VOLUNTEER FOR BURNING MAN!
Volunteers help the Burning Man Project in many ways throughout the year. People put their time, energy, and resources into making Burning Man a successful, community-built event, and have done so since it started in 1986. Volunteering is an excellent way to meet people and exchange information and experiences. It's also a great way to build long-lasting friendships while we are away from the desert.
Volunteering for Burning Man is a form of participation. Since Burning Man is a fully participant funded event, volunteering is not typically associated with any material reward or ticket. It takes more than 2000 volunteers to build, run, and clean the city. From a few hours to a few weeks to a few months of donated time, the volunteers literally make the event happen. We couldn't do it without all of us!
You'll find answers to frequently asked questions about volunteering for Burning Man in the Volunteer FAQ.
From office and technical help, to lighting the lamps, to answering questions, to building our fair city on the playa, to erasing any trace after Burning Man, there are many opportunities to participate in the building of Black Rock City. Listed in the side menu (at right), you can see all of the major volunteer opportunities, including our current needs.
Volunteers help the Burning Man Project in many ways throughout the year. Here is a quick guide to when and where we need your help. You can use this information to help you when you decide what skills you want to offer on the Volunteer Questionnaire.
BEFORE THE EVENT / THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
- Every group listed to in the side menu (above, right) does work prior to the event. Many of groups meet periodically in San Francisco to plan for the event. Every group keeps non-San Francisco Bay Area residents connected to the planning process through email. Some groups do have "throughout the year" volunteer activity outside of San Francisco, check with your volunteer manager.
- The San Francisco Office Squad and the tech/web teams do all of their work before the event, primarily from San Francisco. They do not have "on the playa" activities.
- Starting about a month before the event, the Department of Public Works (DPW) volunteers build the city. Only volunteers who are available weeks before the start date of the event should volunteer with DPW.
- Earth Guardians and Rangers host special activities (trainings, cleanup weekends, etc.) throughout the year to prepare their volunteers for the event.
DURING THE EVENT (ON THE PLAYA)
- All teams listed in the side menu (above, right) have on-the-playa volunteer activities, with the exception of the San Francisco Office Squad and the web/tech teams (who use only highly-specialized labor). Volunteers from around the world serve on various volunteer teams.
AFTER THE EVENT
- The exodus team works as the event is ending, to ensure a smooth traffic exodus.
- The Department of Public Works volunteer crews turn into the clean up crew, and they work on the playa until ever sequin, feather, and nail is gone and we have literally "left no trace."
Once you have decided to commit time to volunteering, fill out the Volunteer Questionnaire to indicate your interests. The form is long, but we use it to fulfill various needs throughout the year, and match you with volunteer opportunities that you might enjoy. Please fill it out as accurately as possible, and make clear your commitment of time. Feel free to tell us if you have a strong preference about the area in which you'd most like to contribute. As we learn about you, you will also learn about the many different kinds of volunteers that make Burning Man.
After you fill out the questionnaire, we will add you to our database and add your email to an announce-only list-serve where we periodically post volunteer opportunities. Throughout the year, we sometimes post information about special events where we recruit volunteers for Burning Man. Also, make sure you connect with your regional contacts for Burning Man; while they may not be placing volunteers, they do know a lot about the community and can help you navigate our community. And, to simply stay abreast of Burning Man issues subscribe to the Jack Rabbit Speaks.
Thank you very much for your interest. Without you, Burning Man would not thrive or survive. If you have urgent questions, please email us at volunteers(at)burningman(dot)com. 
