Hello All,
This will be my first BM and would appreciate if anyone could tell me how to join camps. I only could see the list of 2016 camps but have no idea what camps will be this year and how to attend.
Cheers!
How to join a camp...
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TT120
- Posts: 1779
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 8:43 pm
- Burning Since: 2012
- Camp Name: Orphan Endorphin
- Location: Sacramento, CA.
- Contact:
Re: How to join a camp...
You don't actually need to join a camp. In fact, for your first time, it's usually better to go solo so you don't have any camp responsibilities to worry about. You can come and go as you please. You'll get a better idea of what Burning Man is and you'll also find camps that are a good fit for you. Joining some random camp just for the sake of joining a camp isn't really in your best interest.
If you absolutely MUST join a camp, the best place to look is around your area, see what your local burners are doing. You might find a good camp that way. That's what I did after my first solo burn and it's been an awesome ride. You can probably find a group of local burners on Facebook.
That 2016 list of camps will be fairly accurate as most camps come back year after year. You can look there and see if you can find a camp that you would be interested in. I can tell you that most camps will ignore random e-mails asking to join. Camps are usually made up of friends and there will be responsibilities and duties to perform. Many are leery of having random unknown people join and then flake out when it comes to camp duties.
All that being said, there are a few camps out there that do take in randoms and sometimes even post up on this board. If you're only looking for camp so they can provide you meals, showers, power grid, and shade, you wont find much unless you look into the whole PnP White Ocean luxury Burning Man experience type thing.
"It's NOT what your camp can do for you, It's what YOU can do for your camp"
If you absolutely MUST join a camp, the best place to look is around your area, see what your local burners are doing. You might find a good camp that way. That's what I did after my first solo burn and it's been an awesome ride. You can probably find a group of local burners on Facebook.
That 2016 list of camps will be fairly accurate as most camps come back year after year. You can look there and see if you can find a camp that you would be interested in. I can tell you that most camps will ignore random e-mails asking to join. Camps are usually made up of friends and there will be responsibilities and duties to perform. Many are leery of having random unknown people join and then flake out when it comes to camp duties.
All that being said, there are a few camps out there that do take in randoms and sometimes even post up on this board. If you're only looking for camp so they can provide you meals, showers, power grid, and shade, you wont find much unless you look into the whole PnP White Ocean luxury Burning Man experience type thing.
"It's NOT what your camp can do for you, It's what YOU can do for your camp"
Life's a bitch, then you go to Burning Man - Unjonharley
We welcome the stranger, but that doesn't mean we have to like them, nor they us, and that's alright. - AntiM
W6BJD
We welcome the stranger, but that doesn't mean we have to like them, nor they us, and that's alright. - AntiM
W6BJD
-
AntiM
- Moderator
- Posts: 20302
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 5:23 am
- Burning Since: 2001
- Camp Name: Anti M's Home for Wayward Art
- Location: Wild, Wild West
Re: How to join a camp...
I moved this to theme camps, as that is a better fit.
First, look in this forum, see who is recruiting. Not every returning camp is accepting new members, but those who post here usually are, and will say if they are not.
The thing about joining a camp is you are not simply paying dues to get meals, shade, and showers. That's booking accommodations, and is not the point at all. You join a camp because you love the people, the camp's theme, and want to help create and participate in what the camp offers. Do you want to be a hillbilly cat serving absinthe and telling silly stories all week? You can be! If not, don't ask that camp for membership.
Look over the theme camp list, reach out to those which interest you, and that you feel like you could contribute happily. See if they are returning, and if they are accepting new members. Do not send a blanket email. I have a tiny theme camp, I do not recruit. I still get requests from people who obviously have zero idea what we do. Fuck them for not doing an iota of research.
Joining a camp may not be what you think. You may have to pull shifts when you would rather be out dancing and exploring. Be 100% certain you understand what is expected from you as well as what you expect from them. Be very aware some camps rake in the dues, then never deliver. I prefer my own little camp because I know for certain what we bring is what we have, no depending on the reliability of strangers.
All you really need is a tent, a sleeping bag, some personal care stuff, food, and a water container you can melt ice in. And a hat. And socks. Everything else is gravy. Do not fear the dust!
First, look in this forum, see who is recruiting. Not every returning camp is accepting new members, but those who post here usually are, and will say if they are not.
The thing about joining a camp is you are not simply paying dues to get meals, shade, and showers. That's booking accommodations, and is not the point at all. You join a camp because you love the people, the camp's theme, and want to help create and participate in what the camp offers. Do you want to be a hillbilly cat serving absinthe and telling silly stories all week? You can be! If not, don't ask that camp for membership.
Look over the theme camp list, reach out to those which interest you, and that you feel like you could contribute happily. See if they are returning, and if they are accepting new members. Do not send a blanket email. I have a tiny theme camp, I do not recruit. I still get requests from people who obviously have zero idea what we do. Fuck them for not doing an iota of research.
Joining a camp may not be what you think. You may have to pull shifts when you would rather be out dancing and exploring. Be 100% certain you understand what is expected from you as well as what you expect from them. Be very aware some camps rake in the dues, then never deliver. I prefer my own little camp because I know for certain what we bring is what we have, no depending on the reliability of strangers.
All you really need is a tent, a sleeping bag, some personal care stuff, food, and a water container you can melt ice in. And a hat. And socks. Everything else is gravy. Do not fear the dust!