Theme Camp Infrastructure

[addison4]

This is my first time organizing a large them camp ( '1776') and I could use all the advise I can get...

What is the most useful equipment to have when planning them camps?

As the camps get larger how much more equipment do you need?

Obviously this varies with the size of the camps, but I think a discussion of general equipment needed to organize a camp would be be useful on the camp creation forum. Here are the areas I'm considering... you guys who have organized several please chime in:

a. power generation
b. main tents
c. kitchen equipment and collective meal options
d. showering/grey-water
e. number of mutant vehicles
f. other useful suggestions (art, sound, collective alcohol, ect.)

Thanks for you help.

[FIGJAM]

I would start with a plan for a good sized shade structure and base the camp plan around that as it will be the focal point of your festivities.

[TomServo]

If your running a bar, keep your drink list simple, and plan to spend A LOT of money on booze and mixers. I haven't asked for camp dues, but that everyone contributes alcohol and mixer. Remember you need more mixer than booze.

[oneeyeddick]

. Remember you need more mixer than booze.

You haven't been to the Booby Bar from the sounds of it.

[Dustdevil]

A: Power generation: It is not enough to have power generation. You still need to get the power to those who need it,

a: Power distribution. On our camp application we ask if the campers will need power and how much. A motorhome running AC and a microwave will require much more current that a tent with some decorative lights.

From this information we lay out our power grid on paper. We then determine what size of generator and how much distro gear to bring. If you are going to supply power, you will need to charge your camp members. These items can get really expensive.

If you only plan to power up your shade structure and bar, a small genny and some good size extension cords will do nicely.

If you feel you will need a large generator, I would suggest you also talk to surrounding camps to off set the costs.

Last year I powered up my own camp (60 plus people and 12 RV's) and we also shared power with two ajoining camps. This kept the cost very reasonable for all who were on our grid.

I would suggest you delegate one person to head up your power needs. Preferable someone with experience in that area. Our system is pretty high tech, but we have had a few years to sort it out.

If you need any info, PM me.

[Trishntek]

I agree with FIGJAM. Shade is a premium. We have half for camper tents and half for public area. I highly recommend this site: http://www.canopiesandtarps.com/ I purchased all our hardware and bungee balls there and cut the poles myself. They have all the tarps and canopies you can imagine and their prices are very reasonable.

Having no idea how large your camp will be or what you plan to offer, power supply is completely relative. We have a 240 watt solar array with 2.4kW battery storage and a 1kW inverter, which supplies all we need for party lights and 400 watt music. We also have a large selection of electric massagers and ummmmmm other gadgets we use mostly at night. The only time we used the genset was for the coffee maker which requires 1.5kW.

[TomServo]

. Remember you need more mixer than booze.

You haven't been to the Booby Bar from the sounds of it.

Not yet. But, you can't make bloody mary without a mixer. Never got a lot of requests for straight shots at burning man.

[Dr. Pyro]

Well Tom, you've never been around absinthe hour (or when Misa brings out her Eastern European devil brew) at Barbie Death Camp.

[TomServo]

Nope..I did wander by your camp a few years ago. I've resisted absinthe up till now, due to my class A. I spent 3 or 4 Burning Man's behind the Roller Disco Bar. Even slept behind the bar. Which is why I'm only running my bar for breakfast...and leaving it to my campmates for the rest of the day.

[Trishntek]

Nope..I did wander by your camp a few years ago. I've resisted absinthe up till now, due to my class A. I spent 3 or 4 Burning Man's behind the Roller Disco Bar. Even slept behind the bar. Which is why I'm only running my bar for breakfast...and leaving it to my campmates for the rest of the day.

What do you think absinthe has that would affect your class A? No drug test in existence tests for thujone.

[Packoderm]

Orphan Camp was lucky to have this shade structure provided by one camp member, and it was key to the cohesion of the camp as a whole. It was the camp center in so many ways. Some of us endorphins are planning to add to this shade structure for 2011 to make it awesomer.

[TomServo]

Nope..I did wander by your camp a few years ago. I've resisted absinthe up till now, due to my class A. I spent 3 or 4 Burning Man's behind the Roller Disco Bar. Even slept behind the bar. Which is why I'm only running my bar for breakfast...and leaving it to my campmates for the rest of the day.

What do you think absinthe has that would affect your class A? No drug test in existence tests for thujone.

Have never gotten a clear answer, but have been advised that the wormwood...or whatever it does would show positive. Maybe...matbe not, but was never worth the risk

[Trishntek]

Nope..I did wander by your camp a few years ago. I've resisted absinthe up till now, due to my class A. I spent 3 or 4 Burning Man's behind the Roller Disco Bar. Even slept behind the bar. Which is why I'm only running my bar for breakfast...and leaving it to my campmates for the rest of the day.

What do you think absinthe has that would affect your class A? No drug test in existence tests for thujone.

Have never gotten a clear answer, but have been advised that the wormwood...or whatever it does would show positive. Maybe...matbe not, but was never worth the risk

I have pee tests also and thujone is the substance of reference in wormwood. Besides, absinthe is a legal substance since 2007,,,, put your worries to bed.

[theCryptofishist]

Okay, if it's a honest to goodness theme camp, then you start with your themic ideas and see what needs to be done. If it's just a group of people camping together, then shade is the first priority. Kitchens can be quite fraught areas. Gennies aren't necessary unless there's a real need for power. But the more shade the better.

[TomServo]

What do you think absinthe has that would affect your class A? No drug test in existence tests for thujone.

Have never gotten a clear answer, but have been advised that the wormwood...or whatever it does would show positive. Maybe...matbe not, but was never worth the risk

I have pee tests also and thujone is the substance of reference in wormwood. Besides, absinthe is a legal substance since 2007,,,, put your worries to bed.

I have. Since its legalization were a lot of questions that couldn't be answered. Now that I'm sick of truck driving, it doesn't matter. I owe ygmir a bottle of absinthe.

[Teo del Fuego]

I could use all the advise I can get....

My advice is to get one or two dependable chaps (or chapettes) to assist you in the planning and implementation and don't let your OCD self try to do it all. It will overwhelm you and you'll have a sucky time. Get a dome or a couple of carports as your main shade area. Slap together a decent bar and ask eack camp mate to bring two handles of booz and three 2 litre bottles of mixers. Get a honda 2000 genny and some extension cords. Make sure your sparkle pony quotient does not exceed 20%. The rest will work itself out

[Magiccannoncat]

If you are looking for some cheap shade, the shade cloth my camp uses is pretty good! its 60% so it blocks out most of the sun! it is very bare able underneath it, we used it to cover the part of our camp open to the public as well as covering where we put all the tents in the camp!
Shade cloth website

for our camps dome we used old billboard covers, you know they stuff they print billboards on! after what ever the ad is for is over, they just sell them off for pretty cheap. they are water proof and tare proof, you can just cut into them and it would rip at all which is pretty handy for tying it down to stuff!

as for getting a camp going, in my camp weve always spread out the tasks into teams of people! its a good way to get little things done!

hope that helps[/url]

[marck]

Some, as mentioned previously, in what I would call importance:

Shade Structures:

• - Support shade - What ever your camp is doing you need to make sure your "customers" want to be there.
  - Communal shade - This would be shade for your common private area so your crew can hang out, or cook, away from the public.
  - Tent shade - If you have the resources, provide shade for your people who have to travel light.
  - Everyone else should provide for themselves.

Enclosed Structures: Same idea

• - Support Structures - What ever your camp is doing, make sure you have the right structure for the task. For some interactivities maybe all you need is some shade, but if you also have a bar you should have a designated area for that built and transported out.
  - Communal Structures - You should have and enclosed structure for everyone to gather in if the weather outside is intolerable. If you choose to also provide a kitchen area, or a shower for everyone's use, great, but not needed.
  - Tents - If you have the resources, provide a sleeping area for your people who have to travel light.
  - Everyone else should provide for themselves.

Power needs:

• - Lighting - You really need light's at night, even if you are only a day camp. at least so you can find your way back to your tents.
  - Support - This would include Projectors, Sound Systems, and anything else used for entertaining your guests.
  - Communal - This would be providing power to your crew for their own purposes. This could be powering the communal refrigerator, freezer, microwave, or coffeemakers. I'd only do this if I had too much power left over.
  - Generation - After you have figured out what you are going to use calculate what you will need to make it all work. Are you going Solar? Wind? Atomic? or the old Internal Combustion generator? Make sure you have enough output for everything and extra fuel just in case.

Fire needs: (because everyone needs fire.)

• - Public display - Make sure your art or decor can be used to draw burners like moths.
  - Communal use - If you have a kitchen you will need a stove or five. If you have a shower you may also want hot water.
  - Fuel - Again make sure you have more than enough.

[Ugly Dougly]

You mentioned mutant vehicles; don't feel compelled to build one. It's far from a requirement.

I'd put a bike rack ahead of that and maybe a burn barrel.

[Major Krash]

both excellent posts....

a bike rack is a hugely forgotten item for most public camps (if you are at all popular, a few dozen bikes lying on the ground will become obnoxious quick)

I would add if you are going to be a public theme camp, consider a sign/display that highlights your camp name and what it is about, especially if you are listed in the who/what/when guide (ideally lit at night). And maybe a mailbox with your camp name on it...