Looking to Possibly join a theme camp.

schad00 · Post by **schad00** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:56 pm

I wanted to know if there is any space open in someone theme camp? This will be my first time at Burning Man, and I think that a theme camp would be the best way to really get the full experience.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:01 pm

schad00 · Post by **schad00** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:07 pm

I feel that getting together with a group of people (camp) and sharing the experience of building a camp, hanging out, contributing, and sharing stories and experiences would be a great way to experience burning man. Plus you have others there that have experienced burning man, that can help you get accustomed to the playa lifestyle. Not to mention fashion tips and advice!

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:13 pm

dragonfly Jafe wrote:why?

What he said.... Over-rated.. way-over-rated..

the guys a dj, me think he's wanting to play tunes for the camp...

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:15 pm

You're gonna get "the full experience" if you go to Burning Man. Where you set up your tent/RV/whatever doesn't make much difference. Go make some burner friends, visit camps, THEN decide which, if any, you want to join. Shit, you wouldn't order a mail-order bride would you?

schad00 · Post by **schad00** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:21 pm

Thank you for the info and feedback. That is a good point. I also really wasn't sure how the whole thing worked as I have never been before. Just from reading and checking things out it seems like a lot of people are set up in theme camps and have their own group of people. It is good to know that I will be able to meet others going solo. And no I that's a negative on the mail order bride for me. Although I have heard some stories.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 4:16 pm

I am afraid that all the good theme camps are already taken.

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 5:11 pm

Dougly, is that a theme camp in your pants? or are you just glad to see me??

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 5:16 pm

look for the Regional's Contact for your state (search main BM site for Regionals). Get in touch. Most states have events all year long, providing a chance to get to know some potential camp-mates BEFORE you commit to spending a week with them (and also get some of those fashion tips).

Good Luck, and welcome home!

(it was my 4rth year before I joined a true theme camp...)

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 6:09 pm

There is Another Option. Gather a few friends, set up some shade, bring some couches, make a sign, and start your own theme camp. Black Rock City is more about doing stuff yourself, less about following along for the ride.

jella · Post by **jella** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 7:44 pm

wow 4 years huh. 2010 will be our second burn and I'm trying to figure out the to join or not to join dilema.

schad00 · Post by **schad00** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:48 pm

See that is the issue that I have. I have friends but they do not want to go and experience Burning Man. Or they can not afford it or one of the million other excuses. But I am really looking forward to this experience. And am now working on meeting other burners who share the same interest. I found OCburners which is a yahoo group of around 500 burners. I am still trying to get things sorted out for supplies.

zorro sings · Post by **zorro sings** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:58 am

schad00 wrote:you have others there that have experienced burning man, that can help you get accustomed to the playa

For this reason alone I think first timers should seek out a camp or experienced camping partners.Camping alone does not disqualify you from having an amazing time,far from it.It does,IMHO,raise the odds greatly on having a potentially miserable experience.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:19 am

Schad00, your location is listed as "Unknown". Maybe once you figure out where you are

you can find some local people in your neighborhood to conspire with.

It's very difficult to depend on a theme camp member that you have never met. It's better to meet local, then burn global if you know what I mean.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:24 am

jella wrote:wow 4 years huh. 2010 will be our second burn and I'm trying to figure out the to join or not to join dilema.

Just a word of warning, and um I have no basis on which to make a judgement on you, but many theme camps are careful about whom they invite to join. Oh, there's always the Stags, a number of the board members camp there, but I would be careful about assuming that you can just get in anywhere. Better to know you can cover the basics and be able to demonstrate that, than to sort of sit on the fence going: "...but maybe..."

jella · Post by **jella** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:03 am

Sound advice. We camped with seasoned burners but they come late in the week and camp in the fringes. So we plan to stay the whole week this time.
I've connected with a few local people and I totally get why a camp wouldn't want to take on a wet behind the ears virgin. We actually ended up with extra water we gave to the rangers on our way out. I did tons of research in the short2 weeks notice I got before our first burn...read read read the survival guide !. now I can't seem to stop shopping for playawear , I'm sooo hooked

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:56 am

The best plan IMHO is to be 100% self sufficient and well practiced in setting up the physical structures of camp.
This allows you to camp wherever you want(within reason) and on your own terms with no obligation to others than your immediate group. It also allows you the valuable resource of being able to leave an established camp you have joined if at some point the vibe in camp rubs you the wrong way.
Being well versed in setup will help on the playa where you could encounter harsh conditions as you set up.
Stag Camp only takes 100% RSR people. No Drama queens No Sparkle Ponies, No MOOP and LNT. We haven't really started recruiting yet but if you search in the past 3 years there are threads that chronicle our evolution and will give you an idea of what we are about. I'm not linking them here because people who have the ambition to go do things tend to fare much better on the playa than those who are spoon fed how to get things done. It is a camp protection thing.

zifra · Post by **zifra** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 1:04 am

I have had several theme camps over the years and I have always taken new burners into my camp that I saw for the first time on the playa, but whom I spoke with at length by message and phone prior to the event. It has been interesting to say the least, and while not every choice was ideal, there is nothing I would change. There is something amazing about strangers coming together to be a family.

My first year I camped with friends of friends. They were very tolerant of this clueless newbie, and now I try to help others the way they helped me.

This year I will be creating the Lazy Lizard Lemonade Lounge. We will serve lemonade with and without vodka in the afternoons to any lazy lizards that want to rest in our huge shade canopy, lying on rugs and pillows. I am seeking up to 10 campmates.

Campmates must be open minded, drama free and friendly folk, who will enjoy interacting with your fellow campmates and any lizards who drop by. We will hold 3-4 events during the week, a scavenger hunt, some kind of crazy art class (depends on what I find) and a couple of other yet to be determined. Campmates are asked to be there for all events and to agree to staff the camp and welcome guests one full day of the week, to be scheduled before the event.

You will either contribute funds or food to the general kitchen, and provide your own sleeping space and water. Cooking and cleaning is shared. Communal bathing area will be set up. We would ask that, as you can afford it you also bring pillows (blow up is fine), lemons, vodka and lizards to decorate the camp.

See you in the city!

Zifra

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:40 am

If an idea for a truly participatory theme camp does not seize you by the throat and throttle you (figuratively speaking) until you can think of nothing else, then perhaps open camping is best for you.

schad00 · Post by **schad00** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 11:31 am

Thanks for all the great advice and information. I have always been one to be able to adapt to my surrounds and environment. I have a bit of a talent for creating something useful out of something that was once considered useless. But my main reason for inquiring about this is that as of now. I will be going to BM solo, which on one hand sounds like an amazing experience while on the other is a little intimidating. But I am also working on meeting fellow burners, and I have a pretty good feeling that my solo status will probably change between now and then. Or maybe it won't but that is still part of the fun. I am already making my preparations and trying to get my playa gear in order, and learning it inside and out. Sound advice from you guys on that one. That is something I have learned in past hobbies I have had. Know your gear and know it well. I have been reading the posts about water and the recommend 1.5 gallons a day, I have also heard a bit about what to do and not do as far as containers and transport does anyone have some input on this? Some basic do's and don'ts

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 11:52 am

DO:
walk around naked
Drugs
try and eat every pussy you can
walk around at 8am with a megaphone yelling random shit
find a cute lady to put a leash on and make her walk around on all fours
Stop by 4:20 and A and offer them some wine coolers
DONT:
Feed the bears
shade yer tent
take showers
cook food
bother the vet burners
camp in theme camp space

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:02 pm

walk around naked

what are you, fucking nuts?

waiting for ygmir to point out that everything else on the do list is SOP, oh wait, i mean, um, standard operating procedure.....

schad00 · Post by **schad00** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:10 pm

Wow... lol, sounds like that would be quite the experience if I did all of the above. Do people really run around naked? I can't imagine how that would be fun with the high winds, and sand. I think it would be like having your balls sand blasted.

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:19 pm

Don't knock it until you've tried it.

jella · Post by **jella** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:25 pm

not sand ...playa dust

hubby says it's "tingly"

schad00 · Post by **schad00** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:33 pm

lmfao, That is awesome! I might have to take a stroll one evening.

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:40 pm

Man, I smelt a B'irgin from way on the other side of the WWW!

yes, Birginia there is a naked santa walking towrds us!

jella · Post by **jella** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:02 pm

I do feel the need to mention hubby wasn't among the full monty

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:07 pm

Simon of the Playa wrote:
walk around naked

what are you, fucking nuts?

waiting for ygmir to point out that everything else on the do list is SOP, oh wait, i mean, um, standard operating procedure.....

sometimes, I bother vet burners..........but, only for kibbles.

schad00 · Post by **schad00** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:10 pm

Yeah I am a birgin that is for sure. I am very excited to check out the different spots and all the art. It seems like there is a lot of music out there, is it all over the playa or only in certain areas or camps. I have seen/heard about Pink Mammoth, Deep End and a couple of others. And do most camps usually stay in the same vicinity year after year, or does the location of the camps change each year?

Looking to Possibly join a theme camp.

Looking to Possibly join a theme camp.

Joining a theme camp - why not?