Join a Team
Step Into the Art of City Building
Joining a Black Rock City team is one of the most powerful ways to deepen your Burning Man experience. It’s how to move from attending Black Rock City to helping make the magical art of infrastructure happen.
Participation takes countless forms on playa. Everyone contributes to building, operating, and dismantling our city of dreams. From creating art and running a theme camp to offering performance and restoring the desert, many Black Rock City participants discover that joining a volunteer team connects them to the beating heart of the culture in a unique and very special way.
Participants sign up for the love of it, for the fun of it, for the connections they make with friends new and old, and because they learn skills that they bring back to their lives year-round.
Fill out the Volunteer Questionnaire to get started
There are as many ways to volunteer in Black Rock City as there are humans. Most teams have volunteer activities in Black Rock City, with a few exceptions. Be sure you find out what the expectations are for the volunteer role you are interested in.
To help ensure you have a great Burning Man volunteer experience, read our Volunteer’s Keys to Success. You can also download the Volunteer manual, and check out some video profiles of BRC volunteer teams on the LOVE Project playlist.
Volunteering FAQ
Can I volunteer even if I have never been to a Burning Man event before?
Yes, first timers are welcome to volunteer. There is plenty of work to do both on and off the playa.
Can I volunteer after I get to Black Rock City?
Yes. Although many people commit to volunteering before the event, some people also decide to volunteer once the event has started. Visit the folks at the V-Spots to learn about volunteer opportunities and any critical needs there are for that particular day.
Can I volunteer with more than one department?
Yes!
You may volunteer in as many different departments as you wish. We need volunteers year-round, on and off the playa. Each department hits their “busy season” at different times of the year. Just be careful not to over-extend yourself. If you volunteer and really enjoy it, you can always offer to come back and fill in for more shifts.
How much time does it take? Do I need to go every day?
Each volunteer department varies as to how much time they need, expect, or ask of their volunteers. There are a wide variety of commitment levels available. Plan carefully, try not to commit yourself to something that you will not do or follow through on. If you sign up for one “shift” and then show up for it, everyone is happier than if you signed up for 10 shifts and made it to none.
How do I volunteer for fire, medical, or related roles on playa?
When filling out the Volunteer Questionnaire, please indicate any of these special skills that you may have, you may also want to indicate that you are interested in volunteering for the Emergency Services Department.
If you indicate Emergency Services Department (Professional Medical, Fire/Rescue, Crisis Intervention, and Dispatch), you will also be prompted to fill out an Emergency Services Questionnaire. You may also email Emergency Services with any specific questions you may have about their special needs at 911@burningman.org.
Do I get a free ticket if I volunteer?
Getting a free ticket in exchange for working as a volunteer may be a thing at other events, but Burning Man is not like other events. Here the practice is incredibly rare, and usually applies only to people who work with the organization year-round in volunteer leadership roles.
