullying- and harassment-free experience for our attendees and staff is our top priority. CaperCon enforces a zero tolerance policy on this subject. Failure to comply will result in a warning and may/will result in your immediate removal from the site by security and a possible permanent ban from future CaperCon events.

There is ZERO tolerance for violence. This includes but is not limited to: fighting, hitting, grabbing, spitting, threats/death threats, and/or comments that would cause a person to become concerned for their health and well-being. You will be removed from the venue and authorities will be contacted.

Deliberate intimidation will NOT be tolerated.

Offensive and negative comments based on race, religion, beliefs, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, disability, body size, and physical appearance will NOT be tolerated. This is a form of hate speech and your convention privileges can be revoked.

Stalking or following an attendee or guest is NOT acceptable. Warnings will be issued and possible removal from the convention grounds at the discretion of security.

Sexual harassment will NOT be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to: lewd and demeaning comments or imagery, repeatedly asking for personal information, inappropriate physical contact, sexualized activities and/or other materials. Warnings will be issued and security reserves the right to dismiss anyone failing to abide by this policy from the convention with no refunds. Products/advertisements sold/displayed by vendors will be held to the same standards.

Photography: Ask permission before taking photos with or of other people. It is inappropriate to take high or low angle shots, or touch another individual without consent. Requesting photos of a sexual nature is highly inappropriate and will NOT be tolerated by security.

If permission is not granted, do not persist in this matter. This is a form of intimidation and harassment.

Permission can be revoked at any time if the individual(s) pictured no longer feel(s) comfortable with the photo/film or its methods. It would be courteous and expected to delete the photos in question.

Staff will be more than happy to assist those experiencing harassment. Please don’t be shy. We value your safety, participation and attendance.

Please report any misconduct you witness to staff or security.