How to Join a Theme Camp

[trilobyte]

Earthwalker - your posts are a bit confusing. Your profile says burning since 2012, but you talk of being a naive virgin. Either answer's fine of course, I'm just curious as to which. As for the questions in your posts, let me try to respond to them.

There are lots of different ways that people join camps. Some get new members through networks of friends. Some have open enrollment. Some take applications from strangers, but still require meeting people and being approved by members (or the camp leader). Others don't necessarily have open enrollment, but get new members from people who reach out and express interest in joining or participating. Not all camps who take on strangers or charge members dues are turnkey (plug 'n play) camps, in fact most are not. Regardless of any dues, I think a lot of camps that are working on a project (theme camps, MV support camps, art installation crews) have work duties and responsibilities that are shared among campmates.

You don't need to use quotes around camp, a group of people camping together is a camp regardless of whether they've registered, and regardless of whether they even have any kind of theme or build any art.

As for closed versus open camps, I think you may have some confusion there. The term open vs. closed is most often used to refer to enrollment. That is, do they have open enrollment and are open to new members, or is it closed enrollment and the only way in is through someone? On the playa, it's a different story. The terms I'd use to describe camps there is public or private space. Many camps are open to the public (whether it's a bar, or they serve pancakes, or offer haircuts, or have a space for meditation, or any of a thousand other things), but have both public and private space. There are camps (mostly unregistered) who have no public space - it's just a bunch of people who are camping together.

When registered theme camps submit their questionnaires, they can choose whether they'd like to appear on the list published on the Burning Man web site or not, and can also add links/contact info if they'd like.

There aren't any hard statistics available, but each year thousands of people find a place to camp by browsing through listings and posts on the internet, then reach out to a prospective camp to express interest. Thousands more connect with camp through the friends they're coming with. That's how my first year went, the friends who I was coming to the event with were organizing their own camp. Still others either go it alone or just form up their own things with friends.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who didn't care for the video. Of course it was staged, the project was planned well and they were all reading from the Dr. Seuss book. I look forward to seeing your video, and don't worry there will be plenty of people who don't care for whatever you make too (that's kind of the way it works with art).

And finally, yes those people are real. Some camps do have leaders and ranks and stuff. So long as something doesn't negatively impact somebody else's burn, do what makes you happy - and respect others' as they do what makes them happy.

[Earthwalker]

Sorry about the confusion on the "burning since". I created the account last year when I was planning (even had tickets) on going to 2012. It didn't work out, but didn't think to go back and change that in my profile. It has been duly noted, and changed!

As you say, I think I had it confused. The way you put it makes a lot of sense. More of open v closed SPACE. Completely understand. Our camp, while not registered, will most definitely invite people in to hang out and such. But it's not "open" in the sense of "hey, you, walking by, stop here and have a free drink from our cool bar".

Thanks for the explanation!

PS-Look for my crappy video around October 1 or so. Actually, I feel a bit like a reprimanded child and may no longer post a vid. Thanks for ruining it. Just joking. Just thought the video felt a bit plastic and not really representative of the wide variety of souls I've interacted with on this board, or friends/family who have attended.

Thanks for the insight.

[theCryptofishist]

Am I the only person who thought that "Oh the Places You'll Go" video was pretty tacky and commercialized? IDK, maybe it's just me. I turned off the sound after a minute or two just so I could look at the scenery. It was staged, and felt that way. Are those people the official spokespeople of BM? I want to do a video that's not all happy and fluffy. Show the real ish. The spur of the moment, off the wall, not always pretty or safe, side of things. Get gangsta wid it, like the young whippersnappers are saying these days. Well, maybe not these days. More like in 1999. But oh well

I didn't get very far. I think it was that overly cute girl with the tail that pushed it past my ability to watch.

[theCryptofishist]

Hey y'all... realize that I haven't posted in a while, but TheCO is my husband and I'm third in command in our camp, so I can say this with some authority...

I'm sarcastic much of the time, but am seriously asking this question...is this comment for real? Are there really ranks within camps?

Ok, now the sarcasm....I hope to start out as a Semen Recruit this year and eventually make my way up to Chief Botswains Mate on our ship-themed art car.

Third in command. That's awesome. Do you get a brand that you can brand virgins with who aren't doing enough chores around camp?

I was in the same village as MASH 4207 for several years, and they are a kick-ass camp. They use the structure as a way to initiate newbies and make sure things get done. Every year you move up a rank. Yes, a system like this could be abused, but these are good people and I've never seen or heard a single thing that makes me wonder if there's abuse there.
It's one system, you don't have to use it.

[Earthwalker]

Thanks crypto for the thoughtful responses. Have a good evening

[esinar]

There were many queries in the run up to the 2010 event on how to join a camp, so I'm trying to get out ahead of that this year with an advice-ridden thread that we can link to when we are asked that this year.

It's work, joining a camp. Yes, I suppose there are those places where you pay a couple of grand and get butlers and rvs and never have to cook a meal.
I don't know how to join those camps, and I don't care to know.

This is a partial list of registered theme camps for 2012. you can page through and see what appeals and if the camps left contact information you can try sending an email and asking if they are looking for new campers. Some will be, others will not. Some will be, but use other methods of recruitment.

This is the list of theme camps for 2010. (The 2011 list wont be up until late spring or so.) So you can page through and see what appeals and if the camps left contact information you can try sending an email and asking if they are looking for new campers. Some will be, others will not. Some will be, but use other methods of recruitment. Some wont be going out to the playa again.

This is the list of regional contacts, worldwide. Many regional groups have meetings all year round, and listings of fundraising and other parties. Go. You will meet people, and those people are involved with camps and might want to camp with you. Or they may know people... Careful not to just be there for a camp. You are there to have fun, connect with the burn, and make art. People usually know when you think them but pawns in your scheme. Be sincere and contribute and see where it leads.

And ,finally, you can make your own camp and you don't need a camp, anyway.

I'm sure that other people on this board have much more insight into joining a camp, and I'm turning this over to them.

Joining a camp is work! That I agree. First time Burner here - I've contacted between half a dozen and a dozen camps so far (from the list of theme camps) and all of them seem to be full or not accepting new members, seems like it's hard to break into the tight-knit "friends & family" camps. I'll keep looking/contacting others but any suggestions for a small (4-6) group of fun people from San Francisco?? Looking forward to working with and participating in whatever camp we join!

[theCryptofishist]

Sorry, no.
And certainly not without some sense of what you are like!
4 to 6 people might swamp an existing group, depending on multiple factors, so take that into account.

[AntiM]

Our tiny camp is now getting inquiries. A bit hilarious when I'm approached as if I'm a full fledged 24 hour camp with all the bells and whistles. Jingle jingle.

[trilobyte]

Please stay on topic with this thread, and do not use it as to recruit for your camp. Thanks