QUICK REFERENCE
SCENIC FLIGHTS: Offered on Weds/Thurs on a first-come, first-served basis by Burning Sky (5:00 & G) PASSPORT OFFICE: 5:30 & B, Mon-Fri 11am-5pm (or until passports run out) PLACEMENT: Esplanade & 5:45, Build Week 9am-9pm, Event 10am-5pm WEDDING COORDINATION: Two Lanterns Camp (3:45 & C) ART INFORMATION: ARTery at Esplanade & 6:30, art tours and installation details THEME 2025: "Tomorrow Today"
MOST COMMON QUESTIONS:
How do I get a BRC Passport? → Visit 5:30 & B, get photo taken, start collecting stamps
Can I still join a camp? → Contact Placement for registered camps, check with camps directly
Where can I get married? → Multiple wedding chapels available, check with 2 Lanterns for coordination
Where's the art? → ARTery has maps, tours, and detailed installation information
What's this year's theme about? → an invitation to imagine the future in new ways, and to make it real through our collective actions
REMEMBER: These programs enhance your experience but aren't required for participation
See detailed program descriptions, requirements, and participation options below
Also see:
B3: Arrival & Departure (for airport services integration)
C2: Communication & Information (for event schedules, What Where When)
E1: Vehicle Policies (for DMV interaction, vehicle access needs)
F2: Event Information (for theme integration, cultural context)
Special program connections:
Aviation programs → B3 (airport operations) + safety requirements
Art programs → Navigation in B1 + safety policies in E1/E2
Camp programs → Placement in D2 + services throughout manual
Theme activities → F2 (theme info) + specific program sections
Scenic Flight Services
Free Scenic Rides ("Firefly" Program)
What Are Scenic Rides:
Gifted observation flights over Black Rock City
Volunteer pilots donate their time and aircraft
Spectacular aerial views of the city, art installations, and desert
Duration: 15-30 minutes depending on aircraft and conditions
How to Get a Scenic Ride:
Sign-up Location: Burning Sky camp at 5:00 & G
Operating Days: Wednesday and Thursday ONLY event week
Hours: Weather permitting, typically 11:00am - 5:00pm
Daily Capacity: Approximately 11-15 flights per day
Requirements & Process:
Must be 18 years or older
Bring valid photo ID (government-issued)
Complete liability waiver before boarding
Must be sober (no alcohol or substances)
Small water bottle and camera permitted; other belongings stay on ground
Managing Expectations:
Wait times can be extremely long - bring snacks, water, and entertainment
During peak times, games or lottery system may determine riders
Some people may be turned away due to demand
Weather dependent - flights cancelled for high winds or dust storms
Do not arrive before 11:00 AM
Skydiving Services
Burning Sky Camp (5:00 & G)
Program Overview:
For experienced skydivers ONLY
Minimum 150 jumps required with current certification
Must bring own equipment or arrange rental
Advance registration required at burningsky.org
Special Requirements:
Current skydiving certification and logbook
Jumpers share aircraft costs
Smoke jumps require additional F.A.S.T. (Fire Arts Safety Team) approval
Pre-arranged night jumps available with special coordination
Process:
Register online before arrival at burningsky.org
Bring certification and equipment to Burning Sky Camp
Coordinate with camp for jump scheduling
Complete additional waivers and safety checks
Safety Considerations for All Aviation Services
Weather Limitations
All flight operations suspended during dust storms
High winds ground all recreational flying
Visibility requirements for safe operations
Temperature and atmospheric conditions affect aircraft performance
Passenger Safety Requirements
Valid waivers required for all flights
Age restrictions strictly enforced
Sobriety requirements for all aviation activities
Medical conditions may affect eligibility
Ground Safety
Stay in designated passenger areas
Follow all instructions from airport personnel
Keep aircraft operations areas clear
No unauthorized access to aircraft or hangars
Passport Office Program
What Is the BRC Passport?
Purpose: Interactive program connecting Burners with camps they might not otherwise experience Format: Physical passport book with your photo and information Goal: Encourage exploration of Black Rock City's diverse communities Outcome: Unique, personalized memento of your Burning Man experience
Passport Office Details
Location: 5:30 & B Hours: Monday through Friday, 11am to 5pm (or until passports run out) Cost: Free (gift to the community) Requirements: Just show up with enthusiasm for exploration
Getting Your Passport
Process:
Visit Passport Office during operating hours
Photo taken and basic information recorded
Passport created with your details
Explanation of participating camps and stamp collection
Optional special challenges may be available
What You'll Need:
Time for photo and brief interaction
Willingness to explore and engage with camps
Patience if there's a line (popular program)
How Passport Stamping Works
Participating Camps: 140+ camps across Black Rock City in 2025 Stamp Collection: Visit participating camps for unique entry stamps Camp Interaction: Each camp has different requirements for earning stamps Variety: Some camps require participation, others just a visit
Types of Stamp Requirements:
Simple Visit: Just show up and introduce yourself
Participation: Join an activity, game, or workshop
Creative Challenge: Complete a camp-specific task or puzzle
Learning Experience: Attend a talk, demonstration, or tutorial
Social Interaction: Share a story, joke, or meaningful conversation
Special Challenges & Advanced Programs
Adventure Challenges: Some years include special quests or challenges Completion Rewards: May offer recognition for visiting certain numbers of camps Community Building: Creates connections between diverse camp communities Discovery Engine: Designed to push participants outside their comfort zones
Passport Program Benefits
For Participants:
Structured way to explore beyond familiar areas
Ice-breaker for shy participants
Motivation to try new experiences
Tangible memento of adventures
Community connections and friendships
For Camps:
Increased visibility and visitors
Fresh participants for activities
Community networking opportunities
Showcase for camp culture and offerings
Tips for Successful Passport Use
Planning Strategy:
Start early in the week for maximum camp availability
Plan routes efficiently using city map
Allow extra time for meaningful interactions
Don't rush - quality over quantity
Engagement Approach:
Be genuinely curious about each camp's mission
Participate fully in stamp requirements
Ask questions and learn about camp culture
Share your own experiences and stories
Respect camp schedules and boundaries
Placement Services
What Is Placement?
Purpose: Coordinating the physical layout of Black Rock City Scope: Managing camp locations, vehicle access, infrastructure needs Authority: Official Burning Man organization department Impact: Determines where camps, art, and services are located
Placement Office Information
Location: Esplanade & 5:45 Build Week Hours: 9am - 9pm Event Week Hours: 10am - 5pm Radio Channel: Place/Greeters Radio Channel
Types of Camps and Placement
Placed Camps:
Theme camps, art support camps, mutant vehicle camps, and various support camps that receive reserved camping spots through the placement process
Must submit Placed Camp Questionnaire by deadlines in March/April
Assigned specific locations and boundaries marked with blue survey flags
There are ~1500 placed camps in Black Rock City
Open Camping:
First-come, first-served camping located throughout many blocks between H Street and K Street
Must avoid areas marked with blue survey flags which indicate reserved placed camps
Individual participants and small groups can camp with their vehicles
Walk-In Camping:
Located outside the last street between 2:00 and 5:00 avenues
Vehicles cannot drive in walk-in camping – participants must park on the outside of the last street and walk in to set up camp on the open playa side of the banner flag fence
Can also camp along the banner flag fence line with vehicle about 200 feet out from each entrance (at the :15, :45, and :30 intersections)
Note: Walk-in camping is for people who drive their cars into BRC but don't camp with their cars. You still need a vehicle pass to drive in and park before carrying your gear to walk-in camping
The sheer difficulty of this exercise keeps Walk-In Camping sparsely populated, and your efforts will be rewarded with a sense of solitude unavailable in other parts of the city
Placement Process and Timeline
Pre-Event Placement (Build Week):
Placed camps arrive and get specific location assignments
Heavy machinery and infrastructure coordination
Vehicle access arrangement for camp setup
Boundary marking and neighbor coordination
Early Event Placement:
Registered camps get remaining designated spaces
Placement team available for disputes and adjustments
Coordination with other departments (DMV, DPW, etc.)
Post-Gate Opening:
Unused reserved spaces become available to general participants
No more official placement services
First-come, first-served in open camping areas
Special Placement Requests
Heavy Machinery Requests:
Must go through Placement Team (not directly to DPW)
Required for large art installations and major camp infrastructure
Coordination needed for safety and logistics
Schedule arranged during build week
Vehicle Passes and Access:
Camp cars and service vehicles need permits
Arranged through Placement team pre-event
Required for fuel delivery, supply runs, accessibility needs
Limited to essential camp operations
Placement Rules and Policies
Land Use Restrictions:
No land grabbing - stay within assigned boundaries
Can't reserve space for people who haven't arrived yet
Dense camping encouraged to maximize space efficiency
Respect neighbor boundaries and agreements
After-Hours Arrivals:
Set up temporary sleeping arrangements only
Wait for morning placement before full setup
Contact Gate or Greeters for late arrival coordination
Placement team notified in morning
Common Placement Issues
Boundary Disputes:
Resolved through Placement team mediation
Official maps and flagging determine boundaries
Respectful neighbor communication encouraged first
Space Efficiency:
Encourage dense, vertical building when possible
Share resources with neighboring camps
Coordinate infrastructure to minimize footprint
Vehicle Access Problems:
Must be arranged through Placement (not DPW directly)
Limited to essential operations and accessibility needs
Safety and logistics considerations paramount
Wedding Services
Wedding Coordinator Services
Primary Contacts: Reverends Bobo and Stamper at Two Lanterns Camp (3:45 & C) Services: Coordination for both legal and ceremonial weddings Scope: Officiant connections, venue assistance, resource coordination Philosophy: Supporting love and commitment within Burning Man community
Types of Weddings Available
Legal Weddings:
Legally binding marriage ceremonies
Require advance preparation and Nevada licensing
Need registered Nevada officiant
Full legal documentation and witness requirements
Ceremonial Weddings:
Symbolic commitment ceremonies
Can be arranged on-playa without advance legal preparation
Variety of spiritual, cultural, and creative approaches
Personal meaning without legal binding
Legal Wedding Requirements (Advanced Planning Needed)
Nevada Marriage License:
Must be obtained BEFORE arriving at Burning Man
Available at Nevada county clerk offices
$85 fee (cash, cashier's check, or money order only) [except for Clark County (Las Vegas): $102 in cash or $105.29 with a credit card]
Valid for one year throughout Nevada
Both parties must appear in person and meet the following requirements:
Age: Both applicants must be 18 years or older.
Identification: A valid, government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license or passport) is required to prove age and identity.
Marital Status: Applicants cannot be currently married.
Relationship: Nevada law prohibits marriage between individuals who are nearer of kin than second cousins or cousins of the half-blood.
Social Security Number: Applicants are required to provide their social security numbers.
Officiant Requirements:
Nevada Residents: Must be registered with their county of residence
Out-of-State Officiants: Need Temporary Certificate of Authority
Application Deadline: Minimum 2 weeks before event (3-4 weeks recommended)
Documentation: Affidavit from church/organization, notarized
Legal Wedding Process:
Obtain marriage license at Nevada county office
Confirm officiant registration and authority
Arrange two witnesses
Conduct ceremony
Officiant signs and submits certificate to county recorder
Ceremonial Wedding Planning
Venue Options:
Multiple wedding chapels throughout Black Rock City
Camp-hosted wedding spaces
Custom locations (art installations, special camps)
Traditional chapel settings with themed decorations
Officiant Options:
Theme camp ministers and spiritual leaders
Experienced Burner officiants
Friend or family member (for ceremonial only)
Creative, themed officiant characters
Registered Wedding Service Camps (Check Directory for updated listings and locations):
AdramaNation: drama-free wedding experiences; legal officiant available (7:15 & G)
The Assless Chapel: Irreverent wedding ceremonies; legal officiant available (4:45 & D)
Camp P3: white Wedding Dress Wednesday procession w/ mass wedding ceremony (7:15 & F)
Stardust Lounge: intergalactic-themed weddings (9:00 & D)
Temple O'Flying Spaghetti Monster: Pastafarian wedding ceremonies
Two Lanterns: home of the Department of Wedding Planning; legal officiant available (3:45 & C)
Photography Services:
Camera Obscura Tribe: Professional wedding photography (B & 5:15)
ARTery & Art Information Services
What Is the ARTery?
Purpose: Central resource for art installations, artist support, and community art engagement Location: Esplanade & 6:30 Open: Monday, August 18 through Monday, September 1 from 9:00am to 6:00pm
Services: Art maps, artist resources, installation information, art tours Philosophy: Supporting and celebrating the art that transforms Black Rock City
Art Information Services
Installation Maps:
Detailed locations of all registered art installations
GPS coordinates and walking/biking directions
Size, scale, and accessibility information
Artist contact information and installation details
Art Tour Coordination:
Scheduled group tours of major installations
Specialized tours (accessibility, theme-focused, technical)
Self-guided tour maps and suggested routes
Artist-led tours and talks
Interactive Art Database:
Searchable database of installations by type, location, theme
Participation requirements and interaction guidelines
Safety information and recommended approaches
Artist statements and installation philosophy
Types of Art at Burning Man
Large-Scale Installations:
Major art pieces visible from across the playa
Often interactive with climbing, exploration opportunities
May have scheduled events, burns, or performances
Professional artist teams with significant resources
Interactive Installations:
Designed for participant engagement and exploration
May require physical participation or creative input
Often educational or consciousness-expanding
Range from simple to complex interaction requirements
Honoraria Art:
Grant-funded installations by selected artists
Typically larger scale with significant community impact
Professional construction and safety standards
Featured prominently in art maps and tours
Community Art:
Created by camps and individual participants
Ranges from small personal expressions to camp-scale installations
Often reflects camp themes and community values
May be temporary or evolve throughout the week
Art Tours and Educational Programs
Scheduled Tours:
Daily tours leaving from ARTery
Themed tours focusing on specific types of art
Accessibility tours with wheelchair-friendly routes
Technical tours explaining construction and engineering
Self-Guided Resources:
Detailed maps with suggested routes
Audio tour information (when available)
Educational materials about art techniques and concepts
Safety and etiquette guidelines for art exploration
Artist Talks and Workshops:
Presentations by artists about their work
Technical workshops on art creation techniques
Community discussions about art and culture
Collaborative art creation opportunities
Theme Exploration: "Tomorrow Today"
2025 Theme Background
Inspiration: Envisioning and creating the future in the present moment Focus: Making tomorrow's possibilities real through collective action today Philosophy: Bridging imagination and implementation, dreams and reality Application: Encouraging participants to prototype the future they want to see
Theme Interpretation and Expression
Core Concepts:
Future Imagination: Envisioning possibilities beyond current limitations
What kind of future are we building—utopian, dystopian, or something in between?
Present Action: Taking concrete steps today to create tomorrow's reality
What kind of ancestors will we become? What stories, systems, and prototypes will we leave for those to follow?
Collective Creation: Building the future together through community effort
Prototype Living: Testing new ways of being, organizing, and connecting
The theme challenges us to confront the myths of progress and collapse, and construct a third path grounded in action, equity, and imagination.
Time Convergence: Collapsing the gap between vision and manifestation
Visual and Artistic Expression:
Retrofuturism and futuristic aesthetics from past eras
Time machine and temporal portal imagery
Tomorrow's technology made tangible today
Utopian and dystopian future scenarios
Time-travel and chronological paradox themes
Archives of possible futures
Participation Opportunities
Theme Camps:
Many camps incorporate future-building elements
Time travel experiences and tomorrow simulations
Prototype societies and experimental communities
Future history archives and timeline galleries
Art Installations:
Large-scale future-focused art installations
Interactive experiences that demonstrate tomorrow's possibilities
Time-based art that spans past, present, and future
Technology demonstrations and future prototypes
Personal Expression:
Costumes from imagined futures or retro-futurism
Creating personal "tomorrow" experiences for others
Embodying the change you want to see in the world
Living as your future self today
Theme Integration with Burning Man Principles
Radical Self-Expression: Embodying your vision of tomorrow's possibilities in present expression
Participation: Actively creating the future through immediate engagement and contribution
Immediacy: Making future visions real in the present moment rather than waiting
Communal Effort: Recognizing that tomorrow is built through collective action today
Pro Tips for Volunteers
Scenic Flights:
"Wait times are unpredictable - bring entertainment and be prepared for a long day"
"Weather can cancel flights with little notice - it's for everyone's safety"
"Volunteering at the airport helps operations but doesn't guarantee rides"
"18+ only, photo ID required, must be sober"
"Don't show up before 11am - respect the operating schedule"
Managing Expectations:
Explain that scenic rides are gifts, not guaranteed services
Emphasize weather dependency and safety priorities
Help people understand volunteer opportunities as participation, not payment for rides
Direct disappointed participants to other playa experiences
Skydiving Inquiries:
"Experienced skydivers only - 150+ jumps minimum"
"Must register online before arriving - this isn't a beginner program"
"Burning Sky Camp for all skydiving questions"
"Smoke jumps need special fire safety approval from F.A.S.T."
Skydiving isn't a learn-to-jump program - certification required
Passport Office Guidance
Managing Expectations:
"140+ camps participating, but you don't need to visit them all"
"Quality interactions matter more than quantity of stamps"
"Start early - some camps have limited hours or availability"
"It's about discovery and connection, not completion"
Encouraging Participation:
"Great way to push yourself outside your comfort zone"
"Designed to connect you with camps you'd never find otherwise"
"Each camp has different requirements - some simple, some challenging"
"Creates natural ice-breakers for shy participants"
Placement Information
Authority and Scope:
"Placement handles official camp locations and vehicle access"
"Contact them for boundary disputes or camp coordination issues"
"Heavy machinery requests must go through Placement, not DPW directly"
"After Gate opens, unused spaces become first-come, first-served"
Timeline Reality:
"Placed camps must arrive during build week"
"Official placement ends when Gate opens to general admission"
"Late arrivals should set up temporary shelter and wait for morning coordination"
Wedding Services Support
Planning Requirements:
"Legal weddings require significant advance planning and Nevada licensing"
"Ceremonial weddings can be arranged on-playa with much more flexibility"
"Multiple wedding venues available - check with 2 Lanterns for coordination"
"Photography and other wedding services available from various camps"
Setting Expectations:
"Wedding services are gifts from the community, not professional vendors"
"Popular times and venues may book up quickly"
"Consider unique Burning Man elements like art installation settings"
Art Information Support
ARTery Resources:
"ARTery has comprehensive maps, tours, and artist information"
"Art tours available for different interests and accessibility needs"
"Always ask permission before climbing or touching installations"
"Report safety concerns about art to Rangers or ARTery"
Encouraging Art Engagement:
"Art is designed for interaction, but respect artist guidelines"
"Tours help you discover art you might otherwise miss"
"Many installations have scheduled events or artist talks"