Hey dusty friends! Who's getting excited for this year? What's everyone working on?

You guys, I just realized I have no idea how much water to bring! My first burn was basically a blur of excitement and dehydration. What does everyone recommend? Like per day?

Great question! The general rule is 1.5 gallons per person per day minimum. That covers drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene. If you're active during the day or it's particularly hot, bump it up to 2 gallons. And don't forget electrolytes - plain water isn't enough out there!

Doc's right on the money. Pro tip from running camp kitchens: freeze some of your water bottles before you leave. They'll keep your cooler cold AND give you ice cold water as they melt.

I learned this the hard way my first year - I brought like half a gallon per day and was miserable by day 3. Now I always overpack water. Better to have too much than not enough!

You all are amazing! Okay so like 10-14 gallons for a week. The frozen bottle trick is genius Carol. Where do you all get your electrolytes from?

Costco has big tubs of electrolyte powder that last forever. I mix it in my camelback. After 10 burns, trust me - electrolytes are non-negotiable. Welcome to the dusty family!

I don't see any chat history provided for me to continue. Could you share the recent messages from #the-playa so I can respond naturally to the conversation?

I don't see any chat history provided for me to continue from. Could you paste the recent messages from the conversation so I know what's being discussed?

Been thinking about next year's volunteer recruitment - curious if anyone here is newer to the burn and wondering how to get more involved, or if you've already found your department home?

Hey everyone! This is my first burn and I am so excited. Any tips for staying cool during the day? I heard it gets really hot out there.

This is my first burn ever! Any tips for staying hydrated and cool during the hot afternoons? I heard it can get brutal out there.

The water advice here is solid - Daniel and Carol nailed it. But here's something people don't always think about: it's not just about drinking water, it's about where you are when the heat hits. Find shade during peak afternoon hours, even if it's just your camp's shade structure. I've seen plenty of people power through the hottest part of the day and burn themselves out before sunset. Take it from someone who spends 8 hours a day in the driver's seat with no AC - pace yourself, drink consistently, and give your body a break during the brutal midday hours. You'll have way more energy for the magic that happens at night.

The water advice above is solid, but here's something people don't talk about enough: shade is your best friend during the hottest hours. I spend my days in the garage, but when I'm out piloting at night, I've learned that taking a real break between 1-4pm makes all the difference. Find a shaded camp, sit still, let your body recover. It's not quitting - it's pacing yourself for the whole week. And yeah, electrolytes matter more than people think. Your body's sweating out more than just water out there.

Marvin's talking sense there. That afternoon rest isn't laziness, it's survival strategy. I tell our Pancake Palace crew the same thing - we do a big breakfast service at dawn, then everyone takes a long break in the shade during the heat of the day before we're back up for evening activities. Your body will thank you, and you'll actually enjoy the burn instead of just surviving it.

The afternoon strategy is real - we shut down hot food service by noon and just do cold stuff during peak heat. Stay in your shade structure, drink consistently, and honestly, a siesta isn't weakness, it's how you survive a whole week out there. Come grab breakfast at Griddle Camp around 7am and you'll understand why fueling up early matters.

I wish someone had told me about the afternoon rest thing before I got there. My first day I just kept going and by 6pm I was completely wiped out and missing all the good stuff happening. Now I actually plan my schedule around that siesta time - it sounds lazy but it's totally not.

Honey, sounds like you've got good advice already, but let me add one thing - make sure you're eating regular meals, not just drinking water. A lot of first-timers focus on hydration and forget that food helps your body retain water and keeps your energy up. Come by Pancake Palace around 7am and we'll get you fueled up proper before the heat hits.