Theme Camp Infrastructure Guide for Burning Man Organizers
Running a Theme Camp is an act of deep passion, communal effort, and massive logistical management. While your front-of-house offers art, music, or gifts to Black Rock City, your back-of-house infrastructure keeps 20 to 100+ members safe, fed, hydrated, and functional.
Here is the master Burning Man checklist for Theme Camp Leads, Quartermasters, and Build Crews.
1. Large-Scale Shade & Heavy Anchoring
[ ] Communal Shade Structures: Large EMT grid structures ( or ), geodesic domes, or stretch fabric shade canvas.
[ ] Heavy Anchoring Hardware: 18"–24" Rebar or 1/2" x 18" steel Lag Bolts.
[ ] Commercial Build Tools: Commercial-grade 18V+ cordless impact drivers, sledgehammers, socket sets, ladder.
[ ] Perimeter Hazard Lighting: High-visibility flagging tape, solar blinking lights, and pool noodles on every anchor point and guy-line.
2. Power Grid & OSHA-Compliant Fuel Depot
[ ] Main Power Generator: Industrial diesel/gas generator (6kW–20kW whisper-quiet unit).
[ ] Power Distribution (Spider Boxes): Heavy-duty outdoor breaker distribution boxes, 50A/30A feeder cables, and heavy-duty 12/3 extension cords.
[ ] Cable Bridges / Ramps: Rubber cable ramps covering power lines running across pedestrian walkways.
[ ] Located at least 20 feet away from burn barrels, kitchens, and sleeping tents.
[ ] Secondary containment basin holding 110% of the largest fuel tank volume.
[ ] 2x 10lb+ ABC Fire Extinguishers placed directly at the fuel station.
3. Commercial Kitchen & Health Dept Compliance
Nevada State Health Department inspectors conduct camp visits for communal kitchens serving meals to large groups.
[ ] Commercial-Grade Cooking Gear: 2 to 3-burner propane stoves, flat-top grills, large stock pots, pans.
[ ] Prep Surfaces: Stainless steel or non-porous heavy plastic folding tables.
[ ] 3-Compartment Dishwashing Station: Wash (soapy water), Rinse (clean water), Sanitize (bleach solution/sanitizer).
[ ] Food Storage: Refrigerator/freezer truck, commercial coolers with drain hoses, latching plastic dry storage bins.
4. Large-Scale Graywater & Waste Sorting
[ ] Contracted USS Graywater Holding Tank (250–500 gallon IBC tote or bladder) OR
[ ] High-capacity evaporation system (evap tower with sump pump and felt sheets).
[ ] Color-coded 3-bin system (Landfill, Aluminum Cans, Food Compost).
[ ] LNT Build & Strike Depot: 2x push brooms, 2x magnetic sweepers, 4x shovels, rakes, line-sweep grid maps.
5. Camp Operations, First Aid & Communications
[ ] Tool Headquarters: Latching toolboxes filled with hardware, extra zip ties, duct tape, spare bolts, replacement bungees.
[ ] Central Camp First Aid Station: Commercial first aid kit, eye wash station, burn gel, instant ice packs, AED (optional).
[ ] Information Whiteboard: Daily schedule, meal shifts, emergency contacts, BRC city map, Ranger/Medical station locations.
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