More Info In The 2024 FAQ

LOCATION: Reclaim, 33850 McCumber Road, Rutland, Ohio 45775

DESCRIPTION

Mosaic Experiment is a four day all-ages camping event based on the culture and principles of Burning Man. Mosaic Experiment is a collaborative gathering of a community organized and fueled by volunteers. An official Burning Man regional event, Mosaic Experiment is an interactive experience that is everything that you make it, and nothing that you might expect it to be.

With respect to the 10 Principles of Burning Man, Mosaic Experiment incorporates principles including Leave No Trace (there are no trash cans, so you’ll have to pick up after yourself and pack your trash out with you), Decommodification and Radical Self Reliance (there are no vendors, so you’ll have to bring enough food, water, and whatever else you need to survive for four days.)

Mosaic Experiment takes place at Reclaim, a former strip-mine in Rutland, Ohio. This land is dedicated to reclaiming, foresting, and supporting the natural environment. Reclaim is centered in a larger preserve owned by United Plant Savers who use the land to grow medicinal and endangered plants. Reclaim’s landowner has worked hard to heal this former strip-mine, and as stewards of our environment, Mosaic Experiment focuses special effort on minimum impact and Leave No Trace.

PRINCIPLES

As an official regional event of the Burning Man Network, Mosaic Experiment employs the same 10 principles as Burning Man.

RADICAL INCLUSION: Anyone may be a part of Mosaic Experiment. We welcome and respect the stranger. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community.

GIFTING: Mosaic Experiment is devoted to acts of gift giving. The value of a gift is unconditional. Gifting does not contemplate a return or an exchange for something of equal value.

DECOMMODIFICATION: In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, our community seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising. We stand ready to protect our culture from such exploitation. We resist the substitution of consumption for participatory experience.

RADICAL SELF-RELIANCE: Mosaic Experiment encourages the individual to discover, exercise and rely on his or her inner resources.

RADICAL SELF-EXPRESSION: Radical self-expression arises from the unique gifts of the individual. No one other than the individual or a collaborating group can determine its content. It is offered as a gift to others. In this spirit, the giver should respect the rights and liberties of the recipient.

COMMUNAL EFFORT: Our community values creative cooperation and collaboration. We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction.

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY: We value civil society. Community members who organize events should assume responsibility for public welfare and endeavor to communicate civic responsibilities to participants. They must also assume responsibility for conducting events in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

LEAVE NO TRACE: Our community respects the environment. We are committed to leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather. We clean up after ourselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave such places in a better state than when we found them.

PARTICIPATION: Our community is committed to a radically participatory ethic. We believe that transformative change, whether in the individual or in society, can occur only through the medium of deeply personal participation. We achieve being through doing. Everyone is invited to work. Everyone is invited to play. Everyone is invited to volunteer. We make the world real through actions that open the heart.

IMMEDIACY: Immediate experience is, in many ways, the most important touchstone of value in our culture. We seek to overcome barriers that stand between us and a recognition of our inner selves, the reality of those around us, participation in society, and contact with a natural world exceeding human powers. No idea can substitute for this experience.

CONSENT

The very first section of Mosaic Experiment’s Code of Conduct is Consent. Consent is the foundation upon which we practice the 10 Principles. As a community, we believe in growing a culture of consent through education, practice, and self-reflection, as well as holding each other accountable. Sexual assault, harassment and stalking will not be tolerated. Our expectation is that every burner will get consent - before taking someone's picture, touching someone's body, using someone's property or giving a gift - by using the 4-Cs Framework for Consent:

• Caring: We care about the well-being and autonomy of others. We approach every situation as equals and seek the optimal interaction for all involved, including bystanders. We recognize that every individual embodies unique experiences, beliefs and desires, and acknowledge our own blindspots, weaknesses, desires and motivations as much as we can.

• Communication: Ideally, we ask directly and clearly for what we want, with transparency. We actively invite contributions from those we wish to engage and seek to understand their desires and their limits. We practice communicating our boundaries, and strive to be aware of our own communication blockages. Communication is also on-going: consent can be revoked at any time, and past consent is not an indication of future consent. Nudity or sexy dress, or being present in a sexually charged environment is not a communication of consent. Consent must be explicitly communicated.  

• Caution: We remain flexible and aware of changes throughout our interactions with each other. We read body language and check in if something seems to have changed. Caution means waiting to make sure your gift, physical touch or presence is welcome before engaging someone else. Caution helps us avoid assumptions by encouraging us to ask clarifying questions. Caution enables us to remain curious about the experience of the other person, rather than focusing only on our own. It also reminds us to remain in communication with others and aware of their well-being.

• Consent: We believe that consent is freely given – without pressure, without threat, without being convinced, without any doubt. Waiting for a “Hell Yes” and enthusiastic consent is the most certain approach. Consent also means being aware of the many ways someone's consent might be compromised, such as being altered, affected by social pressure, group or power dynamics, and other individual characteristics. The complexity and ambiguity of human communication requires caring and caution to navigate skillfully towards fully informed, freely given consent.

Consent Response Team
The Consent Response Team collects information about consent incidents, maintains confidential records of all reports, and responds appropriately to each reported incident. The Consent Team takes reports from anyone, at any time through the Mosaic website. You can make a report to the Consent Team online here. You may choose to remain anonymous or include your contact information with your report.  Online reports are NOT checked during the event or during everyone’s pre-burn prep time, the two weeks just prior to the event.

During the event, there is always a member of the Consent Response Team on-call available to take reports or to have casual conversations about consent. If you are in need of help from the Response Team you can ask a ranger or anyone with a radio to contact the on-call Response Team member for you.  You may also submit a written report to the consent report drop box located at the first aid station, which will be checked twice daily.  Check out the Consent Team page for more detailed information on the Consent Team and the Response Process.

Consent Education Auxiliary
The Education Auxiliary aims to empower all participants to promote positive consent culture before, during, and after every burn. They do this by coordinating consent workshops and discussions during the event, working with Greeters to emphasize consent at the entrance (you can say no to a hug!) and engaging the community with consent information on Mosaic Experiment’s social media outlets throughout the year.  

Consent Liaisons
We ask all registered theme camps to designate a Consent Liaison. This person is asked to attend at least one of the on-site consent workshops or discussions and to encourage a culture of consent within their camp. They should also be available to assist the Response Team should an incident occur that involves their camp or campmates. 

DIRECTIONS

The address for Reclaim is: 33850 McCumber Road, Rutland, Ohio 45775

GPS signal can be spotty the closer you get to the event. Please print out or screenshot directions and have them with you, or use offline maps. A map and directions can be found here. A few miles out of Reclaim entrance there will be a few signs along the road with “family reunion” on them. If you see those, you are headed in the right direction. The entry will have a Mosaic Experiment sign.

TICKETING

You must have a ticket and valid government ID to attend Mosaic Experiment. No one will be allowed entry without a valid ID. All participants must sign a waiver of liability to enter the event. All minors must be accompanied by their legal guardian or have a signed waiver from their guardian as well as a minor registration form with emergency contact information filled out by their parent or legal guardian.

Mosaic Experiment is an all-ages event. Children under 18 are not required to have an ID, however, all minors must be registered in the same Brown Paper Tickets purchase as either a parent or legal guardian above the age of 21 who will arrive with the minor at Gate. Any child or minor who arrives at Gate without a registered guardian will be turned away unless prior arrangement has been made by contacting Tickets or Gate.

TICKET DETAILS

Tickets are will-call only! Save your email purchase information. You will receive a purchase confirmation from Brown Paper Tickets when you have made a ticket purchase. Save it! You may need the info to confirm a purchase or transfer a ticket.

You must have a valid, non-expired, government-issued ID that matches your name on the will call list at Gate. We are no longer processing tickets by number. Matching Name + ID = Entry to Mosaic Experiment.

Please see the ticketing page for information on ticket prices, cut-off dates, and our Needs-Based Ticketing program. 

*Minors (under the age of 18) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian above the age of 21 registered in the same Brown Paper Tickets purchase as the minor’s ticket.

THERE ARE NO GATE SALES. Tickets must be purchased online prior to the deadline on the ticketing page or before tickets have sold out, whichever comes first. If you show up and your ID does not match a name on the ticket list, you will be turned away.

Upon entering the grounds, you will be asked for a valid, unexpired, government-issued ID to gain admission. We are no longer processing tickets by number. Matching Name + ID = Entry to Mosaic Experiment.

If you have any questions about ID matching or dead names, please email gate@mosaicexperiment.com.

TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE!

GATE

GATE HOURS:

• Thursday 10/3: 10 am to Midnight

• Friday 10/4: 10 am to 10pm

• Saturday 10/5: 10 am to 2pm

AFTER HOURS ARRIVALS: We understand that life can be unpredictable and the best laid plans for being radically prepared will go sideways. However, for the safety, security, and respect of participants already in the event you may not enter Mosaic Experiment until you have been registered and have a wristband.

If you arrive after the Gate has closed you may park and camp in the marked Late Arrival Area outside of Gate and wait until Gate opens the following morning. To allow for potential ingress/egress of emergency vehicles we ask that you do not block the main road at any time. You may not enter Mosaic Experiment without being registered and wristbanded by a Gate Lead.

If you know in advance that there is a possibility that you will be arriving close to Gate closing time on Thursday or Friday, please reach out to one of the Gate Leads at gate@mosaicexperiment.com as soon as possible with your expected time of arrival. Be aware that access to email will not be reliable once the event has begun and requests for entry after gate hours may not be honored.

For safety reasons, if you are allowed access after hours you will NOT be allowed to drive into the event to set up. You will, however, be allowed to carry overnight essentials in for the night. If possible, make arrangements with someone who will already be in the event so that you won’t need to carry and set up a tent in the dark. You may return to your vehicle at 10 a.m. to drive your vehicle into the event.

All late entries are at the discretion of the Gate Lead on call. Bribes, especially ones involving volunteering, may help your plea for late entry. There will be NO late entries allowed once Gate closes on Saturday.

EARLY ARRIVALS: You will not be allowed into the property prior to the start of the event without strict written permission from Mosaic Gate Leads. To make a request, please fill out the Early Entry portion of the Registration Form. Filling out the form does NOT guarantee early access. Early Entry will be offered to a very limited number of registered theme camps, registered artists, and volunteers necessary for event setup. If you are a volunteer and have a shift before noon on Thursday, please contact your department lead about Early Entry. Contact DPW (Department of Public Works) to assist with event setup. (dpw@mosaicexperiment.com)

WRISTBANDS: You will be given a wristband marked with a number at the gate. Wristbands will clearly identify participants as over/under age 21 or under 18. Minors will be tagged with information regarding their guardian(s) for reunification purposes as needed. This wristband must be on your right wrist at all times. If you lose your wristband, return immediately to the gate to rectify. Anyone without a wristband will be asked to show their ID as proof of purchase. If you have not purchased a ticket you will be escorted from the event. Gate jumping will not be tolerated. If you are caught Gate jumping, you will be escorted from the event with possible further consequences. (Yeet!)

IN AND OUT POLICY: General re-entry is not allowed. In the spirit of radical self-reliance, please come prepared to stay inside the event and bring everything you need to survive. Emergency exit/re-entry will be carefully reviewed per circumstance. In the very few cases emergency re-entry is allowed, you must retain your wristband and Gate re-entry form to re-enter the event. If you chose to leave the event without pre-approved re-entry, your wristband will be removed.

EXODUS: We all wish our time together didn’t have to end. But we need to get everyone packed up and heading home safely so that DPW and LNT can start doing what they do. We ask that you have your campsite packed up, cleaned up and all your last goodbyes and hugs completed by 2 p.m. Sunday. Please make sure that your campsite is thoroughly picked up, all your garbage, food waste and gray water leaves with you (and take it all the way home - do not dump at rest stops along the way). Please keep it slow on the roads leaving for the safety of other departees.

DEAD NAMES: In the event that you registered for your ticket using a name that does not match your current legal I.D., you should send a message to the Gate Leads (gate@mosaicexperiment.com). You will also need to print or screen capture your ticket confirmation and bring it to Gate with you with your legal I.D. Email is unreliable once the event has started, so reach out to your Gate Leads before then.

PARKING

After you check in with Gate, you will continue driving to Greeters, and then to the TACO (Transportation Authority and Car Oversight) structure, where you will be directed as to how to park your vehicle.  

TACO operating hours are different from Gate.  Shuttle assistance and cart escorts are available during the following times:

TACO hours:

• Thursday 10/3: 10 am to Midnight

• Friday 10/4: 10 am to 10pm

• Saturday 10/5: 10 am to 2pm

Mosaic Experiment encourages tent camping whenever possible because of space limitations.  We also encourage car-pooling whenever possible to limit the space we need to alot for parked cars.  The default expectation is that you will leave your car/vehicle in the marked parking area.  You will have access to the marked parking area any time during the event.

Weather permitting:

Vehicles will be allowed to drive to campsites to unload.  Space allotted for theme camps will be marked, as will areas for open camping.  THERE IS NO DRIVING INTO THE “BACK 40” IN ANY WEATHER, This is an open camping area, and due to weather related considerations, we cannot guarantee that vehicles back there will not get stuck.

Upon arrival during daylight hours, you will have 2 hours to unload camping gear and return your car to the parking area.  Parking volunteers will follow up with participants to ensure paths and cars are clear.  THERE IS NO DRIVING WITHOUT AN ESCORT AT NIGHT.  If you arrive after dark, during TACO hours, a golf cart will escort you to your campsite, and then escort your car back after you have unloaded.  Otherwise, you will need to park in the designated Late Arrival area next to Gate and wait until morning to drive to your site.  You can of course, walk gear to your site at any time.

Weather not-permitting:

Because our burn is held on an old strip-mine, the ground saturates very quickly.  Because there is nowhere for the water to go, the land dries slowly.  It does not take much for the land to become muddy and difficult to traverse.  As caretakers of the land, we make efforts to avoid creating ruts and mud-pits that the landowner will have to work to repair.  For these reasons, regardless of your driving capability, or vehicle type, you may not be able to drive to your campsite.  Please be ready to work with TACO on-site in these situations.  Our volunteers will work to assist you, but In the spirit of radical self reliance we also recommend:

• Bringing a collapsible cart or wagon 

• Packing such that all your gear is in some sort of container, whether tub, crate, box, bin, or other carryable and handled thing

• Paying attention to the forecast for “exodus” and pre-packing/planning accordingly.

RV/TRAILER/CAR CAMPING:

If you have a need for RV/Trailer, or car camping, you will need to register to obtain a parking pass.  There is no electricity to plug into and no dumping at the site.

There are two ways in which you may register to have your vehicle at a campsite/camp with your vehicle.  Read this section in its entirety before going here to register.

•  IF YOU ARE WITH A THEME CAMP:  As part of the normal theme-camp registration process, we ask how much space is required, and how many cars/trucks/RV’s will be part of the theme camp.  Make sure your theme camp contact includes your vehicle in their space planning and vehicle count.  This is important to our placement lead.  We will consider how many, and what type of vehicles you need when placing your camp.  We try to keep larger vehicles out of areas known to be problematic in bad weather.

So long story short, YOU don’t have to register your vehicle, but your theme camp lead has to include you in their count.

• IF YOU ARE NOT WITH A THEME CAMP:  There is a section of the form just for you, and an area for “Open Car/RV” camping.  Please fill out the open car/RV/Trailer camping form.  In the weeks ahead of the event, TACO will send you confirmation that we received your request.

As has been stated, weather can be problematic, and so can large vehicles.  If you are planning on camping in an RV or trailer, please note some size guidelines below.  

• No Class A RVs.  Class B RVs that are on the smaller end might be okay.

• Recommended Max Dimensions:

• Weight: 20,000 lbs

• Width: 9’  with small to no slide outs.

• Length: 24'

If you have any questions, please contact parking@mosaicexperiment.com.

ALL ABOUT THE ART! Registered vehicle campers are invited to decorate/disguise your vehicle to add to the artistry of the event. This is in no way mandatory, but something to think about as you prepare for your burn!

MOBILITY SHUTTLE

WHAT: Mobility Motor Company (MMC) is a shuttle service providing rides to those in need.

WHY: For the mobility-challenged struggling with chronic pain, disability, or acute injury.  MMC is here to help with rides!

WHERE: A counterclockwise route around the perimeter, (minus the back 40) dropping off where desired.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday during scheduled hours. Specific scheduled hours will be announced closer to the event.

HOW: Go to a marked "bus stop" and wait for the shuttle or flag it down along the route. Specific stop locations will be available on the placement map published prior to the event.

CAMPING

Radical Self-Reliance, the principle: Mosaic Experiment encourages the individual to discover, exercise and rely on his or her inner resources.

Reclaim is a former strip-mine on top of a large hill. If you take a few steps into the woods you will see steep slopes and sudden drop offs. Please be very aware of your surroundings during the day and night, and stick to the clearings. Reclaim is centered in a larger preserve owned by United Plant Savers. This group uses the land to grow medicinal and endangered plants. You are expected to respect the grounds at all times.

Camping at Reclaim is primitive. There are no showers, no electricity and no running water available. Be sure to bring enough food and water for four days. If you are not accustomed to primitive camping, visit our website for helpful tips and useful information.

Do not cut or injure any trees or large plants onsite, or leave any rope tied around trees when you leave. Hanging things on the trees is okay, as long as the tree is not harmed in any way. This is a Leave No Trace event on the edge of a nature sanctuary. Please treat the land gently.

THEME CAMPS: Theme camps and villages (multiple camps combined) are the interactive core of Burning Man events. Theme camps create a visually or aurally stimulating presence and provide a communal space or other opportunities for interaction and participation. Theme camps are meant to invite the greater community into a communal space, so welcoming signs and appearance is encouraged.

Theme camps must be registered for placement before the registration deadline to have a reserved space on the map based on their needs and requests.Theme camps must also be neighborly.This includes keeping sound within set limits and being receptive to solving disputes that may arise.

Note: Although we encourage Radical Self-Expression, please be mindful this is an all-ages event and not everyone consents to seeing certain activities. Theme camps hosting explicit adult activities are responsible for providing barriers to keep those activities out of view from other communal spaces, including other theme camps and walking paths.

OPEN CAMPING: There is a large area on the northwest side of our grounds we refer to as the “back forty” reserved for open camping. While it is not specifically designated as a quiet camping area, there is room to sprawl and generally less noise and activity. Participants do not need to register for open camping. However, they should know vehicles are NOT allowed to drive in the back forty under ANY weather conditions. We recommend bringing a wagon to transport your equipment or hitching a ride on a shuttle from TACO.  

OPEN RV/CAR CAMPING: Open car camping space is limited, so car campers must fill out the registration form. This reserves space for only your vehicle. If you want to sprawl out and set up structures like tents and pop-up canopies, please register as a theme camp.  See the parking section for more information.

PORT-O-POTTIES: Port-o-potties are provided. Please be respectful to your fellow participants and do your part to keep the potties clean and in working order. Do not put anything other than single-ply toilet paper in the potties. This means NO: two-ply toilet paper, cigarette butts, baby wipes, feminine hygiene items, condoms, food items, rubber chickens, $20 bills, buttcoins, or event radios (just to name a few things that DON’T belong there.) If you notice a problem with the potties or a participant abusing them, please report it to a Ranger or an LNT volunteer. If you bring extra toilet paper in case portos run out, be sure to bring/use single-ply instead of the standard double-ply. This is a request from the porto company to ensure that cleaning units are not clogged. Remember: “If it doesn’t come from your body, it doesn’t belong in the potty.” And don't forget to close the lid!

ICE: We do ice runs on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Typical cost is $6 for a large bag (cash only). Place an order at the volunteer hub (the hubbub) before noon. Ice will be delivered between 4-5 pm at the hubbub.

SAFETY: Please prepare for rain, wind and other extreme weather. MOTHER NATURE IS UNPREDICTABLE, especially in Ohio in Fall. BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING. The temperature can vary from humid and hot to cold and damp at night. Layer your clothing. Bring rain gear. Bag it in plastic to keep it dry. Stock up on mylar blankets, hot hands, a good sleeping bag, and whatever else you need to stay comfortable at night. Make sure tents, shade structures and EZ-Ups are properly staked down in case of high wind. Check on your tent when the weather changes.

There are a variety of insects and arachnids in the area, so plan to keep your tent sealed up and shake out any bedding daily. Raccoons and other critters will stay away during the noisy hours, but please be mindful of where you store your trash and waste water. If you’re severely allergic to bee stings or bug bites, please take the appropriate precautions. A daily once-over check for ticks is a good idea, too.

Beware means be aware: there are plants such as stinging nettle and poison ivy in the woods. Prepare to protect yourself if you are badly allergic, know how to identify any plants that could harm you, and avoid walking through the woods.

Bring plenty of lighting (camping lanterns, flashlights, headlamps, battery or solar charged lights, LED votives, etc.) There is no electricity on site. Luckily, it’s the future and outdoor lighting technology is readily available. Illuminate yourself at night. There will be bicycles, people, and art moving around, and they may collide with you if they cannot see you. Don’t be a darkwad.

MEDICAL

Our medic will be on hand to assist with problems or injuries. The Medic Station will be clearly marked on the placement map. Reclaim is located in a very rural area, so local emergency medical services have a longer response time than more populated areas. In the event you need to seek medical care, or need help leaving the site for a medical emergency, report to the Medic Station or contact your nearest Ranger. We can assist with getting medical care and with getting you back into the event.

If you have a medical condition, consider alerting your camp mates as to what it is, what to expect, and what to do. Please feel free to stop by the Medic Station to say hello and we can put you on our radar!

Be self-reliant and bring your inhalers, allergy meds, and the medications which you only take once in a while. If you have an EpiPen, bring it!  Bring a basic first-aid kit so you don't have to hoof it to the Medic Station for minor things. If you are hypoglycemic, carry snacks or juice. Bring sports drinks to replace your electrolytes - water isn't enough!  Bring an extra pair of glasses, batteries for machines, and good shoes as most places aren't good to walk barefoot. Be prepared for poison ivy, bees, ticks, and chiggers. Stay out of the woods surrounding Reclaim, because there are dangerous drop offs!

PLEASE NOTE: If you leave due to medical necessity, you must retain your wristband and ticket confirmation to re-enter the event. If you chose to leave the event without pre-approved re-entry, your wristband will be removed. Please go through the Medic Station.

FIRE

PROPANE USE: There are two different categories of permitted propane at this event:

1. Flame Effects: Due to Ohio law and the landowner's preferences, Mosaic Experiment allows limited propane effects. In general, static effects that produce low pressure steady flames (such as "hippie heaters") are acceptable. Dynamic effects (such as "poofers") are not permitted. Flame effects that use a fuel other than propane are likewise not permitted.
   Pre-event registration of flame effects is encouraged through the Registration Form here. Pre-registration makes our inspectors' jobs easier by knowing what to expect onsite. On-site you may set up your effect but may not light it up until it is inspected. To receive an inspection find someone with a radio or go to the volunteer hub and let them know you are ready for inspection. Inspection guidelines are available here. This paperwork will be filled out on site.
   In addition to inspection, flame effects must be attended at all times by a sober operator.
   If you have any questions regarding your effect, please email fire@mosaicexperiment.com.

2. Other Propane: In contrast to propane flame effects, propane devices such as cooking stoves, gas lanterns, or personal heaters are broadly permitted. You do not need to register any such device that meets all of the following criteria. The device must be:

• Commercially available

• Not substantially modified

• Operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s safety guidelines

Running uninspected flame effects, leaving running effects unattended, or using propane devices in an unsafe way may be grounds for removal from the event.

If your propane device fails to meet any of these qualifications, please see the section above for "Flame effects".

CAMPFIRES: Campfires are welcome at Mosaic subject to the following guidelines. All campfires must be attended at all times.

At no time is anyone permitted to create a new burn scar at Reclaim. All fires must be in one of the existing pits or in a registered fire pit that you bring with you.

If you wish to have a personal or camp fire, you will NEED TO:

• Register it as part of your camp

• Request an estimated amount of wood

• Ensure a safe distance away from nearest flammable objects

• Elevate your fire pit at least 8" off the ground

• Get an LNT volunteer to approve your setup

• Stay in the vicinity while it is lit

• Have a means for extinguishing on hand

• Put it out when you're done

• Take your ashes with you when you leave the event

In addition, DO NOT:

• Bring any wood to the event

• Take wood from the surrounding forest

• Burn anything on the Prohibited Burn Materials List

• Leave any fire unattended

Further clarification of these points is offered below.

Registration

Registration of fire pits and wood need estimates are part of the Registration Form. If you are not part of a theme camp but you would still like to have a fire pit, that's still the right form to fill out.

Wood

Mosaic Experiment provides split firewood free of cost. To help avoid shortages, please provide an estimate of your needs when you register your fire. We recommend that you bring a wagon to transport wood from the communal pile to your camp. In the event you take more than you burn, please return it to the wood pile. Do not remove wood from Reclaim.

Elevation

If the bottom of your fire pit does not sit at least 8" off the ground, you will need to elevate it. This is to reduce the chance of scorching the ground underneath. If your fire pit's bottom is too low, we recommend bringing cinder blocks to set it on. Solid bricks are not suited to this task since they prevent airflow and scorch the ground themselves. Please check your pit's height before you leave home.

LNT Approval

To ensure everyone's taking the necessary steps to protect the land, we ask that you do not light your fire until one of the Leave No Trace volunteers has checked it out. You should be able to find them by asking anyone with a radio. If there is something less than satisfactory with your setup, the volunteer will do their best to work with you to resolve the situation.

Be prepared to demonstrate your:

• 8" or greater elevation

• appropriate distance from flammable objects

• ability to extinguish flame

• means to remove ash

 It is not acceptable to dump your ash on the burn scar as you leave.

Tending

While your fire is burning, you or someone you designate will need to be in the vicinity to tend it. Nearby and in sight of the fire pit, you need to have a big container of water or a fire extinguisher or similar. Since any open flame needs someone attending it at all times, make sure you put out your fire when you are done.

All open flames must be attended. This includes: candles, tiki torches, oil lanterns, etc.

Unattended fires: Remember: it's impossible to notice an unattended fire because once you have noticed it, you're now the one tending it. Seriously. If you are tending a fire and you are done, put it out. If you see an unattended fire and you don't want to tend it yourself, put it out.

This is such a serious issue that leaving a fire unattended is grounds for removal from the event.

SCHEDULED BURNS: There will be one or more pieces of combustible art burned at this event on the large central burn scar. The first and largest art, the effigy, will be erected at that location early in the event and will burn shortly after sundown on Saturday night. Subsequently, additional art may be burned there.

In order to organize these additional burns, we ask any interested artists to coordinate with the fire safety lead at fire@mosaicexperiment.com. This will ensure that everyone's art may have the space and time it needs to burn appropriately.

Artwork must be portable and easily added to smoldering ashes of the previous fires. The ashes will be hot, so plan accordingly. You may not burn items on the Prohibited Burn Materials List so make sure your art does not include these materials when it is burned. There may be other requirements, so be sure to contact the fire safety lead.

FIRE SPINNING: Individuals spinning fire and using other such fire flow toys are strongly encouraged to obtain personal liability insurance to cover any potential injuries. Mosaic Experiment may not be held responsible for injuries to yourself, others, or property should you choose to participate in this way.

Spinning fire unsafely or without a spinning wristband may be grounds for removal from the event.

Check in:  All fire spinners and safeties must check in at one of the daily safety meetings/prop checks. Watch for announcements online, regarding the time and location of this meeting. On site, check the volunteer board or ask a ranger or the volunteer coordinator for these details.

You must bring all of your props to this meeting. Fire spinners who have attended this meeting will be given a wristband. You must have this wristband to spin fire or act as a safety. If you would like to be a fire safety, a brief safety class will be given following prop check ins.

Spinning: All fire spinners must have a safety who has attended one of the fire safety meetings. There can be two (2) fire spinners for every one (1) safety.

You must be wearing fire safe apparel to spin fire or to safety. This means cotton, wool, leather, silk or your own skin. NEVER spin fire wearing faux fur or polyesters/spun plastic fabrics. Avoid clothing with excessive surface area (e.g. fringes) that could ignite or tangle your prop.

Fire spinning is allowed anywhere on site as long as you and your safety are sober, at least 25 feet away from any flammable objects including your fuel dump. Keep all fuel lids closed and have a fire extinguisher rated for fuel fires on hand. NEVER use one of these fire extinguishers on a human. Please spin off before lighting up and use a spin off can or baggies appropriate for your prop. No ground fires. We recommend that you use Duvetyne, rather than wet towels, to extinguish props.

Fire is an integral part of Mosaic Experiment, but it can get out of control quickly if we aren’t looking out for each other. If you see something dangerous, say something and/or find a ranger or the fire conclave lead.

FIRE CONCLAVE: Fire Conclave is the gathering of fire spinners and artists that perform before the burning of the effigy. The Fire Conclave welcomes all performers who can safely handle their prop(s) and all safeties who have attended the fire safety meeting. Performers and safeties interested in taking part are required to attend an organizational meeting on Saturday. Since the show can’t go on without safeties, we ask every performer to bring a safety to this meeting. Because Mosaic Experiment expects that the Conclave join Perimeter for the burn, attendance at the perimeter meeting on Saturday evening is also required.

If you have any questions, please contact conclave@mosaicexperiment.com.

LEAVE NO TRACE

The principle: “Our community respects the environment. We are committed to leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather. We clean up after ourselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave such places in a better state than when we found them.”

Mosaic Experiment is a LEAVE NO TRACE event. There are NO trash cans provided by the event. Each participant must remove all items they brought with them, including ALL trash they produce and gray water, when they leave the site. Make a plan for how you will handle your trash and recycling at your camp, bring trash bags, and clean up after yourself, and respect the land.

Mosaic Experiment follows the 7 principles of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, as follows:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

4. Leave What You Find

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

6. Respect Wildlife

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Each participant also keeps Reclaim litter-free by picking up any Matter Out Of Place (M.O.O.P.) that they encounter during the event. Keep a small M.O.O.P. bag with you to pick up stray litter. Smokers, bring a portable ashtray (altoids tins are great for this) and do not ash or drop your butts on the ground. It is every participant’s commitment to Leave No Trace.

GRAY WATER: What is gray water? “Gray water” is in between drinking water and “black water,” which requires a septic waste system for disposal. Gray water ranges from ice-melt in coolers to shower water with soaps, cosmetics, and debris, to kitchen waste like dishwater, toothpaste, and saliva. Gray water from ice melting in coolers is okay to dump on the ground. Water with chemicals, large food debris, human waste, etc. is not. The physical environment is more permissive than the desert playa of Burning Man, but we strive to treat Reclaim with extra care. Please prepare to pack gray water with food, chemicals, etc, out with you. Empty plastic cat litter containers with screw on lids are good for this purpose.

How can I reduce my gray water? (Adapted from the Burning Man survival guide) The easiest gray water to dispose of is the gray water you don’t produce. If you bring less water, you will use less; but bring at least a gallon and a half per day per person, mostly for drinking. Use waterless disinfectant lotion (available at drugstores) to sanitize your hands before you handle food. For dish or bath soap, go eco-friendly with Campsuds. For general cleaning, try Dr. Bronner’s. In your kitchen area, set up a low-volume water spray over a basin, for dish washing and hand cleaning. A personal spray bottle is a good starting point. You’ll need remarkably little water to wash up with. Save up your cooler’s ice-melt water to refill your solar shower bag. When you shower, first get wet and turn the water off; then soap up and scrub down, then turn the water back on to rinse off. Or shower with a friend, and trade off controlling and directing the water supply. Hard core: take a sponge bath instead. It’s possible to wash your body clean with a pint of water, soap and a washrag.

FOOD WASTE: People often think that if it’s organic, it’s okay to toss into the treeline. This is not the case. If you brought it with you, pack it back out. This includes apple cores, banana peels, the shells from sunflower seeds and pistachios--all things that have been left behind in the past. The food and waste you leave behind can be disruptive to the natural ecosystem. Please be respectful and take it with you when you leave.

COSTUMING/CLOTHING: Glitter, feathers, and other bits that shed and scatter are not cool. Make sure all parts are firmly attached to the whole and carefully consider the materials used!

FIREWOOD ASH: If you burn firewood (in an elevated burn barrel or portable fire pit) for heat, pack the firewood ash out with you. DO NOT DUMP ON THE EFFIGY / BURN SCAR!!!! SERIOUSLY!

SOUND

Civic Responsibility, the principle: We value civil society. Community members who organize events should assume responsibility for public welfare and endeavor to communicate civic responsibilities to participants. They must also assume responsibility for conducting events in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

SOUND POLICY: The placement of sound camps at Reclaim is carefully chosen (considering topography, forested perimeter, landscape) to maintain a pleasant experience for the sound camps, surrounding campers, other theme camps, and most notably: neighbors surrounding the event venue. Nightly sound limits are an effort to minimize sound complaints and maintain the sustainability of the event and community relationships. Please do your part to burn responsibly. Do it for Mosaic’s future.

Who does the Sound Policy pertain to? Sound policies are for ANY participant, art installation, or theme camp employing any amplified sound system (1 to 10000W) or loud musical instruments. Theme camps are encouraged to include information regarding any sound equipment with their theme camp registration. 

Generators: All generators must have a sound baffle to reduce sound emissions. 

What are the event sound guidelines? Sound Squad volunteers will work with each camp and installation to encourage a sound environment that is sustainable and appropriate to the present situation. Since situations may change depending on things such as neighboring sound camps, activities, and attendee participation, Sound Squad members may ask for volume adjustments that are beyond the general guidelines below.

No matter the time of day, sound from any size audio installation should generate no more than 90 decibels of sound at 40 feet from the source of the sound.

NIGHTLY VOLUME TURN DOWN TIMES:

• Thursday: 12AM

• Friday: 3 AM

• Saturday: 3 AM

***Bass turn down and volume restrictions expire at 10AM, Friday to Sunday***

STANDARD BASS AND VOLUME TURN DOWN POLICY: All subwoofers will be turned off and turn volume down such that 90 decibels are registered at 40 feet from camp center.

EMERGENCY BASS AND VOLUME TURN DOWN POLICY: All subwoofers will be turned off and turn volume down such that 50 decibels are registered at 40 feet from camp/installation center.

Standard and Emergency Turn Down Policies may be put into effect at any time at the discretion of a Sound Lead to comply with landowner or law enforcement requests.

DO NOT LEAVE AMPLIFIED SOUND UNATTENDED. In order to maintain a pleasant atmosphere for ALL participants and our surrounding community, the Sound Squad reserves the right to turn down or mute any unattended sound installation that violates the published sound policy. Repeat violations of unattended sound may result in sound disablement (and a long chat with event organizers!)

How will amplified sound policy be regulated on-site? Our friendly Sound Squad will monitor sound systems, using a decibel meter, which has been tested by other regional burns in the community and has been found to be highly accurate, in conjunction with a laser range finder to determine distance. We recommend you use this app to be sure your sound installation complies with the sound policies. Remember that these are helpful volunteers, tasked with keeping our event sustainable, and we ask that you please work with them. Violations will be logged against your sound permit, and repeated violations or non-compliance with turn down requests made by a badged Sound Squad member will be grounds for sound shut-off for that camp for the duration of the event. Repeated failures to comply with sound policy will be grounds for removal from the event.

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES & VALUES

Communal Effort, the principle: Our community values creative cooperation and collaboration. We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction.

PARTICIPATE: The key ingredient to making Mosaic Experiment a successful event is for everyone to PARTICIPATE! Another principle of Burning Man is gifting. Gifting can be an act of service, or may take the form of art, swag, food, or more. What will you make? What will you share? How will you delight, or confuse, or amuse others? We are all here together, building a city, and sharing with each other a little of who we are. If you don’t know what you want to share, or want to help the event in addition to what you already plan, here are some ways to get involved:

VOLUNTEER: You can participate by volunteering with one of our teams, from Greeters and Gate to First Aid, Earth Guardians, Rangers, Department of Public Works (DPW), TACO (Transit Authority and Car Organization), Sound Squad, Fire Safety and Volunteer Coordination. Give a few hours of your time to help make the event run smoothly. To apply for a shift, head over to the Volunteer Signup page, or email volunteers@mosaicexperiment.com.

ART INSTALLATIONS: What is art? You decide! Everyone is encouraged to create art at Mosaic, from small and portable to large sculptural pieces, and performance art to interactive games. Art is a wonderful way to deepen your participation with the community. With that in mind, please consider the safety of fellow participants when designing your art. 

Consent Signs will be provided to artists for each of their pieces.  Signs can help people know how to interact with your art - for example, can they climb on it? Is it okay to write/paint on it? Be clear about your intentions and the community will follow.

Everyone is expected to respect fellow participants and their creations. Artists must consider safety and consent when designing art, but participants must also remember consent in every interaction they have. Your neighbor’s way of expressing themselves may not be your preference, but you must respect their right to do so. Do not damage or remove any art installation or the effigy. Artist Consent signs will be present to inform participants how to interact with the art. Please remember to check the signage for consent before engaging with the art, and respect the artist’s wishes. 

TLDR: Don’t touch people’s shit without permission.

Bringing an art project? Please let us know by registering your art installation here so we can provide your art installation signage and a spot on the placement map.

Mosaic selects several projects a year to support through BAM (Bureau of Art at Mosaic) Art Grants. Check out the Art Grants page for more information on how to apply.

ART CARS, MUTANT VEHICLES AND BIKES: No art cars or mutant vehicles (vehicles modified into art) are permitted on the land per landowner request.

Bikes are welcome and work well since the grounds are flat. However, keep in mind the Leave No Trace principles: if there is a lot of rain, using bikes on wet ground can leave a huge impact, and possibly flip your bike. But if it’s sunny and dry - get crafty and make your bike something special to share! Since there are no paved trails or roads on the land, wide tires (like mountain bike tires) are highly encouraged.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH: People of all ages are welcome and encouraged at Mosaic Experiment! Remember: You are responsible for the welfare of the minors in your care at all times. All minors will receive a wristband at the gate with their guardian’s information. Failure to adequately supervise minors in your care will result in immediate ejection without exception or recourse. Minors should not be separated from guardians or left unsupervised at any time. Be aware that some activities at Mosaic Experiment might be very adult–specific. As a parent or guardian, It is your responsibility to determine what situations to expose your minors to.

ILLEGAL ACTIVITY PROHIBITED: Mosaic Experiment, as an organization, respects all local, state and federal laws. Underage drinking is strictly forbidden. Underage participants will be identified by a uniquely colored wristband. The organization does not condone the sale, use, or promotion of illegal drugs. The same laws that apply in Defaultia also apply to public areas of our events. The same laws that apply at your house behind a closed door also apply to your zipped up tent. Everybody bears responsibility for their actions and the expectation is that we will all work together to ensure group safety.

Participants found engaging in any illegal activities will be escorted out of the event.

NUDITY: Nudity is permitted on site. Although we encourage radical self-expression, please be mindful this is an all-ages event and not everyone consents to seeing certain activities. Theme camps hosting explicit adult activities are responsible for providing barriers to keep those activities out of view from other communal spaces, including other theme camps and walking paths.

RANGER INVOLVEMENT: Rangers are non-confrontational mediators to help ensure the collective well-being of the community. By encouraging and facilitating communication, the Rangers promote awareness of potential hazards and try to reduce tensions. They address situations within our community that might otherwise require outside intervention. Rangers are emphatically not the police or a security organization and have no power to enforce. Rangers exist to find solutions to make things better for everyone. If you have a question, are troubled by something or need a hand, please visit the Hubub to access our Ranger support system.

NO VENDING: There is no vending permitted at Mosaic. One of our principles is Decommodification, defined: “In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, our community seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising. We stand ready to protect our culture from such exploitation. We resist the substitution of consumption for participatory experience.”

PETS: Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed at Mosaic Experiment, with the exception of qualifying service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  If you plan to bring a qualifying service animal to the event, please email llc@mosaicexperiment.com so that we can accommodate your circumstances and make the gate entry process go smoother.

FIREARMS PROHIBITED: Firearms are BANNED at Mosaic. Those discovered with firearms at the event will be escorted off of the property.

FIREWORKS PROHIBITED: The use of fireworks or explosives at the event site are prohibited.

LASERS: Handheld lasers are not permitted at Mosaic Experiment. In recent years, lasers have become stronger and so powerful that even the handheld ones can easily do permanent damage, even at long distances. Do not bring them. For more information on the history of lasers at Burning Man, read the official Burning Man stance here. If you have questions regarding the use of mounted lasers on an art piece, or at theme/sound camps, please contact the organizers.

More Info In The 2024 FAQ

CONGRATULATIONS, you’ve made it all the way through the Mosaic Experiment Survival Guide! Now is the time to get to work preparing to camp, making art, brainstorming your gifts to the community, and dreaming burny dreams. Remember: Mosaic Experiment is what happens when we all show up.

See you on the razor grass!

xoxo,

Mosaic Experiment

p.s. the password is finders keepers