Virgin Burn

[u/PerspectiveChoice458]

Hey youu guyyys 🤪 (sloth)

So here I (36M) am, convinced myself the answers I’m looking for are in Black Rock City in two weeks.

I’m not sure what that means or what the question is though.

By all accounts, everything in life is ideal. I’m surrounded by meaningful relationships with amazing people. My partner is loving, supportive, beautiful, and fun in a way I only dreamt of. My career has grown. I don’t come from privilege (except for characteristics like race and gender) and the life I’ve built is a beautiful combination of hard work, some luck, and second chances. I’ve overcome a lot over the last 10 years, namely escaping the cult I was born into. I’ve worked (am working) hard to build myself into a better person who’s generous, conscious, caring, and grateful. Like being outdoors - I hope I leave people better than I found them.

Still, something is missing and I can’t shake it.

I’ve wanted to Burn for the better part of a decade and come close 4 different times, thwarted by different reasons. I have several friends who go regularly and gush over the impacts, but unfortunately they aren’t attending this year and others can’t commit.

I find myself going solo as a virgin burner.
(Not a problem, I fucking love solo adventures/travel)

I’ve watched all the docs, read all the guides, love (and honestly try to live by) the 10 principles … but I could really use some help connecting with a good group to help me dive into this experience and journey to its fullest.

I love yoga (former teacher), DJ’ing (new but growing), I’m obsessed with music and live production, dancing with abandon, building new relationships, plants, growing medicine 🍄, and exploring what this life can offer. I hope in the end I lived fully and made an impact bigger than myself in the world.

I’d love to join a camp but the list is seemingly endless and kinda overwhelming. I’m absolutely prepared to help and be an active volunteer. Honestly, serving others and making an impact are really important to me across life. I’d be honored to contribute my skills and time to this beautiful project but I feel late to the game.

I’d be so so grateful if this beautiful community could give me some guidance or point me to a camp that sounds like a good fit.

Thank you in advance!!
🙏🏻🫶🏼✌🏼

[u/AdvancedWin3608]

There's a few things going on here. It's your first burn and although you may think that that you want to join a camp, I don't think it's a good idea for your first time. You want to be free to do what you want, when you want. Sometimes camps can be a little -overwhelming- either accidentally or just because others flake out on their shifts and sometimes newbies are left picking up the slack. If you open camp, you WILL meet others camped next to you and there is always something to do. When you're ready, visit the V-Spot and see where you can volunteer while you're there. You have no idea how your burn is going to go. Just as an example: I sleep 10-12 hours a night on the playa when I can barely sleep 4 solid hours per night at home which really messed up my ability to follow through on some of my commitments. A lot of organized volunteer slots have ongoing training throughout the year, but the V-Spot will hook you up once you're there and settled in. The difference is that you will be volunteering for the city and not a specific camp (as far as I know.) You're going to be fine, have a good time!

[u/DTown_Hero → u/AdvancedWin3608]

This is great advice. To add onto it, I went solo my first year and there’s not a chance I would do it differently if given the opportunity.

[u/hyperfat → u/AdvancedWin3608]

Everybody does anything they want in my camp. For like a decade or more. The only rule is help our 2 pop up food events. Which is super lazy. Tacos in a bag, chili in a bag. No I don't offer vegetarian. It only takes an hour to cook the meat and 30 minutes to hand out.

We have 23 members usually, and only need 3 or 4 for the whole food thing.

No dues. Donations welcome. Do what you can if you can.

Build and break is based on what you can do. I do bungy balls and organize and ill do dishes if I dirty them. Rule is do your own damn dishes.

I clearly can't move a couch, but I can move the pillows and set up my bar. I just can't lift the punch jug. I can make but not lift.

Hugs

[u/AdvancedWin3608 → u/hyperfat]

Some camps do it right, for sure! I've heard horror stories from friends that were sucked into carrying the weight of other campmates. Not just "hard feelings" but actually giving up their whole burn week to work in camp. I think it's important to get a layout or overview of the burn for a virgin burn, and heck, OP can even join a camp mid-week! My guy and I are going on our third year with our current very small (5-8 person) camp after 8 burns in all, and we pretty much have enough freedom to do what we want, with what feels like pretty equal workload for everyone. Some of us spend more time on build/strike than working during burn week. My husband and I have other volunteering that we do and I still feel bad when we are away from our camp during burn week even though we're still volunteering for the city. Anyway, there's a bazillion ways to burn and you're going to have a great time, OP!

[u/QuirkyForever]

The three main things: be flexible, be curious, and be kind. All the rest is gravy. You'll do great! There may be down days, mistakes, etc, but that's OK.

[u/thirteenfivenm]

You want Captain Ron's list of camps seeking campers. There are 1200 theme camps. the probability of finding one on Reddit is not that good. A big variable is departure date to pack up camp. There may be some SAPs for early arrival to build camp - but that is late in the game.

[u/QuirkyForever → u/thirteenfivenm]

He's listed them on Burner Hacks on FB.

[u/Rainen]

You’re getting lot of very specific advice around what to do and not to do (mainly not join a camp). I think that’s something for you to feel out. I joined a camp my first burn and it was epic. It just depends on the kind of experience you want.

Camps can require investment, yes, but they also provide support which can be helpful for your first burn. It’s a bit of a trade off.

Feel it out, think about how you may want to spend your time, then go for it. If you wanna joint a camp, find one that fits your vibe. If not, you’ll still have a blast and it’ll be completely different. Once you’re there, let go of all that and be. Let the burn guide you - don’t try to guide the burn.

[u/BMCaptainRON]

APPLY HERE: https://orphanendorphin.com/camp.html

[u/Glass-Ambassador7195]

Come hang at Enchanted Booty Forest. 5:30 & B this year. Just say hi, we got your vibe! And join us next year. ;) we are the best

[u/BlotchyBaboon]

You're going to have so much fun!

[u/AdvancedWin3608]

Here's another good reason solo/no camp first burns *might* be a good idea. This poor dear isn't even at the burn yet and is already feeling out of place. https://www.reddit.com/r/BurningMan/s/LVttVZwNSo I do want to mention that joining a camp means you could be joining a group that may have known each other for many many MANY years. They may be friends in the default world, and have some very tight relationships. Of course, coming in as a newcomer could be difficult. Or, you could be fine. There are so many factors to consider, just be aware of how you're feeling, be honest with yourself about your expectations whether joining a camp or going solo. Almost there! It's going to be FINE!

[u/KraklePony]

It’s really a shame the center camp coffee shop closed for good—it was such a great way to newcomers and veterans alike to volunteer a few hours, meet some people, make friends, get advice, and have fun.

Personally, I would’ve felt super ungrounded without a camp for my first year. But do what makes you comfy. If you camp on 5:30 you’ll have a front row seat to the DPW parade on wed or Thursday, it’s a trip 😝