Becoming a Ranger

Qualifications

Rangering is probably not what you think. It's about contributing to a sense of community and well-being. We have fun meeting people while we roam Black Rock City and we feel a sense of fulfillment from knowing we played a part in helping others enjoy Burning Man safely.

Some qualifications we look for in potential Rangers are:

• A great sense of humor
• Patience, patience, and more patience
• Generosity and sympathy
• An easy-going attitude
• Creative problem-solving abilities
• An ability to look great in sunglasses and sunscreen
• At least one year attendance at the Burning Man event

Process

Interested in Rangering and you've got what we're looking for? Great!

1. Fill out a Volunteer application.
   Once your application has been accepted, you will receive notices of all future ranger events, and your email address will automatically be added to the Ranger announce lists.
   
   The Black Rock Rangers also has a need for people with technical skills including: crisis intervention, medical assistance, fire specialists and radio dispatchers. Please indicate on your application if you possess knowledge in any of these areas.
   
   
2. Get email.
   Email is an important way in which the Rangers communicate with each other throughout the year. The Ranger staff strongly urges Ranger volunteers who do not have email to acquire it.
   
   
3. Get a Burning Man ticket.
   All volunteers, including Rangers, are required to purchase a registration ticket to attend Burning Man. You can buy one online from In House Tickets.
   
   
4. Attend a Ranger Training.
   All Ranger volunteers (even veterans) at Burning Man must attend a Ranger Training where we will cover many topics including community responsibilities and Ranger skills. It is also our opportunity to meet you -- our dedicated volunteers -- and to help plan your involvement.
   
   
5. Get a Mentor.
   Every Ranger will be assigned a mentor, usually a veteran Ranger, to walk around with for a few hours to get the hang of things.
   
   
6. We ask that you Ranger at least three shifts as well as working one of the shifts on Burn Day, (Saturday) and extra kudos for working one of your three shifts on the last Monday!
   
   Our Training and Mentoring process take a lot of time, money, and resources to maintain the level of Rangering that is needed for the event. In years past we had fewer Rangers, and a less complicated job, and it took less to train new Rangers into what it is that we do.
   
   Now the event has grown and there is increased interest from Law Enforcement and BLM. This being said, we have to present the most professional side that we can. The best way to gain that experience and perspective is to work a number of shifts, you will end up getting to know camps on a personal basis, and they know that you are someone they can come to with a problem.
   
   If you are looking to volunteer for the Rangers, but don't want to have that much of your time taken by volunteering, check out Echelon, or Volunteer for Burning Man.
   
   Not interested in Rangering?

Volunteer for Burning Man!

If you have any questions about becoming a Black Rock Ranger, please contact rangers(at)burningman(dot)com