• All Black Rock citizens in service to the Temple are invited to apply to camp. Typically all members are Temple Guardians, but over the years we have welcomed those in Temple-adjacent volunteer roles, including Rangers, Temple Builders, and EMS.

    New burners and first-time Guardians are just as welcome as veterans. Retired Temple Guardians with a long history of service will always have a home here with their playa family.

    All camp members must serve a minimum of three Temple shifts during burn week.

  • Temple Guardians come in all flavors! If you’re looking for a more independent and party-forward burn experience with less of a commitment to camp culture, shared duties, and Temple shifts, you’ll probably have more fun elsewhere. This is not a party camp,

    We’d still love to meet you though! Our hangout shade tent is open to all Guardians, and all are welcome to the Wednesday evening potluck and festivities. Roll by and see who’s around - maybe you’ll want to camp with us in the future.

  • Click here to apply! Link opens a Google Form in a new tab.

    New applicants will have a friendly screening call with one or more camp lead. You must be a verified Temple Guardian for your place in camp to be confirmed.

    Returning campers must submit an application so we can collect your updated information.

  • Important: This camp does not hande volunteer registration, volunteer training, or any aspect of official Temple Guardian management. We are here to create your camp experience.

    However, we can guide you:

    1. Fill out the volunteer questionnaire in your Burner Profile (opens in new tab) and select “Temple Guardians”

    2. You’ll receive an automated email from the Temple Guardian team directing you to the Guardians’ Questionnaire

    3. Once filled out, you’ll receive an email (not automated - timing may vary) directing you to the Manual Review

    4. Once completed, the Volunteer Lead will manually set you up in our online shift board Babalooey, opening shifts to you which match your previous volunteer experience if any.

    If you want to know more, or if you have questions or concerns, email templeguardians@burningman.org

  • Shoot a message to the volunteer data team via templeguardians@burningman.org! They are a separate entity from Temple Oasis and they handle all inquiries pertaining to volunteer registration, shift signup, manual review, and all other aspects of official volunteer management.

  • Temple Oasis will provide private porta-potties, potable water, a communal dry kitchen (bring your own food, shared breakfast, waterless sanitation), communal shade structures, tent shade, grey water disposal, a camp shower, and endless Guardian love!

    We do not have a power grid/RV hookups, internet, or refrigeration (we have coolers for donated breakfast items but you are responsible for your own food).

    Outside of what’s generated during shared breakfasts, We Do Not Collect Trash. Recycle camp is nearby and receives aluminum cans. Otherwise campers are all responsible for their own waste management.

    Campers arriving on the Burner Express Bus are given bags to collect your trash and recycling, which will be received at the bus depot before you depart the playa.

    Collect your MOOP in small trash bags like these or these! (links open in new tab)

  • We have a gray water collection tote, covered by dues.

    RV campers may elect to sign up for pump-outs by approved outside services, coordinated by your camp lead, for a fee.

    WE DO NOT COLLECT TRASH. Practice Leave No Trace meticulously. The Playa Restoration Team scores each camp’s plot according to a MOOP sweep test, which impacts camp standing for future burns.

  • Yes, we collect dues of $250 to cover the provided infrastructure and amenities. You may pay in two installments if needed. Limited assistance may be available if you are unable to commit to this cost.

  • We have a small community generator for charging devices and lighting our canopy at night, but we have NO RV hookups and NO internet. Get out there and get immersed in the wild playa!

  • Regular email newsletters are sent out in the lead-up to the burn.

    We host a series of Zoom hangouts to get to know each other before living together for a week on playa. These are optional, but strongly encouraged.

    Two informational webinars will be held closer to the burn. Attendance is required - please attend the session that fits your schedule.

    Confirmed campers will be sent a link to our Slack workspace for easy chatting.

    Once on playa, we’ll kick off the week with an all-hands-required acculturation meeting on Monday afternoon.

  • Veteran Temple Guardians arriving on or before Thursday of build week may be eligible for an early access permit. Please send us a message to ask, or indicate in your camp application. The Guardian department is limited to offering early access to veterans only.

    All early arrivers will work two four-hour shifts a day, starting the day after they arrive on playa, as a part of Guardian build crew (raising Temple Oasis, HQ at Central Plaza, or the Guardian outpost B08) or guarding the Temple while the Temple Builders finish construction.  

    Participants arriving on the Burner Express Bus may arrive as early as Friday and do not need an early access pass.

  • While minors are welcome, they may not be left unaccompanied at camp. Additionally, Temple Guardians aren’t permitted to have children shadowing them during shifts. We ask that you have a plan in place for your children while you’re on shift.

    We cultivate a safe and respectful environment, although we aren’t explicitly designed to be kid-friendly. Check your playa resources and use your discernment!