Camp Perimeter Fence

thexmark · Post by **thexmark** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:01 pm

In 2010 our small 2 person camp will have a cargo van and small 1V dome with attached shade tarp. Would it be advisable and/or acceptable to install a short fence around our camp, say out of rebar (capped/marked for safety) and rope, to keep out wandering people when we're away and to somewhat protect the rental van from the occasional stray wobbling human? A fence that just says, "hey, this is our little space for the week". In a large city with many behavioral unknowns, I'm just a little concerned.

Your feedback is appreciated.

-tXm

Lord Of Ruin · Post by **Lord Of Ruin** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:13 pm

thexmark wrote:In 2010 our small 2 person camp will have a cargo van and small 1V dome with attached shade tarp. Would it be advisable and/or acceptable to install a short fence around our camp, say out of rebar (capped/marked for safety) and rope, to keep out wandering people when we're away and to somewhat protect the rental van from the occasional stray wobbling human? A fence that just says, "hey, this is our little space for the week". In a large city with many behavioral unknowns, I'm just a little concerned.

Your feedback is appreciated.

-tXm

While I don't see anything especially wrong about it, especially if you decorate it, I can't see that it's all that effective.

Use case analysis:

Altered person = ignore all but complete physical barriers
Thieving person = ignore all but vigilant camps
Hippies = This is all OUR land, man
Law abiding, respectful person = would probably respect boundaries, if they could at all determine what they were...u.e. a simple post on each corner with an LED on it would demarc it sufficiently.

So, essentially your solution would only keep out the people least likely to cause harm anyway.

But go for it.

If this is really a great concern for you, why not join a village or outright theme camp. They perform that very service (group vigilance)...

LoR

Mod Note - the quoes wont work if you disable them. mdmf

mudpuppy000 · Post by **mudpuppy000** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:29 pm

Just don't bring anything you don't want to walk away (or lock it in the van when you're gone) and you shouldn't have to worry much. Having random people walk into camp is half the fun too.

thexmark · Post by **thexmark** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:36 pm

LOR

Thank you for your input.

I like your idea of decorating the 'fence' to make it blend in and not appear intimidating or compound-like.

We'd like to go it on our own the first year and maybe theme camp-up down the road.

-tXm

thexmark · Post by **thexmark** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:39 pm

mudpup

I agree with you there, and am planning accordingly. Just worried more about the one side of the van that will be to our camp's back side (i.e. bordering the inevitable camp behind us.

-tXm

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:53 pm

The problem with a fence is early in the week you will think you've not taken more than a fair amount of space. Later in the week, as people find nooks and crannies to fit in, your "front yard" begins to look enticing and selfish. I saw it across the street from Hushville this year. A guy had a nice set-up, a van, a shade structure and room for an entire second camp in front of his tent. He had rebar up with caution tape. People kept trying to pull in and camp in his set up, he was simply too far back from the street for one person. He was there when we pulled in early; so he'd been there at least a day. In the empty city, that probably seemed like a modest amount of space. He ended up quite hemmed in. The wind torn the fence down the second day anyway.

Make the fence visible, and mark/light it too, people cut across the blocks on bikes and may have a nasty tumble. Like guy wires, a fence should be visible.

And yeah, not truly needed.

thexmark · Post by **thexmark** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:01 pm

AntiM

I always enjoy reading your posts.

I plan to be on the edge of the road if I can find a spot, and don't plan to take any more space than I need. After undoubtedly over a hundred hours of reading I've come to respect the power of wind out there and will plan accordingly. I do plan to adequately mark it with visible colors and light. And, the way I plan to position our camp, they'd have to cut right through the middle of our van to effectively cut through the block. That'd be some humor.

-tXm

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:36 pm

Unless you're right on a corner, it probably won't be an issue.

I like the australian electric dingo fences.
Great fun when some asshole whizzes on them.

Post by **Sham** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:12 am

Fences could be considered tacky since the camps are all supposed to be open and welcoming. With that said, I don't want my camp being used as a pass-though, short cut or worse, a pissing spot for lazy people.

By parking vehicles strategically, using shade structures and tents, you can make your area less desirable to be a passage way. If done right, you will also get some nice private space out of sight from those pesky and annoying police trying to rake in some fine money for their respective agencies. (but I digress once again)

I have also seen some fencing very cleverly done to be part of the art. Small fenced in yards with all the suburbia trappings are very cool. If you feel you really need a fence, be very creative and it will fly. Think non traditional borders.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:12 am

I have some rolls of tactical concertina wire, if you need to borrow it......

thexmark · Post by **thexmark** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:56 am

gyre/ygmir

You two seem like-minded. Get together and it might spell BLOOD, which to some is art.
_____________________

Shambala

Great points. Would you suggest positioning the van against the road with my structures behind it versus my structures bordering the road with my van behind them to maximize privacy/minimize undesirable encounters?

-tXm

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:57 am

thexmark wrote:gyre/ygmir

You two seem like-minded. Get together and it might spell BLOOD, which to some is art.
_____________________

Shambala

Great points. Would you suggest positioning the van against the road with my structures behind it versus my structures bordering the road with my van behind them to maximize privacy/minimize undesirable encounters?

-tXm

*shuddering............*

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:16 am

No blood on the playa guys

THIS GOES DOUBLY FOR WOMEN!

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:32 am

Encircle your camp with those wacky mirrors from the fun house.

EB · Post by EB » Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:33 am

Couple thoughts --

1.) You don't need a fence. Not for two people in a rental van. If a drunk is going to stumble somewhere (this is from experience) it's going to be toward something shiny or curvy. If you're there, you shoo them away. If you're not there, a fence isn't going to keep them out.

For an "open" event, people still respect privacy and territory. Human nature and so forth...

2.) If you don't want your van messed with (raison d'etre for fence, no?) then by all means don't park it abutting the road. Park it closer to the middle of the block.

3.) If you're still going the fence route -- I've seen camps use rolls of orange hurricane fencing to deter walk-throughs. Again, these are giant theme camps of tens to hundreds of participants.

Again, for what it's worth, you might give thought to a "soft perimter" that is, art/poles/bamboo sticks with flags on them, etc. which demarks your territory and adds to the event.

Have fun!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:46 am

We had a stick on the ground to mark the road.
A camp sign is a good marker too.

Homiesinheaven · Post by **Homiesinheaven** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:40 am

will this be your first burn theexmark? sounds like your reasoning is based on fear of the unknown. 95% of camps in our city are wide open and inclusive. i totally agree with Shambala, for 2 people it's totally unnecessary. if you keep the van locked you'll be fine. what are your concerns? vandalism? people peeing on your dome? if i were a thief and saw a two person camp looking like a fortress i'd be highly tempted to poke around there first. unless you are located in a high traffic area you'll hardly have any people wandering through your camp so dont worry. and btw, most camps in high traffic areas are not fenced off.

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:43 am

plus one of the best parts of burning man is hearing people talking as they walk right by yer tent and yer on the verge of falling asleep. Makes for some interesting mental images

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:18 pm

For a theme camp, you may want a fence, to define it and its area, and to route people into it in an appropriate manner. I think that Barbarian Camp might do this next year, but it would mostly be an excuse for more theme decoration.

But generally, a fence is seen as a barrier, and people will leave you very, very alone. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:19 pm

Total waste of time, energy, and cargo space. You're overthinking things and worrying too much. It's far more likely that your rental will be damaged by a failing/escaping shade structure than by a lucidity-challenged passerby.

In fact, trying to mark off territory might make you <i>more</i> likely to have your stuff messed with. Just position your vehicles and structures efficiently so there are no gaps that look enticing to people wanting to cut through blocks or squeeze in their tents, and get to know your neighbors.

On the other hand, setting up some hurricane fencing could serve as a pretty useful neighborhood moop collection system. Come prepared to take a lot of it home with you.

Lord Of Ruin · Post by **Lord Of Ruin** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:31 pm

And to clarify, a village is generally very different than a theme camp.

A village is just like what it sounds...a group of people agreeing to camp near one another for some common purpose.

Those purposes are wildly varied: sexual orientation/permissiveness, sound level (or lack thereof), green awareness (AEZ), etc.

But the big promise of a village is that the collective generally looks out for one another. It doesn't mean that you will do your activities with them at all. Again, I had a friend last year who camped at AEZ. When we went to visit, I loved how they laid it out and was very impressed. YOu basically found your way into their area...and they had constructed these little meandering cul de sacs. Each of their campers had a little lighted walkway leading to their vehicle/tent. REally cool...

Advantage to this is you have someone to shoot the shit with casually. You'll always hear about more parties/events when you can cross pollinate this way. Also, after you meet your neighbors left and right....nobody is generally going to be able to touch your stuff.

And finally, the "lock in the van" idea is correct. This isn't all that hard to do. When you stop to think about it, very little that you have on playa is actually of all that much value. Things like cameras, ipods, binocs, etc can easily fit in a single plastic bin that you put just inside your locked van. Take it in and out as needed...no problem.

LoR

thexmark · Post by **thexmark** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:08 pm

EB

I follow what you're sayin'. I've also been thinking of the 'soft perimeter' that you mentioned. It sounds more practical.

Homies

Affirmative, first burn; can't freakin' wait! Thanks for putting some of my fears and concerns to further rest.

Dougly

Thank you for your input; I understand you're logic.

Ranger

All great points. I appreciate it.

LoR

The village concept you describe is interesting. I agree that getting to know thy neighbor has its benefits. We'll be practicing that. And locking up valuables is common sense that I'll be following.

-tXm

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:48 pm

I have never seen anything wrong with marking out a small private area for yourself.

Strategically parking vehicles like what was mentioned earlier amd using some of the trash fencing tyupe material (availabe at any hardare store) is a perfect way to maintain your private area. I dont like entire camps being fenced off, but a small area seems perfectly fine and practical to me.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:23 am

I saw one beautifully constructed picket fence, white, with plastic flowers and astroturf.........and,

a sweet southern Belle, in her regalia, masturbating on the swinging bench in the shade.......

a lovely picture, really.........

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:30 am

ygmir wrote:I saw one beautifully constructed picket fence, white, with plastic flowers and astroturf.........and,

a sweet southern Belle, in her regalia, masturbating on the swinging bench in the shade.......

a lovely picture, really.........

Man, I never get to have any fun, you lucky dog!

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:45 am

Sail Man wrote:
ygmir wrote:I saw one beautifully constructed picket fence, white, with plastic flowers and astroturf.........and,

a sweet southern Belle, in her regalia, masturbating on the swinging bench in the shade.......

a lovely picture, really.........
Man, I never get to have any fun, you lucky dog!

well, I did howl at the moon........

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:49 am

I've put up fence a few times, but only as a windbreak. Yes, people will piss on it, you have to assume everything not moving gets pissed upon.

Shambala wrote:Fences could be considered tacky since the camps
are all supposed to be open and welcoming.

What, there's a rule for *that* now? Fucking hippies.

Token · Post by **Token** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:25 pm

Get two 8 ft 2 by 2s. Cut in half and sharpen one end.

Get 8 of those cheap lipstick size red lasers.

Drill hole just a smidge bigger than the laser one inch from top of cut 2x2.

Drill second hole perpendicular to first hole an inch below.

Drill primer hole in playa with a rotary hammer.

Insert lasers into holes. They should light up if the hole is the right size.

Drive poles into ground so that lasers align from corner to corner.

Play an endless loop audio tape of a porn flick in one of the tents.

thexmark · Post by **thexmark** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 3:42 pm

mdmf007

Thanks for your input. I've got a pretty solid idea of what I'll do now, thanks to you and all of the other's advice.

-tXm

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 5:06 pm

do an electrified fence

Camp Perimeter Fence

Camp Perimeter Fence

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