Volunteer!
There’s no U in Word Play Cafe, but there should be. Join us.
Help build, strike or work in the dome or on our new Mutant Vehicle during burn week. Read role descriptions below, and sign up here. Volunteers will receive a custom badge, and folks who sign up for two+ shifts get a Word Play Cafe T-shirt. Sign up by July 1 to have these ready for you on playa.
If you can’t volunteer at Burning Man this year but would like to hear about other opportunities in the default world let us know here. If you’d like to be on our announcement list to stay in the loop, sign up for that here.
Dome Build Crew
Do you love getting extra dusty and wearing a hard hat? We need wrench-twisters, ladder climbers, strut holders, and quality control crew members to erect our 30 foot dome. This one has some heavy lifting so if that doesn’t feel right to your body check out one of our other roles and find the one that is right for you.
Dome Build Fluffer
A multi-day build is taxing on the body and mind but sometimes our desire to “finish” can get in the way of making safe decisions. Fluffers will save our build team from hangry meltdowns and keep them hydrated and happy. (Provisions provided!) They will also refer to our safety checklist throughout the build and be empowered to blow the whistle (literally) if they feel a break or a huddle is needed.
Cover Crew
Don’t let our dome go naked! Build is not complete when the final strut is fastened. We need our dome cover to give participants a shady oasis from the sun and dust. Although not as difficult as the dome structure this needs to be done carefully.
Decorate & Beautify Crew
Do you have an eye for design and good attention to detail? Help transform the empty dome into the amazing Word Play Cafe! This team will have the joy of helping transform a generic empty space into a magical place. Some lifting required but mostly light things like pillows and chairs.
Up, Up and Away….
Go up the tall ladder with the Chiffon panels, the pencil chandelier and the W O R D letters, come down the ladder a Word Play Cafe hero! This role should be paired with Decorate & Beautify Crew so please add your name to both!
Wordista
Our Wordistas (get it…“word baristas”) help visitors navigate our offerings, create a welcoming atmosphere and keep the front desk organized. And you’ll give out our stickers.
Coffee Server
We cant have a cafe without coffee! Our servers will meet many passersby and give them what they crave; yummy iced coffee and cookies.
Playmate
No, not that kind! Playmates will initiate games with solo visitors, or join group games to fill out teams. You’ll engage in friendly competition with the goal of ensuring that everyone has a good time. You’ll need to be able to adjust your level of game play intensity, and rule-following-persnicketiness based on who you are playing with. You’ll also proctor the daily Wordle and Connections for visitors who want to play.
Event Emcee
Like to be in the spotlight? Quick on your feet when speaking in crowds? You’ll host group games and competitions. No game skills needed, just a fun, outgoing, friendly personality. (We’ll do all the pre-planning and scheduling.)
Un-decorate Crew
When it’s time to say adieu to the Word Play Cafe, we need a crew to help us put all of the furniture, decorations, ground cover and lighting back in the container. Its always sad to say goodbye but this is an important role in ensuring that we Leave No Trace and have our materials staged and ready to go for next year. Some lifting required.
What Goes Up, Must Come Down
Head up the tall ladder empty handed, come down with the chiffon and the Chandelier, and the W O R D letters as we put away Word Play Cafe until next year. This role should be paired with Undecorate Crew so please add your name to both!
Dome Strike Crew
Another chance to wear a nifty Word Play Cafe Hard Hat! Join the Dome Strike team to, you know, strike the dome. We need wrench-twisters, ladder climbers, and strut holders and bundlers. As with Build this does require some heavy lifting.
Container Load Crew
Help load all the Word Play Cafe stuff into the container. Such fun! Really, it’s not so bad… it’s like a game of Tetris.
Strike Fluffer
This snack fluffer will save our strike team from hangry meltdowns and keep them hydrated and happy. (Provisions provided.)
Mutant Vehicle Trailer Unloading
Help make the Fun Across Mutant Vehicle a reality! We need 4 strong people to help unload the trailer and bring out the heavy platforms.
Mutant Vehicle Build Crew
Help assemble the Fun Across Mutant Vehicle.
Mutant Vehicle Build Fluffer
This snack fluffer will save our build team from hangry meltdowns and keep them hydrated and happy. (Provisions provided.)
Mutant Vehicle Strike Lead
Responsible for disassembling the MV and loading the trailer. Heavy lifting required.
Mutant Vehicle Strike Crew
Responsible for disassembling the MV and loading the trailer. Heavy lifting required.
Mutant Vehicle Driver
(LIMITED TO PREAPPROVED DRIVERS) You’ll be driving the MV at 5 MPH around the city and open playa. The goal is to find groups of people where we can stop and share our games. In the daytime the games will be our paper games that we can give out or have people climb aboard and play in the crows nest.
Mutant Vehicle Walker/Spotter/Games Assistant
You’ll be riding in the crows nest with a walkie talkie or walking alongside the MV, and be on the watch of any bikes or other MVs or people who might cross paths. You’ll communicate with the driver about potential obstacles and any other safety issues.
Mutant Show Runner
You’ll be riding in the crows nest and will have a microphone which you’ll use to call out to people to let them know about our games. When people come to play you will emcee the game play.
Word Nerds: People Person
Head out of camp in pairs and into the city wearing your very best Black and Whites (costumes provided). Word Nerds will bring some Word Play Cafe love to other parts of the city by foot (or by bike). You’ll chat up folks hanging out in theme camps, on the road, and even waiting in line to offer our To-Go menu of word games and stickers. No word game skills required here. You’ll have a partner on all your walkabouts who will interact with the games specifically. This is great for a fully polished “people person” or someone who wants to come out of your shell a little more and can benefit from having a specific thing to talk about. Dusty Hugs optional.
Word Nerds: Word Wizard
Similar to the Playmates in the dome. You’ll collaborate with your fellow Nerd to engage interested participants in a variety of games. You’ll also be a second set of hands to distribute games, puzzles. You are deputized to share worthy participants the title of Word Nerd with buttons or a custom laminate.
