Radical Inclusion

הכלה רדיקלית

"Anyone may be a part of Burning Man. We welcome and respect the stranger. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community."— from the 10 Principles of Burning Man, written by Larry Harvey (2004)

What it means

There is no velvet rope. No 'right way' to look, dress, dance, or be. If you showed up, you belong.
The stranger wandering into camp at 3pm asking for water? They're not an interruption — they're the point.
Inclusion is active, not passive. It's not just 'you may enter' — it's 'come in, here's a chair, what's your name?'

🐢 How the Turtles live it

Every turtle was a first-timer once. At Terrible Turtle Camp there are no 'virgin burner' hazing rituals, no inner circle, and no chore list shoved in your hands — just a drink, a welcome, and the open invitation to prompt the turtle 🐢💾 (that's Terri, our camp AI — ask it anything). Participation finds you naturally here. And playa names? They're special — they arrive on their own time, never rushed. The shell has room for everyone.

First-burn tips

Nervous you won't fit in? That feeling is universal — and it evaporates in about a day.
You don't need a costume, a talent, or a story. Show up curious.
When YOU see a lost-looking stranger next week — you're the welcomer now. Pass it on.