Skip to content

Contribution and Participation Plan

Session: 7 (updated Session 9 — theme camp options confirmed not available for 2026; sections retained for Year 2 reference) Priority: Medium — determines the group's community-facing identity

Session 9 correction: Theme camp applications for 2026 closed March 30. The "Medium" and "Medium-high" options below are not available for this year. The recommended path (private camp + gifting item) is now confirmed by default. Theme camp planning belongs to Year 2 (applications open ~March 2027).

The question

What does this group want to offer to the Lakes of Fire community in 2026?

This is not a required question. First-timers can attend as a private camp with no public offering and have a complete, valid experience. However, having an intention — even a small one — changes the quality of participation.

Options by effort level

Minimal (no registration, no planning)

What it looks like: - Private camp with no scheduled offerings - Gifting from abundance when it arises naturally (offering drinks from the cooler, sharing food, giving away leftover supplies) - Being warm, engaged, open to strangers who wander by

What it requires: Nothing beyond what the group is already planning.

Who this is for: Any first-year group, especially one whose primary goal is to understand and experience the event rather than program it.

Recommendation: This is a valid and complete first-year approach.

Light (no registration, one small intentional offering)

What it looks like: - One specific thing the group brings to give freely - Examples: home-baked goods on Day 2, a small handmade item, electrolyte shots, hot coffee available to passersby in the morning

What it requires: - Deciding what to bring and who makes/procures it - Bringing enough (30–50 small items is better than 5 elaborate ones) - Setting the intention before the trip

Who this is for: Groups who want to participate in gifting culture in a real way without committing to a structured program.

Recommendation: If the group has even one small idea, do this. It fundamentally changes the energy of the camp.

Medium (theme camp registration — sound focus) ⚠️ NOT AVAILABLE 2026

What it looks like: - A registered sound camp running 2–4 DJ sets over the event - Other offerings optional (drinks, activity, etc.) - Appears in the event guide; people come to the camp intentionally

What it requires: - Theme camp application (May 27 deadline) - Matt's sound equipment and planning - Commitment to running sets at agreed times - Sound permit compliance

Who this is for: Groups where a member has DJ/sound skills and wants to contribute music to the community.

See DM-007 for full decision framework.

Medium-high (theme camp — non-sound) ⚠️ NOT AVAILABLE 2026

What it looks like: - A registered theme camp with a different offering: games, activities, a workshop, art, food service, a social space - No sound requirement

Possible offerings for this group: - Amber's skills: A brief facilitated activity or discussion. She runs group activities professionally — this transfers directly. An informal "morning debrief" or "what surprised you?" conversation space. Low-logistics, high-connection. - The developer's technical skill: A "tech support" or "device help" camp (batteries, phone repairs, technical problems) — practical, low-setup, genuinely useful - Matt's music knowledge: A "music discovery" or "DJ story" conversation space without the equipment — talking about music, sharing recommendations, playing curated playlists at boom box level

What it requires: - Theme camp application - Consistent presence and offering at agreed times - Modest infrastructure

Confirmed (Session 9): Theme camp options are not available for 2026. The private camp path below is the confirmed approach.

  1. Enter as a private camp — confirmed
  2. Bring one gifting item — the group chooses one thing to gift freely throughout the event
  3. Consider a light Amber-led offering — something she's genuinely good at that doesn't require infrastructure (a brief facilitated conversation, a morning activity, something from her activities coordinator toolkit)
  4. Year 2 theme camp planning — with a full year of lead time (applications open ~March 2027), a proper theme camp makes much more sense; revisit in fall 2026

Rationale: First year is an orientation year. The theme camp question is now closed for 2026. A private camp with genuine warmth and one small offering is the right approach — and it's the confirmed one.

If the group brings a gifting item — decision guide

What makes a good group gifting item: - Small and portable - Not perishable (or very short-dated with clear labeling) - Not allergenic without labeling - Not burdensome to the recipient - Ideally connected to the "Grand Masquerade" theme if inspiration is available

Ideas given the theme: - A small mask or face decoration (inexpensive, fun, thematic) - A decorated or illustrated card with the camp name - A handmade wearable item (bracelet, patch, simple accessory) - A practical item decorated with the masquerade theme (electrolyte packet with a fancy label, a decorated hand fan)

Quantity: 50–75 units for a group of 3 at a 5-day event is enough to give to people you genuinely connect with without running out quickly.

Owner: Group decision, but Amber's creativity and social instincts make her the right driver here.

Decision memo

  • Keep: Private camp for 2026 — confirmed, not just preferred
  • Keep: One gifting item — small, intentional, group-chosen
  • Test: A light Amber-led offering (her professional skills applied in camp) — if it feels right to her
  • Resolved (Session 9): Theme camp for 2026 = not possible; decision closed
  • Assign: Amber drives gifting item decision and procurement
  • Assign: Group discusses contribution intentions at the pre-event conversation (late May/June)
  • Revisit fall 2026: Year 2 theme camp planning — watch for applications opening March 2027