Policies & FAQs
We’ve collected our guidelines and FAQs in one place for your review.
If you have additional questions please use the form on our contact page to reach a human, but give us a few days to back to you as we are a volunteer-run organization.
Guidelines
Code of Conduct
FAQs
General Information
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1. Don’t be the reason we have to make more rules.
Enough said.
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2. No swimming, kayaking or fishing.
It is part of our contract and insurance policy, failure to comply could jeopardize future events
There is at least one 10ft+ gator in each lake
Fishing attracts gators and trains them to be attracted to people
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3. No dogs.
While we love them, please do not bring your dog. Certified service dogs are allowed, but must be indicated as such and registered beforehand.
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4. Radical Self Reliance.
You’re out in the forest camping. Look after yourself, including:
Water: Bring plenty of water to drink. There is no potable water on the Emergence site.
Power:You will need to bring your own power sources–batteries, solar, generator. We won’t be able to provide it for you.
Buddies: Find a buddy who will be able to watch out for your well being and be there for you if you need them.
Ice: Will not be available on site. Bring what you need for the whole weekend. -
5. Entry and Exit.
Actual gate hours will be posted well ahead of the event. Early Entry by Theme camps is allowed on Wednesday. The site must be clear by noon on Monday (strike volunteers excepted).
Out and In: Don’t plan to leave and then come back. It causes more work for Gate volunteers. This is a matter of civic responsibility. Returns can be organized in emergencies, so talk to Gate, but we don’t recommend spoiling your Emergence vibe with a trip back to the Default World.E-sign the liability waiver before you arrive at gate.
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6. Vehicles
Your ticket is also good for your car. You will need a pass for your RV.
Gas powered bicycles, ATVs, mopeds, scooters and motorcycles are not allowed inside the Emergence event during the event.All vehicle traffic must be kept to 5mph on the paths and no faster than walking pace off the paths. Be careful of other camps, uneven ground, and fallen branches.
Please unload your vehicle and move to the parking lot, unless you intend to sleep in it. This will help keep our site beautiful.
If you have mobility issues, we have accessibility carts to help you get around.
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7. Dangers & Risks
Falling branches: These are one of our biggest risks. Check your campsite for thin or rotten branches overhead and don’t pitch your tent under them.
Fire Ants: There are likely to be nests on the site. Survey your camp area before you set up, and be careful where you sit. If you are stung, go to medical. If you need help dealing with a nest come to Heart Core.
Ticks & Lyme Disease: Ticks will be present on our land. Black ticks are the most common, while “LoneStar” ticks (recognizable by the white dot on their back) do not cause Lyme. To avoid getting bitten, use insect repellents containing DEET and permethrin, wear long pants and socks, and perform tick checks regularly and remove them promptly.
Falling/Tripping: The ground can be very uneven so we recommend sturdy footwear and taking care about where you walk. Stick to the paths if you can, bring a flashlight or headlamp when it’s dark.
Environment and Weather: Rain is possible and it can get cold at night. The sun and heat can burn and dehydrate. Self care will go a long way.
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8. Fire
Camp fires in fire pits or barrels only. Be aware that a burn ban will mean no fire at all, so watch the news ahead of the burn. Propane heaters and fire pits will be allowed during a burn ban.
Do not bring wood. Wood from elsewhere can bring pests. There is a huge amount on site that is pre-cut and stacked for you ahead of the burn.
Do not leave your fire unattended.
Do not put Whippets in the fire. They will explode. Please don’t do stupid shit that makes us make more rules.
Burns: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Safety will be managed by FAST. Volunteers for perimeter are needed - bring a different experience to your burn and be sure to bring cotton clothing for a perimeter shift. Once the perimeter is down, the embers will still be hot so be aware of your footing.
Fire Flow Arts: You are required to attend a Fire Safety Meeting. These are held daily from Thursday to Saturday at the Effigy Burn Field.
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9. Ice
Our remote location is unfortunately a barrier to ice vendors we have reached out to previously.
However, there are several locations en route to Emergence with ice vending:1963 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston
852 St. Andrews Blvd. West Ashley
3852 Ladson Rd, Ladson
1822 N Main St, Summerville
1000 W 5th N St, Summerville
16705 Hwy 17, Green Pond (next to Dollar General) -
10. Placement
If you have placement you can find your location via the map, which is shared ahead of the event and also in the dust app. If you’re the first there, it will be marked with flags and the name of your camp.
Most sites are bigger than requested as trees and/or uneven ground means that not all of your designated area may be usable.
You are free to extend your camping site in any direction, provided it does not encroach onto other designated areas or camps.
Be sensitive to neighbors, especially as regards noise, space, view, vehicles/RVs and generators.
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11. Your Campsite
Please do not dispose of soap or toothpaste on the ground or in the lake water. Grey water should be taken with you when you leave.
Rebar & tent stakes need to be capped to avoid trip & impalement hazards.
No trampolines are allowed due to insurance requirements.
This is an LNT event. During the event and before you leave, please check your campsite and surroundings for anything that doesn’t belong (“Matter Out Of Place” or MOOP).
Look out for information on composting on-site. -
12. ABSOLUTELY no firearms or fireworks
No additional notes.
Participant Code of Conduct
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Conflict Resolution
Participants are responsible for their own behavior and resolving their own issues.
Emergence strongly suggests behaving in a manner that does not make other participants feel unsafe or threatened and expects everyone to refrain from conduct that would make another's good faith participation in Emergence impossible.
Emergence does not condone behavior that endangers its ability to hold the annual event and other community events.
Please make a report to our Conduct Committee if you wish to make a complaint about another participant’s actions. -
Radical Inclusion
Radical inclusion, one of the 10 Principles of Burning Man, is a core aspect of Burn culture Emergence is committed to protecting and fostering.
We urge Emergers to actively encourage and support the participation of people of all colors, ethnic backgrounds, sexes, genders, orientations, histories, and geographies.
We welcome suggestions concerning how we can broaden and deepen the diversity of Emergence.Review our Racial Justice Statement.
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Photography at Emergence
Emergence recognizes and supports photography at our events as a form of expression and participation valued by many Emergers.
Some participants feel photography at events or the use or publication of personal images negatively affects their experiences.
Accordingly, we encourage our participants to obtain consent before photographing others when the subject will be identifiable in the image and before sharing the photograph publicly.
Whips at Emergence
As part of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and in the spirit of belonging and shared understanding, we, the Emergence Core, in consultation with concerned members of our community, extend a heartfelt request concerning the use of whips at Emergence.
Our beloved gathering ground bears the tragic history of Middleton Plantation. Here, beneath our feet and woven into the air we breathe, are histories of profound sorrow and injustice, where whips were not just tools of terror, but symbols of oppression.
In our community, fire and performance art hold a special place, with whip performances offering a mesmerizing dance of danger and beauty. Yet, the art we create and the tools we employ can impact others in ways that we do not intend but for which we can accept and understand.
Acknowledging the deep sensitivities and the resonant pain that the crack of a whip can evoke in this context, we invite our beloved Emergence family to join us in an act of empathy and belonging: We request that you leave public whip performance to other places, where their danger and beauty do not open wounds of the past. This is not a diminishment of our expression, but rather its evolution – a testament to our ability to acknowledge our past, to empathize, to listen, and to adapt.
FAQs
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Emergence happens in Spring, once dates are confirmed they will be shared on the homepage of this site and on social channels.
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Once ticket sales open, there will be links on the site to purchase a tickets with a valid invite code.
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You get 4 days in an enchanted land called Pangaia where you will find fellow wayfinders who, like you, thought it worth the effort and investment to see what we will create together. Emergence is a nonprofit event organized entirely by volunteers. All proceeds go to cover expenses and back out to the community in the form of art grants, with a bit held back for next year's gathering.
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No. Possession of a ticket is presumed ownership of a ticket. Please take care when buying tickets from others and use the resale option available in Humanitix. All participants must show valid ID showing they're 21 or over.
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We get it, life happens and plans change. You have TWO secure options through Humanitix to resell your ticket for the price you paid.
1. You don’t have a specific buyer in mind
Mark your resale ticket as Public, and it will appear on the resale page. Everyone can see and anyone can claim and buy it.
2. You have identified a buyer
Mark it as Private, it won’t show on the resale page and you will get a link to send to the person you’re selling your ticket to. Only someone with that link can purchase your ticket.Private sales outside of Humanitix are risky, and put extra work on our volunteers. Please use one of these options.
Please review Humantix’ article on how to resell your ticket if you have any questions.Here’s the resale page for the 2026 event.
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2026 Gate hours are not finalized yet.
2025 Hours will provide some guidance:
Thursday: 9am – 10pm
Friday: 9am – 10pm
After Dark: You must park first and carry your gear to your campsite
Saturday: 10am – 4pm
Sunday: 10am - gate opens for Exodus, however activities will still be happening all day
Monday: 12pm (Noon): Site must CLEAR by noon (everyone must leave)
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Emergence will take place in a 20-acre area within a 6,000-acre private nature preserve on 2 fresh water lakes. It is a truly magical patch of earth 30 minutes from downtown Charleston.
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You'll need to come ready to be radically self-reliant as nothing is bought or sold at a Burn. You need to be ready to camp in a forest with no power or water for the length of your stay. Barring an emergency there are no ins and outs so don't expect to make a grocery run in the middle of your stay. While Emergence is not in the inhospitable Black Rock Desert (where Burning Man takes place) you may find this comprehensive list a good starting point.
Fire wood will be provided. Please do not bring fire wood to the venue due to the risk of invasive species hitching a ride.
Also be ready to gift and participate - though your gift need not be a physical thing. The best gifts are often experiences!
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That is up to you!
The sacred and the profane, the hip and the square, the lusty and the celibate, the clothed and the cloth-less, the introvert and the extrovert, the mystic and the mathematician, the philosopher and the stone - and you!
Bring your unique gifts to share and be celebrated.
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RV camping is allowed but there are no hook ups. If you're with a placed camp be sure we know you're bringing an RV so we can do our best to place you in an RV accessible area. Due to space considerations, a limited number of RV passes are sold when ticket sales open.
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All fires, whether they be flame art, fire spinning, or campfires, must be attended at all times.
Ground fires are not permitted. This refers to fires that are not contained within some kind of ring, barrel, or fire safe container. Please also clear brush, leaves, and pine needles at least 5 feet back from the fire pitNo outside firewood is allowed, but on-site wood will be provided.
Also note that F.A.S.T. may implement additional restrictions depending on current local conditions.
If you wish to have a fire at your camp, you will need to bring your own method of fire containment. Clear brush, leaves, and pine needles at least 5 feet back from the fire pit.
Burn only wood in the campfires.
NO OUTSIDE FIREWOOD ALLOWED. On site wood will be provided. This is to protect the forest from pests.
If there is a burn ban, then NO fires are allowed. Propane fire pits are.
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So long as it is sufficiently mutated. Avoid unpleasant surprises by pre-registering using the Multiform.
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Likely not. Our remote location has been a barrier to ice vendors we have reached out to in the past.
There are several locations en route to Emergence with ice vending.
1963 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston