Before you start
Make sure you have the following ready:- Your email address and phone number
- An emergency contact (name, relationship, and phone)
- Your Burning Man ticket status — whether you already have a ticket, need one, are enrolled in STEP, or have low-income ticket approval
- Your planned arrival and departure dates
- A referral code, if someone gave you one
Submit your application
1
Go to the application page
Navigate to your camp’s application URL — it looks like
yourcamp.playaos.app/apply. Each camp hosts its own application at a unique subdomain, so make sure you’re using the link shared by someone from that camp.If you already have an account from a previous season, click Login instead at the bottom of the page to skip the email entry step.2
Enter your email and create an account
Type your email address and follow the prompt to verify it. PlayaOS creates an account for you so your progress is saved and you can return to your application later.
3
Acknowledge camp expectations
The first screen presents the camp’s expectations and community standards. Read them carefully, then check the acknowledgment box to continue.
4
Fill in your personal information
Provide your:
- First and last name
- Email address and phone number
- Birthday and hometown
- Social media handle (optional)
- Referral code, if you have one
Your progress is saved automatically as you move between steps. If you need to stop and come back, navigate back to
/apply and your draft will be waiting.5
Share your Burning Man background
Tell the camp:
- How you heard about them
- Whether you’ve attended Burning Man before, and if so, which years
6
Choose your shelter type and ticket status
Select the shelter type you plan to use at camp:
If you’re sharing a shelter with others already in the camp, add their names in the shelter mates field.Then select your current ticket status:
- I have a ticket — you’re sorted
- Looking for a ticket — still searching
- Unsure — not sure yet
The camp doesn’t sell or distribute Burning Man tickets — this field just helps admins understand where you stand. If you’re enrolled in STEP or have low-income ticket approval, mention that when you describe yourself in step 6.
7
Tell us about build and strike availability
Burning Man camps rely on volunteers to set up (build week) and tear down (strike) the camp. Indicate whether you’re available for either, and describe any relevant skills or how you can help.Build week happens before the main event; strike is the teardown that follows. Even partial availability is valuable.
8
Write your introduction and agree to the 10 Principles
Write at least a few sentences about yourself — who you are, why you want to join this camp, and what you’d bring to the community. This is your chance to let your personality come through.Then check the box confirming you agree to uphold Burning Man’s 10 Principles as a member of the camp.
9
Submit your application
Review your answers and click Submit. You’ll see a confirmation screen, and a welcome email will arrive in your inbox shortly after.
After you submit
Once your application is submitted:- You’ll receive a welcome email confirming the camp received your application.
- Your application enters review. The admin team reads through submissions and decides who to invite for a vibe check.
- You may be invited for a vibe check — an informal conversation to assess cultural fit. See Vibe check for details on how that works.
- You’ll be notified of the outcome — approved, waitlisted, or not approved — by email.
Track your application status
You can check your current status at any time by visiting/apply/status (e.g., yourcamp.playaos.app/apply/status). The status page reflects exactly where you are in the process: