Theme Camp or camp alone? -- bringing Dad/Uncle/Cousins/Bro

Cap'nTrevor · Post by **Cap'nTrevor** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:29 pm

I'm coming to my second burn this year, and basically all the guys in my family want to come with me next year. I've been trying to decide if we should camp with a theme camp or not.

Some more background:

My dad and uncle: 54 and 40-something
My brother: 33
Me & Cousin: both 29
Other Cousin: 15

I've thought about it and everyone should be capable and responsible enough to be good participants/citizens of black rock city. My dad is a professional engineer and my uncle used to be in the military and is quite "outdoorsy." I'm definitely aware of the survivalist challenges and I have no doubts that everyone will both be more than capable of surviving, wearing sunblock etc.

Are there theme camps that will be fine for the huge age range that we have? We've got a pretty wide range, also there's lots of different personalities, although we all get along fine.

I've also been thinking that maybe a large diverse theme camp would be useful for meeting new people. That way everyone would get to go out and
experience their own burn. I'm definitely stoked about spending time with everyone, but I'm trying to make sure that my family feels comfortable enough that they don't feel like everyone has to be together all the time.

Has anyone tried to put together any kind of art project/theme camp etc. with a bunch of virgins before? Specifically from their family? The good news is that we're a get-things-done clan. Something will get built. I'm just wondering if it would be better to tell them just to chill out and enjoy themselves rather than having them worry about something crazy complicated. On the flip side it would be awesome to work together on something and it could be an amazing family moment when it all comes together. (We have skills/resources: arduino programming, plasma cutter, welding experience, etc. etc. etc.)

The more I think about it, the more excited I get! I really hope I can actually make the trip happen. I know my uncle and dad have wanted to go to the burn for like ten years, and I think it would be an awesome experience to go to the burn with my family. We had a legendary canoe trip back in '96, and I think this could definitely top it as greatest family vacation ever.

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:39 pm

Camp alone, establish yer guys' camp and have a blast.

Leave other cousin at home, really, no one wants him there.

Don't forget to meet yer neighbors and for best results, arrive together.

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:42 pm

Why does this episode spring to mind after reading this post?

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:18 pm

Registered theme camps sometime require dues...and depending on the camp, lack of communication and drama are rampant. I would suggest making your own non-registered theme camp. Have a clear cut idea of what needs to be done, and who does what, but also...allow everyone to have time to do whatever they want. Simply camping on the playa, wont invite strangers...come up with something cool like a bar or bacon first aid camp....anything interactive. keep structure to a minimum, but make sure everyone is dedicated to doing what needs to be done.

However, If you get invited to a camp, that's right up your alley..go for it! also...age isnt really an issue on the playa. nor is color...after a day or two, everythings white.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:53 pm

Having a minor in camp will severely limit your theme camp choices.

Just DIY.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 6:21 pm

Really, ask them. Explain the basic concepts and let them have a voice. I know, there's a fair amount of you, so that whole drama and long time thing that goes on when you were picking out a video at the video store (what is the update for that analogy anyway?) will be a factor, but you got 8 or 9 months.

As to the has anyone started a theme camp with virgins, well, there's Stag Camp (2007?) and last year's orphan camp. Stag has been back, and orphan renamed themselves and will be back. Basically, how it happened was people started chatting on eplaya, and eventually someone stood up and said "let's make this happen" and they started a list serve or something and then wow there were dozens of people showing up on the playa, never having met and having a camp together.
In both cases, they were low infrastructure deals. Someone had big shade that was shared, but no kitchen facilities, or potty rentals. That could easily happen again this year, and if you want to be an instigator, go for it. I'm otherwise on the "you guys should just camp as your own group" "side" but it really is your (plural) decision.

P.S. Can you like get your (engineer) father totally obsessed with building shade, or is that using your powers for evil?

neon tetra · Post by **neon tetra** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 6:38 pm

The only 2 people I know that had a LOUSY time @ Burning Man both were with theme camps that made them do tons of work & weren't particularly friendly (to their campmates & even to strangers).
Just something to think about.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 7:10 pm

One of the most tragic things I've ever witnessed at any burn was someone who decided it would be cool to bring his dad and camp with him during the event. It wasn't pretty and I think they both left with greater animus towards each other.

One of the most amazing and inspiring things I've ever witnessed at any burn was someone who decided to bring his dad and camp with him during the event. It was an amazing, poignant reconciliation between two men who had been at odds for a good portion of their lives.

My suggestion: Set boundaries. Figuratively and literally. Perhaps have a meeting place where you all agree to meet at least once a day. Reach consensus before you leave for the event to allow each of you to have your own inviolable space where you get to do/be/act/behave in ways that you're comfortable with.

Start with that and the rest will likely come naturally - including some of the men you speak of opting to not attend. That too is OK.

snake · Post by **snake** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 7:24 pm

leave the 15 year old behind...he can build up excitement for the time that will be his in the future. you don't want to have to fuss with him...you're all adults. go out and have a blast. but don't join a theme camp. be free. explore. volunteer or not. that will be a great start. just make sure you're all responsible and do moo patrol.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 7:27 pm

Bring the 15 year old! Burning Man is not by any means an adult festival! just look at the adults! The first burn on baker beach included children.

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:53 am

Tom and Snake certainly are entitled to thier opinions, but on this one I happen to agree with Fishy. Our camp (Barbie Death Camp & Wine Bistro) has a 21-and-over policy because of the propensity of alcohol with occasional gusts of nudity. We welcome new members to our humble camp, but our bounderies are set. We have had Pershing County's Finest come by and warn us about minors being served/serving alcohol and we deal with it by simply not allowing them to stay with us. There are camps that are open to children (Kidsville clearly being the most well known) and we welcome them visiting us, but that's about where it ends. Good luck with the family. My hunch is that you'll need it.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:33 am

Okay, I never said bring or don't bring the teen-ager.

The CO · Post by **The CO** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:18 am

"The Trevor* Family Reunion Camp"

*or whatever name you use.

Do whatever you guys want. It would be fun to be able to introduce that much family at once out there.

Post by **Eric** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:11 pm

As long as your Uncle is fine with the education in the human body the 15 year old will see, I don't see why bringing them would be bad. Make sure rules & boundaries are set well in advance, and stick to them.

As for where to camp- go it alone. That way when you hit that spot where you just need to get some alone-time you don't have to worry about having scheduled camp obligations, as well as having the freedom to explore & wander at your own pace.

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:17 pm

The main reason you don't want to bring the 15 year old is because of the shear quantities of hookers and blow out there, there is no way a 15 year old would not be able to get his hands on both.

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 1:39 pm

boundaries are good...and necessary! When we were making plans to attend 2010 my son who was also going was really hesitant to camp with me and his sister. I finally found out the reason why, he didn't want to see his sister or his mom naked...(as if) I assured him that neither his sis or myself would be naked and he did end up camping with us. We are a really close family (but not naked close) and I was so glad that we all got to experience our first burn together. We had a great time being together and when any of us wanted to wander and do our own thing we did that too. There aren't any other people that I would rather have been with.
We are making plans to camp together again in 2011...

ron miller · Post by **ron miller** » Fri Dec 17, 2010 1:05 pm

I took my son one year and we camped together and cooked together. However we preferred to go our own way and do our own thing on the playa.

The second time I took my son-in-law and we would go together to some of the events at night but then split up.

I think it has to do more with different interests than different ages.

Whatever you do, whoever you take, by all means all come together to attend the burn. For those that have not been, it is a great way to bond and a moment that will always be remembered.