How do I go about building a camp?

MrSlowDance · Post by **MrSlowDance** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:00 pm

I have the idea, the people, but don't have the money. My idea fits the theme to a T.

LowePro · Post by **LowePro** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:34 pm

Lots of options: Raise money from your campers, do a voluntary or required contribution, host a fundraiser party, get on Kickstarter or another crowdsource site, use your own money, find ways to make your ideas work with a limited budget, Use recycled or found materials, Start small and let the idea build as you gain momentum and experience.

Token · Post by **Token** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 3:12 pm

Water, tent, cooler, wide-brimmed hat, some grub, sunscreen and a way to get there is basically all you need.

Everything else is creature comfort.

Post by **trilobyte** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 3:23 pm

I'm giving this a nudge over to the Shelter & Camping board, since this is a general preparation question.

To answer your question... welcome to the same dilemma every other camp leader has to deal with... how to reconcile what you want to do with what you can do. Theme camps aren't cheap. Hell, even the non-themed camps aren't cheap... it's all expensive. This is where you and your campmates step up your radically self reliant game - either make do with less, or find a way to raise money. Fundraisers can be quite difficult - unless you're already an established trust that has built up some social currency/goodwill, you're just a random group asking people to give them money.

I'd bet that plenty of burners come up with fantastic ideas for projects every year that they just don't have the time, money, skills, etc to make happen for that year. They make for great conversations and running jokes with campmates throughout the season (and at the burn), and can evolve and grow into really cool projects in a future year (a couple different projects at my camp took more than a couple years to make happen, I'm sure that'll continue into the future).

I'll echo asr9754's comment to start small - enthusiasm and creativity are AWESOME, but if you/your campmates over-extend yourselves too much, that can be a real pain point. Good luck!

Lonesomebri · Post by **Lonesomebri** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 3:31 pm

Story of my life: lots of great ideas, just not the means to pull them off. This seems more like a philosophical dilemma in general life.
The post here never mentions what it is that isn't, other than money.
We all face our own limitations.
I have a great idea about me in an RV this year, only I don't have an RV or the money for one. How do I reconcile this?

Post by **Savannah** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:02 pm

I like the other ideas above, and wanted to add:

* Limit the number of hours a day you offer your experience, game, lessons, etc. Maybe it's just an hour or two--Sunset Games, or Sunset Mai Tais, Sunset Tango Lessons.

* Interest a compatible camp or village in a symbiotic relationship. Big camps are finishing up their applications by April 30.

* If it's an artistic vision, you might be able to apply for a grant. (Alas, it's too late this year, but in December 2015 you will probably be able to submit a letter of intent and if accepted, apply in early 2016). Check this page after this year's Burn.

http://burningman.org/culture/burning-m ... mit_grant/

digital · Post by **digital** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:38 pm

MrSlowDance wrote:I have the idea, the people, but don't have the money.

Welcome to Burning Man.

pink · Post by **pink** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 12:05 am

Start small. Retrofrolic started with a carport, a few tarps strung between vehicles, a massage table, one cross and an idea. This year we'll have 8000 sq. ft of shade hosting our dungeon, games, and other fun and about 50 people to help you get your kink on. And we aren't gazillionaires; we just add on a bit each year.

graidawg · Post by **graidawg** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 3:58 am

pink wrote:Start small. Retrofrolic started with a carport, a few tarps strung between vehicles, a massage table, one cross and an idea. This year we'll have 8000 sq. ft of shade hosting our dungeon, games, and other fun and about 50 people to help you get your kink on. And we aren't gazillionaires; we just add on a bit each year.

this is the answer, I have seen retrofrolic evolve over 4 years. as people say start with what you have, its simpler, cheaper and less to go wrong. I've had an idea since my first year, this will be my 5th and i still haven't done it, funding, logistics and a few other things have got in the way.

oh and as a side note, your idea can almost certainly be fitted to any years theme if you want to. personally i think most people pretty much ignore the theme unless it happens to fit with what they are doing

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 7:09 am

digital wrote:
MrSlowDance wrote:I have the idea, the people, but don't have the money.
Welcome to Burning Man.

Welcome to Earth!

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 4:10 pm

MrSlowDance wrote:I have the idea, the people, but don't have the money.

Sounds like the title to a country tune...

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 10:52 am

dragonpilot wrote:
MrSlowDance wrote:I have the idea, the people, but don't have the money.
Sounds like the title to a country tune...

Depends on whether he's got the idea, the people, and the pickup truck, but not the money.

Danruiz · Post by **Danruiz** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 11:47 am

i had a first year sound camp .. we did manage ok with lots of work .
1- fristr wants the camp goal? donation to the playa ?
2- second who will help you
3- MOOp at the end who will help you

How do I go about building a camp?

How do I go about building a camp?

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