These 10 principles represent our aspirations, values, and culture we work to embody, protect, and live by, inspired by all the learnings from our 8-year camp history and the Burning Man principles. All the lessons, collective experiences of our campers, leaders, supporters, and founder, with the wisdom to help guide, inspire, and prompt reflection for all Nobo House campers and all camps similarly who hope to learn and grow.
1. Ask First, Always
Consent is the foundation of trust. Check in before touching, helping, or changing shared spaces. Your good intentions don’t override others’ boundaries.
2. Lead Yourself First
There’s no bell-hop – attempt to figure it out yourself first and master self-regulation before attempting to guide others.
3. Show Up Whole
Bring your full self – shadows, emotions, and light. Authenticity over performance, and be mindful to take heavy processing private to protect the energy consent within shared spaces.
4. Gift Your Energy
Effort is an enthusiastic gift, freely given. We don’t keep score or litigate who’s doing “enough” – basic needs are met regardless.
Ask for help when you’re struggling, and offer assistance when you’re thriving. Balance independence with interdependence.
5. Be Kind and Firm
Kindness for everyone, even the jerks. Firmness with everyone, even the MVPs. No one gets special treatment up or down.
Receive criticism as data, not attacks. Every reaction teaches you something about yourself or others.
6. Stay Curious
Replace complaints with questions. Before judging, ask “what don’t I know?” or “how can I help?”
7. Make It Better
Leave every interaction, space, and system better than before. Go beyond taking – actively contribute. Share what you’ve learned to help others.
8. Praise Out Loud
Celebrate wins publicly, handle conflicts privately. Build each other up in community and foster positive momentum and morale in shared spaces.
9. Play Hard, Rest Hard
Honor both intensity and recovery. Sprint and rest, expand and contract, work and play.
10. Chill the Duck Out
Take yourself lightly while taking your impact seriously. Find sacred in the silly.