NEW TO BURNER PLEASE HELP

[fosterandbronze]

My first time even really considering going. My question is this: what if I go alone? I have a few friends interested but their not as committed as I am and I want to volunteer to be a lamplighter. Anyways is it a bad idea to show up alone? And if not how will that work out?

[Sham]

Welcome F&B.
Your question is more common than you think. You will not be alone by any means. You will start meeting people while shopping for supplies before the event. You will meet people during your gas stop on the way to the playa. You will meet people (lots of them) while waiting in line to enter Black Rock City. By the time you reach the pearly entrance gates of Burning Man, you will already know at least 25 people and will have people to hang with and most likely camp next to. You will never feel alone in this very friendly city.

I hope you take the time to click the links in my signature below and read up on the safety and preparation parts of this event.

Good luck and look forward to seeing you on the playa.

Sham....

[LowePro]

Going along is not a bad idea at all, just make sure your are ready for the harsh environment and the things you'll need to survive on your own. It helps if you're an experienced camper/traveler but not necessary. You'll need to be extra radically self reliant but you''ll have a grand time. It not the kind of situation where you can just show up. Nothing is for sale and you need to have your basic needs covered. People share and collaborate, but you need to have your own basic sleeping arrangements, food, water, shade, wind security, bike, lights, and booze (if you're into that) and it helps if you have something to gift/offer to others. A gift doesn't have to be an object, it could be a talent, a service, or something creative.

[dragonpilot]

Lately I've been traveling to the playa solo...love the flexibility. Once there, I'm surrounded by friends, new and old.

[Fan C]

A third of our camp are solo campers we absorbed over the years.

[fosterandbronze]

Man thanks guys that makes me feel a lot more confident!

[Lonesomebri]

My first Burn I came alone and my largest regret and mistake was not accepting a generous offer to eat with my neighbors on that first night.

[Captain Goddammit]

Don't worry about it... you won't be alone. Everyone there went through a lot of effort and expense to be way out in the middle of nowhere and party with people like you. You'll have instant friends all around.

Unless you're an absolute asshole... but we'll assume that's not the case.

[Sham]

Unless you're an absolute asshole... but we'll assume that's not the case.

I fought with every fiber of my being not to type those words. Thank you for stepping up to the plate Captain.

[ygmir]

weclome!!
you'll do fine.
join us here, and by the Burn, you'll have a ton of friends/parasites.

[fosterandbronze]

Don't worry about it... you won't be alone. Everyone there went through a lot of effort and expense to be way out in the middle of nowhere and party with people like you. You'll have instant friends all around.

Unless you're an absolute asshole... but we'll assume that's not the case.

This was the funniest reply yet haha and I hope I'll be taking a friend but if not I'm just hoping it's not like dangerous to be going alone although I am a pretty good hiker/camper solo but I've never experienced a dessert ya know..

[Simon of the Playa]

but I've never experienced a dessert ya know..

your parents must have been strict nutritionists.

[Savannah]

If you can raise a tent and a shade structure on your own and stake them down really well, don't be afraid to come alone! (And if you are afraid, just practice). People are pretty nice, and you'll be surrounded by neighbors unless you camp in "Walk-In Camping" at the outer limits, or camp on the outside street.

[motskyroonmatick]

My first burn was solo and I was terribly apprehensive about it. It turned out to be awesome and I had the best neighbors one could ask for. Cover your bases with good planning and preparation and you will be fine. If you forget something like vise grips for removing rebar or a hammer for pounding it in or whatever... Just ask around a bit to borrow it and somebody will help you out. BRC is a very neighborly city.

[Elliot]

but I've never experienced a dessert ya know..

your parents must have been strict nutritionists.

I have nothing to add to the thread, but I simply must recognize Simon for this.

[highwayman]

what if I go alone?

Burning Man is a community of 60k+ friends that you just haven't met yet. I attended in 2013 with a default world friend & we quickly went our separate ways to go & be who we wanted to. It is nice to have someone who knows when you are off the beam but radical self reliance is the principle not codependence. I think it is hard for many of us to assimilate into camps & be part of. Unfortunately, just like in high school there are cliques but I would suggest that you simply go, smile & start talking to people. Mot will be welcoming & be friendly as its the collective nature of BRC. Some may not but the burden is on you & me to get out of our comfort zone & partcipate. Volunteering, picking up moop, performing and gifting are great Ice Breakers.

[BoyScoutGirl]

... I want to volunteer to be a lamplighter. ...

Even if your friends bail, you can come by Center Camp anytime and hang out with the lamplighters! Our lounge is full of new friends

If you come by in the afternoon, you can be a Lamplighter in the procession - no need to sign up in a schedule.