New Camp seeks a Village to call home!!

[iamriodv]

Buddha Camp at the Lotus Dome makes its debut on the playa for 2007 - Green Man. Our numbers approximate 12 members at this moment (with definite potential for growth). Most of us will be camping with tents and possibly a few utility tents. There has also been some talk of an RV? Also, we have an 18 foot [diameter] dome that is our focal point for main activities and morning chanting.

None of us has the capability of providing central power for the group [lack of generator, etc.]. We seek a village that would commit to working with us for placement and power. We are GOOD NEIGHBORS!

We're a fairly sedate but wacky/fun group of artists, writers, performers, healthcare practitioners, students, computer geeks..you get the picture. Yes, most of us are buddhists, but there will be absolutely NO "BIBLE BEATING" at our camp; we're not a bunch of zealots or anything.

Activities and setup we have planned include:

• -Morning (and possibly evening) chanting of NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO plus recitation of the Lotus Sutra [excerpts] w/bell & inscense.
  -something we like to call Poetry SLAM! (a little original poetry, a little spanking).
  -a small pajama party/cocktail hour
  -other assorted hijinks

To read more about Buddha Camp, please visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BuddhaCamp/

Would anyone have information on how to proceed in finding a Village we could call home? Besides posting here, you can also directly email to: [email protected]

PS - In case it matters, we are based out of Seattle, WA.

Thanks so much!!

[Fex]

idea: -Morning (and possibly evening) chanting of NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO plus recitation of the Lotus Sutra [excerpts] w/bell & inscense.
-something we like to call Poetry SLAM! (a little original poetry, a little spanking).
-a small pajama party/cocktail hour
-other assorted hijinks[/list]

Buddhism, poetry, spanking, coctails, and hijinks.

If that don't have Burning Man written all over it, I ask ya, what does.

[MikeVDS]

I read some your Yahoo discussion and this posting here. I'd like to reiterate the question of why a village instead of renting or buying a generator? They mentioned a $300 dollar generator on the Yahoo page but I'd personally recommend spending more if you can. Honda has a 2kW one for $3000 that makes less noise than many home computers.

You camp sounds cool to me, especially the geek part, which is a big part of what I love about Burning Man.

We're a part of Gigsville Village(http://gigsville.org). They are the largest village at BM and from what I hear will accept just about anyone. We're about 4 BM city blocks so you get no central power here like you were hoping to find in a village. Also Gigsville might not fit you since we're known for our jackassery and safety 3rd motto.

Instead of searching for a village you may want to search for a camp to share power with. Bring the fuel for their generator as a trade for using it. Also you should state your power needs. My camps generators are close to tapped with lights and music, but does have extra to run small utilities off when needed. So that's an important detail.

[iamriodv]

Upon reflection, (and reading some replies, which are HIGHLY appreciated - THANK YOU ), some factoids beg clarification. I suppose if I am relying on the list for direction/assistance, I owe the due of uber-clarity. (No one could ever accuse the BM website of lacking in reading material..) So here goes:

A few of us camped last year (as newbies); we signed on with a camp of some friends from NYC and met them on the playa. The Village (Asylum) was home to 4 main camps (Moonlightenment/Whisky & Whores/ Orgasmateria/Satan's Lair). Whew..what an awesome placement; the sin is that we didn't get over to our neighbors as much as we'd liked to, or some, at all! Much of this had to do with a few of us shouldering the 'caretaking' burden disproportionately; something no newbie should have to, but hey, no one forced us and we [got] stuck with it.. And so it goes.

What made it ultimately easier for us to deal with the zillion other details to be considered was having the "large-ish" issues all dialed in when we got there. Nominal fee per person gets you plugged into the Village's power grid. Nominal camp fees and you can use the shower/kitchen/supplies, etc.

This year, we have an idea for our [Buddha] Camp that is so super minimalistic, it should involve very little in the way of 'production/management'-specific effort. One of us already has a dome. Most of us are building savvy for camp structures and somewhat tool-ready. Most of us (dare I say like most Burners) are strapped. I can almost guarantee (our new proposed camp consisting of 60% newbies) that no one will want to manage the logistics of [aquire a generator/purchase & transport fuel/contain noise/manage consumption, blah blah..] Too much.

We're all VERY self-sufficient and bizarrely conscientious re:personal responsibilty and consideration and the like, even under the most extreme circumstances..part of our Buddhist training. The idea here, however, is to contribute our distinction (and funds) to a Village that has that whole power and space thing worked out, be nice neighbors, work hard, have fun, clean up all nice & tidy when we go and leave no trace save the memory of those cool Buddhist chaps (and chap-esses). Very win/win.

Someone posted to the Yahoo group pointing out that where a Village is not a bad idea, it's also very "organized". As if that's a bad thing?? We need it; we C R A V E it. Bring on the organization, baby.

Our power needs are not exorbitant. No gigantic sound system or powered structures. A dozen or so tents that may want fans & lights inside (and out?), some small dj setup, maybe(?), the occasional blender for smoothies.. Cards on the table; these are our needs, this is our situation/motivation. In the spirit of 'experimental community', is there anyone who might take us on?

(Again) Thanks for the listen and all the input. I look forward to more; that's why this community IS a community. And you all rock because of it.

All Love & Light,
Rio

[Lir]

**raises hand**

Umm...I'll be needing a light-up Shoney-Bear and some balloon whistles...