Questions about camps and camping
Questions about camps and camping
I am a first-time burner going with another first-timer from faraway Illinois. We haven't hooked up to any particular theme camps so far and I am afraid we won't at all because he is more the solitary type and somewhat shy. My question is: Where we can camp if we are not aligned with a theme camp? We really prefer to have our vehicle in camp for personal/medical reasons -- will this be a problem? If you suggest we try to join a theme camp, what's the best way to find out where we can join up?
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Ranger Genius
- Posts: 2408
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 7:07 am
- Location: Behind the Zion Curtain
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most people do not join theme camps. A large portion of the city is designated as "open camping" for people just like you, who want to just create a small living space for themselves. Of course, if you want to make a social space to share with your neighbors, or just passers-by, you can always do that, too.
“We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.”
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HughMungus
- Posts: 1813
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:17 am
- Location: Dallas, TX
Re: Questions about camps and camping
You can camp anywhere that's not reserved (see the map). Don't think of it as camping as much as parking your car somewhere and setting up a tent next to it. I think you're thinking that the theme camp areas and the non-theme camp areas are separate. They're really not. I've camped as close as right next to a theme camp (after asking if the space is open) and as far away as the outer road. The best thing to do is get there, park somewhere, and start walking around to see if you want to camp closer or farther out (at night this is almost mandatory as you don't want to be driving over people or hitting someone else's vehicle like someone did to us last year).retzer wrote:I am a first-time burner going with another first-timer from faraway Illinois. We haven't hooked up to any particular theme camps so far and I am afraid we won't at all because he is more the solitary type and somewhat shy. My question is: Where we can camp if we are not aligned with a theme camp? We really prefer to have our vehicle in camp for personal/medical reasons -- will this be a problem? If you suggest we try to join a theme camp, what's the best way to find out where we can join up?
The best way to find a theme camp to become part of is this board. Look in the Theme Camps forum.
Hi, retzer,
Welcome to Burning Man. For your shy friend, see Brian's post about meeting people:
http://www.cieux.com/bm/dorksGuide.html
It's specifically aimed at shy people.
Hooking up with a theme camp may be too late for this year. There used to be a camp for single campers, but the people running it ran out of steam, so my link is broken; however, I recall someone else picked it up and I don't have their link -- maybe someone here will post it.
Louise and I always camp with our car next to us -- it's where we keep our supplies. We have a carpet runner from our shade to the door, so we don't even step on the dirt to get to it. That's not a problem.
As for theme camps, my suggestions are to browse the BM website at
http://www.burningman.com/first_timers/
http://www.burningman.com/themecamps/
http://www.burningman.com/themecamps/05 ... ill_1.html
This last URL lists the registered theme camps. See if any attract you and contact them if you can. Ask about joining, but be aware that many of them will have filled their space this late in the year and may prefer members who have made contributions of time and work to prepare for the event. In that case, wander the playa during the event and strike up conversations with people with interesting camps and visit the theme camps you found interesting on the BM site. Either get some free business cards from the Web or find some other way to leave your names and contact info, and get contact info while you're there. This year will be exploratory, you'll find out BM isn't at all what you thought it would be, and next year you'll be wonderfully prepared.
Being solitary and shy isn't a problem at BM. Louise and I are friends with a couple; she is talkative and outgoing, and he generally never says a word. After she, Louise, and I finish our gabfest, I always tell him "Bye, wonderful chatting with you," and he chuckles and walks off.
Louise and I are having a geekfest at our camp from Wednesday through Saturday, two-ish in the afternoon. Free clothes while they last, so drop by and see us in Hushville. Louise will trick your friend and you out in playawear with appropriate logos. See the camp map for our location and look for our Civilized Explorer banner. (I don't keep track of where Hushville is located from year to year, so I can't give you coordinates today.)
Welcome to Burning Man. For your shy friend, see Brian's post about meeting people:
http://www.cieux.com/bm/dorksGuide.html
It's specifically aimed at shy people.
Hooking up with a theme camp may be too late for this year. There used to be a camp for single campers, but the people running it ran out of steam, so my link is broken; however, I recall someone else picked it up and I don't have their link -- maybe someone here will post it.
Louise and I always camp with our car next to us -- it's where we keep our supplies. We have a carpet runner from our shade to the door, so we don't even step on the dirt to get to it. That's not a problem.
As for theme camps, my suggestions are to browse the BM website at
http://www.burningman.com/first_timers/
http://www.burningman.com/themecamps/
http://www.burningman.com/themecamps/05 ... ill_1.html
This last URL lists the registered theme camps. See if any attract you and contact them if you can. Ask about joining, but be aware that many of them will have filled their space this late in the year and may prefer members who have made contributions of time and work to prepare for the event. In that case, wander the playa during the event and strike up conversations with people with interesting camps and visit the theme camps you found interesting on the BM site. Either get some free business cards from the Web or find some other way to leave your names and contact info, and get contact info while you're there. This year will be exploratory, you'll find out BM isn't at all what you thought it would be, and next year you'll be wonderfully prepared.
Being solitary and shy isn't a problem at BM. Louise and I are friends with a couple; she is talkative and outgoing, and he generally never says a word. After she, Louise, and I finish our gabfest, I always tell him "Bye, wonderful chatting with you," and he chuckles and walks off.
Louise and I are having a geekfest at our camp from Wednesday through Saturday, two-ish in the afternoon. Free clothes while they last, so drop by and see us in Hushville. Louise will trick your friend and you out in playawear with appropriate logos. See the camp map for our location and look for our Civilized Explorer banner. (I don't keep track of where Hushville is located from year to year, so I can't give you coordinates today.)
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dragonfly Jafe
- Posts: 1877
- Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2003 11:08 am
- Location: the Oregon Trail
Don't sweat it - no matter what you do, afterwards you will know more than you do now, and therefore do it differently next year. The 10 oclock side of the city can be more dusty than the 2 oclock side ) due to prevailing wind. Many people try to camp near "Center Camp" (6 o'clock) which is sort of the social center of the whole city (and where you can get ice!) If you do not like continuous loud sound, avoid the wings (2 oclock and 10 oclock) as all the loud sound camps get placed there. There are adult zones, and family zones (though they are not listed anywhere I know of) - if your neighborhood isn't to your likeing, MOVE!
When you arrive, give the greeters a hug and a cold beer (maybe they won't realize you are virgins...), then drive SLOWLY to the city while looking at the map the Greeters gave you. As you enter the City, start by driving inward until the camping density starts getting to about 50% taken. Get out, drink some water, greet your neighbors, ask if the space is free (even if it is not reserved camping it is nice to ask first unless you are all alone). Maybe walk around and see what theme camps are nearby.
If you get to BRC at night, park as soon as you can and stop the car. Then get out and walk to find you spot (radios & scouts help here). Or, maybe camp where ever until dawn, then find a better spot.
When you arrive, give the greeters a hug and a cold beer (maybe they won't realize you are virgins...), then drive SLOWLY to the city while looking at the map the Greeters gave you. As you enter the City, start by driving inward until the camping density starts getting to about 50% taken. Get out, drink some water, greet your neighbors, ask if the space is free (even if it is not reserved camping it is nice to ask first unless you are all alone). Maybe walk around and see what theme camps are nearby.
If you get to BRC at night, park as soon as you can and stop the car. Then get out and walk to find you spot (radios & scouts help here). Or, maybe camp where ever until dawn, then find a better spot.