Question about joining up

corinaland · Post by **corinaland** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:18 am

My name is Corina and I'm bringing my virgin BM boyfriend this year. I went a couple years ago with a theme camp group (Pink Pussy Posse), so I never figured out how people met up to join camps. We're driving in a little car, bringing camping gear, but I think it would be fun to be with a group.

Is it cool to trek around and invite yourself to a chill group, or do most camps form pre-BM?

Thanks, and hope to see y'all there!

nogganoodle · Post by **nogganoodle** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:42 am

The camps all form up before the trip to BRC as they need to be mapped out and planned. Hunt around the eplaya and you will find plenty of cool and interesting camps, then advertise yourself and who knows what might happen

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:45 am

There is still an intrepid band of non-conformist freaks who organize themselves as they see fit (or not) and seek no approval or bounty from the Org.

If a stranger came up to me and "invited themselves" to our camp, I would be leery. In fact it happened last year, and for some reason I was dragooned into telling them they should campacross the street.

I guess I can understand the need to feel a place to "belong", but really, just set up your own camp of two, take care of all your own shit and make friends.

How hard can it be?

R1Z · Post by **R1Z** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:57 am

^^^^What s/he said! ^^^

Tiara · Post by **Tiara** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:05 pm

Another option for finding a camp to join would be to check forums like craigslist and tribe.

But I agree with others--it's unrealistic to show up and expect to join a mapped theme camp on the playa if you haven't had prior conversations with the group.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon May 22, 2006 4:41 pm

I'll testify to how pleasant the whole "I'm a Newbie, and intimidated, but curious, and cold-contacting a Burning Man Theme Camp" thing CAN work out...I Opened Hailing Frequencies with a few nice folks in Hushville, four years back, and since then have made Dear Friends, Had Happy Times, and would be hard-pressed NOT to camp with them again. Give it a shot, says I!

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Mon May 22, 2006 4:47 pm

So yeah - flitz thru here (ePlaya) and see if there's a camp you'd want to be a part of, and if you could help participate. Best to find out ahead of time.

Otherwise, sure, go with the intent of setting up your own homestead, check around, get known by the people in the camps you like, see if they'll take you. Usually, tho, you got dues to pay ahead of time (for common camp resources, meals, etc.) and it takes a commitment to the camp in some form or the other in the way of art, organization, cooking, cleaning, something...

Idea. Ever thought about becoming a lampllighter? I know they were looking for people, and they got a way cool gig going... I'd get hold of them!

The hardest part of doing that is doing the footwork finding out... then, whichever way the dusty wind blows you, there you are!

bb

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Mon May 22, 2006 5:10 pm

To be clear - are you talking about official theme camps or just random groups of people? There are plenty of us who just go with a group of friends and occasionally adopt a straggler or discard an incompatible member but are not registered as a theme camp.

Unless you have a specific camp in mind, I'd focus on finding one or a few people you feel comfortable with and seeing if you can join them and whoever they're camping with. Or, find a project to help with and camp with the people doing it.

I think most groups do form pre-BM, but it happens at the event as well. There is a risk that things won't click with the group you join up with or you'll have to move a couple of times before you hit a good spot.