Quick recap
This was a Swing City camp meeting where new and returning members introduced themselves and discussed camp logistics for Burning Man. The meeting covered the new partnering system on the website for tracking group members, RV accommodations and camp placement near the 9 o'clock position, and updates on meal plans and ticket information. Several new members including Kat, CiCi, Cal, and their group shared how they found the camp through aerial dance connections, while Alex from The Gothic Folly art project discussed his 60-foot tall scaffolding installation that Swing City members could potentially help build. The group also discussed transportation options, bike rentals, and an expensive compostable toilet option being considered by another camp in the hub.
Next steps
Alex
- Put email/Instagram contact info in chat for volunteers interested in helping with The Gothic Folly art project.
- Coordinate with Kyle (and potentially others) about building/dry run of The Gothic Folly at Kyle's farm in New Paltz, NY.
- Share details about the 15-passenger van rental for build week in the rideshare section of the website if there is extra space.
- Return to future camp meetings to update on The Gothic Folly project progress and engage potential volunteers.
Filchy
- Send out a note/email about the offer from Playa Bike Repair to all camp members.
- Share details about the compostable toilet rental and coordinate with interested camp members who wish to contribute/pitch in.
- Send out a summary email/notes to all camp members about meeting topics and action items.
- Check in with Nier about his attendance status.
Kyle
- Share website/venue details for the June 3rd Desert Art Preview event in Bushwick, NY.
Lisa
- Share the WhatsApp group link in the chat for camp members.
- Coordinate offline with Alex regarding meal plan details for Alex's campers.
- Send a text to Nier about his attendance status.
Collaboration
- All camp members: Use the website partnering function to link with RV/travel/camping partners and update partnership status accordingly.
- All camp members: Update travel plans and ticket status in their camp website profiles.
- All interested camp members: Reach out to Alex (The Gothic Folly) if interested in volunteering for build/teardown or New York-based build events.
Summary
Team Meeting and Updates
The meeting began with informal conversation about health issues and entertainment, including discussion of a collaboration between Tomorrowland and Insomniac. Participants briefly discussed the fantasy book series "Dungeon Crawler Carl," with Joel expressing his recent obsession with the series and mentioning he had read all seven books in January. The conversation ended with Annie noting that two team members, Brian and Ross, were unable to attend due to personal matters, and a reminder was given about camera usage during meetings.
Camp Communication System Updates
The meeting began with casual greetings and updates about babies in the camp community, including JQ's pregnancy and the news about Megan and Jeremiah having a baby. Filchy discussed communication updates, explaining that the camp has implemented a new system with a primary email address and WhatsApp group for camp communications. He instructed participants to join the WhatsApp group for consistent updates and to ask questions, noting that while other platforms like Instagram and Facebook exist, they are not currently being actively monitored. The conversation ended with Filchy welcoming Dina to the call.
New Attendee Introduction Meeting
The meeting began with filchy sharing personal health information about recent surgery affecting their comfort level with clothing. New attendees introduced themselves, including CiCi and Cal from New York who learned about the camp through friends Kat and Suki, and Kat who practices aerial dance and is attending her first burn event. The group discussed their plans to share an RV and expressed excitement about meeting the community.
Burning Man Camp Membership Discussion
Qian introduced himself as a cinematographer who sometimes films aerial performances and works in the film industry, though not as a performer himself. Filchy shared a video of their Sunset Ride event from Burning Man, which Qian agreed to review, noting he would only be creating personal content for Instagram rather than commercial purposes. Joel, from Tennessee, joined the call as a potential new member, mentioning this would be his fourth Burning Man experience and expressing interest in joining a camp after having a solo experience last year.
Burning Man Camp Discovery Discussion
The group discussed how participants discovered the camp, with Joel mentioning he found it on Facebook or Reddit, while Dani shared her connection through Zep, a mutual trainer, and her interest in the camp's active focus. Dani and Suki expressed their excitement about joining, with Dani offering to help with website coding if needed. The conversation highlighted the camp's appeal to those seeking an active and structured experience at Burning Man.
Gothic Folly Art Project Planning
Alex introduced an art piece called The Gothic Folly, which will be 60 feet tall with a footprint of 50 by 80 feet, and discussed plans for sourcing scaffolding and a gray water evaporator. The group discussed the potential involvement of Swing City campers in helping with the art piece. Filchy mentioned that two other art projects had recently withdrawn, and the meal plan process was still being finalized, involving a detailed survey for dietary requirements.
Event Meal Planning Discussion
The group discussed meal plans and feeding arrangements for the event. Lisa explained that there is a meal plan with options including brunch for meal plan participants and a 3-5 PM "linner" meal, though specific details are still being finalized. Alex raised questions about feeding arrangements for build week versus event week, and it was clarified that these are separate considerations. The team agreed to discuss specific details offline, with Lisa offering to provide more information and an upcoming meeting on June 1st dedicated to questions about Swing City and the burn.
RV Rental and Registration Planning
Ilona, who is attending her fourth burn with her partner Anar, discussed their plans to rent an RV for the event. Filchy explained the importance of using the partnering function on the website to properly track group arrangements, emphasizing that all members of an RV group should be registered as partners to avoid registration issues.
Event Partnering System Discussion
The team discussed the partnering system for an event, focusing on how participants can connect with others to form groups. Filchy explained that participants need to check the "available for partnering" box in their profile and connect with potential group members. Qian suggested adding team names and colors to the system, which Filchy agreed was a good idea. They also clarified that friends staying nearby but not in the same group would not be considered partners.
RV Camping and Partnership Protocols
The discussion focused on RV camping arrangements and partnership protocols for an upcoming event. Filchy explained that RVs and tents should not be placed next to each other, with tents typically going under shade supports separate from RV areas. He advised that when listing partners, participants should only include people they are coordinating projects with or traveling with, and not just friends like Dani and Suki. The conversation also included introductions, with Bena (Brandon) meeting the group as JQ's husband, attending his first event for JQ's 40th birthday celebration.
Camp Location and Travel Planning
The team discussed the upcoming camp location, with Filchy confirming they will be near the 9 o'clock position but specific assignments won't be known until June. The group reviewed ticket status, with Filchy reminding everyone to check their profile to confirm ticket ownership and to submit travel plans, particularly for those wanting to join the build team who need to arrive by Monday before the event starts. Filchy also explained the rideshare coordination system available through their profile, allowing team members to coordinate transportation with others.
Event Bike and Art Car Arrangements
The group discussed bike arrangements for the event, with filchy explaining that an art bike relief camp had previously been discredited as a scam and was no longer operating. They noted that New York Deli had handled bike rentals in previous years but faced criticism for their service, though it was unclear if they would participate again this year. The discussion also touched on the status of art cars, with filchy indicating that Dean was unlikely to attend due to transmission issues with his art car, while Seth's participation remained uncertain as he typically makes decisions at the last minute.
Burning Man Camp Planning Updates
The meeting focused on updates and coordination for various camp activities and projects at Burning Man. Filchy announced plans to share information about a compostable toilet rental option and an offer from Playa Bike Repair in the next email, noting the high cost of the toilet. Alex discussed his camp's involvement in helping with transportation during build week and shared details about their art project, "The Gothic Folly," which will be a 60-foot-tall scaffolding structure. Kyle suggested that Alex's project could benefit from support, particularly from New York-based camp members, and proposed building the structure at Kyle's farm before transport to the event site. The group also discussed potential collaboration and logistics for the project, with Alex sharing his email for further coordination.
Burning Man Project Planning Meeting
The group discussed preparations for an upcoming Burning Man event, with Kyle sharing details about rebuilding a flying trapeze rig with pressure-treated footings to prevent sinking in the muddy meadow location. Alex presented his Gothic Folly project, a 17-foot round stained glass window with LED lighting, and announced plans to begin welding work the following week in New York. The team confirmed a Desert Art Preview event scheduled for June 3rd in Bushwick at Eris Evolution, where Alex was invited to present his project, and discussed a separate wedding event on June 6th involving Eli.