Camp Abs Updates

Quick recap

August 10, 2026 Video 1:12

## Camp Logistics
**Totem** and **Sully** outlined the following regarding waste management:
*   All members must participate in a two-hour **MOOP** shift to maintain camp cleanliness scores.
*   Critical cleanup shifts occur between Sunday night and Monday afternoon; members leaving early are discouraged from missing these windows.
*   Participants should bring personal cleaning equipment such as a **dustpan** and a **dust broom**.
*   The camp does not offer a communal composting system for individual food waste; users must manage their own organic waste.

## Infrastructure Needs
Technical requirements for camp setup were detailed by several speakers:
*   For tent stability, members should use steel **lag screws** rather than rebar or standard stakes. The recommended specifications are 14 inches long with a 3/8 inch head to ensure compatibility with camp tools located at the **Wizard Hut**. 
*   The camp provides a **Tensegrity** shade structure that accommodates standard size pods and certain models of the **Kodiak** tent, though large versions may not fit. 
*   Due to dust management needs, bell tents are prohibited because of their excessive footprint and guideline requirements. 
*   Regarding power, individuals should bring lightweight, foldable **solar panels** to tie onto the structure, as the camp does not provide individual power beyond a limited charging station.

## Food and Community
Operational updates regarding sustenance and social spaces included:
*   **Lisa** confirmed that dietary restrictions must be updated via the website to ensure proper meal planning for attendees like **Teagan**. 
*   To mitigate severe allergy risks, no peanut products will be permitted in the canteen area. 
*   The canteen acts as a general meeting space providing snacks and electrolyte drinks; however, it is not intended as a primary food source for those not on the meal plan.

Action Items

• [ ] Send the remaining MOOP bag roll currently stored on your bus to the kitchen team so they can be prepared for use at the Reno meetup and on playa.
• [ ] Bring a dustpan to Burning Man so it can be used for MOOP shifts and sweeping around camp.
• [ ] Set up a designated MOOP bag collection box in the kitchen area so shifters can drop off filled compost baggies before checkout.
• [ ] Look up the camper who could not find their dietary-restriction form on the website and help locate or re-enter their preferences if needed.
• [ ] Coordinate with the camp leader and Filchy to resolve the website build fee purchase issue for Teresa and ensure the build fee option is available again.
• [ ] Message Filchy to report that the build fee option is no longer appearing and request that he restore it so the build fee can be purchased.
• [ ] During strike, explain to anyone dismantling carports the safe method for taking them down and ensure nobody removes them early.
• [ ] Work with the camp leader and Black Rock City staff to obtain vehicle passes for yourself and the other named person and then send updated instructions on how to get passes and parking locations to camp members.
• [ ] Follow up offline with the person responsible for the camp budget to explore options for upgrading rig lighting at Burning Man.
• [ ] Re-figure out and document how to safely rig your lightweight solar panels to the tensegrities so you can power devices at camp again this year.

Outline

Meeting Logistics and Introductions

• The meeting began with technical difficulties regarding lighting, background blur, and finding the correct Zoom link.
• Participants clarified that they were in the correct meeting after confusion over older links from August 3 and August 9.
• Totem and Sully were introduced as the leaders for the current meeting agenda.

MOOP and Leave No Trace

• Totem explained that MOOP stands for "Matter Out of Place" and discussed the importance of camp cleanliness scores.
• Every camper is responsible for a two-hour MOOP shift during the week to pick up trash and compost.
• Critical shifts are scheduled for Sunday night through Monday afternoon to ensure the camp plot is clean before exodus.
• Campers are encouraged to bring dustpans and brooms to efficiently clean their personal spaces and tents.

Kitchen and Compost Management

• Lisa addressed questions regarding kitchen compost and the disappearance of previous recycling containers.
• The kitchen team emphasized that campers must manage their own food waste as there is no communal composting for individuals.
• To prevent MOOP, campers should remove packaging before arriving on playa and pack out all personal trash.
• Lisa noted that the kitchen will handle its own trash removal via a truck leaving early Monday morning.

Meal Plans and Dietary Needs

• Lisa confirmed that Teagan is on the meal plan and has her dietary preferences recorded.
• Campers who have paid for the meal plan but haven't specified restrictions should update their forms.
• Due to high numbers of peanut allergies, peanut products will be kept in the back of the kitchen rather than in the canteen.
• All campers are reminded to bring their own reusable containers for meals and drinks like smoothies.

Tent Setup and Lag Screws

• Totem and Nick advised using 14-inch steel lag screws instead of rebar or standard tent stakes for stability.
• If purchasing own lag screws, they should have a 3/8 inch head to work with camp tools.
• The Wizard Hut provides tools and screws, but campers are encouraged to bring their own drivers if possible.
• Bell tents are strictly prohibited because they have an excessive footprint and are difficult to manage.

Dust Management and Tensegrity

• Nick warned that the weather will be extremely dusty and recommended wearing masks and goggles.
• Campers should cover bedding and pillows to protect them from dust infiltration through tent mesh.
• The camp provides a tensegrity shade structure, but campers should bring their own opaque shade cloth and rope for better coverage.
• Tensegrity spots are first-come, first-served, so those arriving late in the week may not secure a spot.

Canteen and Community Support

• Casey introduced the canteen as a central meeting place providing snacks, electrolytes, and a space to recharge.
• The canteen serves as a support hub where people can find boiling water or use swamp coolers to stay cool.
• Campers are encouraged to be patient, kind, and self-reliant when facing the challenges of the desert environment.
• The canteen area will also feature boards for notes and a designated Lost and Found area outside.

Final Reminders and Schedule

• The group discussed upcoming events including a climbing art tour on Thursday and a major camp meeting on Friday.
• Members were reminded to check the SCAT messaging channel for build crew updates and vehicle pass information.
• Totem encouraged everyone to disconnect from cell phones to fully engage in the Burning Man experience.