WHAT IS AFTERBURN?           Florida burners are a very diverse group of people. We are from many cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. However, someway or another we have all been brought together through a common experience: Burning Man.  At heart, we all identify as BURNERS.  However, Burning Man consistently means different things to different people. Thus the lifestyle, philosophy, and art of being a “Burner” is not easily defined.          For many it is about sharing ourselves and who we are: our inherent arts, gifts and talents. It is about celebrating the moment together. It is about not only being free to be ourselves, but also being able to bring out the best in each other. It is about the overwhelming creativity and inspiration, the smiles and hugs, the crazy art, the antics, and the fire. Community, participation, self-expression, self-reliance; these tenets are also lifeblood of the Burning Man community. Thus, as a guide for your journey we have included a link to 10 Principles from the Burning Man website that we believe are also integral to the AfterBurn experience. Read them, and reflect on how they operate in your own life.           With AfterBurn we will create our own experimental community, burn our own effigy, and PARTICIPATE in our own back yard! There are no rules about how one must behave or express oneself at this event (save the rules that serve to protect the health, safety, and the community at large). Rather, it is up to each participant to decide what and how they will contribute to our community. Whether you are new to the Burner experience or are a seasoned veteran, you are encouraged to reach into and connect with yourself to find your niche in our community. Participate! The giving of yourself is the greatest gift you can give to your community, and is imperative to the survival of this unique experiment.