I’ve received a few questions from people inquiring with the following question: “Why would I actually want to camp out at Barcamp?”

This is a good question and let me attempt to give my perspective. First, Barcamp is about sharing, collaborating and and learning. It was initially created as a spin-off from Tim O’Reilly invitation-only FooCamp, which I had the privilege of being invited to this year.

One of the advantages of a true camp out is that it helps create an environment for bonding in a different level than you get at normal conferences or meet up events - it’s part of the off-line experience. One of the best parts of FooCamp was the camping itself - the middle-of-the-night conversations and the game playing that took place after the sessions ended and the real work of getting to know each other started.

Now we’re not talking about camping like you might have done if you were in the Boy Scouts like I was growing up. We’re not doing marsh mellows around the camp fire and telling ghost stories. And if you pitch a tent, it’s likely next to a chair or desk in an office. This is all-out urban camping - where tents are optional and pillows are needed for the concrete floors covered with thin carpeting. This is an urban experience - not home on the range.

I would encourage you to think about being part of the total experience - at least for one night - rather than skipping home and returning in the morning. Will you get out of your normal routine and venture into an unfamiliar territory? yes. Will it be a little awkward to wake up in a building after not much sleep and have to try and brush your teeth in the bathroom of an office complex? Absolutely. Will you have a better time and get a little deeper with some people you may know and others you won’t? Darn straight...

Camping is optional. If you can’t or aren’t interested in hanging out overnight with a bunch of geeks - that’s cool… we won’t care too much. But if you’d like to experience something a little more raw and people centric - consider staying overnight and hanging out.

And as a closing note for all of those out there that have children and spouses (like myself, I have 3 kids)… take this an opportunity to have a “night out”.
barcampatlanta urbancamping