When do you need to have your camp registered ?
Never been to BM, but want to set up a very special camp there this year...
any links to information/advice greatly appreciated...
Don't have an exact date, but in the summer. Look at the Burningman.com website and find the links to theme camps. Remember, you don't have to have your camp registered, only placed themecamps need to register. (Or camps hoping to be placed.)
Registration for theme camp placement is usually May 31st. As Crypto said, you do not NEED to register your camp, but if you want to have a chance at being palced and have a space reserved, then it is beneficial to register. You will find out in the beginning of August if you have been placed, and where your camp will be located. Registration usually starts @ Feb.
All info can be found here: www.burningman.com/themecamps/
First timer? Read up: www.burningman.com/first_timers/
What they said. One advantage of registering your camp is that you and your crew can get early entry which, in my opinion is worth the hassle of registering. Get in early, watch the city build up around you, meet some neighbors before it gets crowded and super crazy. Its really nice on the playa early in the week before the weekenders show up.
But you better be working like a dog. Everyone else is.
Ah, but the entire crew doesn't always get early in, which makes the logistics of transport more complicated.
Placement and early entry are the real benefits of early registration.
Placement means that if you *need* 100' x 400' for the Great Space Sausage (or whatever), that amount of terrain will be held for you. If not the Monday crush for land can sometimes soak up all the available options and you find little more than what's needed by a trailer. Also, if your camp will be particularly interactive you'll have a better chance of getting close to, or on, the Esplanade (main drag where the bulk of the people look for entertainment, etc).
<Placement means that if you *need* 100' x 400' for the Great Space Sausage (or whatever), that amount of terrain will be held for you>
Maybe, maybe not. Some amount of land will be held for you, if you are placed, but it may not be the amount you need and it may not be the best shape (square v. rectangle, for instance) for what you need. Also, the land will not be held past 12:01 am on Monday. If you had a single early entry vehicle and it was in an accident or had mechanical trouble, your space would be up for grabs.
"Placement means that if you *need* 100' x 400' for the Great Space Sausage (or whatever), that amount of terrain will be held for you."
Not necessarily. We asked for 200' depth and got 150'....part of the reason was the shrinking of the city, I suppose. Bottom line, though, when placements are made and you get your camp together on the spot you had planned, do what you planned to do that got you the space in the first place. Playa Putt-Putt got moved from the back of the city all the way to the Esplanade because of the positive response they got for their efforts between '08 and '09. When you have a theme camp that DOES something, makes memories for participants that they don't soon shake off.....you have a great chance of better placement in upcoming years, from what I've been able to see.
