Statement of Intent

1. What is the Statement of Intent (SOI)?
2. Why do new and returning theme camps need to fill this out?
3. When is it due?
4. Where is the SOI?
5. Can I review the SOI questions before I start the form?
6. What is considered a returning theme camp?
7. Can new theme camps complete a SOI?
8. Most of my camp wants to take the year off but we have a solid core interested in returning. Would we be considered returning or new?
9. In the past, we could get tickets in the Stewards Sale and not bring our camp. Is that the case this year?
10. What if our camp purchases Stewards Sale tickets, and we can’t fill out the Placed Camp Questionnaire or our camp can’t make it to playa? 
11. What if we drastically reduce the interactivity or population we told you about in the SOI when we fill out the Placed Camp Questionnaire?
12. I’m in a village, who fills out the SOI?
13. What if one of the camps in my village wants to split off to be a stand-alone theme camp?
14. Am I considered a returning camp if I was denied placement the last year I applied but have received placement previous to that?
15. Am I considered a returning camp if I was placed at the last event but my standing was Not in Good Standing and I’ve made improvements?

SOI and Stewards Sale Questions

1. If I don't complete the SOI, but do fill out a Placed Camp Questionnaire, will I be eligible for Stewards Sale tickets as a returning camp or tickets in the spring as a new theme camp?
2. Can I expect the same # of Stewards Sale tickets as my most recent allocation from a past year?

Stewards Sale Tickets

1. If my theme camp does not receive as many Stewards Sale Tickets as I need, what can I do?
2. How can I make sure my camp is eligible to buy tickets through the Stewards Sale?
3. How are Stewards Sale allotment numbers determined?
4. Our camp took a year off and we were good standing the last time we were in BRC. Are we still eligible for the Stewards Sale next year?
5. Do I need to bring my theme camp to BRC every year in order to be in good standing with Placement? Does it hurt my camp to take a year off?
6. My camp is new, how do I get tickets?

 

Statement of Intent

 

1. What is the Statement of Intent (SOI)?

The Statement of Intent (SOI) launches in late November - early December for all theme camps and villages who plan to bring interactivity as a placed theme camp in Black Rock City for the upcoming year and wish to receive access to purchase tickets in the spring Steward Sale. Your submission will help the Placement team determine ticket eligibility and allocations, and will assist in early planning of Black Rock City.

Art, mutant vehicle, and work support camps seeking placement do not need to complete the SOI.

 

2. Why do new and returning theme camps need to fill this out?

This allows Placement to award ticket allocations to new and returning theme camps based on the needs of the camp for the upcoming year. Tickets are awarded on condition that theme camps will bring interactivity to Black Rock City at the forthcoming event. Returning theme camps awarded tickets will be able to purchase them in the Stewards Sale in March, while newly placed theme camps must complete the Placed Camp Questionnaire and be accepted by Placement in order to purchase tickets later in the summer.

 

3. When is it due?

In 2024, it is due on Wednesday, January 17 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 9pm CET. Future years will see a similar deadline.

 

4. Where is the SOI?

You can find all the forms in your Burner Profile under "Participate" > "BRC Participation". Here's a quick link to that page.

 

5. Can I review the SOI questions before I start the form?

You can find a sample of the SOI here. This sample is updated annually, so please check back later if it hasn’t yet been updated for the upcoming year.

 

6. What is considered a returning camp?

A returning camp has been placed in BRC within the last 3 event cycles (2019, 2022-2023) as a theme camp or village with continuous leadership (including passing on the camp lead by emailing placement to change the lead). Theme camps who were not placed in the last 3 events but were placed previously will be considered new.

If a camp’s lead has changed with a new lead, you’re still a returning camp. A returning camp can change its theme/name/interactivity as long as what they are offering is equivalent to the last time they were placed.

Furthermore, if your theme camp took a year off, but was a placed support camp, you'd still be considered a returning theme camp if placed as a theme camp within the last 3 event cycles. Please make sure to email placement@burningman.org when submitting a SOI as a returning theme camp if your most recent year was as a support camp.

 

7. Can new theme camps complete a SOI?

Yes. New theme camps who have never received Placement are allowed to complete Placement’s Statement of Intent. If new theme camps are awarded tickets, the allocations will be conditional upon review of the Placed Camp Questionnaire. Confirmed tickets will be available to be allocated and purchased by individual campers in July.

The maximum size and population allowed for all new theme camps is 25 people and 100' x 100' or 10,000 square feet of space in BRC. Placement is unable to supply tickets for all campers in each theme camp, so please see ticket access as supplemental and be sure to search for tickets through Burning Man’s Main Sale or other ticket sales.

Note: If your are a previously placed support camp in good standing with Placement and other Burning Man Departments and want to transition to a theme camp, you will be considered a new theme camp in regards to Stewards Sale tickets, but will not be under the 100x100 restriction for new theme camps.

 

8. Most of my camp wants to take the year off but we have a solid core interested in returning. Would we be considered returning or new?

Camps that significantly reduce or change their interactivity will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are a returning camp or if they are a new camp. Please provide as much information as possible in the SOI about the changes.

 

9. In the past, we could get tickets in the Stewards Sale and not bring our camp. Is that the case this year?

No. Receiving a Stewards Sale tickets assumes that you will bring your camp in the coming year and seek placement. If you do receive Stewards Sale tickets for the forthcoming year and do not bring a placed theme camp, your standing with Placement will be in jeopardy and your camp may be ineligible for tickets or placement for the future.

 

10. What if our camp purchases Stewards Sale tickets, and we can’t fill out the Placed Camp Questionnaire or our camp can’t make it to playa? 

We know life happens and plans fall through, so please inform Placement as soon as you are aware that you cannot attend the forthcoming event. Unlike previous to 2022, receiving a Stewards Sale allocation assumes that you will wish to be placed in the coming year so we will review each case to determine whether it will affect your camp’s standing. Email placement@burningman.org ASAP to go over the situation.

 

11. What if we drastically reduce the interactivity or population we told you about in the SOI when we fill out the Placed Camp Questionnaire?

Things happen and we are understanding. Because the Placed Camp Questionnaire comes later in the event cycle, it gives you an opportunity to update Placement about any changes you foresee. If your camp does plan to provide less, we need to know. Because Stewards Sale tickets are offered based on anticipated interactivity and camp size, any reduction may impact your standing with Placement for future years. Email placement@burningman.org ASAP to go over the situation

 

12.  I’m in a village, who fills out the SOI?

Placement is ending the village designation as a placed camp category between 2024-25.

All village mayors should submit a SOI on behalf of all your theme camps within the village in 2024. Theme camps within villages should not submit a SOI and should work with your village mayor to access the 2024 Stewards Sale. 2024 will be the last year village mayors can submit a SOI.

In 2025, theme camps in villages will need to complete the SOI to receive their own allotment of Stewards Sale tickets directly from Placement.

 

13. What if one of the camps in my village wants to split off to be a stand-alone theme camp?

If a theme camp within a village has previously completed a Placed Camp Questionnaire as a “camp within a village” they can fill out a SOI as an independent theme camp. Any allocations offered will be determined in relation to the village where they came.

If the theme camp within a village has not previously submitted a Placed Camp Questionnaire as a camp within a village, they would be considered a new theme camp. Please read Question 7, “Can new theme camps complete a SOI?” to see how new theme camps will be treated.

 

14. Am I considered a returning camp if I was denied placement the last year I applied but have received placement previous to that?

If your camp was not placed when you last applied, you will be considered a new theme camp in 2024 if you submit a SOI. Your camp was not selected for placement because it did not meet Placement criteria so we hope you have made adjustments to improve. Even if you do not submit a SOI or are not awarded tickets, you are still encouraged to submit a Placed Camp Questionnaire to be considered for reserved placement in Black Rock City.

 

15. Am I considered a returning or new camp if I was placed at the last event but my standing was Not in Good Standing and I’ve made improvements?

If your camp was considered Not in Good Standing, you are not eligible for Stewards Sale tickets. You must address the concerns that led to your current standing and may still submit a Placed Camp Questionnaire to receive reserved camping unless instructed otherwise. Stewards Sale tickets are only for camps in Good Standing with Placement.

SOI and Stewards Sale Questions

 

1. If I don't complete the SOI, but do fill out a Placed Camp Questionnaire, will I be eligible for Stewards Sale tickets fas a returning camp or tickets in the spring as a new theme camp?

At this time, we cannot assure any tickets to new or returning theme camps beyond the SOI process. If you have an extenuating circumstance, you can always email us at placement@burningman.org to explain it.

 

2. Can I expect the same # of Stewards Sale tickets as my most recent allocation from a past year?

Ticket numbers change every year based on the need and number of returning camps. Please don’t expect the same number of tickets as you received in previous years, and be as accurate as you can about the population you expect in your camp so we can fairly allocate tickets.

 

Stewards Sale Tickets

 

1. If my theme camp does not receive as many Stewards Sale Tickets as I need, what can I do?

Remember that the Stewards Sale is not intended to fulfill 100% of your camp's needs. As in all other years, there will be other ticket sales including a main sale where you can acquire tickets. More information will come out about these sales in January/February of each year.

 

2. How can I make sure my camp is eligible to buy tickets through the Stewards Sale?

After each Burning Man event, all placed theme camps will be reviewed on the Camp Placement Criteria and Criteria to be in Good Standing. A couple criteria we pay special attention to are:

1. MOOP score. If a camp receives a red MOOP score, it may affect their access to future Stewards Sales. The Placement team expects the camp to be proactive in addressing the issue in future placement questionnaires.
2. Strain on resources. This refers to whether a camp requires extra BRC infrastructure support, which could include undue communication or interactions with Placement, Rangers, DPW, or the Playa Restoration team. This could also include the processing of negative feedback from other departments and theme camps.

If a theme camp attracts negative attention by violating principles and cultural norms, this will similarly strain resources. If a theme camp meets all of the criteria they remain in “good standing” and may be eligible to receive access to the Stewards Sale. Exemplary camps are the most likely to be invited to the following year’s Stewards Sale.

Good standing is required to receive access to the Stewards Sale. Camps not in good standing are expected to make substantial changes and improvements to their camp operations to qualify for future placement and the Stewards Sale.

 

3. How are Stewards Sale allotment numbers determined?

The Stewards Sale is intended to support the core crew of BRC theme camps. These are the critical team members required to get the core functions of your camp built so that your camp can bring your interactivity to Black Rock City. Factors considered include size of camp, complexity and uniqueness of interactivity and build, record of Good Standing, among others. Tickets quantities allocated to theme camps may vary year to year, and being in Good Standing with Placement is a requirement for returning camps to access the Stewards Sale.

 

4. Our camp took a year off and we were good standing the last time we were in BRC. Are we still eligible for the Stewards Sale next year?

Yes, you are still eligible if you took a year off and did not purchase Stewards Sale tickets allocated to you during that off year. Camps in Good Standing are able to maintain their standing without returning to BRC for 3 years.

If your camp plans to return after time off, you simply need to complete a Statement of Intent for the forthcoming year. Placement will check to see if your camp is still within the 3 year window of good standing and eligible for Stewards tickets. Your camp can also contact the Placement team and let them know of your plans including any changes to camp leadership before the Statement of Intent is due.

 

5. Do I need to bring my theme camp to BRC every year in order to be in good standing with Placement? Does it hurt my camp to take a year off?

No, absolutely not. Theme camps are not required by Placement to return each year and there is no penalty to take a year off. In fact, we encourage camps to take time off if you can to give yourself a break and also to make room for other theme camps. Camps are allowed to take up to 3 years off to maintain their good standing. If your theme camp takes a year or two off, you are welcome back and eligible to access tickets as a returning theme camp.

 

6. My camp is new, how do I get tickets?

New theme camps who have never received Placement are allowed to complete Placement’s Statement of Intent. If new theme camps are awarded tickets, the allocations will be conditional upon review of the Placed Camp Questionnaire. Confirmed tickets will be available to be allocated and purchased by individual campers in July.

New camps should not solely depend on this opportunity to access tickets. Receiving placement as a new camp does not guarantee access to this pool of tickets, and if granted, only a limited number will be available per camp. New camps should advise their campers to purchase tickets in one of the non-Stewards ticket sales.

We also recommend that new camps consult the Camp Resource Guide, attend the Camp Symposium, and access the Camp Support Team’s resources in planning their camp.