Hi
Courtney! I highly recommend you sign up for the New York mailing lists. There are plenty of New Yorkers who Burn, and meeting them might result in a rideshare or some stories over a pint about driving vs. flying.
http://regionals.burningman.com/us_ny.htmlHi
Anthony!
First, will you be 18 by the time of the next Burn? That's your first hurdle. People under 18 need a legal guardian at the Burn. Secondly, guiding someone through their first Burn is a larger task than it might seem; finding a mentor is iffy. And Radical Self Reliance is one of the Burn principles . . . so you may as well planning as though you will go it alone (and/or with a few friends, but plan it in such a way that you can hack it even if they drop out, because they very well may become intimidated).
Start saving your money now, and add camping stuff to any holiday wishlists you have. (My first Burn cost me about $1,200, and that was done on the cheap).
Look up your area here and add yourself to the mailing lists in your state and neighboring states. Make Burner friends who are local; meet camps, and get in on their builds. But a theme camp is not a necessity. You can be a camp of one--or a camp of 3, or 5.
http://regionals.burningman.com/na_index.htmlEven if you find a mentor, you'll want to read The Survival Guide linked below.
Welcome to the board . . .