First time minor with some questions!

[Theraplst]

First off, I read that noone under 18 will be permitted without a parent or guardian, but I've seen it written elsewhere that you need someone over 21 with you if you're under 18. I plan to go with my brother who is 22, will I be allowed in?

Next, I plan to bring a large tent with an open air shade for a camp. I've heard wind can be a problem, so I was wondering what I'd need to do to make sure I don't get blown away. My rough plan was a 5 person family tent with an e-z-up over the whole thing. Would my e-z-up get obliterated by wind, or would having it weighted down enough solve that problem? (would I need to cut slats for wind in it?)

Another concern I had was what it's like getting set up. I hope to arrive early to get in as close to midnight as possible, but I don't plan to be the first guy in. What's a reasonable time to plan for? And once you're in, what's it like getting a campsite and getting settled?

Water is something I plan to be very comfortable with, I plan to bring a 55 gallon drum for 2 people, plus 5 (1) gallon jugs and a case or two of water bottles for carrying around and giving away, respectively.

I want to participate as much as possible, and I'd love to hear some good ideas for gifts to bring. Me and my brother already decided on bringing 1k condoms to give out freely, I was also thinking of getting a bunch of water guns to give out.

[trilobyte]

A minor needs to be with a legal guardian. If mom & dad are willing to sign off on that and give your brother paperwork to that effect, then you're okay.

The rest of those questions are fairly easily answered with a little radical self reliance. Read the first timer's guide, read the survival guide, and then spend some time perusing these boards. The first two are required reading, the third's just a good idea that should fill in the gaps. Pro tip: Burning Man's not the sex party/water gun fight you might think it is.

[gyre]

Wind can be a problem.

Setting up in the wind is like setting up on a flatbed truck going down the freeway, except the wind can change direction constantly.

[shykat]

Do have tickets?

[Rice]

Wind can be a problem.

Setting up in the wind is like setting up on a flatbed truck going down the freeway, except the wind can change direction constantly.

You mean like this??

[some seeing eye]

New burners, who are welcomed, may find age agnostic connections and resources in their very town though the regionals: http://regionals.burningman.com/

Most participants plan 1.5 gallons a day to drink and 1-1.5 gallons a day to wash. Managing the grey water from washing is an item for research.

EZ-ups have been discussed here and are discouraged because they get destroyed. Search "shade" for alternatives.

New burners may enjoy connecting with camps seeking campers, and better yet local through their regionals.

Best and enjoy your burn!

[Bob]

Hi, I'm Bob. What are you wearing?

[Turtleburp]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APG0rNedEwk&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/youtube]

[Rice]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APG0rNedEwk&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/youtube]

Getting the youtube videos to work is a pain:

[Theraplst]

A minor needs to be with a legal guardian. If mom & dad are willing to sign off on that and give your brother paperwork to that effect, then you're okay.

The rest of those questions are fairly easily answered with a little radical self reliance. Read the first timer's guide, read the survival guide, and then spend some time perusing these boards. The first two are required reading, the third's just a good idea that should fill in the gaps. Pro tip: Burning Man's not the sex party/water gun fight you might think it is.

Thanks for the info. My father is the one who bought my ticket, so he's certainly okay with that. (edit: I found some info about this online, thanks for pointing me in the right direction)

Do have tickets?

Yes

Wind can be a problem.

Setting up in the wind is like setting up on a flatbed truck going down the freeway, except the wind can change direction constantly.

Thanks, I was wondering about that.

New burners, who are welcomed, may find age agnostic connections and resources in their very town though the regionals: http://regionals.burningman.com/

What do you mean by 'age agnostic connections'?

[Savannah]

Thanks for the info. My father is the one who bought my ticket, so he's certainly okay with that. Does my brother have to officially and legally be made my legal guardian?

Write to kids@burningman.com to find out for sure what documentation you need. Feel free to report back the answer; I'd like to know. Don't leave the house without knowing the answer for sure, however; it'd not be fun to come the whole way and get turned back at the Gate.

Monkey huts are great basic shade, especially set up North of a vehicle (wind comes from everywhere, but most memorably from the SW). If you go this route, test build the hut at home, though.
http://www.chromatest.net/Lovemonkey

There are a bunch of monkey hut threads; google monkey hut eplaya or search the Shelter subforums.

Welcome to the board.

[Eric]

New burners, who are welcomed, may find age agnostic connections and resources in their very town though the regionals: http://regionals.burningman.com/

What do you mean by 'age agnostic connections'?

I'm pretty sure it means "resources that aren't age-specific" or, more plainly "information for all". In other words, check the Regionals network for your area and see if there are local connections & resources you can use.

[Rice]

What do you mean by 'age agnostic connections'?

connections where age is not so important (relevant)...

You don't have to bring Things to give away. This being your first burn, I know, what I am saying might not make sense. No one expects (or should expect) gifts. I carry gloves in my backpack. If I see someone struggling with a tarp, I put my gloves on and help them out. It does not matter to me if I even get their name, and I certainly expect nothing in return. So, help someone in need.

If you do decide to bring some stuff to give away, I wont hold that against you But ask before giving and if someone says "No", just pick someone else. There are lots of reasons why a gift might not be wanted (example: I have no way of taking extra stuff home, so unless it is really small and cool, I cannot take it).

Being properly prepared for Burning Man is important. The desert is very very harsh (I think it is trying to kill me), so re-read the survival guide.

Make sure to have electrolytes with you (you will be sweating all the time, and rarely feel it).

Bring sun block and use it.

It can get below freezing at night (as in below 32F or 0C) so bring an appropriate sleeping bag.

Unless you have a 4-season tent, bring a large sheet to cover your bed and gear inside your tent. Put the sheet on when you leave and shake it out before going to bed (simple, solution to dust). Assume that 100MPH gusts of wind are going to hit your camp when you are not there, put everything away and it should be there when you get back. Remember, if it is put away it won't become moop.

Oh, make sure you have googles and a dust mask with you all the time. 2011 was a dust-free year. They do not weigh much and when a storm happens (and it will happen) you will be thankful you have them.

[Savannah]

Most people bring too much water, incidentally. Virtually everyone has more than they need.

[Eric]

Most people bring too much water, incidentally. Virtually everyone has more than they need.

That does not mean you shouldn't have enough for your needs, but if you're away from your camp you can probably get a refill on a canteen if you need.

Water is not enough, as Rice said- you need electrolytes. Google "eplaya" and "electrolytes" and you'll find tips on that.

[Turtleburp]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APG0rNedEwk&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/youtube]

Getting the youtube videos to work is a pain:

Thanks - was struggling with iPhone and fat fingers!

[Savannah]

Most people bring too much water, incidentally. Virtually everyone has more than they need.

That does not mean you shouldn't have enough for your needs, but if you're away from your camp you can probably get a refill on a canteen if you need.

Right, of course. What I was overly tactful in saying is: if they're planning to bring 55 gallons of water because they want to gift it, they're going to come home with a lot of it, because most folks are covered.

[theCryptofishist]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APG0rNedEwk&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/youtube]

Getting the youtube videos to work is a pain:

Thanks - was struggling with iPhone and fat fingers!

When, oh when, will they release the iPhonePhatPhingers, already!

[ranger magnum]

Bring powdered gatorade.

[Theraplst]

You don't have to bring Things to give away.

Make sure to have electrolytes with you (you will be sweating all the time, and rarely feel it).

Bring sun block and use it.

It can get below freezing at night (as in below 32F or 0C) so bring an appropriate sleeping bag.

Assume that 100MPH gusts of wind are going to hit your camp when you are not there, put everything away and it should be there when you get back.

Oh, make sure you have googles and a dust mask with you all the time. 2011 was a dust-free year. They do not weigh much and when a storm happens (and it will happen) you will be thankful you have them.

I want to.

Good to know! I hadn't thought of that.

Certainly

I'm an avid camper, so I'm covered there.

100mph? Is that an exaggeration or do I have another thing coming?

Do snowboarding goggles work for this? I've got a ton of old pairs of those laying around.

Bring powdered gatorade.

Smart!

Right, of course. What I was overly tactful in saying is: if they're planning to bring 55 gallons of water because they want to gift it, they're going to come home with a lot of it, because most folks are covered.

I understand. I plan to bring 55 gallons mainly because I have the ability to and I feel like it'll make me feel more secure, being in the desert and all. Having enough to give any passerby a refill is just an added bonus.

[quote="Savannah"
Write to kids@burningman.com to find out for sure what documentation you need. Feel free to report back the answer; I'd like to know. Don't leave the house without knowing the answer for sure, however; it'd not be fun to come the whole way and get turned back at the Gate.[/quote]


Will do! thanks, I'll post any relevant info on this thread.

[pink]

Dont bring individual bottles of water. They just become more trash to haul out. Some of the hair washing/shower/etc. camps do request gallon donations, and I do always appreciate being able to refill my camelback & water jugs when I'm out & about. Actually a sign at your camp saying "fill your water bottle here!" is a nice gift for those of us that don't like to have to approach a camp when dry. Since my meds give me dry mouth off the playa, on playa I go through about two gallons a day easily.

Condoms are everywhere.

[Savannah]

Dont bring individual bottles of water. They just become more trash to haul out. Some of the hair washing/shower/etc. camps do request gallon donations, and I do always appreciate being able to refill my camelback & water jugs when I'm out & about. Actually a sign at your camp saying "fill your water bottle here!" is a nice gift for those of us that don't like to have to approach a camp when dry. Since my meds give me dry mouth off the playa, on playa I go through about two gallons a day easily.

Clever, Pink! If one is going to have a lot of extra water, that's a good way to gift it . . . as well as a good way to meet people. (Thera, if you do that, check your stock frequently.)

[gyre]

Yes on goggles.

[Theraplst]

Actually a sign at your camp saying "fill your water bottle here!" is a nice gift for those of us that don't like to have to approach a camp when dry.

Condoms are everywhere.

I like that sign idea.

So would it be like pissing in a sea of piss bringing 1k condoms?

Clever, Pink! If one is going to have a lot of extra water, that's a good way to gift it . . . as well as a good way to meet people. (Thera, if you do that, check your stock frequently.)

Certainly! and it probably wouldn't deplete too fast, since I'd only keep the sign out while I'm at camp.

Also! I'll be leaving Friday morning (sadly :<) to go to the Reno rib cook-off, meeting up with my father there. I just wish the rib cook-off wasn't at the same time so I could enjoy all of both of them :p

[Savannah]

Actually a sign at your camp saying "fill your water bottle here!" is a nice gift for those of us that don't like to have to approach a camp when dry.

Condoms are everywhere.

I like that sign idea.

So would it be like pissing in a sea of piss bringing 1k condoms?

Yeah, kinda. Bring enough for yourself though!

Clever, Pink! If one is going to have a lot of extra water, that's a good way to gift it . . . as well as a good way to meet people. (Thera, if you do that, check your stock frequently.)

Certainly! and it probably wouldn't deplete too fast, since I'd only keep the sign out while I'm at camp.

Also! I'll be leaving Friday morning (sadly :<) to go to the Reno rib cook-off, meeting up with my father there. I just wish the rib cook-off wasn't at the same time so I could enjoy all of both of them :p

There are many of us who enjoy the early part of the Burn better than the later part. I'm one of them.

There will be a lot of wonderful smaller Burns on Thursday night, even if you miss the burn of the Man on Saturday. It'll be gorgeous.

[gyre]

Come back sunday, after the pig party.

[Simon of the Playa]

Hi, I'm Bob. What are you wearing?

bacon...

[Rice]

CORE Baby! Thursday night - a wee bit after sun-set.

[Theraplst]

I've heard a bit about CORE but I don't really know what it is. From my understanding it's just a night for people to do lots of their own burns? And that works perfect, we'll probably have to leave in the middle of the night thursday or early friday morning.

[Rice]

I've heard a bit about CORE but I don't really know what it is. From my understanding it's just a night for people to do lots of their own burns? And that works perfect, we'll probably have to leave in the middle of the night thursday or early friday morning.

42 regional Burning Man groups will have effigies on the playa around the Man. On Thursday all of them will be burned at the same time.

Check it out: http://www.burningman.com/installations/art_core.html


I am from Saskatchewan Canada. http://www.skeffigy.ca