​Hey!  Some of you are real dusty already, some are about to get dusty real soon.  Hooray!  It's time to pack all the objects.  Quick note- if you are helping with build and you are going to take advantage of the preevent meals for camp helpers- please note: pre event meal service will not begin until Thursday am of build week (we just don't have even of a glimmer of a kitchen before that to work with).  So make sure you prepare to feed yourself up until then.  Ok- so catch up on all those camp emails on our fabulous website https://www.firecamp3.com and make sure you're signed up to volunteer. Ok ready... set... placement!  

ps- you have my contact info below.  If something comes up and you need assistance- text me! ❤️-s

​Placement Email 2026:  THIS IS A BIG ONE! And your last email before we see you in the dust.
 
PLACEMENT
 
Why? Getting all the things to the playa and setting up your home is your first Burning Man stress test. Whether you’re a feng shui artist or just want to park your butt and your beer bong wherever, we aim to minimize that stress.
 
MAP LOGIC
 
Instead of placing on a strict grid (ugh), we make neighborhoods out of groups of friends with new-to-camp folks mixed in. Check your email for the attachments showing camper list and neighborhood map to find yours.
 
To make the ‘hoods, we consider your attitude toward raw onions, personal requests, power, services, arrival and departure dates. Larger rigs and early arrivals help define the spaces. Tents and later arrivals fill in. If you’ve ordered services or are departing early, you’re near a street. If you’ve ordered power, you’re near a source… kinda duh.

POWER
 
Our fabulous generator influences placement. A lot. Those of you on camp power see your Generator email. You’re responsible for bringing cables (heavy duty!) to plug into our system, and for having connectors on blocks in case of rain.
 
Regarding placement, 15-ampers, see the camper list for spider box assignment (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4, SB5, SB6). On the map, your names are clustered around those boxes, so please locate in those areas. 30-ampers, you’ll share your line via a Y-end and your partner is the next closest purple name. Your distance from power is determined by the length of cable that you brought.
 
Be aware that Team Generator (Kyler and friends) may ask you to move or plug into a different box, so please be courteous as we make sure you have access to the power you paid for.

ARRIVAL AND CHECK-IN

When you arrive, take a breath. Stretch your legs. Get some hugs. Placement peeps (Lorraine and friends) can help you find your spot and you’ll have plenty of time to unload and set up. Please take up just the space you need with consideration for those who are yet to arrive. If you arrive in the middle of the night you can chill anywhere until morning. We’ll move you to your permaspot as needed.
 
Please check in at the Camp Info table located next to the kitchen. We’ll mark off that you’ve arrived, give you your meal bracelet, share the happenings, and check your volunteer hours. All questions answered!

VEHICLES

Camp is not a parking lot. We get dinged by the org if we look like a camp o’ cars. If your vehicle isn’t part of your sleeping infrastructure, you’ll move it to a staff parking lot specifically for this purpose (it’s cool that we get to use staff parking!). It’s located at 5:30 out past L.
 
Plan to drop it off right after you’ve set up your camp (ride your bike back… guarantee you’ll have adventures on the way!). Place a sign on your dash with your name and “ESD Camp 3” on it. Placement can help you with this.
 
Regarding the inner road, it must be kept clear. And please avoid driving over power lines and lights. Duh. If you’re asked to move yer f’ing truck, it’s because something needs to happen in that spot for real (like poop pumpout!).
 
SPEAKING OF POOP
 
Services access is important. If you’ve ordered pumpout, please leave a path to your poop chute and orient your structures so it’s accessible. When you check in at Camp Info, you will receive a sign to tape to your rig to ensure the truck can find you.
 
WELCOME
 
Our camp is special and you’re a part of the amazingness. Be welcoming to all who wander around camp and enjoy getting to know your new fam. We have a ton of fun new people this year, so veterans, please share your camp culture wisdom.
 
FINALLY
 
As we said above, things change. No one can predict what camp will really look like, so as we build our beautiful space, we adjust. Burning Man is an evolving adventure and our simple goal is to make space for everyone in all ways! Awwwww. 

The Placement clipboard will be trotting around camp starting 8/23. If you can’t find me, I may be working (or napping) --- just keep looking. And if you have questions, please email [email protected].
 
Safe travels and much love,
Camp Cor (this one from Lorraine ❤)

​Almost dust time!  Did you know that Fire Camp has events? We do, they're fun.  You should go!  Details below.  

But wait!!  Have you signed up to volunteer in camp? Right now we are short on kitchen clean up people on Thursday and Friday pm and both meals Saturday and Sunday.  This year- we are going to have fun things for the folks who can help out in the home stretch of the kitchen- will you be one of them?  Can you help do some dishes and visit with your neighbors?  Please sign up (pleeeeaaaaseeeeee!). 

Also..... only 21 of you have signed up to bring something for the bar - there's like 155 of you, my math is telling me a few of you did not sign up!   Agh!!  Did you forget?  You must have forgotten.  Don't worry - here's the link! ​You can sign up now- Whewwww! ​

Monday- Thursday 8/31-9/3 (ish)- COSTUME EXCHANGE in the Undome!  Bring your lightly worn costumes looking for another home to share with campmates.  Please make sure items are clean and costume-y (no old stained default world clothes!).  

Tuesday 9/1 3pm (Check the schedule board to confirm): Lorax on the Loose:  Up for a dose of ridiculousness?! Don magnificently orange Lorax suits and create a small rumpus cruising the playa for cocktails. We plan to traipse the neighborhood, descend upon a favored camp, or bestow a little Lorax love on passersby in need of a laugh. See below for details.

Tuesday 9/1 pm: A Very Jolly Playa Night: This year we are hosting the Christmas in the desert party again as it was so fun last year. Bring a holiday themed outfit and a white elegant gift under $20 to play the game should you want to participate! Music, Drinks, snacks and fun provided by us!  Bring anything you want to share but be ready to clean up anything you share. Tuesday night in the dome about 9:00 pm 
 
Wednesday 9/2 4pm: ESD Awards!  Don’t forget about our amazing Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday at 1600 hrs during event week. Hosted by our friends at Fire Camp, we will recognize those who have been with us for 5, 10, 15, 20, and yes even 30 years! We’ll have great snacks!!! 

Wednesday 9/2 night: Sweet 16 and Finally Legal party 🎉 Wallywood is going to do a party Wednesday for Sarah and Wally (technically his 21st on playa since we also did rogue burn). So bring a sparkly white something for post dinner fun. 

Hello Fire Campers! This is the next installment in the informative emails you will be receiving from Fire Camp.  

A few notes before we begin with this super important following message:

- If you have emailed me- I have received your SAP request, they will be coming out in the next week 

- Do you like dinner? We are short in some of the camp volunteer positions- mostly in the kitchen.  Especially in Dish Washing!  Can you help? Did your guest sign up?  Please go to the camp website and follow the link to sign up to volunteer: https://www.firecamp3.com

- New this year - If you are helping in the kitchen, it'd be awesome if you bring your own apron this time. We do have some to share, but they get a little yuck by the end of the week. Please plan to bring your own and take it home with you.

- We ask to you to bring something for the bar- have you signed up yet? Could you offer a ride? Need a ride? We have a sign up for that!

Also!!! Medical is looking for 10 volunteers to participate in a MCI training at 1600 on Friday 8/28. Can you help out? Please reach out to Liam at [email protected]
❤️‍🔥

Camp 3 ESD- aka Fire Camp- is celebrating its 26 year as a camp this year- Wow!

For many of us, Black Rock City is an annual pilgrimage to an experience that keeps us grounded, lets us check out from the grind, and experience play on a level not always part of our everyday life.  But really- it’s camp that brings us back every year.  Lifelong friendships have been made, community has been found, and even a few babies have been birthed as a result of this special place (I, Stefie, am included as one of these birthers).

Setting the intention: Creating a successful Fire Camp
Take a moment to consider the physical and emotional exercise that it takes to make Fire Camp a successful place for all campers.  This is a message from Diane years past, but holds true each time we meet, please read on:

Many (if not most!) theme camps eventually implode or disband. People grow tired or burned out, the burden is unequally shared, false assumptions are made, and many other reasons abound.  Yet Camp 3 persists.

What makes our camp so special and a place where people want to return year after year? It’s the culture of mutual respect and responsibility, and a culture of contributing.  Our carefully organized kitchen, camp layout, and camp chore chart makes for a high functioning arrangement where everyone’s basic needs are taken care of thanks to high levels of participation by campers. Things get done with seeming little effort. Fabulous meals are made. There is an actual functioning shower, tended by a volunteer who loves a clean-ish shower. Campers put on ridiculously fun events, and there is always a fine cocktail waiting for you in the Undome. The breakdown day, Monday after the Temple Burn, has evolved into a high energy and lighthearted exercise in teamwork that is downright fun. Having an established framework and roles for everyone is key. Thanks to all of you for showing up. If you haven’t shown up to help, please do. It means so much to the group as a whole, and it’s a great exercise in mutual support and gratitude.

Along with the physical contributions that each makes, we also maintain the highest standards in mutual respect, common decency, and generosity of spirit.  Camp 3 is our home at Burning Man, and all should expect to feel welcome and comfortable.
One thing of note about Burning Man is that emotions are often amplified. Joy is even more joyous, and irritations can grow into something bigger and onerous.  We also tend to forget about some basic self-care that can affect our outlook: sleep, hydration, and eating enough. The heat, the altitude, and the distractions often prevent us from doing a scan of the body to see how it's doing. Look after yourself; it benefits the people around you as well. Experience tells us that uncomfortable social situations are often resolved with honest conversations. Often a false assumption can lead to discord. Conversations can uncover and correct that. Assuming the best intention from your fellow campers is a great start, but there is no shame in recruiting some help to sort out situations. It goes without saying that any situation that feels unsafe can and should be escalated to ESD management, camp organizers, or the helpful Rangers who are stationed directly across the road from the medic station. We don’t tolerate harassment of any sort, to any degree.

Stranger danger rule
If someone comes into Fire Camp looking for a camper, you have two options:

1. Have them leave a message at Camp Info for the person they’re looking for and send them on their way.
2. Leave them in the bar and go find the person they came to see.
   

Do not: Repeat, do not walk strangers up to the tent of the camper they’re trying to find. This isn’t due to any past incident, just forward thinking to help keep creeps out of safe spaces.

This rule does not apply if the visitor is on duty for ESD and looking for an ESD chief or similar.

Additionally: If you spot someone you don’t recognize poking around camp, walk them to Camp Info or the bar and follow the steps above. Give them directions, solve their problem, get them happily on their way out of camp.

Health reminder: Sickness happens
Remember Covid (or any of those other contagious diseases we like to pass around)? If despite all the self care you’ve practiced (see above) you still come down with illness, please do take steps to isolate and also alert someone in camp staff to help.  Come prepared to take care of yourself, but the good news is that we have a hearty supply of medical professionals around to support. 

Ask for help
Physical and mental health can take a hit in the desert. And the reality is that life keeps life-ing while we’re on playa. If you have exercised your radical self reliance but still could use some help- ask! Not only is camp full of amazing playa-experienced people, but we also have LOTS of resources.  You got it- pinky swear?

Alright friends- we’re off to a  great start! 

More emails coming your way with events, arrival and placement, etc!  Woohoo!!

Love, Stefie (with contribution by the amazing Diane)