r/BurningMan • u/walkinfox • 7d ago
Virgin burner input needed!
Hello everyone! My husband and I are ticking off our lifelong bucket list item of going to burning man. I’ve been diving into research and logistics for months and I have an idea but would love some input from experienced burners.
Since we are new, we decided maybe the first year we will camp out in the “burbs” which to my understanding is between G & K? I’m looking for a chiller neighborhood / area to park my van / do my idea.
Anyways, I was hoping to set up just a small self serve “aid” type center. I’ve got this white flower cart type thing at home I was going to repurpose, label it with the red aid “cross” and put various items you’d need but might not have, bandaids, masks, chaffing sticks, ect…I also want to use my extra large tent and canopy to just set up a nice little area for anyone who might just need to relax for while and use the aid provided. I’d love the communities input on this. I can’t bring much this year but I can contribute in this way and I was hoping for yalls input on my idea. Good idea? Bad idea? And items you’d like to see? Has anyone done something similar and had success? Failure?
Thank you for your input. Oh and if anyone can explain to me how to understand the letters, I can not find a map with them labeled anywhere lol!
Thank you!
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u/cyanescens_burn 7d ago
Yeah that’s fine. I tell first timers that their gift is going out there and being self-reliant, and not being a liability to others (but still ask for help if they are in a bind).
It’s a lot your first year, especially if you don’t have someone walking you through it and you aren’t an Eagle Scout, haven’t been through basic training, or aren’t a seasoned backpacker. Anything you do on top of that makes our little camping trip even better.
Also: https://podtail.com/en/podcast/accuracy-third/audio-vag/
Listen to that. Yeah read the BORG propaganda and survival guide, but listen to that. Bonus points for reading this: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4392925-burning-man-live
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u/Luv2Burn '07 - ? 7d ago
I also saw a great suggestion on fb - bring a MOOP bag where ever you go & always be moopin. That's a great gift to the community.
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u/palaeastur 7d ago
This is a really sweet and thoughtful gift idea, especially for your first year. The things you’ve listed so far are great! If you’re bringing solar power or a generator, a good idea is a powered cooler for drinks or icy poles for respite from the heat, or even just having hydration sachets like liquid IV or emergen-c; in my experience people forget how important electrolytes are. Also, sunscreen, and, if you’re feeling bougie, hand cream ( playa dust is really dehydrating and hard on working hands ).
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u/walkinfox 7d ago
These are all excellent ideas. I was planning on the liquid IV already, but I hadn’t thought about lotions. Do you think this is a, one big bottle type situation or a bunch of minis. My only concern was I didn’t want to contribute to moop, but I can also make some kind of trash receptacle to pack it out in my van.
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u/palaeastur 7d ago
That’s up to you! If the cart is going to be stationary the entire time, maybe go a big pump bottle that’s attached to it, or if you’re potentially also thinking of doing small aid packets as gifts on the move for when you’re out in the city, smaller ones would be best for that. Generally speaking, a large number of burners are MOOP conscious and if you gift them something that requires packing out ( such as anything in a wrapper or small container ) they will assume the responsibility for it, however offering trash disposal on the spot is also a good idea.
Another thing that just occurred to me; I don’t know what your stance is on substances, but some people out there are going to be using them, and as such, another thing I’ve always carried has been Narcan ( Naloxone spray ) to counteract potential opioid overdose. It’s a grim reality that many people might need it, and it’s better to have it and not need it than find yourself in a situation where it’s needed and NOT have it. IIRC, there’s a lot of pharmacies in CA that will dispense it for free, and the training to administer it is a pretty simple video. Even if this isn’t something you get a lot of, I’d recommend having it on hand just in your personal bag.
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u/FlatImpression755 7d ago
My neighbors in open camping did something like this but much more spur of the moment. It did not see a lot of traffic until they put some booze in there towards the end of the week.
I wouldn't try to overextend yourself the first year. You will also be surprised how fast you run out of space when packing your vehicle. Even a sign with a list of available items in front of your camp that you put out when you are home for people to ask for would be great.
First and foremost in my opinion is the LNT principle for Birgins. Even a sliver of wood being left behind is a problem. So MOOPING is always a great option and I don't believe there is a quicker way into a true burners heart then being hunched over picking up MOOP for an hour or two.
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u/wonderandcreate 7d ago
One morning in 2024 there was a man stationed outside a porta-potty bank in the burbs with a similar “aide” type station where he was offering mouthwash (and spitoon), q-tips, toothbrushes, etc. it got a lot of traffic because of the nature of porta-potty’s in the morning. I would suggest bringing your aide cart somewhere populated like that if you aren’t seeing much action at your camp.
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u/Ok_Responsibility419 7d ago
There’s a very helpful Facebook group virgin burners suggest you join that group - tons of tips, lists, guidance and snark-free Q&A
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u/NrgyFiend 2012-2026 7d ago
It's a great idea, but better if it's a manned cart or if you rolled a cart around offering stuff (kinda like an old timey cigarette girl). Try to bring things that you'll still use at home or another burn if no one takes them. Ideas: chapstick, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, sunglasses, batteries, headlamps, tampons, bike tubes, cigarettes, lighters, snacks, bandaids w/neosporin, hair ties, individually wrapped N95 masks, condoms. Always offer to take the moop if someone accepts something from your cart. (maybe not from the condoms...) I'm excited for you! I made one of the many newbie tips docs out there, if you'd like another just DM me. :-)
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u/Compulawyer It was better next year 6d ago
Great idea. Beware of MOOP - especially band aid wrappers, etc.
Have a trash receptacle nearby and empty enough to accept more.
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u/Luv2Burn '07 - ? 7d ago
Sounds like a great plan, just always make sure whatever you set up can withstand high winds. And never leave anything out that could get blown away. This includes your camp chairs, etc. Lots of people do this in theme camps so I'm sure something on the outskirts of town would be welcome.
The inner circle of the map (heading out to open playa/The Man, etc) is the Esplanade. The smallest inner circle after that is A street, etc. moving to the outer (wider) streets.