Image credit: Kasai Photography

What is a Theme Camp?

Theme Camps are an essential part of the heart and soul of Kiwiburn. They are social meeting places where anything can happen, and often does.

Featuring art and activities, Theme Camps are interactive in nature. They are a direct expression of the principles of inclusion, communal effort, participation and gifting.   

A Theme Camp is a pocket of reality created by a group of humans who get together to do something interesting. Theme Camps create an ambience, a visual presence, provide a communal space, or create and host art and activities for Kiwiburn participants. 

THEME CAMP CRITERIA

To qualify as a registered Theme Camp, you’ll need to:

• Run at least 3 interactive events, which will be featured in the Kiwiburn Event Guide.
• Contribute to the 10 Guiding Principles of Burning Man.
• Agree to our Theme Camp Setup Guide.
• Have an open and interactive space for participants.
• Offer distinctive art, events, or a theme.

Some theme ideas: Chill Space, Music Space, Health & Wellness, Food & Drink Space, Workshop Space, Games.

THEME CAMP RESERVE TICKETS

Theme Camps that meet all these criteria can apply for a set number of Reserve tickets.

Allocated tickets applications will close on 24 September and numbers will be advised to Theme Camps on 1 October. These tickets must have burner names submitted against them by 15 October. They will then be allocated on 29 October for you to purchase by 10th December. More info will come on this.

To be considered for Reserve tickets, your Theme Camp must have a good history at Kiwiburn or other burn events, and no MOOP, sound or safety violations from previous events.  You will also need to run a minimum of 3 events.

EARLY ENTRY

Theme Camps can also apply for Early Entry passes, of which there are a limited number available for key team members who qualify to come to site early and build your structure.

You can apply for early entry in your Theme Camp registration. To be eligible to apply, Theme Camps must be registered by 15 October 2023.

We will confirm Early Entry passes in November and you’ll need to provide to us the names of those on site early.

Early Entry tickets are very limited due to our Resource Consent requirements and are strictly enforced.

EARLY ENTRY CRITERIA

Early entry is limited by our Resource Consent, it provides access to Theme Camps where they need to set up Structures, Sound Systems, Art, or complicated Infrastructure prior to the event commencing.

Priority is given to key members of your team and access may be granted up to 3 days prior to the event commencing.

Please let us know when you register if you need early entry, what you plan on doing and how many days and people are needed.  Health & Safety during this period is critical as it is a working site.

THEME CAMP SETUP GUIDE

Can I serve alcoholic beverages? What can I burn at my Theme Camp? Where can I dump my rubbish? Where can I plug in Theme Camp Sound System?

For the answer to all of these great questions, see our handy-dandy Theme Camp Setup Guide.

THEME CAMP WOF

For the safety of everyone on site (and our Resource Consent to run Kiwiburn in years to come!), we run a Theme Camp WOF system (previously Guidelines) that each Theme Camp will be evaluated on.

Passing this WOF is crucial to having your Theme Camp being allowed to return the following year.

More info on the WOF is to come – this will be distributed directly to Theme Camps. When it arrives, please take the time to familiarise yourself and your Theme Camp members with it.

SOUND POLICY

What happens if I want to play it LOUDER? Where can I set up our sound system? Can I throw a sunrise psy-trance party in the forest? Who cares if our music is a little loud? What else should I know?

Luckily for you, we have the answers right here in our Sound Policy.
NB: This is our 2021 policy; for 2024 we will be updating and providing a copy to Theme Camp and Sound Leads later in 2023.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN GUIDE

Theme Camp Health and Safety Guides are live now in the portal! Log in to your account on the Kiwiburn Portal to fill this in by [DATE TBA]. For any questions, please contact your Theme Camp Coordination Team.

Have we missed something? Please get in touch with the Theme Camp coordinator!