Overwhelmed...

[britzbitz]

Hi.

My name is Britz.

I live in a little mountain town in Canada called Nelson. I'm the Human Resources coordinator for the infamous Canadian electronic music festival, Shambhala. I started attending our festival 8 years ago, and I've been employed by Shambhala for 4 years. Over the years, in gaining more responsibility, I've seen less and less of our festival. And while I find my work very satisfying...I miss partying. And dancing. Mostly dancing. Haha.

I've been wanting to come to Burning Man for a long time. Probably since I first started attending Shambhala, actually.

I had intended on coming to Burning Man 2 years ago - but it didn't quite work out. I guess I wasn't ready. Definitely not prepared enough.

But this time around, it'll be different.

I recently got engaged, and will be getting married next year - SO, I figured, what better year to experience the Burn than this one? My last 'hurrah' before married life. Haha. Well, probably not really. But I don't know when I'll get my next opportunity to attend after that.

I've gathered up a crew of 6-8 people. We'll be putting down a deposit on an RV shortly. And I find myself thinking, "What now?"

The thing that really gets me is the camping. It's a little beyond me to imagine a temporary city of 50,000. Our event is 10,000 - and to me that seems pretty big, so it's hard to visualize 5x that. I've read about theme camps and about camping in the FAQ...

But in the opinion of more seasoned Burners - is it worth it to find a theme camp to participate in? Or should we just find somewhere to camp on our own?

Sorry if this is a totally 'n00b' question. I've kind of taken on the position of 'doer' in our group and I'm not sure how to proceed.

Thanks for any comments or suggestions!

[AntiM]

Welcome.

I'd say go it on your own your first year. Once you are on the playa, you can volunteer and participate as it moves you. While theme camps provide amenities, they also provide work schedules and commitments. Perfectly possible to have a great year without tying yourself to a camp.

[Sail Man]

I'll second that. Camping by yourselves (albeit in the middle of 50,000 burners ) gives you the flexibility to do things on your own schedule. Let you learn the ropes without commitment. If you feel like it, go volunteer somewhere. But if nothing else, just wander around and prepare to be amazed

[C.f.M.]

I disagree, being a part of a theme camp made it a lot easier for me, my first year.

A group of you might be able to afford/transport/put up stuff like shade structures, kitchen area, shade area...etc., but for me, being around people who had it all together to learn from (learning about playa life, be encouraged, etc.) was much better.

"Yeah, I threw up that much one year too!"

Different theme camps have different amentities, and levels of expected financial/participation contributions.

It's really just up to you guys, what all you can do on your own, what all you'd like to do (for example, if you'd rather join a camp that has a full kitchen set-up, food, showers, etc.).

[misfit]

3rd that. keep outside responcibilities to a minimum.

[C.f.M.]

3rd that. keep outside responcibilities to a minimum.

/shrugs

The only responsibility I had was a camp dinner once. It was well worth it, for all the other dinners (and snacks and drinks and likker and shade structure) I got. And really it was optional, we had more members than nights, so if I hadn't volunteered someone else would have done it.

Camps are all different, as I said. If you find one that sounds good for you, do it.

If you're alright dealing with your group, do it.

[misfit]

wow, you can really read alot out of one sentence. first year, survival year... keep yourself alive and have fun.

[britzbitz]

Haha...all great advice. Thanks guys. I'm so excited. It's been a long time since I've gone to an event without having any idea what to expect...

[Arcanum]

while we're on the topic of theme camps... how much does size vary on these? what's the best way to find out about commitments- just start emailing folks when the contacts go up on the theme camp page? This will be my first burn and I'm *really* leaning towards camping with just the few friends I have, but the guy (lover? friend? I don't know what he is) has been looking for his home for a while and suggested I start looking for one for him (us) to go to. HA! what a great idea, have the virgin burner find the home for a seasoned burner...

:)

[Victorian]

Welcome, Britz!

This will be my first year also, and I'm going alone, so I decided to go with a theme camp. I did want to stick to a smaller camp the first year though, since this will be pretty awakening for me...

You do have a larger group, maybe it would be good to just travel with another RVing group that's attended before? Not necessarily theme camp?

[pinemom]

while we're on the topic of theme camps... how much does size vary on these? what's the best way to find out about commitments- just start emailing folks when the contacts go up on the theme camp page? This will be my first burn and I'm *really* leaning towards camping with just the few friends I have, but the guy (lover? friend? I don't know what he is) has been looking for his home for a while and suggested I start looking for one for him (us) to go to. HA! what a great idea, have the virgin burner find the home for a seasoned burner...

"but the guy (lover? friend? I don't know what he is)"
Arcanum,
Major head up...Figure out for sure what you and this person mean to each other and any and all boundries before entering into playa life.
Having no misconceptions of what each of you want from a burn event is very very important to get up front....so the "expectations" dont blow you or his or both of yours burn!

[C.f.M.]

Size varies greatly. Some camps are 10 people. Some camps are 500.

There's no right or wrong answer, for whether you should join one.

It depends on your wants and needs.

[brigitami]

welcome Britz!
All I have to say is "Prepare to be amazed". I waited almost a decade for my first burn too and it pretty much changed my life.

I am also a planner by profession, and I think the answer to your question (theme camp or go it alone) really depends on the type of person you are. I lasted about 2 days in the small group I first came with before I was absorbed into a theme camp up the road....it wasn't their amenities that got me (there weren't any really) but there's something about that group tribe thing that really floats my boat.

Now, that theme camp is my family and I couldn't imagine going to burning man without them---however--there's a long time member of our group who has decided to "go it alone" this year because she feels that going with a tribe is "too easy" she wants to be more challenged and to prove to herself that she CAN.

A little advice (from one planner to another) DON'T TRY TO PLAN TOO MUCH....Memorize that survival guide from top to bottom! (i'm sure you already have) but don't end up playing "hostess" to those other people you are bringing!

[britzbitz]

Ah, I'm so glad I posted.

Definitely feeling less overwhelmed and confused than yesterday. Had a good browsing of the forums...lots of great information and ideas.

It's kind of surreal to be on this side of it. Usually I'm the one answering all the questions with obvious answers that have been asked 3,000,000 x before. Hahaha.

Really diggin' the very real challenge of self-reliance. It makes me realize just how much we offer our participants by way of amenities and comfort

Thanks for your patience, and all your help! It's much appreciated.

[britzbitz]

ok, here comes another n00b question for ya...

If we decide to camp on our own, and we arrive on the day the gates open, how long can we expect to wait in line?

And how likely is it to get a fairly decent camping spot? How quickly do the inner streets fill up?

[newt]

If we decide to camp on our own, and we arrive on the day the gates open, how long can we expect to wait in line?

And how likely is it to get a fairly decent camping spot? How quickly do the inner streets fill up?

Last year, we were in Gerlach at 11:30 on Sunday night. By the time we started setting up camp, the sun was rising. At that time, "I" @ 7:30 was wide open. By the afternoon,we had neighbors on all sides of us.

FWIW, most spots are pretty good- gorgeous sunrises and sunsets and everyone has to go the same distance for water, beer and groceries

[gerlachedNloaded]

one thing to keep in mind.. the closer you are to the center, the more wind block you have around you. makes the whiteouts a "little" easier i've heard. tradeoff is you're in the mix 24/7. not like that's a bad thing

[britzbitz]

one thing to keep in mind.. the closer you are to the center, the more wind block you have around you. makes the whiteouts a "little" easier i've heard. tradeoff is you're in the mix 24/7. not like that's a bad thing

That's the way I like it. At our event, even with working 14 hr days, I camp right down town. My camp is under a giant cedar tree, smack between two stages. It's loud as all fuck. I just put ear plugs in and...eventually fall asleep. Noise and shenanigans do not bother me at all. And shenanigans always make for something interesting to wake up to.

[gerlachedNloaded]

.. or someone.. sometimes dressed in something that's somehow frightening as hell

[britzbitz]

hahahaha....I can't wait!!!

[teardropper]

one thing to keep in mind.. the closer you are to the center, the more wind block you have around you. makes the whiteouts a "little" easier i've heard. tradeoff is you're in the mix 24/7. not like that's a bad thing

That's the way I like it. At our event, even with working 14 hr days, I camp right down town. My camp is under a giant cedar tree, smack between two stages. It's loud as all fuck. I just put ear plugs in and...eventually fall asleep. Noise and shenanigans do not bother me at all. And shenanigans always make for something interesting to wake up to.

Then you're gonna' love the Art Cars coming down your street at 4 in the morning blasting tecno... Ah yes, the heartheat of the playa.

[britzbitz]

!!!!!!!!!!! Just got my ticket in the mail!!!!!!!!!!!

It's that much more real now.

[CornStar]

Don't sweat it your first year. Along with having no expectations, don't think that people are expecting anything of you as a virgin burner. Looking for regionals is almost more beneficial than being bound to a theme camp. Although I'm sure that experience can be very satisfying, going without any responsibilities and being able to just soak up whatever you stumble across and roll with can help you survey the whole city better. Just run around your first year, worry about contribution more in later years

[britzbitz]

Don't sweat it your first year. Along with having no expectations, don't think that people are expecting anything of you as a virgin burner. Looking for regionals is almost more beneficial than being bound to a theme camp. Although I'm sure that experience can be very satisfying, going without any responsibilities and being able to just soak up whatever you stumble across and roll with can help you survey the whole city better. Just run around your first year, worry about contribution more in later years

Ah, I'm glad to hear it's ok to just take it all in. I'm the type of person who's naturally overwhelmed by lots of visual stimulus. I expect to be spending a lot of time with a "wowed" (stunned? lol) look on my face. Haha.

As for Regionals...I wish. The closest are in Vancouver, which is a bit of a trip away. There are advantages and drawbacks to living in the mountains in the middle of nowhere...

[dr.placebo]

A hint about arriving: it's going to be confusing, so wait for daybreak before trying to find a place to settle.

Don't try to optimize placement or other details the first time. Relax and be open to what happens.

Do try to volunteer for at least one thing (not everyone agrees with this advice). You will meet great people and feel grounded much more quickly. Don't overdo it, it's easy to burn out. It's easy to find something of interest once you are there.

Any questions? Ask your neighbors! Think of it as speed-dating 40,000 people in 7 days.

[TomServo]

one thing to keep in mind.. the closer you are to the center, the more wind block you have around you. makes the whiteouts a "little" easier i've heard. tradeoff is you're in the mix 24/7. not like that's a bad thing :lol:

And,, for some reason, the west side of BRC...towards center camp....been a couple years since I camped on that side, so could just be coincidence.