My Burning Man Volunteer Experience: Working Gate (GP&E)
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I have been to Burning Man ten times and have volunteered for five of those Burns. It feels good to finally give back to the event and it’s so much fun working with a community on the playa.
In this post, I’ll share my Burning Man volunteer experience and what it’s really like working with Gate crew, including the challenges, perks, and tips I’ve learned!
I’ll explain why volunteering is worth it and discuss other volunteer opportunities on the playa. It’s amazing –– you just have to find the right fit!
Burning Man Slang
In This Post
The Burn — Another name for “Burning Man” ie “enjoy your Burn!” or “I hope it doesn’t rain during this year’s Burn…”
The Playa — A playa is a geographical term for a dry, alkaline desert lakebed such as the environment where Burning Man is held. So, the playa refers to the dusty Burning Man area.
Black Rock City (BRC) — The temporary city or area where Burning Man is held. You can search this on Maps when driving to the event!
Virgin –– A person who’s never been to Burning Man before.
A full Burning Man slang guide to help you prepare more for your trip! Don’t be a sparkle pony –– volunteer!
My Experience Volunteering With Gate at Burning Man
Gate wasn’t actually my first volunteering attempt at Burning Man! I tried to be a Greeter but quickly realized I’m not chipper enough.
Greeters are the super-happy people you see after you come through the Gate who give you the event schedule book and might suggest you do a dust angel or ring the bell. That role requires you to have a lot of energy!
I also tried to be a Black Rock City Ranger and completed 3 hours of the 10 hour practice shift before realizing I don’t want that much responsibility while at Burning Man.
A friend told me that GP&E accepts more salty individuals like myself, I tried it and I knew I had found my place! A few people might think I’m crazy that I enjoy working at Burning Man but Gate really makes it worth it for me.
What is Gate (GP&E)?
GP&E stands for Gate, Perimeter, and Exodus. They basically coordinate all traffic coming into and leaving Black Rock City.
As a Gate crew volunteer, you’re one of the first people participants interact with when entering the car queue into the festival! The job is mostly directing vehicles into the appropriate driving lanes and keeping the lines moving.
Working as Gate crew, I will inspect your vehicle, ask you a series of questions, scan your tickets, and then you are free to join the festival! It can be busy and repetitive, but it’s fun getting to welcome and chat with new attendees coming in.
Perimeter people sit in vehicles around the outskirts of Black Rock City (an orange netted fence that runs nine miles long around the City) and essentially wait for people to try to run into Burning Man without a ticket.
I guess it can be very exciting if this happens, but during my one Perimeter shift, I was very bored waiting for the action to happen!
It’s funny though, it started to rain during my shift, so I only ended up working with Perimeter for two hours.
Exodus is the crew that assists traffic on the way out of Burning Man. So if you want to volunteer with them, you’ll have to stay a few days after the festival ends.
Training and My First Shift
Training is quick and easy, someone will show you the appropriate hand signals to keep the car lines functioning and to yell “I need an adult!” if the vehicle you’re checking requires more attention from a supervisor.
I learned that the most important thing to look for in vehicles is weapons. On my very first shift, my line volunteer buddy found five rifles in a participant’s RV and called our supervisor. The rifles were confiscated, even though the RV driver got upset and claimed that the vehicle and rifles belonged to his neighbor.
Burning Man is already a chaotic event and adding weapons can be very dangerous.
Additionally, it’s important to leave plants at home because they can harm the desert ecosystem.
We will confiscate any of the banned items!! In this blog post, you’ll find the list of questions we ask regarding what you’re not allowed to bring to Burning Man.
Best Parts of Volunteering
The best part of my volunteering experiences with Gate crew is seeing attendees super excited before they enter Black Rock City. Especially late Saturday night, when things get exciting as Gate officially opens at 12:01 AM on Sunday!
It’s crazy to hear about all the stories from GP&E veterans from previous years. From finding a person in a fish tank to people hiding behind secret walls trying to get into Burning Man without a ticket (do not attempt this; Gate is thorough and can ban your whole car from entering).
I also love the responsibility that comes with working Gate. You are the one that lets people into Black Rock City! Also, it’s quite fun to check people’s cars and ask them all the questions.
Some photos of the annual GP&E parade party:
The Biggest Challenges
I would say the hardest time I’ve had volunteering with Gate came from rude people coming into the festival. We’re in a beautiful desert at a crazy cool community event and people have the audacity to be rude from the start?
Come on people, enjoy life a little and please be respectful to the volunteers who are organizing the event!
The second challenge is making sure I get enough sleep before midnight shifts! If you haven’t slept, it’s difficult to stand for six hours and talk to new attendees and check their vehicles every five minutes.
That goes for any shift: make sure you’re fed, watered, and well-rested.
The Perks
It feels like I’ve found a great community and I make new friends each Gate shift. This is a great perk if you come to the Burn not knowing many people.
Keep in mind that the other perks I’m about to mention could change from year to year –– this is just my experience from the last few years volunteering.
If you work a particularly dusty shift, you may get a free shower credit! This happened to me in 2022 and I finally took my first shower ever on the playa in 7 years of going to Burning Man. I’ll admit it was wonderful but your hair gets dusty again immediately!
I volunteered at the Black Rock City Airport (a location within the GP&E team) and got offered a free ride on a glider airplane!
Another volunteering perk is after working a midnight to 6 AM shift, you can sleep in an air-conditioned shipping container with mattresses called the Bunk House! The last few years they have required you to take a COVID test before entering; after a 6 hour shift, it’s excruciating to wait an extra 20 minutes for the test results but worth it!
Usually I am the only one sleeping in the bunker (I don’t know why more people don’t take advantage of this perk!). This is a great option because once you get back to your camp after 6 AM, your tent will start getting hot around 7 AM, making it harder to fall sleep.
Volunteer Credits
Another reason I enjoy volunteering is sometimes it can earn you a free or discounted ticket for a following year. This helps me as I’m usually low on funds, and I genuinely love volunteering, so it’s nice to know I can possibly earn a ticket, especially in the years when tickets could sell out.
If you’re also working with low funds for your Burning Man trip, check out my cost guide with budgeting tips!
Depending on the program, you can earn credits by completing volunteer shifts, with some less desirable shifts worth more than others.
You must show up for all your shifts and complete them to earn the credits! Keep in mind, this could change from year to year.
Things to Know Before Volunteering With GP&E
Once you sign up, you will get a list of rules, procedures, and things to know but here are a few of those technical things you should know about Gate:
- The bus that brings you to the actual gate leaves exactly 30 minutes before your shift time from the Black Hole Bar (official bar ran by GP&E volunteers) at 5:40 & E.
- You have to wear a mask on the bus!!
- Before your first volunteer shift, pick up your official GP&E ID card and lanyard at the GoBox, which is right around the corner from the Black Hole Bar.
- Bring your own blanket if you want to sleep in the Bunk House after a midnight shift.
- Bring your own cutlery for meals. I bring a bowl and spoon in my backpack to each shift.
- A separate van brings you to your airport shift (Point 5) from the Black Hole Bar.
I’ve only had one shift from 12 noon to 6 PM ever for a reason –– it is so hot to be standing in the open sun for that many hours! I would not recommend it for people who may faint easily or burn in the sun. I actually vomited after my shift, I think from sun exhaustion.
Bring everything you need for over 12 hours just in case of weather emergencies! I bring my own snacks but you do get fed a meal during your shift.
It gets cold on overnight shifts! Remember to bring warm layers and your dust goggles. Here’s a full packing list if you’re still preparing for the Burn.
If you’re new to Burning Man, I’ve shared 28 practical tips I wish I knew before my first Burn that can make both your trip and volunteering easier.
How to Volunteer at Burning Man
It’s a pretty straightforward process to volunteer! Just follow these steps.
- Explore Departments
Explore all the volunteer departments here. Take the quiz! On the right side of the page, you’ll find a directory of volunteer teams, including everything from Air Playa Info (Reno) to Theme Camps where you can read about each one. - Create a Burner Profile
First, create your Burner profile account and complete the volunteer questionnaire. You’ll review your profile information including personal details and years you’ve attended Burning Man (it’s ok if you haven’t been!). Then, check all the departments you’re interested in. You’ll receive emails from the team leads, who will get you set you up on Babalooey, the shift sign-up site. - Complete Training
Some departments have a little training online and potentially in person. For GP&E, I completed a short online conduct training and a one-hour in-person session before my first shift. Other teams, like Greeters, are more casual, and you can just show up and volunteer!
Other Burning Man Volunteer Opportunities
There are many departments at the Burn that you can work with! There’s likely a team that matches your skills and interests.
Other Roles of GP&E
Here are my favorite roles within GP&E other than Gate. If you sign up, you will see the full list of each role. This is the sign up page for all things GP&E.
- Perimeter – Helps secure the event boundary.
- Exodus – Assists with traffic leaving Black Rock City.
- D-Lot – Handles full vehicle searches and difficult interactions (for this role you must have thick skin and be able to set firm boundaries, so it’s not for everyone).
- Black Hole Bar – Sign up to bartend at GP&E’s bar!
- Point 5 (Airport!) – Volunteers who make sure pilots and passengers have the proper wristbands or credentials to access the runway area. I’d highly recommend this role but the shifts go fast!!
Rangers
Rangers help participants navigate difficult situations, mediate conflicts, answer questions, and step in when someone needs a hand. These volunteers are dressed in khaki and are not law enforcement, so you won’t get in trouble for asking a Ranger for help. They can also radio for medical assistance when needed.
This is a good role for experienced Burners who stay calm under pressure, communicate well, and aren’t afraid of challenging situations.
Burn Perimeter
These volunteers form a ring around major burns while the fire is going, helping keep participants at a safe distance. It’s an especially important role given the tragic incident in 2017, when a man ran into the burning Man effigy. Part of the job is being prepared to respond if something like this happens.
They always need more Burn Perimeter volunteers, but this is a role you should only take on if you’re comfortable with the possibility of responding to a serious incident.
Arctica
These volunteers sell ice –– the only thing you can buy in Black Rock City. Volunteer here and you’ll be surrounded by cold ice for a few hours! Maybe it’s a rumor, but I heard you could get a bag of free ice after your shift? 🧊
There are a lot more volunteer positions at the Burn! Check them all here.
Is Volunteering at Burning Man Worth It?
I think it’s 100% worth it! I now volunteer with Gate crew every year.
Burning Man works well when everyone participates –– the temporary city is literally built by its attendees. It takes so much effort to organize this 70,000 person event, and volunteering gave me a deeper appreciation for everything that goes into making it happen.
There is no Burning Man without its volunteers!
FAQ
Here’s a few common questions answered if you still need guidance!
Can first-timers volunteer at Burning Man?
It depends on the volunteer department. I know to become a Ranger, you must have attended at least one Burning Man before applying. Rangers need to understand Burning Man culture and principles, and be able to navigate the playa confidently while helping participants resolve conflicts and provide assistance.
First-timers are accepted in most teams though! I know that Arctica (ice sales), Greeters, Lamplighters, Earth Guardians, and most areas of GP&E take virgins! Check this site for the volunteer questionnaire and teams.
Do Burning Man volunteers get discounted or free tickets?
Burning Man isn’t like other “festivals” in regards to volunteering for a ticket. Participation is one of the core principles and is expected! Contribute how you can –– cook meals, help build your camp, make art.
Only certain volunteer teams offer credits towards a discounted or free ticket. I know that the GP&E, Black Rock City Rangers, Medical, and Burn Perimeter departments offer a credit-based system towards a ticket, with harder-to-fill shifts earning more credits.
How many shifts do you have to work?
You can work as little or much as you want! The purpose is to participate and have fun. The most I’ve worked was 24 hours (was aiming for a free ticket for the next year) and I could still enjoy Burning Man but it did feel like a lot and now I usually volunteer for less time.
Don’t over commit yourself, only sign up for shifts you can do for sure!
Final Thoughts
I hope I’ve convinced you to look into more Burning Man volunteer teams and see where you can participate! Volunteering at the Burn feels really good and it’s a great way to make new friends and give back to the event.
If you need more advice before you head to the playa, check out my other Burning Man articles! I have an ultimate preparation guide, and articles about packing, prohibited items, bikes, and how to do Burning Man with a very small budget (I even did it for just $120 one time!).
See you on the playa! ❤️🔥
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