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Lakes Letter- July 8, 2026
July 8, 2026

Lakes Letter- July 8, 2026

Reminders

*If a form is located in Volunteeripate, which many are, make sure you are logged into your account before you hit the link. This ensures that you hit the actual form page and not the log-in page.  

New Land, Who Dis? Your Prep Checklist for Lakes of Fire 2026

We’ve got a brand new piece of land this year, and she is gorgeous — but untamed. That means no decade of tire ruts to guide you, no established shade, and terrain that might surprise you depending on where you land. A little extra prep now saves you a miserable, sweaty, ankle-twisted week later. Here’s what smart burners are packing:

    • A rake: Seriously. A wide one covers ground fast for site prep and cleanup, and you’ll be glad you have it.
    • Good walking shoes: Bring more than one pair. Feet swell, shoes get soaked, and you will be walking a lot.
    • A wagon: If you’ve got one — hauling ice and water across a new, possibly uneven property beats carrying it by hand every single time.
    • Bug spray: New land, new bugs. Don’t find out the hard way. The property was sprayed for bugs on Tuesday, but some bugs are just that resilient.
    • Sunscreen and a hat: The sun does not care that you’re having a spiritual experience.
    • A drinking vessel: Hydration is non-negotiable, and you’ll want it clipped to you at all times.
    • A solid tarp for under your tent: This land hasn’t been broken in yet, and moisture will find you if you let it. This also helps prevent rips in the floor of your tent.
    • Good Tent Stakes: This is some sandy land, and the stakes that come with your tent will not cut it if the winds pick up.  Look for stakes that can screw in either by hand or with a drill.  Or look for other heavy-duty stakes that go down deeper than six inches. 
    • An outdoor rug: A game-changer if you end up on softer ground; keeps your camp chairs (and your dignity) from sinking in.
    • Rain boots: Because “new land” and “no mud” have never once gone together.
    • Something to light you up at night:  Lights, glow gear, anything. A golf cart driver cannot see you if you’re wearing all black in a field with no established paths. Be visible. Be safe. Be seen.
    • Lanyard: If you are a volunteer, this is essential so you can wear your personalized Lammie with pride.  You are helping us make the thing happen; thank you!
    • Cash: If you need firewood or ice and didn’t prepurchase, make sure you bring cash because plastic and digital currency will not be accepted. 
    • Here is an additional list of comfort items that the leads put together. 

Prepare yourself now, Thank yourself later!  See you soon.

Burn Baby Burn: Fire Info You Actually Need to Know

Fire is the heartbeat of Lakes of Fire, and this year is no exception. Whether you’re here for the spectacle or the sacred, here’s everything you need to know so you can plan your week (and your camp) around it.

The Burn Schedule: Times are approximate and based on weather conditions.

  • Friday, ~10pm: Wee Effigies and Girl! art sculpture burn
  • Saturday, ~9pm: Effigy burn (listen for the big booms!)
  • Sunday, 8am : Temple burn

A note on the Temple burn: this is sacred space. All sound around the event must be off during the burn and can resume at 10am. Please respect the silence. It’s a big ask for one burner community, but it’s what makes this moment what it is.

Fire Rules for Camps:

  • No fires in open camping. This one’s non-negotiable. Open camping is not the place for your own fire. Cooking camp stoves are acceptable.
  • Theme camps who purchased a fire ring will have it delivered before the event kicks off. 
  • Bringing your own fire ring as a theme camp? It must be elevated in some way to prevent burn scars on the new land. She’s brand new; let’s keep her that way.

 

Plan your nights, protect the ground, and let’s make this burn season one to remember.

We Made a Thing! Several Things, Actually

Big news: the WhatWhereWhen is DONE. Finished. Complete. Go ahead, take a moment to celebrate with us.

This year, though, we did not print any copies for theme camps. That’s not an oversight; it’s a choice. We put that printing budget toward other things we needed on site this year, because priorities. If you still want to flip through a paper copy (we get it, some of us are old-school), you’ll find copies at FunctionJunction and the Outpost.

For everyone else, the digital WWW is available and works offline on your phone — no signal, no problem. Head to our website for instructions on how to download and use it before you arrive.

And as if that weren’t enough, we also have a map! Ooh. Ahh. Take it in. Marvel at it.

Here’s the thing to remember about both: these are made by volunteers, pouring their time into getting you the info you need. That means mistakes happen. We do our best to catch them, but some slip through — and with everything that went into this year (new land, new timeline, new everything), a few extra things may have snuck past us. We can’t fix them now, so we’re asking for a little grace. Enjoy the guide, enjoy the map, and if something’s a little wonky, just roll with it.

Come to the DPW Ball

Friday Night, 8:00pm at the Effigy – A DPW Masquerade Ball

Hear ye! Hear ye!

By Command of the Department of Public Works of Lakes of Fire, and under the benevolent patronage of the Society for the Preservation of Decadent Delights, thou art hereby summoned to a Grand Fancy Dress Masquerade Ball of unparalleled magnificence and genteel folly!

As the clock strikes the eighth hour, on Friday night, upon the Seventeenth Eve of July, in the Year of Our Grace Two Thousand and Twenty-Six, the doors of the effigy shall be flung wide, and candlelight shall dance upon gilt mirrors, whispering secrets of revelry and romance.

Let every person hide their identity behind their showiest mask, let them don their finest brocade; let everyone shimmer in silk and satin. Jewels must catch the eye, laces must flutter like sighs, and every manner of fan, and ribbon must proclaim: “I am most assuredly splendorous.”

Music of the harpsichord shall mingle with laughter; wine shall flow as freely as gossip; and those of adventurous spirit may even engage in a flirtation too daring for daylight.

To decline this invitation would be a scandal whispered through drawing rooms for seasons to come; to attend shall mark thee forever among the elect of taste and daring amusement.

With all grace, glitter, and gravity,
The Department of Public Works

Why Volunteer at Lakes of Fire?

Volunteers are the heart of Lakes of Fire. Every art installation, camp, department, and piece of infrastructure exists because volunteers step up to make it happen. In return, we do our best to show our appreciation.


Volunteer Perks Include:

    • Volunteer Directed Ticket Offers: Complete 8 or more volunteer hours, and you’ll earn a guaranteed Volunteer Directed Ticket offer for next year, skipping the uncertainty of the lottery process.
    • Volunteer Appreciation Half-Price Tickets: Complete 16 or more volunteer hours, and you’ll qualify for a half-price ticket offer for next year. In this economy? That’s a pretty great return on your time.
    • The Fluffers: Our Volunteer Dream Team is dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and appreciating volunteers throughout the event. Volunteer and we’ll bring you snacks, drinks, and swag!
    • Commissary Access During Build Week: Pre-event volunteers have access to the Commissary, where we ensure our hardworking build crews are fed and energized as we put everything together.
    • Exclusive Volunteer Swag: Volunteers receive special Lakes of Fire swag as a thank-you for their contributions. (How about that sticker? Sign me up!)
    • Volunteer Appreciation Party: Join us on Saturday morning for brunch as we celebrate the volunteers who make Lakes of Fire possible. This year’s Volunteer Appreciation Party will be catered, making it an even better opportunity to enjoy good food, connect with fellow volunteers, and be recognized for your efforts.
    • Rockstar Recognition: Our Rockstars consistently go above and beyond for the community. This year, to commemorate this special milestone year at our new home, we have something extra special planned for our Rockstars.
    • Friends, Community, and Connection: One of the greatest benefits of volunteering isn’t something we can put on a list or a lammie. Volunteering is one of the best ways to meet people, make lasting friendships, and become part of the team that creates the magic of Lakes of Fire. Some of the strongest connections in our community started while working a volunteer shift together.


We’re currently seeing about 55% of our volunteer shifts filled, and many critical shifts still need coverage. If you’ve been thinking about volunteering, now is the time. Sign up here!


Not sure where to start? Having trouble finding shifts that fit your interests, schedule, or abilities? Have questions? Email us at Volunteers@lakesoffire.org and the Volunteer Dream Team will help you find the shift of your dreams.

Calling All Volunteers! Come Get Your Lammie.

​2026 Volunteer ID / Lammie Pickup @ FunJun

  • Sun 7/12-Tues 7/14 AM-Pick up at Commissary during meal times.
  • Tues 7/14: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Weds 7/15: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Thurs 7/16: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Fri 7/17: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Sat 7/18: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Don't Let a Parasite Crash the Party: Cyclosporiasis Prevention 101

Let’s talk about something that is decidedly less fun than fire, maps, or camp prep: cyclosporiasis. It’s a nasty little parasite that causes some seriously unpleasant GI symptoms, and outbreaks have a way of spreading fast in group camping situations. The good news? It’s almost entirely preventable with a few simple habits. Let’s keep our whole community feeling good all week.

How to Keep Cyclosporiasis Out of Your Camp:

    • Wash your hands. Yes, really, every time. This is the easiest and most effective thing you can do.
    • Wash all fresh produce under running water before you touch it further — and don’t put it back in a bag, bowl, or on a countertop that touched the unwashed version. Cross-contamination is sneaky.
    • Use clean storage containers for anything you’ve washed and prepped.
    • Buy uncut veggies when you can, and cut them up yourself after washing.
    • Use cut-up veggies within two hours, or store them properly to keep them cool in the meantime.
    • Cook food to 158°F — that’s the magic number that kills cyclosporiasis dead.

A little extra care in the kitchen (or the camp cook station) goes a long way. Let’s keep this a week people remember for the fire, not the porta potties.

Introducing: The Outpost (Help is Closer Than You Think)

Brand new this year: the Outpost. Consider it your new best friend when you need help and don’t want to trek across the whole property to get it.

Located near the showers, the Outpost will have volunteers with radios from several departments, ready to help without the extra walk. Here’s who you’ll find:

  • Rangers: Here to help in all the ways Rangers do.
  • ESD: If what you need is to get to their main location, they can help make that happen.
  • VDT: Brewing coffee for volunteers, because caffeine is basically a public service at this point.
  • Info_Bot: Sign up for shifts and drop off (or claim!) Lost & Found items right here.

 

We’ll also have a large-scale map on site at the Outpost to help you get your bearings, wherever you’re headed next.

Worth noting: the main location for all of these departments is at the House, or near the House by FunctionJunction. The Outpost is all about giving you a closer option, because when it comes to important resources, we want them as accessible as possible, no matter where on property you find yourself.

Closer help, less walking, more coffee. We’d call that a win.

=LoF===)*(===LoF=

Info_bot robot logo

Oh my, it is finally here!  Most of leadership will be on site this week, and we are all feeling like there isn’t enough time to get things done.  So if, like us, you need the reminder, breathe.  We are a community and we will build this thing together and make memories while we are doing it. See you soon. 

If you’d like to contribute to event organization throughout the year, please apply here or reach out to a department lead. If you would like to sign up to transform this new property into our new home, then fill out this form. If you are not a skilled tradesperson, fill out the other slot and let us know what you can do. 

If you’re not receiving the Lakes Letter (this thing!) in your inbox each month, consider signing up. It’s your best source to stay up-to-date on all the details. While you’re there, sign up for volunteering updates from individual departments if you’d like.

May you pack efficiently and quickly, and may you not forget anything essential before you leave.  

xoxo,

Info_bot

info@lakesoffire.org

http://www.lakesoffire.org