Thinking about where to volunteer this year? Like working with your hands, and getting dirty? Interested in working pre event, or post event, or both? DPW works hard, plays hard, then works hard some more. As our community grows, the DPW must grow with it.
What does the DPW do for LoF? We are stewards of the event grounds for starters, transporting infrastructure to/from the event site. We assist other departments in setting up their infrastructure on an as needed basis, when it's requested by a team lead. DPW can also be found assisting artist crews, using heavy equipment and hand tools to spread/remove sand for/from burn platforms for the effigy, as well as other art pieces to be burned. We are some of the first to show up, and usually the last to leave. We work closely with LNT to make sure the event site is as clean (if not better) as when we arrived. We maintain roads, mark lanes, and change things up when weather throws us a curve.
We're looking for people of various skill sets and backgrounds, from master carpenters, to folks who might be pounding their first T–stake, to people who just like to cook for their friends, with the major focus being on pre and post event operations. While the DPW can be found throughout the event taking care of business, the tasks we may find ourselves doing are generally on the spot corrections, and could be literally just about anything that has to do with keeping Lakes of Fire running smoothly, from replacing solar lights placed in areas that perhaps don't see as much sun, to redirecting traffic after a storm. Our "shifts" during will vary greatly compared to other departments, as some tasks may not be on a schedule, so most crew members working during the event be on call, meaning it's not time to get wasted until 5pm(power tools and booze don't mix). Pre and Post DPW will likely be found doing the standard "Ocho" (8 hour work day), with a break for lunch. DPW will also be conducting open work weekends for those who want to be involved but can't make a commitment to be on site with us early or post event. On these work weekends we paint signs, make lamp posts, and scheme up other various additions to the LoF infrastructure.
Effigy Effigy Effigy! Help build the Effigy. Be cool. Swing a hammer. Do fine craftsmanship with a chain saw. Learn how to count to ten on your fingers at the end of each day (to make sure they are still there) All types of skill levels accepted. Carpenters, painters, cooks, decorators, laborers, FFL holders, pyromaniacs, cleaner uppers, and more are needed and welcome to join the build team. effigy@lakesoffire.org
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the music. Sound squad works with participants to establish a harmonious balance between the LOUD and the SERENE. We provide sound camps with information on how to best raise a ruckus without disturbing the communities inside and outside of Lakes of Fire. Sign up here for an all–access backstage pass to meet Musicians, DJs, Dubsteppers and Bassoonists.
You like fire?…silly question! You play and perform with fire?..better question! You know how to or want to learn to do it safely–then join our team!. Flame Effects Operators are a fiery tradition that entertains the crowd during the event or before the immolation of the Effigy.. If you are knowledgeable about Fire Sculptures, Poofers, Other Flame Effects and would like to help us make the event safe– please sign up! Would you like to perform with fire or help to make sure others are safe while spinning? Then please sign up to get HOT with us.
fast@lakesoffire.org | conclave@lakesoffire.org
Team Info–bot's job is to first promote the event, and then educate folks from the Great Lakes region and around the world about what they can expect, what they need to bring, how to get involved, and how to participate in whatever fashion they wish. Team Info–bot is an integral group that converts community–members from Chicago, Detroit, greater Michigan, Milwaukee, Indiana, and Toronto into paid ticket–holders. It's a critical function to the success of the event. Only hard–core moties (motivated individuals) need apply.
Our MOOP (Matter Out Of Place) brigade helps to educate and remind our event participants that LNT is an ongoing job! There are so many ways to leave space better than when we got here– join our team of creative MOOPers to spread knowledge and create a lasting environment around us!
Lakes of Fire's awesomeness inevitably draws curious thrill seekers without tickets. Gatecrashers are a direct threat to LoF's continued efforts to grow as a community and provide a safe environment for ticketed participants. In response to an increase in Gatecrashing incidents, the Department of Perimeter Ninja's (PN's) have been summoned! We call passionate LoFers to service in protecting the perimeter boundaries. The liabilities surrounding this role are higher than any other we've previously encountered. PN's may have to interact with LEO's, Board Members, or unruly gatecrashers or participants. Level heads, professionalism, respect, compassion, and sobriety are necessary character traits needed to solidify our ranks. Conflict is also a possibility. Keeping emotions in check, sticking to the facts while still maintaining autonomy is of the utmost importance! Does DPN sound like the place for you? Email, sign up, and help protect our borders!
pninjas@lakesoffire.org
Lakes of Fire is a 100% volunteer run event which means there are lots of cats to herd! Help us with organization before the event or help staff the Volunteer Shack onsite. We get wayward participants from point A to point B.
Join our Greeters team and help welcome our citizens to our event! The Greeters provide a fun filled experience as well as provide information to create an accepting environment for our participants to begin their time here. Come and play with us!
Be a GATE KEEPER! First contact to participants entering the event. Collect and process tickets, verify I.D.s, attach wristbands and be warmly inquisitive. Be a part of the 'Last Bastion' to help safeguard our citizens. gate@lakesoffire.org
Department of Mutant Vehicles. Help keep mobile art alive and safe at LoF. Registering and licensing mutant vehicles is what we do. It's a bureaucracy with style and flair that prefers art to move. dmv@lakesoffire.org
Medical requires volunteers to be medically trained. Discipline examples include EMS/Fire, Hospital personnel (ER Techs, Nurses or Doctors), National Ski Patrol and Lifeguards are also suitable for the Medical Team. Others trained in Advanced First Aid/Medical first Responder along with CPR are also welcome. While those with actual patient care experience are preferred, the Medical Team will utilize those without such experience, paring them with more experienced partners as a way to gain experience and groom returning volunteers.
Arguably the rowdiest of stations… We maintain a quick clean and organized flow of traffic in and out of the event, placement of vehicles for easy access with minor to moderate harassment… Oh, and we have a bar!
Like telling people where to go? Be a Placement Station volunteer! The Placement Corps are the keepers of the map of the event. After an orientation, Volunteers advise incoming participants how to find open camping, loud or quiet camping and where the secret portos are hidden! Placement Station volunteers also help communicate updates on available camping space and weather calamities as they develop. (To sign your own camp up for placement visit www.lakesoffire.org/event/themecamps.)
Rangers are participants who volunteer their time to act as guardians of the event. We are LoF's mobile "Eyes & Ears". As such, Rangers are often a First Responder in emergency situations and can call in additional resources via radio as necessary. We roam the event helping others to solve their own problems, mediating disputes as they may arise, and ensuring the "relative" safety of all participants. Rangers can be found at all hours walking throughout the grounds interacting with others while making sure to enjoy themselves as well.
If you can "keep your cool" in a variety of situations, love to help, and enjoy maintaining the status quo – then sign up to be a LoF Ranger!
All Ranger Volunteers must participate in a training session. There will be 1 pre–event training in Chicago, 1 pre–event training in/near Detroit, and 1 on–site training Friday morning.
RANGERS@LakesofFire.org
The Role of the Facilitators for Art Grants is threefold. First, we decide which projects and artists will be funded with the G.L.E.A. Inc. / Lakes of Fire community's money. Second, our job is to help funded artists to enact their project to its completion at Lakes of Fire. Third, our job is to hold artists accountable for our community standards for financial transparency and our values more generally.
We accomplish these goals by working closely with artists, the Placement Team, and for funded Fire Art, the Fire Art & Safety Team (F.A.S.T.).
Part of the Facilitators' role is to keep the funded artists on task, make sure they are adhering to their production schedules, and to help them along the way with delivery of the funds, any questions, and liaising with the Placement Team, DPW, FAST and other critical departments as needed.
On–site at Lakes of Fire, ArtHub is located at the Volunteer Station near Center Camp and functions as a check–in center for artists, invited to the event by the ArtHub team and Art Grant recipients, as well as a hub for information about art. Off–site, we operate year round, kicking into high gear from February to July to make sure that artist placement applications are processed and art–i–facts are catalogued. WHAT THE ArtHub DOES * Assist you on–site with your art and help you through the subsequent placement process. * Give you support and guidance during the event maneuvering with various departments * Keep records on the art that has been and will be, so participants can be inspired again and again. * Promote community and art. WHAT THE ArtHub DOES NOT * We don't tell you what you should create. * We don't rate, rank or wrangle your artwork