This guide is meant to help all RAF campers to understand our camp culture and how we operate. This guide is specific to our camp only and is based on our lived experiences together in the dust.

DO! Before anything else, visit the Burning Man website at www.burningman.org. Click on “About Us” and read about the 10 Principles that constitute Burning Man. Also goof around on the website and get inspired!

DO! On the Burning Man website, click on “Black Rock City” and find Preparation Resources. Download and read the Survival Guide. Take it seriously.

DO! expect to participate in all-camp calls in the months before the Burn. We have zoom calls throughout the year to stay friendly, get ready, share info, etc. New campers must find a way to participate as best they can, especially April-August.

DO! expect to contribute to programs, camp life or both throughout the week. We typically offer 2-3 programs each day. If you consider yourself a Christian, we hope you will help support programming by leadership or presence. Campers who are not Christian are not expected to directly support programs, although you might be asked to set up chairs and stuff. Camp life participation includes planning and preparing dinner, cleaning up, MOOPing, putting up and taking down camp info sheets, managing compost and recycling, and so on. A detailed sign-up sheet will be created prior to Burn week.

DO! expect to hang out at camp in the morning and evening, as much as possible. Community is really important to our camp. We start our day with morning devotions; camp announcements and reminders are given at the end of devotions. We offer a communal dinner at 6pm most nights. Attendance is not required and there will likely be leftovers to enjoy if you choose not to come. Dinnertime together is a lovely way to talk about the day and look forward to the night. Our shade structure also provides spaces to hang out together.

DO! expect to leave no trace at the end of the week. STRIKE begins on Saturday, when we start to take down our structures in preparation for Monday’s Exodus. Strike continues on Sunday, leaving as little to do at Exodus as possible. With few exceptions, everyone is expected to pitch in as able. Most campers leave Sunday evening or Monday.

DO! expect to have plenty of opportunities to explore BRC, wander the Playa, and radically express yourself!

DO! bring your own tent and sleeping bag. RAF sets up a large shade structure under which we all pitch our tents. The shade structure helps mitigate the rain, heat, and dust. We help one another set up our tents as needed. A tent pad is recommended in case the ground gets wet. You will have a 10’x10’ space to set up your stuff. Dust is really a thing on Playa, so you will want to be able to cover any mesh tent windows. Bringing a cot or sleeping pad is up to you.

DON’T! expect electricity or wifi, although both exist. We are easing our way into more solar powered stuff and we have a gas generator for emergencies. But, please bring your own powerbank for your phone and goodies. RAF does not have wifi but it can be found on Playa.

DON’T expect a shower. RAF provides water and a grey water tank so you won’t need to schlep water on or off Playa. Washing your dusty bits is your own business.