Hello, from SoCal!

[itstimetopaytheprice]

Hi everyone! I'm a recently initiated burner from outside Los Angeles and I thought I would say hello!

This year was my first burn. I went with my sister and her fiance, and a group of their friends from Tahoe. Like I'm sure has been so many times before - yet is just as true each time - it was a life-changing experience.

I went into it thinking, "well I love costumes, and I love electronic music, so even if the other stuff is not for me, at least I'll have fun with that."

I've come back to be *that girl* - the one who says things like "you just don't get it until you've been there" to my friends who think it's all hype. And I truly believe it!

Now I'm back to the "real" world and I want more! I really want to get involved in the year-round BM community. And that's why I'm here! I'm hoping for some tips and advice on how to get involved in volunteering with BM-related groups/theme camps in my area. My camp from last year is based in Tahoe, while I am stuck outside LA, so I'm hoping to find something a little closer to home.

Any tips? Tricks? Websites that I haven't yet scoured for volunteering and connecting opportunities?

Thanks everyone! And I hope to see more beautiful BM faces again next year!!

[Elliot]

.
Welcome! Yes, one or two of us would probably agree that BM can have significant positive influence on our lives.

One thing you want to do is sign up for the Jack Rabbit Speaks e-newsletter. You will find it on the home page of the main website -- just click on the "Burning Man" logo at the top left of your e-Playa screen. JRS is fresh information straight from BM headquarters.

Next, on the same main web site, you can find your Regional group(s). There is definitely local year-round activity.

There are tons of information here on ePlaya, going back several years. We sometimes have a slightly abrasive or snarky tone here, but that's just the local sport. Participate in discussions, and you will learn much.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[Janine55]

Hello! Next year will be my first, I would love to hear about your experience. I am from Southern California as well, outside of LA... How did you become part of a camp? Was it their first time as well?

Janine

[ranger magnum]

I love how all these new comers have figured out how to post an avatar pic.

Christ im lame....

[Thecatman]

Christ im lame....

Ditto!! Me too.

[itstimetopaytheprice]

Hello! Next year will be my first, I would love to hear about your experience. I am from Southern California as well, outside of LA... How did you become part of a camp? Was it their first time as well?

Janine

Hi Janine!

I actually went with my sister and her fiance who are longtime burners. They're from Tahoe so they are surrounded by other burners, so I just hooked up with them and their camp. They are all experienced burners so I was the only newbie.

It seems like people -for the most part- are very welcoming of newcomers. You can check out the camp list on the BM website and see if any of them are located around you and shoot them an email. My camp was very low-key - we had a small fee for the camp party we threw, but everything else was self-service. I know there are BIG camps that do group meals and you either pay a hefty sum or you work, but my camp was not like that.

There's also the option of going campless - I had a few friends who did that. My sister is hoping to be pregnant this summer and won't be at BM, so I'm torn between going back with the camp I went with last year or just going unaffiliated, and letting the playa guide my time.

There's also a lot of BM events sponsored by LA Arts in the LA area where you can meet other burners. I haven't had the opportunity to do many of them besides the LA Decompression, but it's definitely a good place to start.

Good luck!!

[reznorock]

Theres a meet and greet I noticed but it's in san diego? wasn't seeing anything for inland empire... am considering seeing if anyone wants to do an unofficial meet and greet around the end of the month

[itstimetopaytheprice]

There's nothing for the Inland Empire but http://laburningman.com/ has a lot of info (though the website isn't loading right now...). If you get on the mailing list there are lots of LA-area things. They have a facebook page as well.

But if you do decide to do an IE meetup, post it on the LA Burning Man facebook page - I'm sure there are lots of us!

[BoyScoutGirl]

San Diego has weekly meet-ups. It's a bit far from LA/IE, but if you sign up for the weekly group email then you'll hear about the occasional burner holiday party, camp-out in the desert, or work weekend. San Diego also has one of the largest regionals, YouTopia, over a weekend every October.

[reznorock]

There's nothing for the Inland Empire but http://laburningman.com/ has a lot of info (though the website isn't loading right now...). If you get on the mailing list there are lots of LA-area things. They have a facebook page as well.

But if you do decide to do an IE meetup, post it on the LA Burning Man facebook page - I'm sure there are lots of us!

Still closer to L.A. than san diego as well. Id really just like to meet other burners, vets and newbies like myself. perhaps I should start a thread somewhere and folks can get together and talk about where to do one and when.