Other than joining a theme camp, how can I participate???

michaelavi · Post by **michaelavi** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:06 pm

I just recently found out I was able to go to Burning Man. It is my second time and my girlfriend's first time. Last time I went, I was a part of a theme camp. But this time we have nothing lined up. Absent joining a theme camp, what else could we do to PARTICIPATE in the BRC community??? Anyone who's been many times, any ideas?

THANKS!!!!

EB · Post by EB » Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:17 pm

Being in a theme camp doesn't necessarily mean you are participating.

There's a million things you can do. If nothing comes to mind, take your butt over to the Center Camp Cafe and find the VOLUNTEER desk. They'll find something for you to help out with (and its fun!)

michaelavi · Post by **michaelavi** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:49 pm

But in addition to volunteering there, we wanted to bring stuff, assist with preparing stuff ahead of time to bring, etc. Any ideas??

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:04 pm

Check burningman.com for local groups in your area and talk to them about what they need to get done in time. If you want to assist with preparing stuff ahead of time, locally is the way to go.

gidget · Post by **gidget** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:18 pm

Give glow to a darkwad. Give water to someone who's run out. Make friends with your neighbors and invite them over to your camp for a meal. Give a hug to someone who's having a bad day. Strike up a conversation with a stranger.

All these things build community.

The smallest things are bigger than the biggest things will ever be.

ZaphodBurner · Post by **ZaphodBurner** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:24 pm

People are posting good ideas. I know a person who got a great deal on bulk cheapo sunglasses and passed them out on the playa to people who lost or forgot theirs. The next year carried a bottle of sunblock with him, and told jokes.

The Volunteer Announce mailing list has cool suggests and requests for assistance, too.

You rock. Have fun.

-c

michaelavi · Post by **michaelavi** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:28 pm

Thanks SO much for the suggestions so far, and please keep them coming..

How do I subscribe to the Volunteer Announce mailing list? Sorry for the hand-holding, I REALLY appreciate all the help/advice.

ZaphodBurner · Post by **ZaphodBurner** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:13 pm

michaelavi wrote:Thanks SO much for the suggestions so far, and please keep them coming..

How do I subscribe to the Volunteer Announce mailing list? Sorry for the hand-holding, I REALLY appreciate all the help/advice.

http://burningman.com/participate/volunteer.html

There's a questionnaire to fill out so they get you to the right people and then you'll see stuff start coming in by e-mail. It's just starting hoppin' so I don't think you've missed much.

Cheers!

\c/

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:12 pm

Be a good spectator, especially with the smaller art and camps.
There are real gems there.

Someone is always setting up something and needs help.
A lot of people bail at teardown and people always need help then.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:20 pm

or you could copy Tapetown
a guy brought this in 2005 and it was a great idea.
He had good quality gaffer's tape, fluorescent tape, reflective tape and so on.
Mostly people decorated bikes, but they also held all the village camps together, flagged stakes and guylines and so on.
He had a board setup to hang all the tape on.
It cost him a few hundred dollars but was a simple one man setup and immensely useful.

And I have an idea I probably won't be able to bring until next year if you want to get involved in that.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:35 pm

Donate art to Anti M's Home for Wayward Art.

StevenGoodman · Post by **StevenGoodman** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:53 am

Donate an Oven Mitt to the
Shrine to the Oven Mitt.

Anti-M did! Thanks!

Martini Steve

flipper · Post by **flipper** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:44 pm

... and then donate a square of fabric with a word on it to Scrap Eden/BRAF's project. For details:

http://blackrockarts.org/projects/scrap ... playa-2008

MrMullen · Post by **MrMullen** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:03 pm

Get a ticket, take proper supplies, show up and help people or wear a silly costumes or go naked. That is how you participate!

Seriously, if you don't have much to bring and you are not too creative, you can always voluntary to be labor or help people set up their camp or stuff like that. I have done it the last 4 years and it works for me. I have a small car and don't wear costumes or crap like that, but I uber helpful and provide plenty of cheap labor to various folks.

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:56 pm

To really participate, come and sit with us in our camps, have a cold drink and share your jokes and stories with us.

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:22 pm

Man you guys ARE a crazy bunch......unfortch unless you are in a theme camp your pretty much just a spectator.

misfit · Post by **misfit** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:03 pm

>>>>unfortch unless you are in a theme camp your pretty much just a spectator.<<<<

really,,, i'm sure the medics, rangers, DPW, lamplighters, centre camp,,,, (all volunteers),,, would have something to say....

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 5:12 pm

Fire_Moose wrote:Man you guys ARE a crazy bunch......unfortch unless you are in a theme camp your pretty much just a spectator.

I hope you're kidding. If not, it's time to pull up the lawn chairs boys and girls.

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:34 am

Of course 'm kidding....I may be a virgin but i think a question deserves a snarky reply if the answer can be found in the survial guide....

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:33 am

Whew! *Shuts off the pilot on the blowtorch*

I like you Fire Moose - I hope I get to be your Greeter.....

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:23 am

Haha thanks

Look for the little white pick-up piled high with a bike to top it off.....