Taking a break from being the glue at your camp? You’re not alone. A recent r/burningman thread asked: who’s stepping back from running camps and how are folks planning to actually relax at the Burn?
Responses from long-time camp leads and builders boiled down to one reality: these communities need turnover and planning to survive. People shared practical, no-nonsense ways to avoid burning out mid-run—things your camp can start doing this year.
Why burnout happens
- More components = more maintenance. Camps often keep adding new projects each year without removing anything, and the cumulative workload becomes unsustainable.
- Poor succession planning. Too many camps rely on a single “head honcho” instead of training replacements and splitting responsibilities.
- Geography and commitment. Long-distance contributors are great, but without enough local helpers the logistics get exhausting.
What successful camps are doing
- Recruit and train replacements: Have people shadow leads on every task and progressively hand off responsibilities so veterans can step back into being attendees.
- Delegate into leads: Break big tasks into lead roles (kitchen, build, logistics, permits) so no single person carries the weight.
- Rotate the head role: Time-box the stress. Switch who’s the overall lead so longevity doesn’t require martyrdom.
- Do less / downscale: Be ruthless about removing old components if you add big new ones. Focus on what the camp does best.
- Recruit locally: Prioritize building a regional core so travel logistics don’t burn out your organizers.
- Take a sabbatical: Sit out one year as a pleb, join another camp for perspective, or come back refreshed with new ideas.
Real-world takes from the thread
- “If you are the leader of your current camp, you should be actively recruiting and training multiple future replacements.” — a top strategy for long-term survival.
- One lead said they’re intentionally downsizing for 2026—fewer projects, more focus on the core of what they do well.
- Another long-time organizer plans to stop leading after a decade and just show up to build for a few days, then actually enjoy the city.
- Several folks reported difficulty getting traction online and emphasized the need for in-person regional recruiting.
Action checklist for camp leads (quick)
- Start a one-page “how-to” doc for each major task.
- Ask two people to shadow you this season.
- Define 3 permanent roles with clear responsibilities.
- Audit camp projects—remove or mothball one thing if you add another.
- Recruit two local contacts within a 4–6 hour drive.
- Schedule a personal sabbatical year if you’re burning out.
Leadership turnover is healthy for community-based projects—change only hurts if you’re unprepared. If you’re taking a year off, enjoy being a participant: see the art, meet new people, and come back when you’re ready. If you’re stepping up, start grooming successors now.
Got a burnout workaround that actually worked for your camp? Share it in the comments or drop us a note—these ideas are only as strong as the folks who try them.
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/BurningMan/comments/1qns4e9/burned_out_builders_and_leads/