Single 29 yro female newb!

[stormykfla]

Hi my name is Kim. I'm 29 and live in Kansas City. I've been casually researching BM for a few years now and every time I get overwhelmed with the quantity, distribution, and lack of clarity on how to get involved. The more I read though, the more I want to make it happen even if it is by myself.

If I am coming alone I have read that I should join a them camp, but I can't seem to find the best means of finding and contacting one. Are there other options besides theme camp? I have found posts by locals traveling out there. Could a I find a non theme group camp of locals? If I don't have the capability to bring EVERYTHING that a solo person might need to sustain, I would guess the theme camp is my best option. Would I get group shelter?

I just wish i knew somebody who has done it so I could sit down with them and get all of this info, but I don't. I think I just need the basics and the right places to go to make contact. I always get overwhelmed and give up but not this time!

Thanks in advance!

[Drawingablank]

Welcome to eplaya.

There are several threads on these boards about finding and joining a theme camp.

Don't feel that it's a necessity though - going solo if also perfectly acceptable, and would in fact be better than hitching yourself to a theme camp that is not a good fit for you.

Plus there are also a few camps that are just loosely gathered groups of solo campers for a halfway option.

[theCryptofishist]

A theme camp is by no means necessary. Meet locals, meet people on this board, camp by yourself and meet your neighbors. The only reason to go theme camp, is because you love the mission or vision, and really want to bring it to as many people as possible. Check out any local or regionals you can get to, and just visit the damn theme camps.

[Savannah]

Hi Kim!

The options are:

* Solo - you'll have neighbors anyway

* You + any number of friends/locals calling yourself whatever you like. http://regionals.burningman.com/ Check Facebook for locals, too.

* Not-quite-theme camp/villages like Orphan/Endorphin Camp, Stag Camp, maybe Hushville falls under that mantle, etc - These are often primarily social in nature and vaguely thematic, but not a full-on theme. Group shade is common. Fees vary, sometimes cheap/free.

* Theme Camps (these still vary in expense, amenities, work commitment, size, goals, & management). Shade + more. Often-times, nice placement on the map.

The last two options will generally have a group shade (always check, though). You are still usually responsible for your own tent and any personal shade over/next to that tent unless you locate an RV share (see the 2013 Shared Resources forum--people are definitely looking to fill RVs).

2013 Theme Camps
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewforum.php?f=323

Check if others are recruiting . . .
http://www.burningman.com/themecamps/th ... ml?yy=2013

It's okay to feel a bit overwhelmed. Take a lot of notes, do some writing, sort out your thoughts and figure out what you really want. If you contact a camp, make sure you really like it. Make plan A, plan B, plan C if necessary. There are lots of ways to skin this cat.

[susieclue]

Hi Newbie!

I'm camp mom for the Black Rock Fun Jet Camp and a long time burner. When I first ventured forth to the desert, I, too did it solo and didn't really know what to expect. Granted, that was 14 years ago when the BM population was approaching 20,000, but it was a bit overwhelming, to say the least.

Because of that, our camp is set up to receive participants from all over the world. We are not a plug and play camp, by any means, but we are set up to assist Virgins coming in for their first or so playa experience. In our themecamp, we take people on vacation all around our Wheel of Destination. It's silly, it's goofy, and it's slightly twisted. It's also a great way to meet people because they come to you.

The themecamp experience can be a family affair or a free for all, depending on the camp. Ours is a drug free/drama free zone. We have been known, however, to imbibe in the delights of boat drinks and bloody Marys at odd hours because it's always 5 o'clock somewhere.

What you see when you pull into camp, is a shaded conclave, 30'x30' made up of 4 10x20 covered carports set in a square. The hole in the middle becomes our covered hot water shower area, very private and, for the desert, luxuryous. One end of the structure contains the kitchen, another houses Sweden and England, another serves as the airport entrance and waiting room and the fourth contains Pirates Cove, the Jungle, and Paris. In the front of the structure is Memory Lane, the Inner City, and we may erect a stripper pole and call it Amsterdam, in honor of our English guest, Bloody Mary (named after the drink), who uses the pole as her gym. She and Monkey Pot Pie, who met in camp several year ago, are renewing their vows so we'll be doing a wedding, feast and reception in their honor this year. I digress.

At the back of the camp is our BBQ, the generator, the bicycle corral (we bring them for those in need), and our individual RVS, tents, and the like. We have full shade, chairs, tables, the freezer!, and yes,even the kitchen sink. We bring three 55 gallon water barrels for showering and wash water (the core group is there for 12 full days. You're welcome to stay till Tuesday, too,, and we can hook you up with folks wanting to band together to get to/from the playa.)

The way our group works is that we each put in $xx (we can't post camp dues in the public forum) to help cover the costs of the infrastructure (storage, transportation, and fuel for the event) which also covers all of your food for the time you're on playa, all your soft drinks, plates, forks, knives - bring your own cup for bar hopping, a bicycle, a sleeping bag if you need one, all the coolers, all the cooking equipment (we shop and haul but you cook for yourself), a hot water shower, use of a bicycle - please bring a lock, chairs, and shared use of the 15+passenger artcar! You bring your own personal drinking water and your own alcohol. And if you want us to pick up up a tent or an air mattress, send us the $ and we'll haul it out there for you. I much prefer blowing up an air mattress with an air compressor rather than a hand pump, don't you?

So that's an option for you. Our core members vet all the newbies ahead of time to try to make sure that we'd be a good fit. We're all good people in the default world, tolerant, fun loving, and only slightly twisted. (Think of the logo from the movie Airplane). Like the Motto for the Black Rock Fun Jet says "Always Fun. Slightly Twisted".

If you're interest, send a reply.

Susieclue

[Elderberry]

Hey susieclue, how much are the camp dues?

[tattoogoddess]

Nothing like a plug and play camp. Sigh, god I hate these.

[AntiM]

Camps aren't allowed to post dues amounts on eplaya. Been a rule for years here.

[bluesbob]

Orphan/Endorphin Camp is a great camp for loners who want to make quick friends.

[graidawg]

one of the things that bugs me is, i pretty much plug and play. i mean i could pretty much take no luggage at all. by a few pairs of socks when iget to reno and go straight out to the playa. it would make very little difference to my experience.

[Drawingablank]

one of the things that bugs me is, i pretty much plug and play. i mean i could pretty much take no luggage at all. by a few pairs of socks when iget to reno and go straight out to the playa. it would make very little difference to my experience.

But it's different when you are a unicorn!

[Savannah]

one of the things that bugs me is, i pretty much plug and play. i mean i could pretty much take no luggage at all. by a few pairs of socks when iget to reno and go straight out to the playa. it would make very little difference to my experience.

But it's different when you are a unicorn!

Yeah, Grai's not plug & play. He's low-maintenance.

And a unicorn.

[MikeGyver]

one of the things that bugs me is, i pretty much plug and play. i mean i could pretty much take no luggage at all. by a few pairs of socks when iget to reno and go straight out to the playa. it would make very little difference to my experience.

In all reality most people on the board have enough friends (or one awesome one) that if they showed up with nothing but the clothes they were wearing their burn wouldn't be much different.

Being a Unicorn that lights himself on fire from time to time does help.

[tattoogoddess]

[graidawg]

But it's different when you are a unicorn!

Being a Unicorn that lights himself on fire from time to time does help.

Yeah, Grai's not plug & play. He's low-maintenance.

And a unicorn.

way to start my day!

[goathead]

one of the things that bugs me is, i pretty much plug and play. i mean i could pretty much take no luggage at all. by a few pairs of socks when iget to reno and go straight out to the playa. it would make very little difference to my experience.

But it's different when you are a unicorn!

Yeah, Grai's not plug & play. He's low-maintenance.

And a unicorn.

he told me he was a pirate?

[Dr. Pyro]

Yeah, Grai's not plug & play. He's low-maintenance.

And a unicorn.

The only reason people think Grai is a unicorn is because he walks on his hands so often.

[graidawg]

I am a giant pirate unicorn dinosaur, with semi flammable properties.

[C187]

Yeah, Grai's not plug & play. He's low-maintenance.

And a unicorn.

The only reason people think Grai is a unicorn is because he walks on his hands so often.

I am a giant pirate unicorn dinosaur, with semi flammable properties.

Just stay away from the conclave area and your tiny little footsies will be fine.

[theCryptofishist]

Well, Mr. Fancy Pants Unicorn--I don't need socks! So there!

[graidawg]

Well, Mr. Fancy Pants Unicorn--I don't need socks! So there!

[Roberto Dobbisano]

it's killing me.


it's ALMOST page two....








tits.can we see them?

[tattoogoddess]

[dragonpilot]

Nothing like a plug and play camp.

They're not a plug and play camp and the camp dues is very reasonable. I've talked to susieclue off-list. Camp dues goes to operating expenses for MV, gen, full kitchen setup (one prepares own meals...no servants), groceries, snacks/mixer, camp shower/water...usual camp niceties and necessities.

BYOB, BYO tent/RV, do your own setup (and who won't help when needed).

You've definitely got to carry your own weight here and one is expected to pitch in with a variety of camp duties...

I like them!