A Really Important Question,09 will be my first year! Maybe!

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:08 pm

I have a really important question about the age requirement at Burning Man. I will only be 17 next year, but my parents are totally cool with me going since I am done with school being only 16 and they think me getting a permit to take pictures will really help with my photography career as well as the experience alone. I have to buy the ticket and everything, already have the money for it and just waiting for Jan.14.

My question is, Me being 17, but my boyfriend being 20, will I be able to get in? Or do I absolutely have to go with someone over 21? Like are there any other ways to attend with out someone 21? Any loop holes?

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:55 pm

First off, have you considered joining the Chinese gymnastics team? They've got ways of taking care of this sort of thing, you know.

Another thought: propose marriage to Doc (Barbie Death Camp) Pyro. He's always looking for a new 'Barbie' or twelve. The bastard always seems to find them, too.

Good luck and odds are we'll see you in a few years!

AmericanFremin1 · Post by **AmericanFremin1** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:03 pm

you're fine. has your boyfriend been to the playa before?

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:12 pm

AmericanFremin1 wrote:you're fine.

We'll need to see a picture first before making that decision.
As to whether she gets in or not there's the FAQs to consult: Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 21 years of age.

Bzzzt! Thanks for playing our game! Next!

AmericanFremin1 · Post by **AmericanFremin1** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:20 pm

well, hopefully she'll have aces to jedi reality manipulation powers. if they just showed up, i say no problem, but the whole picture taking permit thing might raise some issues. just remember mrs. sunshine, this ain't bonaroo....

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:26 pm

so out of 100 how are my odds of getting in if I show up with a ticket? And not get the picture permit?

fciron · Post by **fciron** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:27 pm

I will attempt to offer a helpful links. This is the 'Kids at Burning Man' page from the Preparation section of the BM website. (To the law, at 17, you're still a kid.)

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/e ... at_bm.html

Here is the important bit (first paragraph):
Anybody under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult of 21 or older. Children 12 and under will be admitted for free. Children ages 13 and older require full-price tickets. Be prepared to show proof of age.

So your boyfriend probably won't cut it.

It may be possible to hook up with other folks but they may also be reluctant to take responsibility for an underaged female stranger. Even though you are not asking them to take responsibility for you, they are, by vouching for you, assuming that responsibility.

If you start looking for burners in your area it may be possible to meet some folks and improve your odds before the event rolls around. Even if you don't find someone for this year you will be better prepared for the next year

Don't worry too much. Despite all of the hype both you and Burning Man will be around in 2010.

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:31 pm

Ok thank you all very very much! :D

AmericanFremin1 · Post by **AmericanFremin1** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:22 pm

ok, gate crew aren't the biggest sticklers in the fucking world, people. ticket in hand, positive vibrations flowing, you're in. or to make it extra solid, drive in with some older people. you don't even have to be in the car, just arrange to be near them and for them to say they're your guardians.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:12 am

i'll adopt you.

i can be your creepy uncle.

xenarchi · Post by **xenarchi** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:45 am

2nd in the adoption line please.

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:46 am

Sensei was correct in pointing you in my direction. I mean, all of those pesky statutory rape laws really don't come into play on BLM land, right? So step right this way, have some wine, and, oh, have you seen the inside of my RV? Come, take a look...

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:06 am

well I don't know about just showing up there to get in because if I cant get in I will most likely be in the same car as my boyfriend and I don't want to ruin his time because he has to take me back home, because he is going with or with out me this year! But if I drove myself up there maybe I will try it, I just have to get a car!

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:26 am

where are you? Find other burners in your area-they're useful for first-timer advice- get involved with a project or theme camp, one of your new burner friends will undoubtedly take you under their wing and sponsor your arrival...

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:28 am

I am in Reno, NV. I have thought of that, I was thinking to put a posting on the famous craigslist!

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:44 am

Mrs.Sunshine wrote:I am in Reno, NV.

Jesus H. Christ, you're from fuckin' Reno? Take it easy on the Doc, m'kay? He's not as spry as he once was.

If you're from Reno, you should know better than to try something sneaky. You'll very likely end up wasting the ticket cost ($200+ dollars!). Get involved in the local scene and chill for a year.

You'll be glad you did and so will we.

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:03 am

Yes sadly I reside in Reno! In my opinion it sucks here, but oh how I love the desert! I am a desert dweller and cant help it, there is something about it that makes everything else seem so small! Why I don't want to wait a year, I would love to experience it with my boyfriend for the first time, not him going alone! As well as this years theme is Evolution, I believe highly in evolution, not that we evolved from monkeys, I have my own theories, i want to see what they can do, and what people have to show in this spectacular theme! And as for your picture request if you go to my profile, my website is listed, well my flikr profile, you can see all my photos there, you have to click Photostream, The better pictures are pages 2 & 3!

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:22 am

Well if anyone in Reno that is over 21 and does not have a ride, you can get a ride with my boyfriend and I, you wont have to put in any gas money, just bring your self, all the things you need to survive, and be ready to stay for the full seven days, we are also thinking of staying and helping clean up most likely! So you have a FREE ride there and back! :D

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:57 pm

Sayyyy, can you fit it a suitcase?

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:00 pm

why yes I can! Are you offering your age to help my problem? :D

if so you will still have to bring enough food and water for your self, we can pack it all with our stuff.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:01 pm

Oh, and btw, your gonna have to change that avatar. Doc's gonna need to see a little bit more skin. Of course it's purely for medical purposes. He'll need to make sure that your, hmmm, not susceptible (yeah, thats it) to melanoma.

He can't have his barbies burning up and all. At least not until they get into the oven.

Mosin · Post by **Mosin** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:23 pm

I have an idea.

Dress strange. Like, wear a costume or something unique/flashy and/or sexy that will throw them off. Something you wouldn't just see everyday. Maybe some blinky to mesmerize the gate crew as well. That'll do it!

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:22 pm

I'll get ya in as your "babysitter".

A couple conditions...

1) Ya gotta get in on weekend or early arrivals with a themecamp and work for a few days and stay for the entire event leaving Monday or Tuesday after cleaning up after other folks a bit.

2) Ya gotta pick me up at the airport 2 days early and allow me to get foodstuffs. I will have 1 wheelchair and 2 military style duffel bags. I also need a ride to the airport in Reno on Wednesday.

3) Ya gotta promise not to OD or otherwise fuck yourself up medically.

4) Your ACTUAL parents must consent and provide something notorized in writing that you are adult enough to have their trust and release me from liability in case you get into something really naughty.

5) There must be NO illegal activity around me beyond misdeameanors, and no intent to deal any illegal substances.

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head.. the first one is somewhat flexible if we can't find a themecamp to host us.

PS You two will most likely be doing something other than what I am going to be doing so I can't really be responsible. I do promise not to blow either of you up intentionally or to light you on fire accidentally or intentionally. I go for the mutant vehicles and fire and will likely not be at any of the rave camps. Also the crows I gravitate towards tends to be a lil older so at the event we will most likely only see each other once a day if that.

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:53 pm

Sunshine, Have you even read the must read Survival Guide yet??

http://www.burningman.com/first_timers/

Read this, and then REREAD

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:40 pm

Toolmaker wrote:I'll get ya in as your "babysitter".

A couple conditions...

1) Ya gotta get in on weekend or early arrivals with a themecamp and work for a few days and stay for the entire event leaving Monday or Tuesday after cleaning up after other folks a bit.

2) Ya gotta pick me up at the airport 2 days early and allow me to get foodstuffs. I will have 1 wheelchair and 2 military style duffel bags. I also need a ride to the airport in Reno on Wednesday.

3) Ya gotta promise not to OD or otherwise fuck yourself up medically.

4) Your ACTUAL parents must consent and provide something notorized in writing that you are adult enough to have their trust and release me from liability in case you get into something really naughty.

5) There must be NO illegal activity around me beyond misdeameanors, and no intent to deal any illegal substances.

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head.. the first one is somewhat flexible if we can't find a themecamp to host us.

PS You two will most likely be doing something other than what I am going to be doing so I can't really be responsible. I do promise not to blow either of you up intentionally or to light you on fire accidentally or intentionally. I go for the mutant vehicles and fire and will likely not be at any of the rave camps. Also the crows I gravitate towards tends to be a lil older so at the event we will most likely only see each other once a day if that.

Toolmaker, I think you put together a very practical, and sensible list of requirements. So I read the 1-5 again, and said, yes, this is toooo sensible, I have to be missing something.

Then I read further on about blowing them up, or lighting them on fire, and I

safe in the knowledge that they wouldn't become moop, and that you remembered to add the requisite amount of sarcasm the by-laws call for

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:44 pm

Unless you and/or your boyfriend look like you're 14, there's little chance the gate crew will be checking your id. They aren't in the business of looking for reasons to deny entry. A sober, well prepared-looking 18-20yo couple with tickets in hand won't cause them to freak out. Bring a note from your parents along for good measure if you do get denied. Probable worst case is you'll have to beg for a ride in, which could actually be fun and allow you to meet some people.

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:45 am

See thats the thing, my boyfriend is 20 yes, but he looks like he is about 14 or 15, when he told people at his work, they all just laughed at him!

I get dirty looks everywhere we go because i look older than him! It is really funny. He is the reason that we get carded everywhere! What if I drove in alone, like behind my boyfriends jeep. Or would that be worse than riding in with my boyfriend?

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:56 am

In that case, it's probably best to ride up with someone over 21. Plenty of time and regionals ahead of you to meet someone!

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:02 am

I was talking to this lady, and she said her son has gone for the past two years, and has brought a girl friend that was only 16 the 1st year, then 17 the next and that they didn't get carded both years and the girl looks quit young, def not 18, and to even better my chances bring a notified document that is signed by my parents so if I get hurt or something, no one is liable! Then she said, that they wouldn't just turn someone away with a ticket in hand! What are all your opinions on that?

lurker · Post by **lurker** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:15 am

Mrs. Sunshine, Toolmaker just gave you a go--are you talking to him? That seems your best bet so far--and you get about a year to get used to the crazy.

Or are you dead set on 'sneaking' in? I mean, you've got people offering their years over 21 and you're still talking about it.....so, wazzup?