First Time Burner from OC, California!

[SpiritFarm]

Hi Burners and Fellow First-Timers!

My hubs and myself (27 y/o and 32 y/o from Orange County, CA) along with our friends (another couple currently residing in New York, NY) are excited to become part of the Burning Man community this year! We have been planning to get involved and what better time than now?? Though we may be your "typical" 9 to 5er suburbanites, we know the rat race is not what life is about. We want to expand our horizons, get to know like-minded people, and really experience all life has to offer while doing our part to make the world a better place.

We plan on volunteering and have been looking at lamp lighters, box office, greeters, earth guardians, and info radio. We would love to join a theme camp and have been looking around for groups that seem to be a good fit, but if it doesn't happen this year that's fine - we'll wait until we find the right group. Most of all, we want to contribute to the camp and community at large. The commitment, passion, and desire to help make this event and community possible is astounding and we want to help!

Personally, I can contribute certain abilities to the event such as playing the piano, cooking, accounting, and general assistance/organizing. I can also make a mean latte and am a good listener, two skills that may seem common but are much needed in today's world. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories/getting to know them.

We are an easy-going but very self-sufficient group that has a broad range of experience camping, traveling, and general work and life experience that we would love to use as a positive force.

PS. If anyone has recommendations on volunteer groups, I would greatly appreciate it!


-Candice

[Ratty]

Candice and Hubbie, Welcome to ePlaya. Whether you join a camp or not there is plenty of choices for volunteering. Did you fill out a volunteer questionnaire? You can read all about the different departments on the main Burning Man site. Or you can volunteer for different jobs once you get there. Reach out to your local burners too. There are projects to work on and meetings to attend. The prep is part of the fun. Can't wait to meet you both.

[gaminwench]

Volunteer your pianoskillz at Elliot's Bicycle Service and Piano Bar!

The piano will be tuned(!) regularly, and the bike shop patrons and minions will love you for the entertainment!

Welcome, you sound like you'll slide right in!

[Savannah]

Welcome, SpiritFarm!

I can recommend volunteering for Greeters. It's a lot of fun, and the shifts are a manageable 4 hours. As first-timer Greeters, you will have to be especially caught-up on the 2017 Survival Guide (when it's released), and take seriously the helpful warnings Greeters give new arrivals at gate (such as reminders of seat belts, speed limits, and license plate visibility--all of which can prevent last minute traffic stops by Law Enforcement). You'll want to study the map of the city as well, so you can describe general addresses, and the whereabouts of ESD stations, Playa Info, & portos. You'll want to be able to tell new people that the 9 o'clock side is noisier at night and the 3 o'clock side is slightly more quiet, but that all bets are off when it comes to the top of the clock, at 10 and 2.

Lamplighter's is also a great gig for first timers, because you do not have to sign up for a shift ahead of time; it's walk-up eligible every day at 4:30pm or slightly later.

Since you have barista experience, you might like volunteering at the Center Camp Cafe. I would also definitely mention that skill (and the others) if you decide to apply to a camp . . . although it's really nice not to be obligated to a theme camp your first year--camping solo or with a few friends can have certain freedoms that theme camps don't always have.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to ePlaya!