Post
by Papa Bear » Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:19 pm
Welcome to eplaya (from another Colorado participant).
First things first: please be aware that you don't need to be part of a theme camp. The notion that you do has become an extremely common misconception among virgin burners, but you can also just show up with the gear you need to survive and take any free spot in the unreserved camping area (there's plenty of room).
Many people advise you do just that. Theme camps can be awesome (I camp with one myself), but they can also be a lot of work and a lot of drama. They're usually groups of people who know each other well and have decided on a specific gift they want to give. If that group feels right and that gift is the sort of thing that you'd find to be a labor of love, then by all means go for it - but don't do it for any other reason.
If you haven't already, you should go read the survival guide and first timer's guide on the Burning Man website. Seriously, it's important, and worth re-reading a few times. If you're still interested in a theme camp, there is a list there of all the ones from last year - if you find one that feels right, just reach out and contact them using the info you find there.
I'd also recommend seeking out the local Colorado Burning Man community. It's good to get to know people who have already been and can help steer you in the right direction, and since there are a number of Colorado-based theme camps, you might find one of them to your liking. You can find information about the official regional contacts on the Burning Man site, and there are also a number of Facebook groups, etcetera - including groups for different parts of the state.
There are two regional events coming up in the next few months - Colorado Burnal Equinox up near Bailey in March, and Apogaea down near Valdez in June. I'm personally not someone who would want to camp on that particular property in March, but your mileage may vary. Both are always in need of volunteers, and volunteering is one of the best ways to get to know the community and the ethos, as well as show that you are interested in being participants and not just spectators.
