When A Plug & Play Camp Breaks Up With You...

[9ah]

A bunch of folks just got a reality check issued in their name and radical self-reliance was written in the memo:

Dear Everybody,

It is with deep sadness that we must inform you, the O------- B--- will dissolve the camp and meal plan program, effectively immediately. We will not be on playa as a camp at Burning Man Cargo Cult 2013.

After some considerable thought, rich discussion with the Burner community, and insurmountable challenges with the vendor catering our meal plan, we cannot in good conscience debut our offering on a commerce-based model.

The O------- B--- was mistaken to partner with a food vendor. We are sorry for getting this so wrong. We tried and failed. We learned. We burned. It was all worth it.

For a new camp, who is trying to adhere to the 10 principles, we want to offer a clear path to guide all those who come in to contact with us and help them to understand more fully what they mean and how they are implemented on the playa and beyond.

We hope you join us next year to BUILD the Bowl in the true spirit of it's original intent;

* Giving and receiving gifts
* Serving sacred food
* Trusting in one another
* Uniting those in need with those with the resources to help

To our 15 camp members and 95 meal plan purchasers; radical self-reliance starts now.

We will begin issuing refunds for meal plan purchases, camp dues and fees, effective immediately. We appreciate the support and trust you've put in the O------- B--- and we understand the inconvenience this may cause you and regret any disappointment we’ve created for you.

Thank you.

Yours in loving devotional service,
The O------- B---

[theCryptofishist]

You're not effected, are you?

[Elorrum]

WOW, that is some kind of shit for people coming from overseas or on airplanes, thinking they had their provisions lined up. Oh man. I certainly hope this comes up next year when they start forming their next fiasco. Guessing this was a profit arrangement for the food vendor. ack.

[9ah]

Nope... I'm getting to make my final shopping lists for my arrival in Reno... And try not to count the hours until I start my journey out west.

It's the current ERMAHGERD email that is being snarked.

At least it was announced with a few days to figure things out... I'm not to sure about the vendor, sounds like they were trying to gift some meals as well and offset the cost with meal plan purchasers....

[pink]

Well, 15 camp members and 95 meal plan purchasers? Sounds like they were trying to offer meals to non camp member? What a cluster fuck. Especially to people who might be in transit already. I guess, you plugs to play, you takes your chances.

My camp is having communal meals, but I know that if for some reason all of Retrofrolic breaks down and never makes it, I'll still be ok for the 12 days I'm on playa!

[9ah]

At least they are being refunded, with $200 they can buy a nice cooler, camping stove and some gas to cook the food they buy!

[Captain Goddammit]

This is what I'm always telling people, especially new people that post "looking to join a camp" type topics.
COVER YOUR OWN ASS at Burning Man!
Relying on anyone else for your necessary infrastructure is a bad idea!!
Even when I'm with a big camp I still bring everything, as if I were the only one who would show up.

Thanks for posting this, others need to see this even if they aren't with that particular camp!

[atomicray]

Yikes...no lube...no reach around...no kiss...just a sad face and slow walk away.

Damn

This...this sucks like a vacuum.

[1durphul]

A bunch of folks just got a reality check issued in their name and radical self-reliance was written in the memo:

Dear Everybody,


To our 15 camp members and 95 meal plan purchasers; radical self-reliance starts now.

We will begin issuing refunds for meal plan purchases, camp dues and fees, effective immediately. We appreciate the support and trust you've put in the O------- B--- and we understand the inconvenience this may cause you and regret any disappointment we’ve created for you.

The camp I belong to has always had a meal plan, and we are a bunch of hippies, it is often hard for me to imagine how the hell they manage to make it work! Yet the do. But... every year I suspect a complete breakdown of process is only moments away, and I always bring an extra loaf of bread, peanut butter, jelly, an Entemann's breakfast cake, and a couple 2.5 gallon cubes. I figure, worst case scenario I won't starve or die of dehydration....

[BBadger]

That lame "10 principles", non-commercialism, repentance excuse is just laughable. The real story is no doubt the troubles with the food vendor, and a possible breech of contract with their obligations.

I'm just waiting for the day when we hear about these service vendors getting sued for untimely warning about foregoing their service obligations. For something like provisions for the Burn, that kind of stipulation should be in the contract.

[theCryptofishist]

For something like provisions for the Burn, that kind of stipulation should be in the contract.

That's so totally not Burningman. You're so mean.

[Candybox]

Dude. GIANT cannisters of Mountain House are the way to go, paired with a small camp stove. Hot food, every day, supplemented with fresh food from our cooler. We have become quite adept at comfortably roughing it, while managing to shove everything we need into a Mazda 3. Incidentally, we saw they were selling generic cannisters of freeze-dried food at the Reno Walmart.

[mudpuppy000]

This is what I'm always telling people, especially new people that post "looking to join a camp" type topics.
COVER YOUR OWN ASS at Burning Man!
Relying on anyone else for your necessary infrastructure is a bad idea!!
Even when I'm with a big camp I still bring everything, as if I were the only one who would show up.

Thanks for posting this, others need to see this even if they aren't with that particular camp!

Yeah, especially don't rely on those fuel vendors that didn't have any gas till friday or whatever it was.

[EspressoDude]

Black Rock Power Coop had fuel deliveries every day to our 3 Whisperwatt diesel generators, 70, 85, and 110 kw. Driver filled gennies 1 and 2, stopped by for espresso and a hug, then filled genie 3

[gaminwench]

when we hit max population on Friday, causing the gayte to hold ticketholders until folks left to make room, the food vendor for the huge PnP across the street was denied entrance. No food for the rest of the weekend for them...

[theCryptofishist]

[thread drift]And what will be the consequences of that with the blm, I wonder. Issuing those last 3000 tickets may have been a mistake.[/thread drift]

[CapSmashy]

when we hit max population on Friday, causing the gayte to hold ticketholders until folks left to make room, the food vendor for the huge PnP across the street was denied entrance. No food for the rest of the weekend for them...

Best rumor ever....