How to Find and Join a Camp at Burning Man 2024: An Ultimate Guide for First-Timers

Burning Man is a unique and transformative experience, and finding the right camp can significantly enhance your adventure. For first-time Burners, navigating the process of finding and joining a camp might seem daunting, but with the right guidance and recommendations from experienced Burners, you'll be ready to immerse yourself fully in the magic of the Playa.

🤔 Why Join a Camp?

Camps are the heart and soul of Burning Man, creating the vibrant community that makes the event so special. The most common themes at Burning Man are art and creativity, music and dance, wellness and spirituality, community and social interaction, and themed experiences and entertainment, each contributing uniquely to the vibrant and eclectic atmosphere of the event. Joining a camp offers numerous benefits, including:

• Community: A ready-made group of like-minded individuals to share the experience with.
• Infrastructure: Access to shared resources like shade structures, kitchens, and showers.
• Support: Guidance from veteran Burners who can help you navigate the event.

🪐 Top 10 Themes Among 1,500+ Burning Man Camps

Burning Man features over 1,500 theme camps, each offering unique experiences that contribute to the festival's vibrant atmosphere. The top ten most common themes are:

1. Art and Creativity:
   Camps focus on artistic expression and interactive art projects.
2. Music and Dance:
   Spaces dedicated to live performances, DJ sets, and dance parties.
3. Wellness and Spirituality:
   Offering activities such as yoga, meditation, and healing workshops.
4. Community and Social Interaction:
   Emphasizing community building and social gatherings.
5. Themed Experiences and Entertainment:
   Creating unique, immersive environments and storytelling.
6. Educational and Workshops:
   Providing learning opportunities and hands-on workshops.
7. Sustainability and Environmentalism:
   Focused on eco-friendly practices and sustainability education.
8. Food and Drink:
   Offering communal meals, themed bars, and unique culinary experiences.
9. Sports and Physical Activities:
   Camps centered around fitness, sports, and physical challenges.
10. Technology and Innovation:
    Showcasing cutting-edge technology, science, and futuristic concepts.

📋 Steps to Find and Join a Camp

Selecting a camp that reflects your core values and expectations from Burning Man is essential. There are thousands of camps, but you need just one that aligns with your vision of the event. Options range from quiet, family-friendly sober camps with yoga and workshops to 24/7 non-stop rave camps with unlimited alcohol. First, imagine what you want from your Burning Man experience, and then seek out a camp that embodies that vision.

1. Research and Reflect

• Know What You Want:
  Think about what kind of experience you want. Are you looking for a quiet, reflective space or a lively, party-centric camp?
• Camp Directories:
  Use resources like the Burning Man 2024 Camp Directory and unofficial directories like Facebook groups, camp Instagram accounts or Reddit to explore different camps.
• Read Reviews:
  Look for reviews and testimonials from previous camp members. Websites like Reddit’s r/BurningMan and the ePlaya forums are great places to start.

2. Reach Out

• Contact Camps Directly:
  Once you've shortlisted a few camps, reach out to them via their listed contact methods. Be genuine and express why you're interested in joining.
• Burner Profiles:
  Create a profile on the Burning Man website and use it to connect with camps and other Burners.

3. Attend Local Burner Events

• Regional Burns:
  Participate in local Burning Man events to meet experienced Burners and camp organizers.
• Meet and Greet:
  Many camps host pre-Burning Man meetups. Attend these to get a feel for the camp community and ask questions directly.

4. Evaluate Camp Requirements

• Dues and Contributions:
  Understand the financial contributions and what they cover. Camps often require dues to cover shared resources.
• Participation:
  Many camps expect members to contribute time and skills. Be clear about what is expected of you in terms of participation and shifts.

5. Make Your Decision

• Compatibility:
  Choose a camp that aligns with your values, interests, and level of participation.
• Commit:
  Once you find the right camp, confirm your spot and ensure you’re clear on any remaining steps, such as payment of dues or attending planning meetings.

🧹 Dues and Contributions in Camp

When joining a camp, it’s crucial to understand the financial contributions involved. Camps typically require members to pay dues, which are fees that help cover the cost of shared resources and infrastructure. These dues can vary widely depending on the camp’s size, amenities, and activities. The average camp fee ranges from $400 to $3000 per person, though some camps may charge more depending on the level of amenities provided.

Camp Fee Inclusions:

Dues generally cover shared essentials such as:

• Infrastructure:
  Shade structures, communal kitchens, showers, and power supplies.
• Food and Water:
  Many camps provide communal meals and ensure an adequate water supply.
• Maintenance and Supplies:
  Costs for camp decorations, tools, and maintenance of shared spaces.

What’s Not Included:

Personal items and certain types of accommodations might not be covered by camp dues. You’ll need to bring your own:

• Sleeping Arrangements:
  While some camps provide shared sleeping spaces or have options for renting tents or Shiftpods, you may need to bring your own tent or arrange for an RV.
• Personal Supplies:
  Items such as clothing, personal hygiene products, and specific camping gear.

Accommodation Options:

Camps may offer different accommodation options, which can affect the dues:

• Tent Camping:
  Basic and economical, but you’ll need to be prepared for the harsh desert conditions.
• Shiftpods:
  More insulated and protective against the elements, often available for an additional fee.
• RV:
  The most comfortable option, but also the most expensive. Some camps have RV spots that come at a premium.
• Hexayurt:
  A Hexayurt provides roomy, cozy living with great insulation, capturing the essence of Burning Man. It needs a trailer for transport and post-event storage unless you sell or gift it.
• Carport:
  A carport is a cost-effective choice providing ample shaded space. A 10x20 feet carport is common, covered with a tarp. Inside, add a tent for extra shade.

✋ Participation

Participation is a core principle of Burning Man, and most camps will require you to contribute your time and skills to support the camp’s operations. This involvement is what makes the community thrive and creates a more enriching experience for everyone.

Shift Work:

Camps often organize their members into shifts to handle various tasks. A shift is a designated period during which you’ll be responsible for specific duties. These can range from a few hours to an entire day, depending on the camp’s needs and your agreement.

• Common Shifts:
  Duties can include kitchen help, maintaining communal spaces, setting up and breaking down camp infrastructure, and assisting with camp activities and events.
• Time Commitment:
  On average, expect to spend around 4-6 hours per shift, with the number of shifts varying depending on the camp’s size and the number of members.

Examples of Participation:

• Kitchen Duty:
  Preparing meals, cleaning up, and ensuring the kitchen is stocked and organized.
• Infrastructure Maintenance:
  Building and maintaining shade structures, setting up lighting, and ensuring the camp’s infrastructure remains functional.
• Event Support:
  Assisting with camp-hosted events, such as workshops, performances, or parties.

Construction Skills and Opportunities

Every camp has a significant amount of construction work, especially larger camps. This can include building tents, shades, mutant vehicles, checking and connecting generators, and setting up kitchen and communal areas. If you have construction skills, this can be a major advantage.

• Building Weekends: Many camps organize build weekends before Burning Man, typically from June to August. These are opportunities to help construct camp infrastructure and show your skills.
• Mutant Vehicles: Some camps have their own mutant vehicles, which require extensive maintenance and preparation. Participating in these build projects can be a great way to integrate into the camp community.
• Special Terms: Camps often offer special terms for those with construction skills. You might get a free ticket or reduced camp fees in exchange for a strong commitment to pre-burn construction work.

Construction Skill Level Requirements:

While you don’t need to be a professional builder, experience with tools and basic construction is essential. The more advanced your skills, the higher your chances of receiving special terms.

💡 Tips from Experienced Burners

• Be Flexible and Open-Minded:
  Things don’t always go as planned at Burning Man. Stay adaptable and open to new experiences.
• Communicate Clearly:
  Ensure all your questions are answered before joining a camp. Transparency from both sides helps avoid misunderstandings.
• Pack Thoughtfully:
  While camps provide infrastructure, you’ll still need to bring your essentials. Check with your camp for a packing list.

🌙 Join Luna Camp at Burning Man 2024

Many of you know and have seen my camp, Luna the Art Crane. This year, we are excited to announce that we are expanding our camp from 65 to 90 people! As we grow, we are looking for new members and friends, especially those from California who are interested in joining our build weekends. This is a unique opportunity to see how a real art car is built and to participate in the creation process.

We recently rented a new site where, over the next three years, we will be engaging in various cool projects. Whether you’re a seasoned Burner or new to the community, we invite you to connect with us. Diaburners, please fill out the form on Luna website — we’re eager to welcome you to our family 🤗

💭 Final Thoughts

Finding and joining the right camp can make your first Burning Man experience unforgettable. Take the time to research, connect, and choose a camp that feels like home. Remember, Burning Man is about radical inclusion and participation, so dive in with an open heart and a willingness to contribute.

With these steps and tips, you'll be well on your way to joining a camp that will enrich your Burning Man journey.

See you on the Playa! 🤗