ROOTPILE

Our camp would not work without all campers' participation and commitment to the Rootpile Mission. Everyone in camp is expected to be involved in some capacity. Many campers choose to do daily camp duty shifts. But other opportunities are available to those who have certain skill sets or who can arrive before or stay after the Burn.

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To find out more about camp involvement opportunities, e-mail us.

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Join a Team:

• Each camper is expected to join a team.

• **Due to our smaller planned camp population for 2026, some camp members may be assigned to more than one team.

• Campers will typically be doing a two to three hour shift per day.

• Camp Duty Shifts and individual responsibilities will be organized pre-Playa by the lead within each specific team.

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Rootpile Team Opportunities:

• • Rootpile DPW Team--The DPW Team is one of Rootpile's most important teams, keeping camp infrastructure operating throughout the event. Members perform approximately two-hour daily shifts maintaining and repairing camp systems.
    Ideal skills include:
         •Carpentry
         •Electrical
         •Plumbing
         •Mechanical repair
         •Engineering
         •General handyman experience
    Projects, tools, materials, and leadership are provided. This team is best suited for motivated people who enjoy solving problems and maintaining complex infrastructure.
     

  • Build Team--August 23–29, 2026
    Setup Access Passes (SAPs) are required and will be distributed through camp leadership.
    
    Most builders should arrive at Rootpile Headquarters in Gerlach, NV on Sunday, August 23 (or earlier), where food and lodging are provided before moving onto Playa. Some members may also help prepare infrastructure in Reno before Build Week or arrive later depending on assigned duties.
    
    Temporary air-conditioned housing, food, water, and hydration are provided until members have time to set up their own camps.
    
    Work Schedule:
         •6:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
         •11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (siesta)
         •3:00 p.m. until dark
    
    Members help unload trailers, organize materials, assemble camp infrastructure, and assist with maintenance issues during Burn Week.
     

  • Teardown Team--Teardown begins on Sunday, September 6, 2026 (Temple Burn Day).
    
    ALL campers help with the initial teardown from 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sunday. After that, the dedicated Teardown Team remains to dismantle camp, organize equipment, complete MOOP sweeps, and load trailers.
    
    Beginning Monday morning:
    Campers not on Teardown Team should pack their personal camps and depart Playa. Anyone remaining should either be breaking camp or assisting with Teardown.
    
    Beginning Tuesday, only the official Teardown Team should remain.
    
    Camp members are expected to follow team leads' instructions and focus on tearing down smarter, not faster, to prevent damage or extra work later.
    
    Food, lodging, hydration, and transportation from Playa or to Reno are provided. Volunteers may also stay longer to help at Rootpile Headquarters in Gerlach.
    
    Teardown Dates: September 6–10, 2026
    Work Schedule:
         •Sunday: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
         •Monday–Thursday:
                •6:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
                •11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (siesta)
                •3:00 p.m. until dark
     

  • Food Service Teams--
         Food service includes several opportunities:
              •Continental breakfast preparation and serving
              •Dinner preparation, cooking, and serving
              •Kitchen and dining hall cleaning after meals
              •Hydration Team 
              •Food Service Manager/Food Safety Officer
              •Food Inventory Manager
              •Build Week Cooks
    
    The Food Service Manager oversees menu planning, food safety, and health inspections. The Inventory Manager handles purchasing, deliveries, storage, and ingredient organization
     

  • Musician Team--Professional and experienced musicians organize Rootpile's music program by leading jam sessions, performing concerts, and occasionally teaching two-step dance lessons.
    
    Members must provide their own instruments and are responsible for protecting them from theft, weather, and damage.
    
    Some scholarship opportunities may be available for professional bluegrass musicians depending on camp needs.
     

  • LNT Team (MOOP Sweeps & Waste Management)--The LNT Team performs daily MOOP sweeps to help Rootpile remain in good standing with Burning Man.
    
    Responsibilities include:
          •Daily MOOP inspections
          •Monitoring for oil, fuel, fresh, gray, and black water leaks
          •Watching for improperly stored fuel
          •Keeping equipment organized
          •Managing camp trash and recycling
          •Educating campers on Leave No Trace practices
    
    Campers must pack out all personal trash after the event.
    
    Only meal-related waste belongs in camp receptacles. Aluminum cans are the only recyclable material accepted on Playa. Glass, plastic, and personal trash should never be placed in camp waste containers.
    
    The team also monitors fire pits to ensure only approved firewood is burned and no trash or cardboard is placed in the fire.
    
    Good MOOP practices throughout the week make Teardown much faster and help ensure Rootpile is invited back in future years.
     

  • Sound Team/Stage Crew--Live and recorded music is a key part of the Rootpile experience. The Sound Team installs, operates, and maintains all stage and sound equipment for performances throughout the event.
    
    At least some team members must arrive by Thursday of Build Week to prepare sound systems on the mutant vehicles.
    
    Responsibilities include:
         •Setting up and operating sound equipment
         •Running sound checks before performances
         •Mixing live acoustic performances
         •Monitoring sound quality during shows
         •Charging, storing, and protecting equipment
         •Coordinating show schedules with other team members
         •Preventing theft or damage to instruments and equipment
    
    Experience mixing live acoustic music is strongly preferred. Team members must remain sober while on shift.
     

  • Campground Manager--Thursday Build Week arrival is required.
    The Campground Manager helps campers get settled and keeps the campground organized throughout the event. This position works closely with the Camp Surveyor/Layout Manager and DPW.
    
    Primary responsibilities include:
         •Greeting campers and helping them find assigned camping locations
         •Assisting with tent, RV, and yurt placement
         •Helping campers connect power and locate camp resources
         •Answering questions and resolving basic camping issues
         •Maintaining the campground map and information board
         •Ensuring camping locations are labeled correctly
         •Protecting campers' privacy from visitors
    
    During Burn Week, this team also performs daily inspections for:
         •Leave No Trace (LNT) concerns
         •Improper fuel storage
         •Electrical issues
         •General campground safety
    
    Friendly, organized people who enjoy helping others are a great fit for this role.
     

  • Electrical Team--The Electrical Team manages the entire Rootpile electrical system.
    
    This includes:
         •Generator operation and fueling
         •Electrical distribution
         •Balancing electrical loads
         •Installing and maintaining camp power
    
    The team typically consists of 3–4 licensed electricians plus assistants.
    
    Members should arrive on Playa by Tuesday of Build Week, and some may assist earlier at Rootpile Headquarters in Gerlach.
     

  • Plumbing Team--Working closely with DPW, the Plumbing Team manages all camp water systems.
    
    Responsibilities include:
         •Fresh water connections
         •Gray and black water systems
         •Sinks, showers, and toilets
         •Pumps and hot water heaters
         •Water storage and monitoring
         •Preventing leaks throughout camp
    
    Because water leaks can seriously impact camp operations and Leave No Trace compliance, preventing and quickly repairing leaks is the team's highest priority.
    
    Professional plumbing experience is preferred. Team members should arrive by Tuesday of Build Week, with some assisting beforehand in Gerlach.
     

  • Tool Manager--The Tool Manager keeps Rootpile's tools and spare parts organized and available throughout the event.
    
    Responsibilities include:
         •Managing the tool trailer
         •Organizing air compressors and equipment
         •Tracking spare parts
         •Ensuring tools are returned after use
    
    Since this position doesn't require full-time attention, it is usually combined with another camp role.
     

  • Inventory Team--The Inventory Team keeps Rootpile's equipment and supplies organized before, during, and after the event.
    
    Responsibilities include managing:
         •Closet trailer
         •Pantry trailer
         •Spare parts
         •Camp supplies
    
    The team's goal is to keep equipment properly labeled, organized, and easy to locate during Build, Burn Week, and Teardown. Good inventory management saves time, prevents lost equipment, and makes teardown much more efficient.
     

  • Transport Team--Transport is essential to moving Rootpile's infrastructure to and from Burning Man.
    
    The team coordinates transportation of:
         •Semi-trucks
         •Pickups
         •Storage trailers
         •RVs
         •Food deliveries
         •Water and fuel
         •Equipment and supplies
         •Camp members
    
    Useful experience includes:
        •CDL licenses
         •Trailer towing
         •RV driving
         •Loading and parking trailers
    
    Drivers must have good driving records, remain sober while driving, and follow all Burning Man regulations. Previous Playa experience is helpful but not required.
    
    Transport Team members may volunteer before Build Week, during Build, throughout Burn Week, or during Teardown.
    
    The team consists entirely of volunteer Rootpile camp members—not hired drivers.
     

  • Medical Team--This is a two+ person team made up of people with professional medical experience to manage our First Aid area. As this is not a time-intensive position, this job will be combined with other duties on-Playa. Often our doctors prefer to also do food service shifts.
     

  • Shower Clean Team-This team helps keep Rootpile's shower and sink facilities clean, safe, and functional.
    
    Responsibilities include:
         •Checking showers several times each day
         •Cleaning shower rooms and sinks
         •Restocking and maintaining cleaning supplies
         •Removing lost items and placing them in Lost & Found
         •Reporting maintenance issues to the NOAH on duty
         •Educating campers on keeping facilities clean through reminders or signage
    
    Everyone in camp shares responsibility for maintaining these facilities, but this team helps ensure standards are consistently met.
     

  • NOAH--The NOAH Team serves as Rootpile's daily camp leadership.
    This invite-only team consists of four or five experienced camp members who rotate two-hour shifts overseeing camp operations.
    
    Responsibilities include:
          •Supporting campers
          •Coordinating with team leads
          •Responding to camp issues
          •Helping resolve problems throughout the day
          •Ensuring camp policies and safety standards are followed
    
    NOAHs act as the primary point of contact whenever questions or issues arise.
     

  • Ice Team--The Ice Team organizes Rootpile's daily ice deliveries so campers don't have to make individual trips.
    
    Each morning the team:
        •Collects ice orders and payments
        •Coordinates transportation
        •Purchases ice
        •Delivers it back to campers
    
    Transportation is provided by a camp member authorized to operate the camp's handicap-approved vehicle. Only the DMV-approved driver may operate this vehicle.
    
     

For more in-depth team descriptions, click here.

To find out more about camp involvement opportunities, e-mail us.