The Nest community came together on Wednesday, February 21st for the Town Hall Meeting. It was an enlivening and enriching evening full of a diverse mix of characters.
In case you missed it, or if you want to review the topics discussed, please see the attached document with the minutes.
https://burningnest.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Town-Hall-Nest-2024-Minutes.pdf
Dear International Nestlings,
We welcome you to join us at Burning Nest this year! And if you are that way inclined, we want for you to be able to bring your artistic creations to Nest as well.
Understanding the legal landscape of bringing goods into the UK may seem daunting in a post-Brexit world. Or maybe you hadn't even thought about it at all! Either way, we've got you covered. See below for our handy reference guide.
For all the rest of it, like funding, communication, placement, LBT, practicalities, etc., check out the Art Grants page and submit an application! The next round of Art Grant reviews is on February 22nd, and the final round is April 22nd.
Your experiences, opinions and values matter. Share your perspective with the wider Nest community, and help inspire them to participate at the Burn in ways you enjoy.
Have you had a great time doing volunteering shifts during the Burn?
Say why it's so great to be a Ranger or Greeter or cook in the Volunteer Kitchen or do MOOP Sweeps!
Did you create some amazing art? Put on a fantastic event? Bring together a really cool theme camp?
How did you do it? Your words could help others do something similar, with their own flavour of course!
Do you have any special stories from Nest relating to Burner Principles or your own personal values?
Share them, and inspire other Nestlings to Burn like you.
So you want to write an article! Fantastic! We're glad to have you on board.
Here is a list of some potential topics we'd love to see articles about. If you see one you'd like to pick up, please send a message to comms@burningnest.co.uk to see if it's the right fit.
Do you want to write about something else that isn't on this list? Let's hear about it! Send an email to comms@burningnest.co.uk.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Yours,
Treasure
Comms Link
What are you up to next week?
Yeah, sure we'll all be hanging out on the Glade... but what specifically will you be doing? Where and when?
The What Where When Guide dropped last week. Ticket-holders have received an email (subject: "Burning Nest 2023: Glitch in Reality") with a whole bunch of info, including a link to a password-protected page where you can download a mobile-friendly version of the WWW Guide. (If you are a ticket holder and can't find your info email, send a note to comms@burningnest.co.uk.)
There will be physical copies available on site for most participants, but not enough for everybody to have one. Anyway, in the meantime you can get ahead on your planning, and see what activities you're into!
By no means do you need to copy down every single listing in the WWW Guide that looks remotely interesting (even the ones that coincide with workshops you yourself are running!) That would be a bit much. On the other hand, if you enjoy that because it gives you a chance to process all the amazing events on offer next week, then now is your chance to do that ahead of the Burn! And you'll end up with a personalised WWW Guide tailored to your interests. Don't judge me!
Also, you can just use the digital WWW Guide directly. Or you can scribble on a physical copy picked up at Gate when you arrive. You do you!
I acknowledge that promoting a mobile-friendly WWW guide is a little bit at odds with the most recent post advocating for no phone use at Burns. A beautiful contradiction! How wonderful! The Principles are meant to be interpreted.
I will say that if you are carrying your phone to view the WWW guide, I advise you keep it on Airplane mode and use it for functional purposes only. Don't get pulled out into the default world, people who aren't at the Burn or the faceless internet.
I look forward to sharing my workshops with you (acro, partner dance and rope -- see if you can spot some of them flagged in the above list!) and joining you at yours and other peoples'!
-Treasure
With our 2023 event inching ever closer, we're stoked to share the last in our four part series on How To Maximise Your Burning Nest Experience (Or Any Burn, For That Matter!)
We're firm believers that you get out what you put in, and there are four excellent ways that even first time burners can get involved.
Bring a Theme Camp
Make Art
Offer An Event
Volunteer
Now comes (arguably) the best and most foolproof way to make sure your Nest is awesome:
Volunteering is sensibly divided into two categories: year-round (pre-burn) roles, or on-site roles. Here are some examples:
If you're an admin whiz, you might lend your brain pre-event to help with the organisational or legal side of event planning. This would be a pre-burn role.
If you're pinched for time, you might find the best way to contribute is during the event - by helping out your fellow Nestlings as a Ranger, Welfaerie, running the Perimeter during a burn, etc. These are our on-site volunteers 🙂
Every Burner gets involved in one way or another. There's a reason Participation is one of our 11 Principles, and there are roles to suit everyone!
If you've never held a pre-burn role, it's easy to imagine that year-round or longer term roles can be intimidating. Sure - if you let them! Pre-burn roles are amazing (even as a first time burner) for building a deeper understanding of how Burn Magic comes together.
Here's some of the perks:
Get to know people outside of The Glade - including how they work, what they're into, and maybe even what other cool burn events they know about!
Build a whole new appreciation of what makes a burn possible
Spread your contributions out over time
Utilise skills that might not come into play on-site - spreadsheets, anyone?
Free up your on-site time to play, feeling good about your contributions to the event
Feel awesome in the knowledge that the burn couldn't happen without you!
Read more about longer-term roles on the organising page. Most roles are filled for Nest 2023 but if you like what other folks have done this year, consider joining the team for next year! And in the meantime...
There are so many on-site roles required to make a burn what it is - we literally couldn't do it without everyone pitching in! So here are some of the best bits about flexing your Participation muscles on-site:
Heaps of cool roles that you can do with very little prior training
Training is often provided - build up your skills
Increase the number of familiar faces by bonding with your shift-mates over a few hours
Concentrate your participation into one epic week in The Glade - great if work or life commitments get in the way of year-round roles, and often lower total time commitments
Great way to serve and meet other Nestlings - not just the shift-mates you befriend, but for example, all the people you might greet while working Gate, or help in Welfare, or encounter on a Ranger shift
Volunteers on shift are entitled to a meal at the Event Kitchen! 1 shift = 1 meal. Pop in and get something to eat when you are tired from your volunteering or just sit and have a brew and some snacks.
Feel awesome in the knowledge that the burn couldn't happen without you!
We bet you thought we couldn't get any sexier. You were wrong.
Because this year, we've rolled all of our best kept secrets about how to volunteer into one tasty tasty spreadsheet.
You'll find positions in the kitchen, with the Fire Wardens, at the Gate, in Welfare, as a Ranger, and more. If every burner signs up for one or two shifts, we could easily cover them all in no time!
Find out how to sign up for each team in the sexy mega-sheet.
Please bear in mind the less desirable time slots... are you brave and generous and chivalrous enough to take on tougher shifts? Your peers will be EXTRA grateful!
...oh, you're still here? Well, this is awkward. Go on, sign up! We'll love ya for it.
I'm coordinating a project called "InCluedo" to help groups of Nestlings make their needs known to a broad audience, to avoid having conversations often (or worse, not having needs met). Our priorities include people with access needs resulting from mobility issues, Neurodiversity and medical issues. We also want to feature other groups who could benefit from a platform (eg parents), as well as groups underrepresented at Nest (eg older Burners). Burning Nest is for everyone; help us make you feel welcome and inCluedo-ed!
Mobility
Colonel Mustard: Hi "Bob," thanks for joining us. Could you tell us a bit about your access needs?
Bob: Thanks! I'm basically fine, but walking is difficult for me. After about 5 minutes, I want to be sitting down. I enjoy Nest a lot, though!
CM: Sorry to hear, but glad you're making the most of it. Has Nest been generally accommodating?
Bob: Yes, for example they did a good job of providing transport to the Effigy and Temple Burn areas, since I couldn't walk that far, and they had disabled toilets (I had a radar key and you could get one from Welfare).
CM: Are there any things Nest or camp leads can do differently?
Bob: One thing camp leads can do is consider having an inclusion lead, in the same way they have LNT leads, just so someone is thinking about how to make the space accessible for everyone. Another, and I know this is a big ask, is for more raised seating around camps. That would really make it easier for people like me.
CM: Cool! Thanks for your suggestions, really appreciate your time!
Bob: Cheers
Note: Centrally located Accessible Camping is available to anybody who needs it! Ask where it is at Gate when you arrive.
Neurodiversity
Colonel Mustard: James, thanks for joining us. I'm keen to hear what would help neurodivergent people! Could you give us some of your needs?
James: Explaining things clearly is great! Say you run a breathwork session. I'd love to know before joining whether it's beginner-friendly or targeted to experienced people.
CM: The What Where When Guide will say if there are any specific requirements for an event, or experience needed. If it doesn't say, you can safely assume that in the spirit of Radical Inclusion, Immediacy and Participation that you can just turn up as you are! What else would help you?
James: At events, you often get people loitering and chatting. I have trouble focusing if there's sound nearby from people chatting or from music at nearby camps. Would love it if event spaces are quiet.
CM: Got it. What else can people do?
James: I struggle to understand body language and social cues. Neurotypical people should know not everyone understands situations implicitly. If you clearly explain the rules, maybe by writing them down ahead of time, it will be much easier for me and other people to make sure everyone is comfortable.
Also, in my ideal world sessions would start on time.
CM: I hear you! I agree re: explaining rules clearly, I'll try to do that in my events. Anything else?
James: I'm also sensory prone to the point where even strong cologne can cause me real discomfort. I know it's hard, but if we could get quiet in the camping areas, I'd be much happier!
CM: thanks, James! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
Note: Although Freecamping a relatively quiet zone as it is predominantly a camping area, this year we have introduced a 'Quieter Zone' in Free Camping for those who want peace and quiet. Ask about it at Gate!
Families
Colonel Mustard: Sarah, thanks for joining us! You've taken children to Burns before?
Sarah: yes, we've done a lot of Burns, including four with our two year old!
Colonel Mustard: I'm impressed! Is Nest a good place for families?
Sarah: Definitely! Our 8 and 9 year old had a lot of fun. The Nest Olympics was a great family friendly event. So was the pub quiz. And we loved the circus crew.
Colonel Mustard: Any suggestions for Families coming to Nest?
Sarah: Let's have an area in Free Camping designated family-friendly. It'll be nice to be together.
Colonel Mustard: Any suggestions for theme camps?
Sarah: More soft drinks! People are doing a lovely thing if they set up a bar with alcohol. If it also has soft drinks or juice, it's even nicer for us.
CM: Cool, thank you! Anything else?
Sarah: Yes, I'm the Family Lead in the Community circle this year. If you have questions about children at Nest, feel free to reach out! sarah@thesparks.family
Thanks for reading! This post will grow and grow as more Burners share their stories with me. Please get in touch with me, Colonel Mustard, at BurningInclusion@proton.me 
So you’ve clinched a precious Nest ticket for 2023, or you're anticipating one of our delicious future ticket releases... and now you're wondering how to get involved next!
Well, lucky for you, you've found our four part series on How To Maximise Your Burning Nest Experience (Or Any Burn, For That Matter!)
We're firm believers that you get out what you put in. Here are four excellent ways that even first time burners can get involved:
Bring a Theme Camp
Make Art
Offer An Event
Volunteer
The icing on the cake of any burn experience is workshops, parties, and events! This is an amazing way to contribute any of your skills and talents, hidden or otherwise, that don’t necessarily fit into any of the other categories. Or maybe they do, and you’ve simply got more to give! Either way, we’re here for it.
WHAT KIND OF EVENTS CAN I OFFER?
Literally… anything. As long as it’s not going to endanger other Nestlings or infringe on their right to consent, you can pull forth any form of ridiculousness you like.
Here are some events we’ve loved from previous burns:
Workshops to build your skills - leatherwork and poi spinning, for example
Illegal Vibrator Racing (a Kiwiburn classic)
Sounds baths (oosh, so delicious - you literally feel like your brain has been washed)
Dance parties (high levels of bass encouraged)
Sparkle Pony Shaming and Support
Breathwork and guided meditation
Kitty kat cafe (hint: no actual cats involved)
The list goes on - but meeting up with other Nestlings who are interested in the same events as you is epic. If it wasn’t enough that you both chose Nest, you also both chose *this* crazy thing! Sounds like you’ll be great friends.
WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED?
Another great question - look at you go!
HOW DO I SUBMIT AN EVENT?
We’re glad you asked! There are two routes: independently or with (some) Theme Camps.
Anybody can host an event anytime at Nest. In that case, use the general submission form: https://forms.gle/8px7g176q7MdkCkt5. Note: The Point is a public space available for different kinds of events! Timings will be allocated on a first come, first served basis so get your events in soon!
If you want to run your event at a particular Theme Camp, you have to communicate with them first! Many camps have their own events sign-up process. Some camps have more formal applications:
Other camps may be open to hosting events as well. Learn more about them and contact them directly from the Theme Camps page.
Depending on the camp, either they will upload your event for you, or you will still have to use the general submission form.
WHY SHOULD I OFFER AN EVENT?
Firstly, did you read the inspirational list of shenanigans above?! Nest is a place in which “if you can dream it, you can do it” applies… but it’s also a do-ocracy. Which means if you want to see it happening in the world, congratulations - it’s up to you to make it work! Even if you’ve got an idea, and no idea how to execute it - never fear. Our Facebook group is a wonderful place to drop a shout-out and see who else might want to join you in bringing your vision to life. Don’t be shy!
SO WHERE DO I SUBMIT MY EVENT?
Once more for those in the back 😉 We’d love to see your events and be able to share your plans in our What Where When guide! The submission deadline is April 20th 2023. Press the "Submit" Button below for the application form.
Note: If you're offering some sort of amazing immersive experience, sometimes you could even apply for an Art Grant to help bring your dream to life! Art grants are technically closed for 2023 but there may still be funding available. And definitely bear this in mind for your 2024 shenanigans!
