What is a Theme Camp?
When a group of participants comes together in the spirit of communal effort to create and gift interactive experiences to other participants at a burn, that’s a theme camp.
Theme camps might bring and gift music and performance, food or beverages, crafts or workshops, meditative spaces or education – there’s no one thing that theme camps are about.
Do I have to be part of a Theme Camp?
No. Unlike some burns, we do not require you to be part of a Theme Camp.
The event space of Blazing Swan is split into two main event areas - the northern part of the paddock is our main event area and hosts most of our Theme Camps. In the south of the paddock, we set space aside for our general camping areas where participants who are not part of a Theme Camp camp.
How do I join a Theme Camp?
Thinking of dipping your toes in burning waters and want to do it from the safety of a camp? Did you have a great time at a specific camp last year and would like to gift some time or resources to help the camp this year?
It’s not a requirement to join a camp to participate in a burn, but joining a camp can be a great way to participate, gift your time and skills, and learn more about our community and our principles. You could also look at volunteering for a crew.
Theme camps are groups of participants who’ve come together to gift an experience to the burn. While registered theme camps work with Blazing Swan Inc (The Org) to make sure they operate safely and show up on the map, theme camps are separate from the org, and each camp has its own criteria and process for bringing in new helpers or members.
If you’re keen to join a camp, participating in the community outside of the burn (through social media and other burner events throughout the year) is the best way to get to know about any theme camp or volunteer opportunities that become available.
We encourage you to reach out to camps that may suit your vibe and values to see if they need new members to help them build their vision. If you aren’t sure where you might fit, our Theme Camp Team may be able to help you or provide some suggestions - reach out to them to start the conversation.
How do I start a Theme Camp?
Creating a Theme Camp can take a fair amount of time, commitment and hard work, but it can be very rewarding as well.
All theme camps are required to operate safely, in compliance with local and state laws, in accordance with our 11 principles, as well as our own requirements on operating safely.
Being successful in applying to register your theme camp ensures you to an official spot within the main event area, be listed on the map and your events listed in the ‘Where’s the Fun’ guide - our daily run down of events at Blazing Swan.
It also opens access to Theme Camp grants and support and advice from Blazing Swan’s Organisation and our network of other Theme Camps.
Support provided by Blazing Swan includes advice and guidance and may include things like early access to site for builds or reduced-priced Theme Camp tickets to ensure vital crew members can attend.
Theme Camp applications typically open towards the end of the calendar year in anticipantion for the event at the following Easter.
Remember! No camp is 100% approved and “good to go” until they’re out on the dust and have been reviewed and given final approval by our Safety Team.
Applying is just the first step in the process, but there’s a team and the community here to help you see it through.
Tell me more…!
Everyone involved in your Theme Camp should read both the regular Blazing Swan Survival Guide and the Theme Camps Survival Guide.
More information and links to resources will be provided to Theme Camps when they register.
To directly questions, please contact the Theme Camp Team.
Latest Theme Camp News & Information
