What is Hushville?
Hushville is a village within Black Rock City open to anyone who wants to camp with us. The only requirement is that you do not have a generator or any amplified sound. Additionally, you should not generate any continuous sound that carries much farther than your own camp. So banging pots and pans together would probably not be a good idea.

The idea for Hushville came after some of us had a rather unpleasant time at Burning Man 2000, where we were under nonstop sonic bombardment from five directions for the entire week. After returning home, we discussed how nice it would be to have a place a tad bit quieter, and well, that was that. Hushville debuted in 2001 and is now one of the largest villages in the city.

(Please note that Hushville is a village, not a camp. A village is a large collection of camps.)

Do I need to join a theme camp?
There's a common misperception that you have to be associated with a theme camp in order to attend Burning Man. Not true. I don't know the exact stats, but my impression is that the majority of attendees camp on their own. That said, being part of a theme camp can be a blast and it may work out best for you to do your own theme camp or to align with some other group.

If you want to join an existing group, start by scanning the list of registered camps on burningman.com. If you like the description of what one of them is doing, visit their website or drop them a line and ask to find out more. Ask if they're open to having new people join them, and most important, tell them what you have to offer. Hint: Listing genuine skills such as carpentry or cooking carries a lot more weight than just saying that you'll bring a daily dose of good vibes. Keep in mind, however, that a lot of camps are a small, tight-knit group of people and they may not be looking to add to their ranks. That doesn't mean that they're exclusive snobs, it just means that they have everything under contol and would probably love to meet you as a visitor to their camp.

How do I join Hushville?
It is necessary to register in advance in order to be part of Hushville. The registration form will go live sometime in early summer and is available only to those who have expended 30 seconds of their lives to register with this web site. 

What do you call someone in Hushville?
The official name for a resident is Hushvillain. Note that that's Hushvillain, not Hushvillian. There's a big difference.

Where is Hushville based?
With the Hushville officials scattered over several states, we don't consider Hushville to be based out of any specific geographic location, and we're proud to have folks from all over the world join us every year.

Can I have a theme camp camp within Hushville? If so, does it have to adhere to a specific concept?
We would like for Hushville to be packed with theme camps! Information about Theme Camps can be found in the members-only section of this site. And no, there will be no unifying theme.

Where will Hushville be located?
For 2010, Hushville is located at 4:00 & Edinburgh.

Can I reserve a certain spot within Hushville?
For the most part, no. All space are first-come, first-served. Generally, BManOrg does not select spots for camps within villages, it is up to the village organizers. But that's a level of complexity we just don't want to deal with, so it will be up to you to get there nice and early to select the space that fits your needs. That said, we do hold some locations for camps that want to be along the perimeter. More information about that is inside the members-only part of the site.

Will there still be room for me if I arrive on <fill in a date>?
Every year people become concerned that if they get to the playa too late in the week there won't be any space left for them in Hushville. Yes, this is a possibility but it is not a given. Obviously, the earlier you arrive the easier it will be to fit you in, but you shouldn't give up hope just because you can't get there until later in the week. Our placement people do an excellent job of maximizing the real estate and are wizards at fitting people into tight spaces. Plus, some people only attend Burning Man for the first part of the week, opening up space when they leave mid-week. Even if you think you might be too late, you should always swing past the village and inquire about the status. Don't just drive by and assume we're full because it looks full... stop and ask! 

I have a great idea for something that should be done in Hushville.
Wonderful... do it! We just set up the infrastructure... all the cool stuff comes from those of you who camp in it!

Will there be a community kitchen / shower / evap pond?
No, all camps within Hushville operate autonomously. Just as though you were in open camping, you are responsible for all aspects of your own experience. Likewise, there is no community shower or grey-water evaporation system. It's all up to you, folks.

Just how quiet do we have to be? Can I play my drum?
The last thing I want to do is draw up a detailed list of what sound-related things are and are not acceptable. Just use common sense... people will be camping in Hushville because they want some peace and quiet. Will your activity (singing, yelling, drumming, chanting, blacksmithing, whatever) be at odds with this? If so, please reconsider doing it. We don't expect people to sit around in muted silence, but c'mon, just keep in mind why it's called Hushville.

How about a radio or boombox?
Technically, these come under the category of amplified sound, but we're not going to be overly zealous about this. The single most important thing is that the sound not extend beyond your own camp. This means you are going to have to keep that thing turned WAY DOWN. Way, way down. 

Is it OK if I bring an RV?
Sure, as long as you don't plan to use the generator. That doesn't mean only running it two hours a day or only fifteen minutes a day, it means never. Other than that, just be mindful of where you park it... RVs can be very imposing if they're pulled up right next to someone's tent.

Can I run my car engine from time-to-time to charge my laptop/camera/whatever?
Absolutely not. An idling car engine is a generator. It makes noise, creates exhaust and is not allowed in the village. If you have a weak car battery that you need to keep charged, please note that idling the engine does no good... the engine needs to be revved at a good speed in order for an appreciable charge to make it back to the battery. And you can be damned sure that your neighbors are not going to like having a revved engine right next to them!

But I really need air conditioning during the hot part of the day.
Sorry, but you're going to have to find it somewhere else. Go volunteer to help hand out ice for the afternoon! It's the coldest place on the playa, and you'll be doing a good deed.

Will there be someone responsible for clean-up?
Yes... you! Please do not even think about camping in Hushville unless you are 110% committed to thoroughly cleaning your area. If there is any indication that you are not willing to comply with the Leave No Trace policy, you will be asked to leave the village immediately.

When is Burning Man? What is Burning Man? How do I get tickets? How do I drive there from Piedmont? What should I bring?
Sorry folks, this is not a general purpose Burning Man FAQ. Please go to www.burningman.com for all that type of information.

What's to stop someone from setting up a giant sound system right across the street from Hushville?
Technically nothing, provided they're not violating the official sound policy. We hope, however, that we'll have the full support of the Rangers in dealing with anyone who is maliciously trying to screw with us.

If I camp in Hushville, will I have to do anything special?
Since we're somewhat of an open village, we hope that all participants will take an active role in welcoming newcomers and verifying that they're aware of where they're camping. We hope to have ample signs up around the perimeter, but undoubtedly some people will completely miss these and later get really pissed that they camped in the quiet area.

Does camping in Hushville qualify me for early arrival into BRC?
No. Please do not arrive at the event earlier than the official start time and expect to be let in just because you are camping in Hushville. The gate will turn you away.