Comments on: Camping With Baby Burners: Kids at Burning Man

By: Bam bam

Bam bam — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:26:55 +0000

My wife and I were blessed to have seen our son for the first time on an ultrasound while in black rock. Words aren’t enough!
Thank you

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By: Shimmer Coolcats

Shimmer Coolcats — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:39:06 +0000

We brought our twins (2.5 years old the first year) two years in a row, and now that we are taking this year off, they are super sad to miss it! Having our kids with us was an amazing family bonding experience, and I think now if we were to try to go without them, the experience would feel empty. Being able to view the playa through their wondrous eyes was such a gift – one I hope to repeat soon!

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By: Buttercup

Buttercup — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:44:27 +0000

Human scale trains and tractors, giant golden dragons, dress-up everyday – young children enjoy these things with unfettered delight. Every time I asked myself last year, could I do this with my son (then 3) a happy family would roll by.

I believe that Black Rock City is a place of innovation and experimentation in ways of living, organizing, creating, and relating that will become the idea bank we draw from as the old ways fail. Its the best education I can imagine for thriving in the world our children will inherit. How to manage in a world of limited water, complete management of resources, rapidly changing weather conditions, and accelerated human development, seems like really important skills for the ones who will see 2090.

There is nothing on the playa that compares to the violence and turmoil of the world our children are coming into. I say, lets show them how to rock it in a rapidly changing world and lets learn from them unfettered delight!

Full disclosure – my son gets to choose his own adventure and right now he thinks a week a grandma’s looks better. Rock on Hanuman, we will bring you when you are ready.

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By: Super Evil Brian

Super Evil Brian — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:32:33 +0000

I saw some children on the playa and I was jealous I didn’t get to go when I was a kid (but I did go to BMX camp! and pedo-free Boy Scout Camp, which was dope).

Black Rock City is a great example to show that nudity isn’t porn, that being weird isn’t wrong, that having fun and building crazy things is good. What a great environment for a kid to see the good side of what humanity can be, instead of some corporate, for-profit think like Six Flags or Disney.

Children see things differently — through the high definition lenses of innocence and often profound rationalization. It’s a beautiful thing.

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By: Rutger

Rutger — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:36:49 +0000

@Peace

>implying you have a penis.

envy is a terrible thing.

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By: Peace

Peace — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:29:23 +0000

On the one hand, kids are in for a transformative experience. On the other, part of that transformation will be seeing my knobby, erect 7 inch penis flopping out of my rainbow underpants. A nuanced issue indeed.

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By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:27:18 +0000

My first experience on playa was with a family who brought me along as their nanny. The experience was amazing – the little girl (7) loved getting dressed up and interacting with all the art, and the little boy (5) was super excited to transform into a dragon (he wore the outfit and acted like one pretty much the entire time). The biggest challenge was getting them to understand *why* they needed to make sure to clean the dust off at least once a day. Once there was a little dry skin, the understood pretty quickly ;)

Anyway, they played and laughed during the day, and then at night passed the you-know-what out! It was a perfect balance between family time and grown-up only play time. Worked for me and my host family. Not to mention, the magic experienced by the kids totally rubbed off on me. Couldn’t imagine a better first burn :)

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By: Honeybee

Honeybee — Sat, 12 May 2012 05:26:35 +0000

@Bevin

How was your experience bringing your 1 year old baby? Granted it was several years ago and I’m sure lots have changed on the playa, but wondering how long you stayed and what yours and your baby’s experience was like. I’m considering bringing my son who will be a year old for this year’s burn, definitely renting an rv or camper, but just want to hear others experiences before making the decision. Thanks so much!!! Also any other parents out there with a similar situation, your input is much appreciated. Muah!

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By: etcetera

etcetera — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:05:16 +0000

I feel chastised reading that Larry’s and Jerry James’s five year olds were at the first baker beach burn. Kids were there intentionally and by invitation of their parents, the initiators of Burning Man, long before I ever made it out to the Playa.

I’ve always wished there weren’t kids at BRC because, come on, isn’t there any place cool left that isn’t familified? I change my behavior and language around children because I think it’s the right thing to do. Little Junior doesn’t need to see me get loaded, have sex, scream obscenities, or burn a brand into my arm. I suppose it’s my fault and if I don’t like it I should stop, but I feel protective rather than just celebratory when I’m watching the Burn near the front lines and some Burner parents are milling near their small children but not actively protecting them from crowd surges (my friends and I did the protecting that time). I think it’s important to acknowledge that when we bring kids, we are asking the community to change gears. Maybe say “Thanks, guys!” instead of complaining about people who question having kids out there, calling them “haters,” etc.

Now I’m considering bringing my child out there. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right? And for some reason it does matter to me that kids have been involved since 1986. I’ve only been going for a dozen years or so.

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By: Bevin

Bevin — Fri, 11 May 2012 23:57:54 +0000

Any advice on finding kid-sized goggles? We brought our little booger when he was just 1 year old– he learned to walk on the playa!– and we’re bringing him back this year as an 8 year old. Other than goggles, we’re probably set.

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