ePlaya

For those who are new to the community and not sure how to proceed, I strongly suggest that you take the initiative and try to find your own camp. We all understand that getting to Burning Man, especially in that very first year, can be really hard. When you read about Burning Man and the Ten Principles, one of them is radical self reliance. Sure, there are lots of ways to read or interpret that, but in a nutshell you will call upon yourself to figure out a lot of ridiculous stuff ("the rainbow tutu, or the bee costume?") and do more than you might have ever thought you could. You might have already hit that milestone - but out of all the crazy stuff you have to figure out for Burning Man, figuring out your camp isn't that hard. You have three basic options:

1. You can camp by yourself! You all by yourself, or you and your group of however many friends, can go camping and survive and have a great Burning Man experience. Thousands of burners do just that every year, and they have an amazing burn.
2. You can start your own camp! It doesn't have to be a theme camp, or your theme could be any shared interest ("Naked Margarita Camp" is just one of a billion ideas to choose from). Sure, some camps work all year to build their stuff, but you can come up with an idea in no time and invite other like-minded people to join you.
3. You can join somebody else's camp! The best reason to join another camp is because 'holy crap they sound awesome and I want to be a part of that!' but you may also have reservations about doing #1 or #2. If it's your first time out there, one of the best ways to learn about doing things is to join another camp and get involved and learn from them...or any number of other totally valid reasons. So don't feel bad about having a strong desire to be part of a larger group.

If you're looking at joining a camp, there are two main ways to go about it. The radically self reliant approach would be to take a look at the camps out there and find something that resonates with you, and then reach out to that group. You're going to find information about camps in two main places. First is the message board you're on right now... ePlaya. Early in the season the pickings may seem pretty slim, but as camps start to figure out what they're planning for 2019 they'll start posting about it. Look through the threads, and if something jumps out at you as cool, exciting, or fun... then post a reply. Or better yet, click on the PM button next to the thread starter's message to send them a private message. At this late stage of the game, many camps and camp leaders aren't checking the boards that regularly, so sending a private message to express your interest sends them a notification, an typically gets a faster response. The other place to find a list of camps is the partial list of 2018 theme camps. It has a list of all the camps who filled out placement questionnaires and chose to make their information public. Holy crap, that list is huge, and it's exhaustive to read it all, but it's also a lot of fun to see what people build and bring to Burning Man. Sometime in May/June a similar list will likely be posted for the 2019 event, but last year's list can be a good place to start. Find something interesting, then fire up an internet search engine and find that camp. Many have web sites or Facebook pages or some kind of internet presence. If they don't, that's probably a strong sign that they're not recruiting for new members anyways - but if you can find them you can reach out to ask. Tell them how you discovered them, and why you're interested and ask if they're planning to return in 2019 and would be willing to consider having you join. Speaking personally as a person who organizes a camp, a camp leader is more likely to be moved by someone with a genuine interest rather than a generic post.

Failing the above, yeah you can post a 'Seeking Camp' post, but to some it suggest that you may be lacking in initiative or radical self reliance... which is probably not your intention. It is understandable though - you may be new, or your plans may have fallen through, or it all just seems too overwhelming. Take a moment, maybe even two, a couple deep breaths, and go. You can do this.

Mod Note: anyone feeling the need to post their own plea in hopes of a camp seeking them out and adopting them... should post it here. Camps that would like to respond to posters in this board should do so by using the private message or email button under the poster's name - don't post camp adverts or responses here as they will be removed.

Really?! The first to post on here!! Well we’re truly honoured.

Returning after 7yr break and bringing my partner along for her first time to share her amazing energy with the Playa too.

We’d love to join an active camp, people facing (we’re both high energy and mischievous Brits) maybe a fun bar or a back stage at a dance arena / show perhaps.

A smaller intimate community would be better for us rather than a huge camp.

We’re both really resourceful doers, team managers, event coordination type stuff.
I’m an electrician, mechanic, general handyman and full of crap jokes!

Love dancing with fire and learning to spin. We’re always open to new and love to give.

Hook us up ePlaya xx

Hen & Em

Hi,

A Virgin burner here going solo this year. I think joining a theme camp is an easy way for a solo virgin burner to integrate into the spirit without getting overwhelmed by logistics.
I am 31 m, originally from India but been living in the US for a decade now.
Will be traveling from NC.

Some of the things I am looking for is basic necessities- shower, shade, one meal a day, toilet.

I am enthusiastic and willing to be a part of a group project and would love to be an active member of the community.

Thanks!

We are virgins and would like to join a camp, as we want to experience the fullness of BM, including volunteering and giving back to a community as gifting.

We are 48 & 53 and my husband had 2 strokes this year, hence our reason to escalate our attendance plans. We always wanted to come, but now it feels necessary. We have been minimalist Vanlifers for two years (any vanlife/minimalist WOL camps out there?) We gave away all of our lifelong belongings to our kids and Goodwill, packed up a van, and now live in it pretty much full time (other than staying with our kids after my husband's second stroke). I make beautiful jewelry, including healing-based '#metoo' bracelets as a way to help healing in my fellow childhood abuse survivors. I am also making a whole bunch to bring to BM to gift to others. I am also a writer and digital strategist/web designer. My husband is a licensed and journeyman plumber and gas fitter, so I feel like we have lots to offer to a community.

I want to disclose that we ARE worried about the ticketing process after reading about how hard it is to get tickets to BM. As minimalists, we obviously can't afford the pre-sale tickets, and won't be able to afford secondary market tickets given their price markup. But, I want to assure that this isn't the sole reason for us joining a camp, either. In fact, I'm not sure joining a camp even results in a chance to purchase a ticket. We really just want to have a full experience of the Burning Man culture, and I feel like sitting on the outskirts of the City won't really give us that.

So if anyone knows of any camps looking for older, seasoned, tattooed, van living, creative, tradesmen virgin Burners, please message me!

Hi everyone!!
I´ll be going with 4 friends, all first time burners and all from Argentina!
We´d love to join an interesting camp with some good vibes to exchange our different cultures. We know a lot about football (or socccer as US usually calls it), about "asados" or argentinian barbeques, some own a cine and commercial agency, other is a lawyer, i´m at corporate affair... but most importantly we are all good people with good intentions.
Love to hear from someone who thinks we could add value to their camp!
Cheers,
Tom

Hello burners

A mixed group of 6 based in London ( but not from London) lucky enough to have secured tickets to BRC 2019 and looking for a camp to join . We are super adventurous , outgoing , organised and hedonistic crew . We promise to bring plenty laughs, great energy , participate and cultivate new friendships ( essentially like every burner ) .

If you have potential space in your camp let me know and we are happy to tell you more about ourselves and jump with various hoops

100% satisfaction guarantee.

Hi from Spain!

We are a group of 10 Spaniards looking for a camp where live a real Burning Man experience. There is only one in our group who had gone before and he told us the best option to understand and live the Black Rock City philosophy is to join a camp to experience the real community and sharing culture. We have some ideas to share with you in order to give something to the community but we are flexible if you have everything settle and prefer that we contribute with the camp activities.

If it fits we could give you more info like how much tends and vehicles we are planning to bring with us.

Thank you so much and hopefully we could share space, culture and good moments together!

Welcome AlvaroMaruganHernandez. May I call you AlvaroMaruganHernandez?
With 10 of you coming to Burning Man, you practically have a camp all put together already. Strictly from a money standpoint, you could buy all your tents, stoves, supplies and food and still have enough left over for your flights from Spain.

Most people camp in the open camping area and form strong friendships with others in the same area. You will have an informal camp with 100 people all sharing meals, shade and fun times.

I hope you took some time to read up on the First Timer's Guide and the Survival Guide in my signature below.

Good luck with your plans and I hope to see you and your friends in 4 months.

Adding to Mr Trilobyte's suggestion...

Your Regional Burning Man Group is the best resource for finding a camp.

What is a Regional you may ask?

If you search the burningman.org website you can find all about Regionals. Reach out to the nearest one to you and make friends! Then ask them about camps and preparation. You can even ask them in person, face-to-face!

Hello,

We are two friends, and we are looking for a fun camp.
It will be our first time as burners and want it to be memorable:)

Rita34 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 22, 2019 9:24 am

Hello,

We are two friends, and we are looking for a fun camp.
It will be our first time as burners and want it to be memorable:)

Hi Rita. Welcome to eplaya. Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you and your friend from and what makes you tick? What inspired you to come to Burning Man?
I hope you read up on the guides in my signature below.
Good luck with all your preparations.
See you in the dust.....

Hi Rita,

Welcome to eplaya and good job for getting started early on your planning! Make sure to do your homework. There's a lot of required reading and preparation for this event. Please take the time and become familiar with it all!

Where are you from? Your best chance for a meaningful experience is to find an established group near you so you can fully participate leading up to and during the event. There's lots of resources out there to find them.

You know you don't really need a camp for a memorable experience. I'm camping solo with my brother this year. Don't need no stinkin' camp. I've got everything I need to THRIVE in the desert on my own. We always find awesome groups of neighbors and it's instant community!

Alright,...spill the beans! What planet are you from? How did you learn English? No, Bob Denver was not really stuck on that island! Stop watching that rot!

See what happens when you leave us to our imaginations!!

Hehe. Welcome to ePlaya!

Moderator's note: Anyone posting in Greeter's Station who has "looking for a camp" in their topic title gets their post and all replies moved to this forum. Thank you.

Need a new home? The Camp With No Name is a 24-hour dive bar located around C&745 and we're looking for veteran burners to join us. Like drinking cold beer? Like serving cider to the masses? Got a workshop you want to run or a DJ set? Come learn more about us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/340397416356816

British Henry wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 14, 2019 1:21 pm

Really?! The first to post on here!! Well we’re truly honoured.

Returning after 7yr break and bringing my partner along for her first time to share her amazing energy with the Playa too.

We’d love to join an active camp, people facing (we’re both high energy and mischievous Brits) maybe a fun bar or a back stage at a dance arena / show perhaps.

A smaller intimate community would be better for us rather than a huge camp.

We’re both really resourceful doers, team managers, event coordination type stuff.
I’m an electrician, mechanic, general handyman and full of crap jokes!

Love dancing with fire and learning to spin. We’re always open to new and love to give.

Hook us up ePlaya xx

Hen & Em

Hi!
My boyfriend and I are looking to join a camp! We are burgins and looking forward to collaborate!

We are from Mexico City

The Chruch Of Ceiling Cat is a small camp (20 people max) for people who like cats and tea.

If you are interested, contact me via pm.

Learn more about The Ceiling Cat Prophet here
https://journal.burningman.org/2018/03/ ... s-3-and-4/

Hi, first time burner here, Aussie but living in LA, and attending with a buddy who is flying in from Australia. Being first timers we would love to join a camp and help where needed.

My wife and I are Earthians in search of a camp to call home during our first burn.

We are roamers who don't consider any one place our home (but every now and again reality hits us and we find ourselves in London for work).

My wife grew up in a family of doctors without borders and spent most of her childhood in Africa and SE Asia. Among many other things, she is a qualified Yoga instructor who gives amazing massages and is the kindest person I know.

I grew up nestled in the French Alps, moving back and forth between the rugged Britanny coast and the SF Bay Area during the summertime. I am passionate about studying and designing new economic models and value system. My life is devoted to helping restore a fair world order: for mankind and for our planet. I have experience with the following: woodworking/carpentry, Earthship design, vegan cooking, basic electrical, sound system setup & management (nothing on a huge scale), filming and musical act recording (I will have equipment with me), DJ'ing (Folklore, Tribal and Dream Techhouse / Roots & Culture Dub / Jazz) and VDJ'ing (DMX), event planning, public speaking and managing (servant leadership).

Both of us will be available to help set up (as early as Thursday) and take down our host's camp or anyone else in need of help.

Need help with your camp build? Van transport? A pre-playa art or construction project or local logistics?

7 time consecutive veteran burner from the San Francisco Bay Area looking for a new camp to start contributing to. After 7 years my previous small camp is no more so I am looking for a new home but more importantly, I’m looking for ways to contribute to a new camp. Some ideas I’m excited about contributing to your camp:

* Construction project - Need a new piece of camp art? A room decorated? A new bar? A cycle powered fruit blender with a flame thrower attached? ...I’m super keen to spend the coming months creating something nights and weekends that could be a real addition to the camp
* Bay Area logistics - Given I’m local(ish), I’m happy to help coordinate pre-burn logistics for camps coming from other parts of the country or world
* Van - I have a mini-van and trailer so can transport up and back a group of folks and decent amount of gear, including bikes
* Camp build - I’ve always wanted to do an early arrival and help build a camp (a bonus if anyone needs help, with this and has early access)
* General good vibes and a believer in the 10 (11) principles

I’m a (nice) guy in my mid-30s that’s lived in the Bay Area for a decade and literally dreams about Burning Man multiple times a week so I’m determined to go despite not having a ticket. I’m hoping to be able to purchase a (face value) ticket from my new campmates, potentially replacing someone who can no longer come with someone (myself) eager to make a big contribution.

I’m relatively open on the camp or situation. My main drives would be a way to exhibit radical self expression and communal effort through a project in the coming months that would make a meaningful contribution in what would be a new adventure. Message me with any questions.

Hello! Although we have planned to attend BM for many years - actually purchased tickets one year - this is the year! Everything happens for a reason, and I am SO ready!

We are an extremely positive group of 4. I will be sharing this experience with my amazing kids/best friends. My son Skyler is 24 and is a tattoo artist/digital designer. My daughter Mariah is an amazing artist in many media’s (sculpture & painting being her favorites), she and her partner are both 22, and their energy is contagious. I am a passionate 46 year old Chef. We live in the East Bay. We are fun-loving and open-minded - not closed to mind-altering environments (just got home from Lightning in a Bottle). More square camps probably not for us, we want adventure in life and in mind & spirit. We are all naturally gifting people and believe all experiences transform - if you allow them to. We are not afraid of hard work and new challenges. We Laugh past when it hurts - music is a center of our joy (and we listen to Everything)! We are into dancing, learning, sharing, growing, & evolving.

If you have some space in your camp, and you feel we would be a great addition to it, we would love to hear about your camp philosophy/duties/opportunities. Thanks for reading!

~Chef Shawndee

Heyo! I'm going to my first Burn solo this year and hope to find a great camp so I can meet people and contribute to an effort larger than myself. I’m handy with manual labor (power tools, moving things, etc.), technical labor (web design, graphics), or can do whatever else is needed. Please let me know if anyone has any tips!

My wife and I (late 20s) are looking to join a camp! We don't drink, smoke or do drugs and would like to find like-minded people to enjoy Burning Man with! We will be coming from Washington DC.

Ideal camp would provide electricity, 2-3 meals/day, shade, showers, and quiet hours so everyone gets a good amount of sleep, in exchange for [redacted by moderator].

We're totally open-minded to everyone and to all ideas. And we would definitely consider all camps since the only way to have totally "ideal" camp is to start one ourselves

Moderator note: just as camps cannot currently post dues, potential campers cannot post suggested monetary contribution amounts.

Hello everyone!

I'm so excited to go to Burning Man 2019 for a first time. Me and my wife (both 30 y.o.) looking for a camp where we can contribute and make friends with nice people.

We can help with kitchen or bar, manual tasks and open to anything else.

We will be very appreciate for any suggestion or offers to join a camp.

Thank you!

Hello =)

Looking a camp for two!
This gonna be my second burn (veteran burner in the Israeli regional), and I'm coming with a virgin friend.
We are looking for a chill camp and are very open minded.
Love to volunteer and help with whatever, and my friend lives in Reno if that helps logistically.

Thanks!

Hi. Looking for a camp for one. I'm a 45 y/o male (professor). It's my second burning man. I am friendly and easy going and flexible. Thanks!

hello fellow burners <3

i am getting kind of frustrated searching for camps to join – most of the ones that i can find online are too big for my taste. i would really appreciate some help, suggestions, hints, or even invites to join a lovely playa family.

i'm traveling from vienna, austria, together with my partner of 10 years, tomás. we are experienced burners dating back to 2007, but we are constantly participating and helping realize regional burner events (vienna burning ball, nowhere and the like). we are returning "home" this year and we are looking for a camp to join and contribute to with our skills and mesmerizing personalities of course

we are in our late 30s, working in the creative fields and lgbtiq+ counseling. side projects include working at a nightclub in vienna plus creating culinary catering settings. we are part of a strong and heartfelt community here in vienna, with focus on electronic music, awareness, wholesomeness, immediacy, post modern relationship styles and intersectionality. we just created our very own festival in the spirit of burning man, with 250 people attending – it was simply beautiful.

we are laid-back but very commited, very social, hands-on, highly communicative and open minded. we don't avoid getting hands dirty and engage in the wellbeing of a whole community.

what we are looking for: a camp that is not too big (below 200 pax or even wayyyy smaller would be so nice), that organizes communal infrastructure and such but is not an expensive plug + play thing, joins together for meals (we are vegan!), that tends to create some sort of spirit – maybe through workshops or other offerings – and where we can help with whatever is needed and contribute our skills: tomás also is a dj (downtempo, deep house, ambient) and bartender, i am a trained cacao ceremony guardian and would love to offer a ritual.

thank you so much for suggesting or offering us a family to join.
here is us, from a fun foto shooting recently: dusty love from austria!

hiya! five-time burner + scientist here. my usual camp (Cuddle Cult) has dissolved, and I've got a ticket for this year's burn, but no one to camp with. I'm particularly interested in finding a science-focused camp to lend a hand with! I've looked into phage camp + sextant camp (which won't be on playa in 2019), but I'd love to hear what else is out there!

xoxo,
axle

HI all. This will be my fourth time and the three previous times I have camped alone and this year I'm thinking I might like to join a camp. Have no idea what kind having never done this. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

I had an amazing first burn with Campus Callosum last year! We hosted Ask a Drunk Scientist events and I definitely fit part of that description.

Also, I checked out a book at Black Rock Public Library, which I need to return this year or face late fines?

Campus Callosum isn't campusing again in 2019, but I've got a ticket so here we are! Is your camp fun yet functional? Will you be out until 4 am but still picking up moop and troubleshooting the evap system in the morning? Let's connect!

I'd love to get involved in some pre-burn prep if your camp is based in the Bay area. Also, I'll arrive Saturday, so I can help a bit with final camp setup. Click my profile to read more or reach out!