Camping
After entering InterFuse you will want to find a nice place to call home and set up camp. Check the campground map to find the things most important to you and camp nearby.
If hot showers top your list, you should consider a place near the shower house.
If dance and art are your main concern, consider camping near one of the Big Sound Theme Camps which usually have large sound systems, lights, and dance areas.
If you like seclusion there are several camping areas in the forest, well off the beaten path. Like at Burning Man, earplugs work well to get some sleep in this environment.
But no matter where you camp, expect the party to continue all day and all night.
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Camp Placement
InterFuse is a first come, first camp event. Areas cannot be reserved in advance. This means you can camp wherever you want provided the space isn't already occupied. The only exceptions are Theme Camps with large, powered PA systems. These must contact the InterFuse Event Planners by Friday, April 22, 2011 to arrange for Big Sound Camp placement. Details can be found on the Theme Camps and Sound & Music pages.
The reserved spaces for these camps will be roped off ahead of time. Anyone who doesn’t want to be near Big Sound Camps will be able to see where they are going to be and camp away from them.
The Shriners Club Campground has large meadows that can accommodate even the largest groups, Theme Camps, or art installations.
If your campsite occupies a huge amount of space, you should consider arriving at InterFuse on Thursday or early Friday morning. After that you might find all the large-area prime spots taken.
NOTE: The Shriners Club Campground will be closed for InterFuse infrastructure preparation on Wednesday, May 11th. There is NO early camping this year!
Vehicles are prohibited from driving into certain remote glens in order to preserve the land. These areas will be clearly marked.
If your camp is going to be loud during the night with lots of carousing and music, please camp on the south side of the effigy, which is farther away from Quiet Camping. See the Campground Map for the location of Quiet Camping.
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Quiet Camping
The new land has a large secluded glen that is designated for first-come first camp Quiet Camping that will be marked with signs. While ear plugs are necessary for complete quiet at InterFuse, this will be the most quiet area available to camp and sleep at night.
Do not camp in this space if you plan to have a noisy camp at night. Loud campers may be asked to move and that's just a pain for everyone involved.
Be aware that there may be a sculpture burn located in this area on Sunday night. See the Campground Map for the location of Quiet Camping.
Tents & Structures
In addition to tents big and small, you'll also see many offbeat structures at InterFuse. If you've been to Burning Man you will recognize them - geodesic domes, parachute structures, yurts, and constructions that defy all description. Some of them are art, some of them are called home.
Some basic safety guidelines for all InterFuse structures:
- Cover all exposed tent stakes and rebar with something protective, like rubber balls or plastic bottles. Exposed stakes are a primary cause of accidents.
- Mark your strings, wires, and guylines so people don't trip. Brightly colored tape and glow tape are ideal for this.
- Collect or mark things so that people won't trip over them at night.
- Keep paths and walkways clear.
- Be sure your tiki torches are planted in solid ground.
- Add lights to your structure so people can see it. The Missouri Ozarks are very dark at night.
Food
Since there is no vending at InterFuse you must already have all the food you intend to eat when you arrive.
Some people like to rough-it and eat granola bars for four days. Others like to dine like Kings and Queens. It's your choice. Bringing a little extra food to share makes a fun gift and is a good way to meet your neighbors.
BBQs and personal campfires are allowed at the Shriners Club Campgrounds (but remember to bring your own wood or fuel).
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Water
You can bring your own water or obtain it on-site. The Shriners Club Campground has more than 25 locations (outdoor spigots and indoor sinks) to get clean, cool drinking water. Water sources will be marked on the Campground Map (back of the Front Gate Handout you get when you arrive).
Take as much as you need but remember to turn off the tap.
Related Link: Campground Map
On-Site Ice
Ice is an essential part of a multi-day Burns' infrastructure. We don't want a bunch of people getting food poisoning and we don't permit in-outs to go purchase more ice. So, like Burning Man and various Regional Burns, Midwest Burners is allowing ice sales as the exception to our decommodified space.
Our host, The Shriners Club, is providing the ice service for InterFuse 2011.
Ice Location: Center Camp
Days & Times Available: March 12-15 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM and from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM, each day.
Price: $3.00 for a 7 pound bag. Cash only please.
Safe Tent
The Safe Tent is a place to get basic care:
- First aid for nicks and scratches, sunburns, tick attacks, bug bites, headaches, and so forth
- Care for recovery from dehydration caused by overexertion
- Preventive measures like sunscreen and condoms
- Chill space away from most of the sensory overload that is InterFuse
- Somebody to talk to, to relieve some stress
It's a home away from home for wayward hippies is what it is. Folks can show up and get some tender lovin' care from a crew of really nice rock stars. We take care of boo-boos and whip all you dirty hippies back into shape for more debauchery.
Street Signs Inside The Campground
Are you worried you will find yourself lost in the wilds? Fear not, intrepid Burner, for you shall see a sign. Literally. Well, many signs.
Indeed, multiple roads inside the campground means we will be placing street signs at junctions for your navigational pleasure.
North/South(ish) running roads and foot paths will be named after the 10 Principles and will stay the same year after year. East/West(ish) roads and footpaths will bear theme-specific names in alphabetical order from North to South.
In addition to directing others to your camp more accurately, this will allow you to keep track of your way home without leaving a trail of breadcrumbs behind you. That's MOOP, you know.
Nudity
While most people do not get naked at InterFuse, everyone is free to be nude and some people radically express themselves this way. If you are not comfortable around nudity, InterFuse is not for you.
InterFuse is a celebration of life and art. What better canvas than your body? Paint yourself. Paint others. Dress (or undress) in the most outlandish fashions you can dream up. You won't find prudish attitudes here.
Nudity is allowed on the campgrounds once past the Greeters station.
Related Link: Weather
Dress For Success
In addition to your regular Spring camping clothes, you must take the Missouri Ozark weather into consideration. The weather is usually mild and sunny, but it can change from hot to cold in just a few minutes. ALWAYS plan for rain! Rubber galoshes are to InterFuse as dust goggles are to Burning Man. Bring appropriate clothing and products to protect yourself.
Additional info can be found on the Weather page.
Porta-A-Loos
InterFuse provides plenty of sanitized and well stocked portable restrooms.
Remember, if it didn't come from your body, don't put it in the potty. Porta-A-Loos are not your trash can. Anything other than one-ply toilet paper and body fluids will clog the cleaning machine. If you're being self-sufficient and bringing your own toilet paper, please use one-ply paper.
Related Link: Campground Map
Showerhouse
The center of personal hygiene is a large restroom-and-shower house located on the edge of the central field. The shower house consists of 2 sides, each with 8 sinks, 5 flush toilet stalls, and 10 personal hot shower stalls.
All facilities are unisex.
Related Link: Campground Map
Garbage And Leave No Trace
InterFuse is a Leave No Trace event. There will be no public garbage containers provided. Pack it in, pack it out.
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Gear Checklist
Whether you bring only the bare essentials or the entire house, be sure to carefully consider each of these equipment categories:
- Tent or structure(s)
- Food
- Water
- Clothing and costumes
- Sleeping arrangements (sleeping bags, covers, pillows...)
- Weather related items (umbrellas, ponchos, sunblock, socks, good shoes, boots...)
- First Aid Kit (a necessity)
- Fun stuff to play with and share with others
- Gifts, freebies, or give-aways
- Garbage bags or boxes
- An open mind
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Questions About Camping?
Use web-based email to Contact The Event Planners.
"Camp is a vision of the world in terms of style - but a particular kind of style.
It is the love of the exaggerated, the 'off,' of things-being-what-they-are-not."