Theme Camp Forum 2/15/12
As has been announced elsewhere, the open sale is canceled. Volunteers will get the first purchase option (at $390), then placed camps/mutant vehicles next purchase option (also at $390).
Not all camps will get the opportunity to purchase tickets for their core members. The criteria used to judge which camps is based on
- the ten principles
- past history
- demonstrated community benefit
- leave no trace (MOOP map)
Fill out the theme camp questionnaire before March 8th, they'll use it to make their determinations. Using the last 10 years of theme camp data, some camps have already been pre-selected (pre-selected camps are NOT being notified, they must fill out their questionnaires to get the ball rolling). Placement won't be waiting until March 8th to responding to camps. Questionnaires should be filled out by person you feel qualified to represent your camp and your camp's needs.
Placement is making their determination of how many tickets based on early arrivals balanced against how many estimated are needed to run the camp, and how many are estimated to be needed to tear down and LNT. Mutant vehicles are a part of this, though they will be looking at camps and vehicles to make sure camps with an art car don't get an unfair ticket advantage over other camps. Camps with resources shared with another camp (ie shared power, etc) should contact [email protected] after submitting their questionnaires (include camp name in the subject line).
How many theme camps do they expect will benefit? Guesstimate is less than 50%, maybe 500-ish
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Tips For A Successful Theme Camp Questionnaire
presented by HepKitten
- Who should fill it out? A key person! Not the sparklepony newbie who doesn't have any answers, your contact needs to be able to answer questions and make decisions and possibly determine who in the camp gets tickets. That person needs to be available by email/phone from the time the question is submitted until placement is announced. Not necessarily 24/7, but don't have your contact be the person going to africa for 3 months
- Pretend that you have no clue who your placer is, that they don't know anything about your camp, that you haven't been coming for ten years
- Interaction - most important! Be specific, vague is bad. Use enthusiasm, show us your personality, don't be dry.
- Please consider the placers - don't use all caps, do use punctuation, make it as easy to read and understand as possible
- Camp plans - make sure you mark what's the frontage on your map. Account for all your space, so you can contain your whole camp within the camp (no 'we'll just park the rest of the cars by the porta-potties). Make sure your plan has all your big things on it (domes, major structures, etc). Include containers, specify container info if it's a container through Burning Man.
- RV Fortresses - please consider decorating the sides of outer-facing RV 'walls' (paint murals on sheets, etc). Plan your front yard/front facing public space, and plan your back yard/private space.
- If your camp's name is changing, INCLUDE THAT INFO! If you need to send something to placement, use [email protected] and the team will see it. MAKE SURE that you have your camp name in your subject line or at the start of your email.
- Who should be on the early arrivals team? Only you can decide that, but please make sure it's essential people who are familiar with your camp's plans. Try not to send the sparklepony who doesn't have answers about any questions to meet with your placer.
- Do the right thing.
How does size affect placement/location? Where you're placed doesn't have any relation to how big you are. It does have something to do with how much you're doing. If you want that premium placement for a big camp, you need to be doing a lot.
When will you know when you'll be placed and how big you've got? Beginning of July
Can we request camps that we'd like to be near/adjacent? YES - put it in the special comments section, they'll do their best to accommodate. Big camps who need to be near specific camps should seriously consider forming a village. CLARIFY when it's a want (we like them) or a need (we share a generator).
Do you estimate what you're going to do, or only list what you know you can do? Definitely include what you know, and mention what you're working to try to accomplish. Make your best estimates now, if you have to update the info at a later date, email [email protected] with your camp name and what's changing
Interaction Is Important! Camps need to do more, even the old school long-time camps.
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Early Arrival Passes
presented by Sweet Thing
Passes may look different this year. Fill out questionnaires and include that info, be realistic.
Placement needs to know when you're on the playa, and they really want to meet you. Camp names are not on flags, they assign random numbers and don't tell you in advance. Make sure that gate/greeters radio to your placer. No overnight placing this year
Do not trade/barter/sell EA passes
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Gate
presented by Miss Roach
How do you get through the gate more quickly? HAVE ALL YOUR PAPERWORK READY! Mutant vehicle paperwork should travel with the vehicle! Tickets, early arrivals, and any other necessary paperwork for gate should be ready when you get to the gate.
Pack with gate in mind - don't put all your water in the door well of your van, or pack your stuff in a way that gate inspection trashes your art project, etc. Help direct the gate inspector as they dig through the truck (you can step here, here, and here... etc).
Questions:
What about shift changes? They cause horrible waits in line. Gate is working on speeding up shift changes
What about a carpool lane? It's something they looked at, but not something they can implement. They've worked with traffic management experts, and it's just not feasible.
Can we volunteer? If you want to work gate/perimeter, go to gate.burningman.com and fill out an application
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Nevada Health Department
presented by Joseph Pred
Myths about health department being really hard to deal with are just that...myth. If you're gifting food to the public, even for a couple hours one afternoon... you need a permit. Big camp kitchens (125+ people) you need a permit. Even if you are not a registered camp, if you are serving food,.... you need a permit.
Side note - Tuna Guys working closely with Health Department this year.
New things will be coming out - big legislative review (within the health department) to try and simplify the process. They're working to improve the process. Theme camps can expect to receive announcements (and JRS mention) when those changes and improvements are made. Current info is available here.
Questions:
Does the health department does do inspections on the playa? Yes. They just want to make sure food safety practices are being enforced, and educate camps.
Does the permit requirement depend on the size of the camp? No, it matters how many people the kitchen is serving.
Can you get a permit on-site? No - you must apply for permits in advance.
Will placers tell camps when a permit is needed? No, theme camps are expected to do that work themselves
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Leave No Trace
presented by Rosalie
Make sure that you're leaving no trace as you leave Nevada, not just the playa. Reports last year of trash being dumped in adjacent towns and counties. Questions about exodus/LNT? Send to [email protected]
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Playa Restoration
presented by DA
MOOP - (lots of examples cited) - it's EVERYTHING
Be mindful of what's going to the burn platform. Don't overload them. Playa restoration is getting really granular, woodchips and feathers and other tiny bits. Get it all!
[youtube][/youtube]
Moopsticks (arm-length grabbers) - great tools for camps to clean their space
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Deliveries And Outside Resources
presented by Jeff
Check Theme Camps And Villages Resource Guide for detailed info.
You can go to gate to meet delivery person to accept delivery. You can do in and out pass and go out to accept delivery.
Delivery passes are intended for transportation companies & established businesses - email [email protected] (or check the site)
HAVE THE VENDOR contact outside services! Delivery passes are for delivery/trucking companies. The passes will cost something, fees still being worked out. There is a separate gate lane for deliveries being planned.
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Nightclubs On The Playa
presented by Jeff and Ranger Tool
Focus on creating a safe environment on the playa.
Starting Monday before the event, services will start at ESD home base 9 o'clock. Additional station at 3 o'clock during the event
- Sound is a big factor in situations rangers need to mediate - be mindful of where your speakers are placed and pointing.
- Rangers defer to placement when it comes to camp boundaries
- People throwing MOOP into other camps
- If you've got a large camp, send some members over to get some training with the rangers before the event (even if they don't become a ranger)
- Have a couple staffers, usually in pairs, who are sober and walking the event just to make sure things are going smoothly or people aren't getting into trouble
- Have a safety plan that reflects the unique elements of your camp
- Have a unique marker out in front of your camp, make it easy to find you... makes it easy for rangers or ESD to find you if necessary
- Have a shutdown plan... ie - if your speaker stack catches fire, how do you shut the party down and disperse the crowd
- How to call for help - MURS VHF radios cost about $100 and give you a direct line for reaching rangers/ESD
[email protected] - email address for outside ppl to contact rangers in case of emergency
Include name (and playa name), camp name, camp location, possibly picture or description of signage. Something better than 'Bob, driving a white truck and with a blue tarp'
A mailbox in front of camp is an excellent idea. All messages also go to playa info - if you're worried about a family member, you can check with playa info[email protected] for more info/questions
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Plug & Play Camping
presented by Harley Dubois and Terry Schoop
Highly organized well funded camps that basically provide all the services for the campers. Initial impressions were that they were just supporting 'tourist' camps, but that is not necessarily the case, they often provide infrastructure/support for bigger and more involved projects and playa art.
More info about this will be coming...
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Sound
presented by Sweet Thing
Sound in the city - be respectful of your neighbors, pay attention to speaker placement and direction they're throwing sound.
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Heavy Equipment
presented by Sweet Thing
Too much reliance on DPW's equipment, they're unable to keep up with the demands. If you're building a massive infrastructure, be reliant enough to be able to do that.
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Fuel Safety
presented by Dave X
Have a fuel handling and fuel safety plan, fire extinguishers, etc. Have a plan for a minor fire, have a plan for a major fire. Just writing it down and sending it to campmates gets you and campmates gets people thinking about safety.
They are working on some guidelines for fuel handlingstorage/safety
They are also working longer-term towards a municpal utility model, so camps don't need to store massive amounts of fuel.
People looking for info re: sharing resources & alternative energy… check the 2012 Share Resources board, post your needs and connect with others.
Questions regarding fuel - [email protected]
