Thinkers & Drinkers International
Camp Parley
We’re going to burning man 2024
Camp Parley is a small first year theme camp of up to 15 people. Our public offering is to be a dedicated conversation camp. We're bringing the Thinkers & Drinkers model of facilitated group conversations (with a range of topics). Burning Man's 80,000 people are extremely diverse so this should be a lot of fun!
Why Camp Parley?
The country and world continues to be plagued by deep political and cultural divisions and extremism that seems to only be getting worse. Our belief is that listening and talking to one another, despite our disagreements, is the best way to combat this. Burning Man has 1300 theme camps each with a unique offering: from sound camps (music), to bar camps or workshop camps, the offerings are quite diverse... but very few offer a dedicated, open, facilitated conversation space in the way Thinkers & Drinkers does it... so we're bringing it!
This year, at Burning Man, we’re raising the white flag of truce and asking people to PARLEY with us in a safe, non-judgemental space meant to encourage dialogue, not debate, and to learn about each other, not win an argument. Historically, a parley (from the French verb: “to speak”) is a meeting between enemies in order to negotiate an end to hostilities. The white flag would be raised to signal a willingness to temporarily end fighting and talk peaceably. This word was also popularized by the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, so we're weaving some pirate themes such as our leadership structure and art.
Our Mission is to facilitate meaningful conversations and bridge gaps between people who may disagree with each other. Participants that accept the Parley (and agree to its’ rules) shall be under our protection. No one shall be left feeling unwelcome and no one will be silenced or shunned for simply expressing an idea. The topics and framing are done in a way that everyone can have an opinion and a voice so that all feel welcome. In our conversation pit, under the flag of truce, ideas and thoughts shall be shared, rapport shall be built and new friends made.
History
Since 2013, the organizers of Camp Parley have run a non-profit meetup and community called Thinkers & Drinkers International (T&D) that boasts over 15,000 members. T&D holds weekly Think and Drinks in 5+ cities, we do international group trips and facilitate large group camping weekends in Colorado, Texas and Utah. Over the years we’ve developed multiple formats, tips and tricks for facilitating fun, meaningful discussions, especially among strangers. The Thinkers & Drinkers Facilitator Guide will form the basis of Parley's offering.
If you enjoy our format and the folks you meet here, participants will have the ability to reconnect with us at future Thinkers trips including weekly meetings in Denver, Portland, Austin, San Antonio and possibly some regional burns in the Austin and Denver area.
Our Offering
Twice daily facilitated group discussions in our shaded conversation pit. Topics of conversation will range from the fun, to the deep, to the controversial. In some sessions we will ask participants to come up with the topics or pose a question for the group.
Liquid libations (coffee or beer/cocktails) shall be offered to participants as supplies last.
Outside of the scheduled facilitated events, our conversation space will be open to camp members and the public to continue the conversation.
How Will Our Camp Operate?
Parley will be made up of a dozen or two self-reliant members who are open to sharing their time and excess supplies. Most of our members will be first time burners as we draw on the Thinkers community in 📍Denver, 📍Austin, 📍Portland and 📍San Antonio.
We will construct a shade structure for tent campers and a small private hang out space for those that want to get away from the public side. We have enough room where you can create your own space/shelter or you can join our shade structure. All campers can claim up to 360 sq ft of space (Tentative).
Shared Resources:
+ A shaded public discussion pit for up to 24 people
+ A private shade area for tent campers
+ Power (Additional Fee for RV/AC)
+ Gray Water Disposal (Not for RVs)
+ Tools
+ Backup drinking water and medical supplies
Leadership
Parley was founded in 2024 and is led by Chris Gerritz and Ian Perry. While this will be our camp's first time at Burning Man, we have decades of experience leading large group trips, camping and overland survival experience.
Leadership Structure:
1. Captain (aka "Cap")- Co-Organizer and primary point of contact for the camp.
2. Quartermaster (aka "Wheel") - Co-Organizer and primary in charge of supplies and logistics including coordinating work parties and camp MOOP patrols.
3. Chief Engineer (aka "Chief') - Primary point of contact for infrastructure, power, and coordinating manpower for build and strike. This person should ideally be a civil engineer or have construction/carpentry experiance.
4. Doctor (aka "Doc") - Responsible for any centralized medical supplies and ensuring people are taking care of themselves. This person should ideally be a medic, nurse or doctor.
Work Roles:
Our purpose as a camp is to facilitate conversation and deep connections. We aren't looking for spectators in our camp so, during the Burn, expect to contribute efforts towards build, strike and to share the burden of volunteer shifts (# of shifts required depends on total number of campers). Our roles are:
- Facilitators - Facilitators run our events and greet participants as they enter our camp.
- Barkeeps - Make drinks for participants of our events: morning coffee and alcoholic beverages in the evening.
- Able Bodies - "AB" Shifts for build, strike, going on ice runs or any other needed camp labor tasks.
Build Crew will show up Saturday morning and build the shade structures. Everyone else will show up Sunday. Folks with RVs should show up Sunday to become part of camp infrastructure. All campers are required to take part in camp tear down, packing, and cleaning (aka "Strike") on Sunday. Before we leave (Monday morning), there will be a final MOOP sweep to ensure nothing is left behind.
Camp Cost Sharing:
Our camps cost share are designed to be as low as possible while implementing the camp vision, investing in long-term infrastructure, and providing for inevitable surprises.
Camp Cost Share: $250 (Tentatitive placeholder. TBD)
RV/Air Conditioner Power Fee: Additional $300 per RV/AC
Due: July 15th, 2024
PayPal using a Friends & Family transfer to paypal.me/thinkersanddrinkers
All camp expenses and investments in 2024 will be underwritten by Chris Gerritz so he will handle most of the buying. If you're able to contribute more and help us invest in initial infrastructure, we welcome it!
Discounts and Financial Aid:
Discounts on cost share, and financial aid for those who have need, are available for camp members that have a lot to offer the camp. Examples include participation during Build Week, help with Transport, or picking up extra shifts.
Who can apply?
For the first year, Parley will be an invite only camp. You may apply if you know a member of the camp or are part of the Thinkers & Drinkers community. This application does not guarantee a spot, its' also contingent on getting a burning man ticket.
After Applying, What's Next:
1) Camp Leads will review your application
2) If we think you're a good fit we'll send you a calendar link
3) From there we'll schedule a 30min FaceTime/Zoom to connect
4) You'll be notified via email if you were accepted into camp 24 hrs after meeting
Note: Getting a ticket to Burning Man will be independent of this process. We are unlikely to get many, if any, Steward tickets (Sale in March). Your participation in camp is contingent on getting a ticket in the main sale in April, through resale or the final OMG sale in the first week of August.
After Accepted Welcome Email:
1) We'll add you to the WhatsApp Group for further coordination
2) Put the BM ticket sale dates on your calendar
3) Submit your Camp Cost Shares
4) Sign up for shifts in our shared GoogleDoc (coming soon)
Thank you for applying to Burn with Camp Parley!