Welcome to Black Rock City. For those who are unfamiliar, Burning Man is a yearly experiment in a temporary community that takes place in the Nevada desert for 7 days in late August, and is attended by over 60,000 visitors each year.
For over 10 years my partner and I have been a part of this unique and sometimes spiritual event. We have been fortunate enough to have made many lasting friendships in our years on the playa.
Over the past several years our connections with friends has grown, and so has our camp. We have expanded our numbers from a small few to well over 30 camp members.
One of Burning Man’s main principles is that we are a gifting community. Everyone in our camp contributes in one way or another to ensure its success. This alone anchors our place in this unique village and gives us the opportunity to open our hearts and camp to everyone who may pass through. Every year we construct a safe and welcoming space for us and our fellow burners by providing shade, shelter, hydration, social interaction and the occasional snack. Our camp has blossomed into a destination place for many visitors to Black Rock City.
A few years ago, my partner was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and we thought that was going to be the end of our once a year journey to see our burner family. As it turns out, being there was a great healing time for him after treatment, and I am happy to report that his cancer is in remission. But what we didn’t fully anticipate was how harsh the familiar environment was going to be on him during his recovery. We’ve adjusted and with the help of friends we have extended our camp into something amazing for all.
As with any evolving experience comes the need for improvement. Part of my gift to our camp was that I would prepare and cook the meals for us. Doing so was fine on a normal BBQ, when it was just 8 or so people. But after last year’s event, it was clearly not the case any longer. We are looking for help with purchasing a new grill, one that would better suit the need of providing food for more people, more quickly and efficiently.
But with this comes also the task of hauling everything from our home out to the event. We have outgrown our current trailer and also seek to acquire a 7x14 enclosed cargo trailer. This would also double as an enclosed sleeping area for my partner and I while at the event. His recovery has left him weaker than we had anticipated and the normal sleeping in a tent structure is no longer advisable.
This yearly event is the one trip we save for and attend all year. To not go and not be able to provide what we do for our fellow burners, is a horribly depressing reality. We would like to raise $6499.00 to help us in the effort to give our gift to others.
Thank you for your time and your love.
