First Camp

First Camp is the Black Rock City home to the Burning Man Board of Directors, Burning Man Management Staff, their families and some of their friends. The main front camp design remained essentially the same as the past several years, supporting our need to have a balanced blend of public and private space. The very public front portion of First Camp again showcased the historically significant ‘Bone Tree’ sculpture and the ‘Tribute’, ‘Carp’ and ‘Kitty’ art cars. In addition we had the ‘Fire Fall’ sculpture out front which was well received by the public every night. Overall this art gallery provided the interactive public focal point area that is necessary for the high traffic in this center circle location.

In 2009, we initiated a design modification in back that worked out very well. It allowed for the placement of several of the Project’s top managers to camp together, work together and have some of their friends and family nearby. We refined this use in 2010, adding more staff and amenities. This ‘Back Camp’ is the true heart of the operations of Black Rock City.

Adjacent to the Back Camp we placed the Nome Theme Camp, who provided a chill space and hospitality to the staff, friends and family of First Camp who chose to use this service. This new addition for the first camp members was utilized and received very well. I suspect we will see this repeated in the future.

The External Relations Team (XRT) again used the front of First Camp as their focal point for daily tours for special guests that began on Tuesday and ended on Friday. First Camp continues to be the logical meeting place for our government, political and special visitors for these delightful, informative XRT tours.

The continuing challenge for this camp is to meet each individual’s expectations and to provide the best blend of public versus private space, and we continue to approach this challenge successfully.

It was a real pleasure to live and work in this important camp during Black Rock City 2010 (it is considered this author’s real home), and we look forward to returning there in 2011.

Submitted by,
Will Roger