Theme Camps and Squatters?

Icepack · Post by **Icepack** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 7:00 pm

We had a couple show up in our theme camp in the middle of the night who was not pre-registered with our camp. Since placement had only given us half of our requested space, we were a pretty cozy camp as it was. However, our Theme Camp Lead decided to be nice and welcome them. They were newbies, and kept to themselves most of the week and we just made due without a community space that we had planned on.

Their residence in our camp turned out to be difficult. They evidently had not read the Survival Guide, and the woman spoke very limited English. The two of them made themselves a nuisance by violating camp safety. We caught them burning wood on the ground in camp with several tents nearby, and doing several other things. We finally contacted Earth Guardians, who directed us to the Theme Camp Placement person (Moondog). Later in the day Moondog and the Earth Guardians (and maybe Seadog too) came over and tried to educate our visitors on playa safety and Leave No Trace practices. The man thanked them, and our campmates for enlightening him. The woman looked bored and high and I don't think she understood most of what was said. However, in spite of this educational visit, they continued to be a problem.

Our Theme Camp Lead was tired of babysitting, and so were others in the camp who tried to be helpful.

The couple were some of the last people still in camp. When it was only myself and them in camp (everyone else had left to watch the Temple Burn or just left the city period), I witnessed the man dump what was left of his 2 liter bottle of root beer on the playa. What could I do? It seemed like everyone had already tried to help.

So.... what should we have done? Should we have kicked out these guests the minute they arrived? Or did we just happen to get two of the most clueless people in the city stuck in our camp?

GuinivereElise · Post by **GuinivereElise** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 4:09 pm

Coming from SORT OF a similar situation:

our camp of 5 people accidentally set up camp in a spot that was staked (someone else before us had removed the stakes, and it was dark... honest mistake on our parts) and we had a bit of a tiff with the 'resident' when he came back. We slept on it, and the next morning we got everything squared away, and they graciously allowed us to stay put. In the end, it turned out to be the best thing: they were great, we helped them with their art car, we were all the best of friends. Had they kicked us out from the get-go, we both would have missed out. So, I don't think that is the answer... who knows? They may have turned out to be great folks! BUT, something should have been done by the higher-ups, IMHO. Their actions seem completely unacceptable. Did anyone in your camp sit down with them and talk to them? (an honest question, no malice intended). There HAS to be some sort of protocol for eviction, right? I don't know.

Sucks, though. Sorry babe.

*hugs*

Icepack · Post by **Icepack** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 6:38 pm

GuinivereElise wrote:Coming from SORT OF a similar situation:

our camp of 5 people accidentally set up camp in a spot that was staked (someone else before us had removed the stakes, and it was dark... honest mistake on our parts) and we had a bit of a tiff with the 'resident' when he came back. We slept on it, and the next morning we got everything squared away, and they graciously allowed us to stay put. In the end, it turned out to be the best thing: they were great, we helped them with their art car, we were all the best of friends. Had they kicked us out from the get-go, we both would have missed out. So, I don't think that is the answer... who knows? They may have turned out to be great folks! BUT, something should have been done by the higher-ups, IMHO. Their actions seem completely unacceptable. Did anyone in your camp sit down with them and talk to them? (an honest question, no malice intended). There HAS to be some sort of protocol for eviction, right? I don't know.

Sucks, though. Sorry babe.

*hugs*

Yeah, the theme camp lead talked to them nicely and then several of our campmates tried to talk to them. I attempted it myself a couple of times, but admittedly gave up rather easily. They didn't buy their tickets at the gate, so they probably did get the Survival Guide so why didn't they read it? I don't know. We did our best, and I think we did the right thing by notifying Theme Camp Placement when things got out of hand. At least our camp won't be liable for the damages they might have done to the playa or any moop (like charcoal and burnt wood) that they might have behind.

Ohranje · Post by **Ohranje** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 11:14 am

We had similar situation too where a theme camp near us continued to try and annex space from our theme camp. Through careful negotiation it was worked out and everyone got what they needed.

Another item that was troubling was people cutting through our camp from our neighbor camps. They would come through our kitchen, chill space, etc. It would seem to me that folk should stay to the road for access in and out of camp.

Next year I am suggesting we clearly mark our borders so that everyone in camp and out of camp is aware.

Icepack · Post by **Icepack** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 12:02 pm

Ohranje wrote:We had similar situation too where a theme camp near us continued to try and annex space from our theme camp. Through careful negotiation it was worked out and everyone got what they needed.

Another item that was troubling was people cutting through our camp from our neighbor camps. They would come through our kitchen, chill space, etc. It would seem to me that folk should stay to the road for access in and out of camp.

Next year I am suggesting we clearly mark our borders so that everyone in camp and out of camp is aware.

We had that problem last year with people cutting through our camp. And then, even people cutting through our personal space. Like, coming through my shade structure with their pee pots to dump in the portapotties on the corner. Yuck.

diggum · Post by **diggum** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 9:36 pm

on the opposite side, we got there 4am monday morning and huge swaths of "open camping" had already been marked off in various ways, yet with NO ONE in them at all. We finally found a thin stretch of space between two wide open taped off areas, that were NOT in the registered theme camp zones. One at least had a dome being built, though no one was there building it or tents signifying that they might. the other turned out to be Pinkies/Pink Mammoth, who ended up setting up their bar, but at the extreme corner, leaving practically 1/4 of the entire street unused. Thursday evening, someone finally moved into this huge empty area, and unsurprisingly moved in RIGHT next to us - literally 12 inches away.

I pretend to keep being surprised by rude behavior and lack of common sense, but don't be fooled - I actually expect it and have turned into a cranky old man

peggyo · Post by **peggyo** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 6:07 pm

our camp was registered in my name so i was very careful about who i allowed to squat. BM gave me double the space that i asked for and at first i thought "cool!" but when i realized what that would mean at clean up time, i was kinda bummed.

i'm quite the nazi when it comes to "leave no trace" and i was VERY up front with anyone asking to camp with us about this. i told them, "this space is registered in my name which means I am responsible for every piece of glitter, sunflower seed, or coca cola you spill. i'm gonna ride your ass about cleaning as you go, so if you camp here you better be prepared for some serious mooping action through out your stay and then more so at the end." most eagerly agreed.

when a bunch of college guys rolled their eyes at my little speech after begging for space, i had to tell them no. it's hard enough to break down and clean up after yourself without the added crap from some frat boys too who don't give a shit about the LNT policy.

i was glad i was a bitch about it up front. our camp looked great when we left tuesday morning.

i found that women are infinitely more conscientious about moop and consequently i ended up allowing 15 or so extra women in our space which made things soo much easier on my end.
(and the boys in my camp with very happy with my decision in that regard as well, as most the girls ended up being quite the exhibitionists!)

bless their hearts though, those girls. they had some visitors that spread glitter on their site and dammed if they didn't get down on their hands and knees at the end to get it all picked up!

i lucked out i guess with getting some great squatters. but i had to be a class A bee-otch to make it happen.

;-)

leftbraindp · Post by **leftbraindp** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:57 pm

Hi everyone,

My roomate and I came out Friday night, which was all we could get off of work. We rolled into camp around 4am Sat morning, and then proceeded to try to find our friends camp (they were all out and about).

After parking our car in the 1st space we saw in the general area they were supposed to be, we got out a walked around to look for thier camp. During the process, we met several different people at camp, who, not knowing who we were looking for, were nice enough to offer us what little space they had if we couldn't find them.

Fortunately we were able to find our friends camp (with a cute sign out front with my roomates name on it

, but as a potential squattee, I just wanted to say how touched I was by the people who where willing to share thier space with two people in the middle of the night!

great big hugs to all!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 2:08 pm

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 6:23 pm

I've dealt with exactly this situation numerous times. It seems to be about a 60/40 split in favor of the fuckwits. Here are some clues I use to sort the good from the bad eggs.

Good Eggs: Ask "Can I speak with the person in charge of your amazing camp about joining you fine human beings?"

Bad Eggs: Park their SUV in the middle of your camp, fire up their generator and start unloading 2 inches next to your performance space/dome/living tent.

Good Eggs: Tell you what they can contribute to help make things even better, and ask about the requirements for citizenship in your camp.

Bad Eggs: Ask "When's dinner?"

Good Eggs: Have a water bottle/camel back and are drinking regularly from it, while engaging you in polite conversation.

Bad Eggs: Appear dehydrated, have chapped lips are incoherent and appear to have nothing resembling water in their car save for a warm 12 pack of PBR.

Good Eggs: Discuss their camping requirements, and disclose the rough footprint space of their tent/vehicle.

Bad Eggs: Ask if they can sleep in your dome, and if you have an extra sleeping bag to loan them.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:01 pm

In 2003 a guy unloaded all his stuff almost in our camp. My campmate moved his shit away from us. Next he brings out a generatorthat takes three men to lift. It would not start. I like a damn fool went over an read the instructions and got it working. Then he brings out a refrigerator. Cranks up the gennie, plugs in refig. and reparks his pickup between it and his camp. Then the whole camp left for a walk about. Six hours later I have a rager speak to them. Didn't do much good. Then the generator stopped working for some reason. Here he comes,want me to fix it. I rolled over and played dumb. My camp mate never has told me what happened to that thing. All togeather there were 80 people in his group. Non of them gave a shit about LNT. I just used a rake after they left. Then used up all extra water to back fill the holes.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 9:03 pm

Well, I know it's kinda moopy, but if you can beat them into unconsciousness with a wiffle ball bat and then drag them out to the fence, the trash crew will get them at some point.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 9:13 pm

Bad Eggs: "Whoa! Dude! Why are you harshing my nap. I didn't know it was your sofa. Bummer! That's not the Burning Man way."

Good Eggs: Ask "Can I help you pound the shit out of that cluelss squatter?"

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 9:56 pm

Bad Eggs; Dumps their cooler water in your open space (or even worse, into your evap pond in the middle of the night)

Good Eggs; Offers use of their bitchin' shower system.

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 11:40 pm

Good Eggs: Inquire first about the appropriateness of extreme public displays of affection in the communal space.

Bad Eggs: Begin humping on your couch, leaving bio hazard stains that have you calling in the Washoe County Fire Department Haz-Mat Team to clean up.

Good Eggs: Keep the cameras and video equipment stored until such time as they have properly socialized and integrated with the group, and then ask permission of everyone involved before taking pictures or shooting video.

Bad Eggs: Shoot first and ask questions later (if at all). Genuinely surprised when people get offended and don't want to be part of their "art".

Good Eggs: "Whatever we can do to help" - and mean it.

Bad Eggs" "Whatever you got, and do you have more? now?" - and mean it.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:31 am

Good eggs: Hi!
Bad Eggs: Show me yer tits!

Good Eggs: Okay, have fun! (and mean it) or "Before you go, can you help me with ..."
Bad Eggs: Okay, have fun! and then sulking because you went off and had fun instead of hanging around and doing <whatever> that was expected of you even though this expectation was never conveyed to you because you "should have known".