Best way to find camp to join?

[Razor+]

I know this probably a very noob question, but I'm curious what's the best way to find a camp to join? I understand they are mostly decentralized, and probably require just simple networking over time, but I was curious if there was a secret to it.

I'll be losing my BM virginity this year, and I don't want to be solo tenting. Community is important yo!

[Ano]

Look in to your local community and see if anyone has any camps or projects that sound interesting to you. Become friends with them and you'll get invited to camp with them. There are definitely tons of camps local to you, camps come from all over... although there are isolated pockets of non-Burners, in which case, you could totally say "Hey! I'm a virgin from Nowhereville, Wisconsin, and I'm starting a camp!" and people are sure to join you. The community is awesome in that way...

There's also things like Stag Camp, which aren't necessarily organized camps, but rather a loose network of folks saying "We're gonna set up at X:00 and Y, come set a tent down and join us!"

On the other end of the spectrum, some theme camps sell spots for a fee, and depending on the camp it can be anywhere from $100 for a place to camp and some snacks, to $17,000 for a full service all-access camp with people on-hand to tend to your needs, paid girls to attend to you, and VIP access to things. I've seen these prices average around $400 for really "great" camps to provide food, showers, and an advantageous place to stay. However, this is highly discouraged from the community in general, and there are many horror stories of how this can go horribly wrong. On the other hand, if you're coming from a long distance and don't want to be risky, finding a camp like Green Tortoise that has a demonstrated history of being able to help and provide for people can be beneficial.

[Captain Goddammit]

I strongly recommend NOT relying on a full-service camp to supply your basic needs. Like Ano said, things go wrong. Rule Number One in Black Rock Desert is to cover your own ass. It's not unheard of, or even extremely uncommon, for someone to show up and find that the total strangers they counted on to provide for them are nowhere to be found.
That doesn't mean you can't join a camp. just show up with everything you need.
While I'm on the mic, I'll say this: no one needs to join someone else's camp to go to Burning Man. In recent years, it seems the idea has gotten out there that that's how you do it. Really the best way to find a group of people and theme camp to hook up with is to go to BRC and see who you seem to fit in with best.
Picking a camp from the internet is a little too much like reserving lodging on a vacation at Disneyland.

[danibel]

Picking a camp from the internet is a little too much like reserving lodging on a vacation at Disneyland.

Oh no! It's not Disneyland?! I wanted the E-Ticket rides!

[Jovankat]

If you don't live somewhere with a big burner community and you really want to join a camp either to ease some of the infrastructure start up costs or because you want to feel like you are apart of something bigger than you could do on your own or you want the structure of being part of a group or whatever (the point I'm making is there are a lot of reasons to join a camp) there are camps that advertise for members online as the Captain alludes to. They aren't all terrible but he is right that you should be careful how much you rely on them. Do lots of research and try to have a chat with the people running the camp. I'd also be wary of a camp that will just accept anyone. If they're not asking you to tell them something about yourself before they accept you I'd take that as a red flag.

[Razor+]

Thanks for the help so far everyone! I didn't expect to responses so quickly!

I've heard quite a bit about the plug-n-play camps, and I don't think that is the experience I want to have. Maybe if I had a bunch of money to throw around, but I'm down with roughing it like all the rest. From dust to dust.

[FIGJAM]

Don't do anything like all the rest!

Be unique!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RedHeaven]

Ive heard some bad stories about the $250-$400 fee larger camps, like meals were not provided like promised, stuff like that.

Make your search more on a connection base rather than a $400 "spot" in a camp.
It will be a better experience in my opinion if you search for a theme or not theme camp where you can pitch in, lets say $60 - $100 for simple infrastructure and shower and place to camp. This is a general camp fee for groups that are creating a theme camp together. This is the way I have done it 7 years and I like it this way. It takes months of networking on line with the people in charge of the camp, picking out jobs for yourself to do out there with them like tend bar, put on a workshop, build the shower, what have you. In my experience, you should be present with these camps during the week. Not all the time, but some of the time, and if you keep good PR, you will easily be invited back. Help clean, etc....
You bring your own food, shelter, shade and water, and use your own water for the community shower. Most people share what they are cooking. Camps like this are usually around 30-60 peeps.
This is a way of being self reliant, but getting help with having infrastructure and not having to build your own freaking shower. You can come with a tent and car and feel somewhat civilized.

Problem is, these 80% Self Reliant, Rustic, but Doable situations are harder to find than just signing up on some website for a camp fee that is as much as the ticket costs. With these smaller theme camps, you have to get to know people, network, and be involved. And FIND them! A lot of them can't fit any random newcomers. But some can, if you reach out.
I have friends that are buddies with the camps I camp with, but choose to be on their own with no nice shower or infrastructure so they are completely free of all camp duty responsibilities and just deal with themselves. I prefer having a few comforts (a communal shade, a place on the map to go directly to when entering, a decent shower, things to do, community) and paying $40-60 extra and spending time and energy on the camp I am with. That money is going to the ryder truck they have to rent and the burn barrel I will enjoy on many mornings. Or the epic sound system I will play on. Pennies, actually.
But I didnt find those camps easily. It took 10 years of considering going to burning man to finally find that, and I just stumbled into that set up and did it for 7 years in 2 different camps.

You could now post a question like, "Any smaller theme camps looking for new camp mates?" and let them know that you want to be a part of an infrastructure, not just pitch your tent and bail for the week. You gotta want to be a part of the infrastructure, and want to help with the camp. If you dont want to do that, your best bet is to find a group of DIYs to go in on some amenities and just wing it!

[Lonesomebri]

It can't be said enough, if you bring it, are personable in any stretch of the imagination, and you set up anywhere in BRC, you will be part of a community.
With people living that close and sharing space and dreams, all you have to do is look around and find it.
Hell, even I have been invited by others to meals and drinks and shooting the shit and help setting up camp and whatever.

[Razor+]

Ive heard some bad stories about the $250-$400 fee larger camps, like meals were not provided like promised, stuff like that.
You could now post a question like, "Any smaller theme camps looking for new camp mates?" and let them know that you want to be a part of an infrastructure, not just pitch your tent and bail for the week. You gotta want to be a part of the infrastructure, and want to help with the camp. If you dont want to do that, your best bet is to find a group of DIYs to go in on some amenities and just wing it!

I really like this ^^^^^ idea! I'm very much one for helping out in a camp, and I don't want to just pay for a spot without knowing the people I will be spending time with. I'll be going to the LA BEquinox this March, and I'm hoping to meet some cool people there that might have some extra space.

Burners are some of the coolest people I have ever come to meet, how would I not want to help out and contribute to this incredible experience!

Really looking forward to this! Already set aside $350 for my ticket!

[Serin]

um folks Just take a shower before you leave. Geeze.

[spacetime]

Quick plug for solo camping! You can still be a part of a community and solo camp. I would recommend not eliminating this from your considerations. You can develop a community just as strong, if not stronger outside a camp on your first year.

[lucky420]

Ive heard some bad stories about the $250-$400 fee larger camps, like meals were not provided like promised, stuff like that.
You could now post a question like, "Any smaller theme camps looking for new camp mates?" and let them know that you want to be a part of an infrastructure, not just pitch your tent and bail for the week. You gotta want to be a part of the infrastructure, and want to help with the camp. If you dont want to do that, your best bet is to find a group of DIYs to go in on some amenities and just wing it!

I really like this ^^^^^ idea! I'm very much one for helping out in a camp, and I don't want to just pay for a spot without knowing the people I will be spending time with. I'll be going to the LA BEquinox this March, and I'm hoping to meet some cool people there that might have some extra space.

Burners are some of the coolest people I have ever come to meet, how would I not want to help out and contribute to this incredible experience!

Really looking forward to this! Already set aside $350 for my ticket!

Last years tix price with fees, parking pass, etc came to $420 (oh look my fav number). You might want to set aside another $100...

My kids and I solo camped our first year and had an awesome time, except I forgot the camp stove.

[Captain Who]

2014 was my first year so I'm a bit of a novice, but if you take some of your interests, you'll find a camp with others also interested. I play dodgeball and yes, there are dodgeball camps. There are sober camps. Trans camps. Gay camps. Massage camps. Spiritual. I think you get the point. Poke around Facebook and Google. I haven't camped alone so can't vouch for that but I hear wonderful things about it! I'm returning to my camp this year and can't wait! I met so many amazing people!! Have a great burn!!!!