About Brit Camp

Brit Camp is a theme camp at Burning Man that was established in 2006 by four second-timer Burners from the UK, as a sub-camp within the Black Rock International Burner Hostel (BRIBH). After the amazing experience of our first year, we were adamant that we had to make a contribution to the city upon returning, despite the constraints of travelling on a plane half way around the world. We returned last year with an improved camp, better organised and with greater decoration, it being our goal to always improve the camp in some manner every year. We had always planned to become a theme camp this year, even before the BRIBH was cancelled, and had planned to camp next to them. A few of the Hostelites from Reno have set up a new camp called Playa International just for the sake of keeping the playa family together and we are requesting to camp next to them this year. Campmates are mostly British although we have increasing numbers of Honorary Brits from all over the world. All are welcome to join.

There's going to be yet another pub on the playa this year and it's called The Rising Arms (Plan B). The Plan A version of the pub is a large, wooden life-size building with two bar rooms and access to the roof, but this will now have to wait until 2009 due to uncertain funds and a small number of experienced Burners in our set up crew. This year's scaled down, Plan B version consists of a car port (20'x10') decorated inside and out in the fashion of a British Pub, full of cliches but with a playa twist. We'll have British beers on tap and some cocktails for the ladies and anyone else in a skirt and/or bra. We're going to be open every night from six till midnight, Monday to Friday, with the occasional after hours lock-in. On the Tuesday, we'll be open in the afternoon during our Tea Party. We'll be closed for a few hours during this Tuesday evening while we partake of the Zombie Crawl with our Playa International Camp family. The pub will be open afterwards for both the living and the non-living.

We're also investing in a 31' dome as both our own main chill/congregation area and our largest area for entertaining visitors and providing a comfy zone 24 hours per day. This shade will be accessible from three sides and forms the corner-piece of Brit Camp. The inside will be decorated with British tack and pseudo-political art statements about the history and culture of The British Isles both in the past and the realities of life in 21st Century Britain. The area will be carpeted and full of soft places to snuggle, with cushions in the centre and sofas on the edges. From Monday to Friday films will be shown on a projection screen, a different film each night, screened twice for those that wander in half way through. Snacks will be served at intervals throughout the evening and drinks will be available from the pub next door. This year we will be showing Carry On films. If you are unfamiliar with these films then I'll explain: They are quintessentially British in nature and the best selection were made during the 1960's and 70's. They are full of double entendres but have always been accepted as family viewing. On the Tuesday evening, after the Zombie Crawl, we will be showing some Zombie films in conjunction with Playa International, accompanied with suitably gory snacks and alcohol.

Brit Camp was initially inspired to fulfill a need to give something back to Burning Man. Our members were mostly British and we were part of an international camp and our theme was thus an obvious choice. In our first year we were awash with red, white and blue; Union Jacks and bunting galore! Our camp members are not known for waving the flag in a jingoistic manner but being called Brit Camp, and it being our first year this was inevitable. We are continually looking for new ways to explore and express Britishness to the citizens of BRC and educate ourselves in the process. It has forced many of us to examine what constitutes British culture, whereas in the past we have often taken aspects for granted. A few flags still stubbornly remain though.

When in camp, we spend most of our time celebrating the differences and similarities between the UK and the US: We are divided by more than a common language. We also offer a glimpse of home for ex-pats and Anglophiles alike, and have been happily surprised at the demand for this service.

Expect more red, white and blue without the stars or stripes, good food, great teamwork, generous doses of sarcasm and general British shenanigans. Brit Camp is a permanent fixture at Burning Man and a corner of the playa will forever be British.