FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Camp
Q. When is Burning
Man?
A. Burning Man always takes place the week before Labor Day, the Man burns
on Saturday evening prior to Labor Day.
Q. Where is Burning
Man?
A. Burning Man takes place in the Black Rock Desert, approximately 120
miles
North of Reno Nevada, just outside a little town called Gerlach.
Q. What is Burning
Man?
A. I have no idea how to answer this question, it's just something you
have to experience. Start by reading here www.burningman.com
Q. What is Bus
Camp?
A. Bus Camp is a theme camp at Burning Man.
Q. Is Bus Camp
only for air cooled buses?
A. Ultimately all buses are cooled by air, some more directly then others.
Therefore we don't discriminate against VW bus owners who have move up
the evolutionary latter to water cooling.
Q. What is a theme
camp?
A. A theme camp is a group of people that reserve a section of space at
Burning Man and camp together. Some theme camps operate bars, others conspire
to build art, Bus Camp seeks to unite and support those people irrational
enough to drive their Volkswagens to the desert. More on Theme
Camps.
Q. So what do you
guys do? Sit around and talk about Busses?
A. The funny thing about Bus Camp is that, generally speaking, the only
thing we have in common is our vehicle of choice. This creates a wonderfully
diverse group of people with different personalities and skills. We have
had E.R. doctors, computer programmers, writers, aircraft designers, psychologists,
film makers, architects and even an NASA rocket scientist camp with us.
Bus Camp is really a community of people with different interests but
one goal- To Participate. Our camp is always involved in a multitude of
projects at Burning Man from serving as Black Rock Rangers, to building
rave camps. We also have a cocktail hour and potluck dinner every day
at sunset.
Q. What do I have
to do to join Bus Camp?
A. Well, we don't have any kind of requirements, other than the fact that
you bring your VW Bus, (or yes, even your water-cooled vanagon). There
are no Membership dues, and we don't take reservations, space is available
on a first come first served basis, but we have never had to turn anyone
away. If you would like to join us read more here.
If you want get more involved you should join our e-mail discussion
list.
Q. How do I know if I will like Burning Man?
A. Do you enjoy having every orifice of your body filled with alkali dust?
Is your idea of a good time camping in extremely hostile desert environment
with 28,000 other people of questionable sanity? Do you like to play with
fire? Well, then chances are you will like Burning Man.
Q. Is Bus Camp loud?
A. Define loud? Burning Man can be an incredibly noisy event, and not
everyone wants to sleep when you do (many people don't sleep at all during
the event). Even earplugs can't mask the din of the noise at times. That
being said, we are a generator free camp, and we are not located on the
esplanade or anywhere the near the "rave" camps, which makes
our camp is more quiet that at other places on the playa.
Q. I'm going this
year what should I do?
A. First read the survival
guide, then read it again, then print it out and read it whenever
you going to the bathroom. Then if you think you still really want to
go, buy a ticket. I recommend you purchase your ticket in advance or use
the will call at the gate (I have done this in the past with no problems).
Beware of counterfeit tickets, if you buy a fake, you will have to purchase
a real ticket again at the gate- my advice is to only buy your ticket
from the Bmorg or someone you know personally. Go to the Bus Camp discussion
list or eplaya, make some
friends and start packing
Q. Do I really
need to take a bike?
A. Yes, I think a bike is essential. The city has just gotten to big to
navigate on foot. Leave the $1200 mtn bike with 26 gears and gas filled
shocks at home. Buy a beater bike, a one speed beach cruiser with coaster
brake is optimal for the playa. For safe night ridding , a flashing red
LED in back and a white light in front work great. I have seen some nasty
collisions at night between cyclists that didn't see each other. The lights
also help you keep track of your group when cruising around, especially
if they are unique. For more information see the Burning Man Bike
Guide
Questions
or comments about this website?
Contact the Webmaster at VWBusCamp.com.
Last updated
17-Jan-2006