Hello from Sacramento

[Hoverdave]

Virgin burner here, excited to be able to finally make it.
Looking for advice whether to do this on my own or join a camp. Have read everything I can find on the subject and it seems the info available is equally split.
I am a hands on guy, do all my own home improvement, car repairs, etc.
Will be traveling in my RV, gave up tent camping years ago.
Maybe someone will invite me to join your camp?

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[TT120]

Welcome fellow sacramentan.

[Savannah]

Welcome, HoverDave!

It's good not to be in abject need of a camp, and it sounds like it's purely recreational for you, so you're in a a good spot.

I would say take a look at the Theme Camp forum and see if anything speaks to you. If yes, write a letter offering skills/compatibility:
viewforum.php?f=468

It's a little slow right now, but try back in a few weeks.

You can also look at last year's camps and search by keyword, then google them to see if they will have a presence this year:
http://burningman.org/culture/history/b ... eme-camps/

Or get active in your regional groups, maybe someone local to you could split gas with you and rent a bunk, if it's a sizeable RV:
http://regionals.burningman.org

Many camps are happy to have a responsible RV driver; tall vehicles make nice windblocks (to the south) or sunblocks to the east. Don't run the genny all night and you're golden.

If you want to Volunteer, you might be able to camp with the place you volunteer for, if there's room. Don't burn out on Volunteerism your first year; 1 or 2 shifts is typical for new folks. Gotta get acclimated!
https://profiles.burningman.org/participate/

Welcome!

[Ratty]

Hi Dave and Welcome to ePlaya. When you're trying to decide whether or not to camp alone consider yourself.

Do you enjoy making your own decisions and schedules?
Do you make friends easily?
Are you brave?
Can you prepare for the harsh environment and look after yourself for a week?
Do you normally go places alone and enjoy yourself?

If the answer is yes, then you are a candidate for going solo. On the other hand if you want company, moral and physical support by all means find some others to camp with. Either way you'll have a blast.

Read through some of the other people's posts in the Greeter Introduce Yourself section. A lot of folks have the same concern. Hope to meet you in person at the Meet & Greet on Wednesday night on playa. Barbie Death Camp 6pm.

[Hoverdave]

My only real reason for joining a camp is to be sure to have a place to park my RV and trailer since I won't be arriving until Monday night . I actually prefer going it alone and meet others while there. Also don't mind being on the outer roads to get an open spot.
How easy is it to find a 50' parking spot late Monday?

[Captain Goddammit]

It's probably MORE difficult to have a place to park a big RV in a camp. If it's a registered theme camp they only have a finite amount of space.
The playa is big. You can park somewhere.

[Hoverdave]

Reassuring to hear Captain,
Thank you.

[Savannah]

My only real reason for joining a camp is to be sure to have a place to park my RV and trailer since I won't be arriving until Monday night . I actually prefer going it alone and meet others while there. Also don't mind being on the outer roads to get an open spot.
How easy is it to find a 50' parking spot late Monday?

Since you don't mind parking on the outer roads, you won't have a problem. Bring a bike, though! The city's huge . . .

[burner von braun]

It is sometimes difficult to get a mental image of just how big the overall playa camping space is until you finally get there and see it with your own eyes. It is vast. You won't have any problem finding a spot, but if you decide to drop anchor near someone's camp, before you begin setting up it is a good idea to hop out and speak with your potential new neighbors to make sure they aren't waiting for additional campmates who haven't arrived, or that you haven't inadvertently ended up in a reserved placement area (greeters will give you a map when you arrive) and also you'll be able to get a sense if these folks would be the type of burners you want to spend the week camped next to. I've randomly met teriffic burners as neighbors every time so far.

[gaminwench]

Neighbors ROCK!

Meet them.
Feed them.
Offer assistance.

Make a neighborhood.

[Chowski]

Hey there, fellow Sacramentite. My advice to you depends on who you are. If you are under forty, relatively good looking and very social, I would camp alone - if you lack one of those things, I would consider finding a camp. One of the elements of Burning Man which is not often discussed is that although "Radical Inclusion" is one of our principles, single middle-aged men are not as likely to be "radically included" as hot, young women. A lot of Burning Man is walking up to other people's camps and partaking in their offerings. Often, it is easier to approach a group if YOU are also in a group.

I'm not saying it's intentional, but I know it's happened to me AND I know I've done it to others. Here's the situation - I am sitting at my camp with all my friends, and a group of people walk up to our bar - we offer drinks, we hang out, it's a great time. Same situation, but a single, middle-aged guy walks up alone. We probably aren't going to be as likely to embrace him as heartily, some might project that he is a creeper or wierd. People look to social groups for clues - those who have friends are worthy of being your friend. People who are walking around friendless and alone, looking for something to do can make you think "why doesn't this guy have friends"? I've met some cool single guys out at the burn, but I've also dismissed several guys on their own, who probably don't mean to, but are trying to hard.

Unless you are one of those rare cool AND social, charming and friendly guys that can work themselves into any crowd, you will likely have an easier time with other people. Above the physical comforts of a Theme Camp, I believe the most important thing they offer is instant friends. The playa can be overwhelming and lonely. It kinda sucks, when you're tired, to just lay around by yourself, but being in a camp, there's always someone else hanging out, too - talking about a great art piece they saw, getting together a group to go dancing, making and sharing a meal, inspiring you to try something new.

Yes, you can get all these experiences camping by yourself, but being part of a camp facilitates much more. Hope this helps you decide.

[Ratty]

HoverDave, If you don't want to camp WAY out there, look closer in but without road frontage. The streets are far apart. You can sometimes find huge empty spaces behind the first row of tents. Many years the open space behind me stays open all week. If you go that route keep in mind not to get blocked in if you decide to leave before the man burns. BTW I camp on H street.

[Hoverdave]

Thanks for the info Chowski and Ratty.
Not going alone, got an extra ticket just don't know who to pick to come with me. All my acquaintances are now wanting to be really good friends!
Need to figure out who I can stand to be with for a week.

[Ratty]

Oh boy! Pass the popcorn. I can't wait to see who comes out of the cracks to be your BFF.

[Elderberry]

It's probably MORE difficult to have a place to park a big RV in a camp. If it's a registered theme camp they only have a finite amount of space.
The playa is big. You can park somewhere.

I'll second that. And I'll use our camp as an example--we allot 5 spaces for RVs, they've been taken weeks ago.