2021 Updates Coming Soon
LOCATION: Reclaim, 33850 McCumber Road, Rutland, Ohio 45775
D E S C R I P T I O N
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 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.
P R I N C I P L E S
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.
D I R E C T I O N S
The address for Reclaim is: 33850 McCumber Road, Rutland, Ohio 45775
GPS signal can be spotty the closer you get 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.
T I C K E T I N G
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 fill out by their parent or legal guardian.
To speed up entry into the event, you may print and fill out this year’s waiver and minor registration form in advance and bring it with you. Forms will also be at the gate.
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 a parent or legal guardian above the age of 21 who will arrive with the child 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
***NEW FOR 2019***
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
There will be a cut-off for transferring tickets this year - end of the day 9/29/19.
BUY TICKETS HERE: https://bpt.me/4204923
TICKET PRICING:
Adult (13 and over) tickets
Tier 1 on sale from 4/01 to 5/31 or until tickets sell out; tickets cost $80+ fees
Tier 2 on sale from 6/01 to 9/22 or until tickets sell out; tickets cost $90+ fees
Child (12 and under) tickets are no cost to participants as a gift to the community.* However, a child ticket must be registered/”purchased” through Brown Paper Tickets in the same way that adult tickets are purchased
*Children and 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 the child or minor’s ticket.
THERE ARE NO GATE SALES. Online ticket sales end at midnight September 22, 2019 or when 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, goverment issued ID to gain admission. We are no longer processing tickets by number. Matching Name + ID = Entry to Mosaic Experiment. All tickets are will call this year.
TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE! The only exception is event cancellation.
TICKET TRANSFERS/RESELLING: Ticket transfer are permitted. You will need to contact Brown Paper Tickets (1-800-838-3006/www.brownpapertickets.com) to make the transfer. Have your ticket information ready and the information of the person you are transferring your ticket to. We take no responsibility for tickets bought/sold outside of Brown Paper Tickets.
There will be a cut-off for transferring tickets this year - end of the day 9/29/19.
WRISTBANDS: You will be given a wristband marked with a number at the gate. Wristbands will clearly identify participants as over/under age 21. This wristband must be on your 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. Minors will be tagged with information regarding their guardian(s) for reunification purposes as needed.
G A T E
GATE HOURS:
Thursday & Friday: 10 am -- Midnight EST
Saturday: 10 am -- 4 pm EST
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 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.
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 (gate@mosaicexperiment.com) as soon as possible with your expected time of arrival. Be aware that access to email may be unreliable 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.
There will be NO late entries allowed once gate closes at 4 p.m. Saturday. 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.
EARLY ARRIVALS: EARLY ARRIVALS: You will not be allowed into the event before 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 3rd without strict written permission from Mosaic Gate Leads. To make a request, please fill out the Early Entry portion of the Registration Form. The deadline for submission is Friday, September 13 at 11:59 PM EST. 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)
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 ticket confirmation 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.
P A R K I N G
The parking area for Mosaic Experiment will be clearly defined near the Gate. Unless you register your vehicle in advance as a car-based tent or camper, you are expected to park in the parking area. We encourage you to carpool if at all possible.
Weather permitting, vehicles will be allowed to drive to campsites to unload. There will be clearly marked paths to follow to the camping areas. Please respect the land and do not leave the marked paths.
UNLOADING: Upon arrival, your vehicle will be tagged with your entry time. You will have 2 hours to unload and return your car to the parking area. Mosaic’s goal is to create a more intimate atmosphere without the clutter of too many cars blocking roadways and limiting camping space. Additionally, the landowner has asked we help the ecology of the place by keeping cars from parking in one place for too long, which can compress and harm the soil. Parking volunteers will follow up with participants to ensure paths and cars are clear.
PLEASE NOTE: In order to protect the land and our participants, it is possible that you may not be allowed to drive to your campsite. This could be at the specific request of the landowner, or due to unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather. Volunteers will be onsite to assist you, but please be prepared to get your things to and from your campsite under these circumstances. Cars will not be able to drive into the area we lovingly call "The Back Forty." A few golf carts will be available for transporting gear to/from the Back Forty, and other campsites. Bringing a collapsible cart or wagon may be a wise investment. To help ease transfer of your camp, pack everything in containers. Make sure all your gear is in some sort of container, whether tub, crate, box, bin, or other carryable and handled thing.
RV/TRAILER/CAR CAMPING: Mosaic Experiment encourages tent camping whenever possible because of space limitations. However, If your needs require that your RV, camper/trailer or car be at your campsite, you must register in order to obtain a parking pass.
If you are in a theme camp your vehicle will be counted in the theme camp registration, as that space will be allocated as part of the theme camp request. For everyone else, request approval will be based on need and available space, which may also be contingent on the weather. There is no electricity to plug into and no dumping at the site, so you must make arrangements before heading out.
Mosaic gets a fair amount of rain most years. This can make bringing large vehicles onto the site problematic. If you are planning on camping in an RV or trailer, TACO will reach out to you prior to accepting or denying your permit. Here are some restrictions and guidelines:
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'
The site owner counts on us to be good stewards of the land while we are there.
The goal is not so much to avoid getting stuck, as to avoid damaging the land.
Registered vehicle campers are invited to decorate/disguise your vehicle to add to the artistry of the event.
DRIVING AFTER DARK: There is NO driving after dark unless it is a medical emergency and/or you have authorization and escort from Gate/TACO. There will be dozens of pedestrians in your way and they will be very hard to see at night. To protect the safety of Mosaic participants, do not drive at night without an escort walking ahead of you.
C A M P I N G
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.
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, 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.”
ICE: Announcement coming soon.
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.
FIRST AID
Our First Aid team will be on hand to assist with problems or injuries. First Aid will be clearly marked on the placement map. Reclaim is located in very rural area, so local emergency medical services has a longer response time than more populated areas. In the event you need to be evacuated, or wish to seek care, contact First Aid. We can assist with getting medical care and with getting you back into the event.
First Aid also has maps to the nearest emergency department and to the closest 24 hour pharmacy with addresses and phone numbers. 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 First Aid 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 awhile. If you have an EpiPen, bring it! Bring a basic first-aid kit so you don't have to hoof it to First Aid 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 bare foot. Be 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 First Aid.
F I R E
PERMITTED PROPANE: In contrast to propane flame effects, propane devices such as cooking stoves or personal heaters are permitted. In order to be permitted, any such device must meet all of the following criteria:
1) The device is commercially available.
2) The device has not been meaningfully modified.
3) The device is operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s safety guidelines.
PROPANE FLAME EFFECTS: More information coming soon.
CAMPFIRES: DO NOT CREATE ANY UNAUTHORIZED FIRE PITS. Use of an unauthorized fire pit may be grounds for ejection from the event. Burn barrels and portable fire pits must be elevated 8 inches off the ground so as not to leave a burn scar. DO NOT LEAVE A BURN SCAR. There is a communal bonfire pit near the stage for any participant to utilize.
All campfires must be registered. Fill out this form to register your campfire.
Ways to Elevate your Fire Pit:
1) Buy a fire pit that is already 8-12" off the ground
2) Use cinder blocks to elevate your fire pit
3) Say, "Oh well, maybe next time!" and leave it at home, knowing that there will be plenty of fire to enjoy
Cinder blocks will NOT be provided on site. It is the responsibility of participants to review the height of their fire pits and make necessary adjustments at home before the event. If you arrive at the event with a fire pit that is not high enough to avoid scorching the ground, you will not be permitted to use it. Gentle reminder that the land we use is only borrowed, and it is our responsibility to take good care of it, we are not doing this solely to inconvenience you. Thank you for understanding.
Campfire Guidelines:
1. All campfires must be registered with the Fire Safety Team prior to the event.
2. Campfires must be built in previously established fire circles or above ground fire pits and burn barrels to minimize our burn scar footprint and keep us safe.
3. Do not leave fires unattended. All unattended campfires will be extinguished. Leaving a fire unattended is grounds for removal from the event. This includes all unattended flames (candles, tiki torches, lanterns, etc).
4. Do not cut or collect deadfall from the woods and surrounding areas.
5. Due to Emerald Ash Borer, NO OUTSIDE FIREWOOD IS PERMITTED.
6. Do not burn items on the Prohibited Burn Materials list.
7. If you have a campfire, you must have a fire extinguisher or other means of putting out a fire that is easily accessible.
8. Make sure you follow the Leave No Trace (LNT) standards regarding burn scars. You can find that in the LNT section of this guide.
FIREWOOD INCLUDED FOR ALL: Reclaim’s landowner prefers that all firewood be purchased from one approved source, and that no firewood be brought into Reclaim from across state lines (for environmental reasons). This presents a challenge to the spirit of Decommodification. Mosaic Experiment has budgeted to provide firewood for all participants this year. Firewood will be freely available for pickup onsite to all campers with registered campfires. We strongly suggest bringing a cart to transport firewood to your campsite. If you suspect your camp’s firewood needs will borrow greatly from the community supply, please make arrangements in advance with our LLC to purchase bulk firewood: llc@mosaicexperiment.com.
SCHEDULED BURNS: The effigy burn will occur at sundown on Saturday night.
SMALL ART BURN: Participants will be allowed to burn their small art projects after the temple burn on Sunday until 10 a.m. You must email the fire team about burning your art work fire@mosaicexperiment.com. Artwork must be portable and easily added to smoldering ashes of the temple. Participants are strongly encouraged to place their art on wooden pallets, which can then be lifted onto the fire with poles. The ashes will be hot, so plan accordingly. REMEMBER, you may not burn items on the Prohibited Burn Materials list.
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.
Check in: All fire spinners must check in at one of the daily safety meetings/prop checks. You must bring all of your props to this meeting. Fire spinners who have attended this meeting will have a wristband. You must have this wristband to spin fire.
Fire spinning is allowed anywhere on site as long as you have a designated safety and are at least 25 feet away from any tent. No ground fires. Please spin off before spinning and use a spin off can or baggies appropriate for your prop.
All fire spinners must have a safety. This safety must be trained as a safety. Do not just find a sober person and give them a towel. There can be two (2) fire spinners for every one (1) safety. Please use Duvetyne, not wet towels. It is also requested that all camps that wish to have fire spinners have a fire extinguisher on hand. The only type of fire extinguisher you can ever use on a person is a water fire extinguisher. All other fire extinguishers are to be used on material items only!
You must be wearing fire safe apparel to spin fire and to safety. This means cotton, wool, leather, silk or being nude. NEVER spin fire wearing faux fur or polyesters/spun plastic fabrics.
It is a wonderful gift that we can spin fire at Mosaic Experiment. Please keep it that way by self-policing. If you see something dangerous say something and/or find a ranger/fire conclave lead. Intentionally spinning fire unsafely or without spinning wristband may be grounds for removal from the event.
FIRE SAFETIES: If you would like to be a fire safety, a brief safety class will be given following prop check ins.
FIRE CONCLAVE
Fire Conclave is the gathering of fire spinners and artists that perform before the burning of the effigy. Fire Conclave is open to everyone. Form coming soon. If you have any questions, please contact conclave@mosaicexperiment.com. Conclave will meet before the effigy burns. Please bring fuel and remember to leave no trace at the fuel depot.
Since designated safeties will be stationed during the performance, training for fire spinning safeties will be given before conclave.
L E A V E N O T R A C E
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:
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
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 (altoid 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.
NO BURN SCARS: All fire pits must be registered with the Fire Safety Team prior to setup on the grounds. All fire pits must be at least 8 inches above the grass in order to prevent scorching and burn marks. Cinder blocks can be used for this, regular bricks cannot as they have no airflow and can scorch the ground. ***FIRE PITS MAY NOT BE LIT UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY AN OFFICIAL LNT REPRESENTATIVE*** We will check in with all registered fire pits soon after your arrival to ensure that they are the required height from the grass and in good working order. (If they are not we will do what we can to help.)
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 grey water? (Adapted from the Burning Man survival guide) The easiest grey water to dispose of is the greywater 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 EFFIGY / MAIN BURN SCAR!!! SERIOUSLY.
S O U N D
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. All sound installations, large or small, will require a permit to be issued at Gate. Please let our Gate staff know you have a sound installation so you can receive the appropriate permit.
Generators: Generators can be significant sources of noise. All generators must have a sound baffle to reduce sound emissions. Check out these ideas to create a sound baffle.
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.
At night, there are specific times to reduce volume levels as a courtesy to neighboring properties.
NIGHTLY VOLUME TURN DOWN TIMES:
Thursday: Midnight
Friday: 3 AM
Saturday: 3 AM
***Bass turn down and volume restrictions expire the following mornings at 10 a.m. 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.
IMPORTANT: 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 an iOS based decibel meter, SPLnFFT, 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.
C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E L I N E S & V A L U E S
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 making the event run smoothly. To sign up, visit our website or email volunteers@mosaicexperiment.com.
THEME CAMPS: Theme camps and villages are the interactive core of Burning Man events. An ideal theme camp should create a visually or aurally stimulating presence and provide a communal space or other opportunity for interaction. Theme camps are meant to welcome the greater community into a communal space, so welcoming and inviting signs and appearance is important.
Registered Theme Camps will have a reserved space for them based on their needs and requests. Please complete the theme camp placement form to register.
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. 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. Remember consent in every interaction you have. Your neighbor’s way of expressing themselves may not be your preference, but you must respect their right to do so. Do not burn, poke, prod, deface, vandalize, lift, push or damage any art installation or the effigy. Want to get your art installation a spot on the placement map? Register your art installation here.
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.
CONSENT: Consent is the cornerstone of a healthy community. Getting consent is simple: ask first before engaging in physical touching of any kind, something requiring permission that will radically alter another person’s experience, sexual encounters, or recording someone’s voice or image. Always respect the other person’s boundaries and response. Everyone has the right to consent or not consent to your actions in regards to their body, personal space, possessions, and artwork. Without awareness and clear consent, it is neither acceptable nor ethical to proceed. Remember, only you are in charge of your boundaries and experience, no one else can dictate what they are. Additionally, pleading, coercion, and emotional blackmail are unacceptable. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, ask for help. We are all here to look out for each other. If you see someone in distress or observe disturbing behavior, find a Ranger or someone with a radio.
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 on Main Street, USA 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 contributing to minors, problem drug users and dealers, or any illegal activities that are brought to organizers attention will be escorted out of the event.
NUDITY: Nudity is permitted on site. Keep in mind there will be children at the event, and have a bit of courtesy in what you do in very public spaces.
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 Volunteer Hub 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@mosaicexeriment.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 out of the event.
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.
PROPANE EFFECTS: More information coming soon.
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 strip-mine playa!
xoxo,
Mosaic Experiment