The Village of PolyParadise 21 Years In Black Rock City

Welcome to Burning Man 2019 - The 21st Birthday Party of The Village of PolyParadise; it is hard to believe that this Theme Camp started in 1999 with 8 campers has blossomed into a thriving 300-person village. My first year was 2000; we had 15 campers – my how we have grown not just in number of campers but as a group of International Burners spanning the globe. I know I have grown over the past 20-years as a person – a Burner and as a leader – The Benevolent Dictator of The Village of PolyParadise. I have witnessed many changes within our diverse culture of Burners and within our own camp as the number of campers has increased.

So many people have come and gone and passed thru the Camp/Village over the past 20 years and each attendee has different reasons for attending Burning Man – returning year after year or coming to Black Rock City as a Virgin Burner. We were all Virgins to Burning Man at one time – we all thought we knew why we went the first time – have you taken a look recently why you are making the trek to BRC?

Post Burning Man 2018 I had a few things to say about what the Burn means to me and how being an event producer of the Village of PolyParadise had affected me. If you had not read my FB Posts you can do so here: I am a Big-Deal – Setting the Record STR8. No matter what I said or how I said it – what words I chose – it is important to know that not only do I care about the future of Burning Man - I care about the Village of PolyParadise & I care about YOU and the experience you have within the gates of Black Rock City and within the boundaries of the Village of PolyParadise.

For the past 20 years the only stated RULE or Code of Conduct of the camp has been: PolyParadise is NOT a Swinger Camp. Being Poly or Practicing Poly is NOT a requirement for camping with us, but being OPEN MINDED about other people's lifestyle choices IS!! As we embark on our 21st year within the gates of Black Rock City – as Benevolent Dictator I feel it is time to add a few more items for our campers to consider.

If Burning Man & Black Rock City is in-fact a Utopia – then that vision of Utopia must represent each of us and our distinct reasons for making the Black Rock Desert and The Village of PolyParadise our home each August. This utopia must be a space in which each of us feels safe; with the knowledge that our ability to consent is paramount and is respected by all.

One of the Ten Principles is 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.)

Your own Radical Self-Expression (whatever that may be) is to be respected right up to the line where it might infringe on how someone else defines their own Radical Self-Expression. In that vein; Consent should not just be considered in a sexual reference – Consent is about each of us being able to choose when our boundaries are pushed. No one should be forced to view something or participate in an activity in the name of someone else's Radical Self-Expression. None of us really knows what our boundaries are or what hot buttons lie under the surface are until they are pushed - but the choice to confront those issues should be with the individual to push or pursue.

The Village of PolyParadise strives to be a sex-positive space; (having positive attitudes about sex and feeling comfortable with one’s own sexual identity and with the sexual behaviors of others); but being sex-positive does not mean that we are a sex-oriented camp. Yes our campers have sex, yes our campers engage in diverse sexual activities; all of which are respected. With that said the camp will no longer be providing a dedicated space to sexual activity (Perfect Place For Poly Play). This 28’ dome with its intended purpose was highly underutilized for many years; meaning that most campers used their own RV, Tent, Yurt, structure or made their way to other camps within BRC to have the sexual experiences they desired. The dome will be returning in 2019 but will be an Art & Maker space (Details to be announced) – I hope that you will all join in and participate in what this space will become.

Consent is paramount - Always ask before touching someone. Vocalize consent for every social and physical interaction. Don't assume consent for one activity automatically means consent for any others. Be firm with your boundaries. Be careful not to leer or be a voyeur to the activities of others. Be mindful of your body and presence always. Be vigilant of how you affect others with words and actions.

We practice affirmative, enthusiastic consent. This means that if there is a hint of hesitation or doubt in the “yes” you receive, it is a “no.” Please let The Benevolent Dictator, Camp Mom or other camp leaders know if a fellow camper makes you uncomfortable, for any reason, or talk with them yourself.

It should not be assumed that everyone that camps with The Village of PolyParadise wears a Polyamorous label in their life (~40%) or is there to be sexually adventurous. A large majority that camp with us do so because of our Kick-Ass kitchen and shared meal plan; the public events we host or friends that camp within our borders. The populous of the Village should not by default be thought of as potential candidates for the sexual adventurism you might want to engage in. Keep that in mind in how you approach each other for such activities.

Are you bringing Art or an interactive project or planning an activity within the camp? Is the idea to share something you enjoy with others or is the idea to push boundaries in the name of just pushing boundaries? Think about how your project will be perceived by other campers; just because you find it morally justified others may not see it in the same light. Remember that we all come to Burning Man & Black Rock City for a variety of reasons; your art, project, activity should be thought of with this in mind. We are not attempting to limit your creativity, your ideas or activities; what we ask is that if your project or idea might be considered non-mainstream by others; putting it behind a curtain or within a structure allows our campers to have a choice of seeing or participating. We are not saying that your idea, project or activity is not welcome but in the name of consent; campers should not have to avert their eyes, walk a different way or avoid what they might deem outside their bounds just so you can be Radically Expressive.

Our Kitchen - Community & Event spaces should be considered R-Rated (Nudity is acceptable - If you have a 'Bare Bottom' you are asked to have a towel or some covering for the chair you will plop your bare bottom on....THANK YOU) – any Adult Activity that you would not see in any public place should be taken inside your own RV, Tent, Yurt, structure or make your way to other camps within Black Rock City to engage in such adult experiences.

Just to recap - There are no specific events, activities or art projects that are being banned within the boundaries of The Village of PolyParadise - We are asking that each camper think about their actions and how they affect others - Just because you want to - just because you can - does not mean that you should. We only ask that you think about how any event, activity, art project will be perceived by others - is the Radical-Expression you wish to pursue going to trample the rights of others?

Registration for PolyParadise will begin on March 1, 2019...
Scotto
- Benevolent Dictator of PolyParadise
- Burning Man Lifer/Geek/Zealot