Jenn's Challenge‎ 2026

"Burning Man is devoted to acts of gift giving. The value of a gift is unconditional." — the 3rd of the 10 Principles of Burning Man

Every year, as I prepare for Burning Man, I ask you to do something simple: be kind to yourself or to someone else, and then tell me about it.

That's it. That's the whole challenge.

Between now and August 10th, do something nice. Then share it here — text, photo, or video, whatever feels right. Then, between August 10th and when I leave for Burning Man, I'll turn everyone's stories into an art piece. I place it in the Temple early in the event, so it's there for anyone to find and read all week long — and on the last night, it burns with the Temple. A collective release, and a gift back to everyone who reads it before it goes.

This challenge exists because of my daughter, Jenn. She was a burner too, and the memories we made together at Burning Man in 2011 and 2012 are ones I'll treasure forever.

Jenn's smile lit up every room she was in. She loved to dance, especially in the rain. Even through her illness, she kept practicing massage therapy — a true healer, of body and spirit. Jenn passed away in 2014, and this Challenge is a way to keep some part of her joy moving through the world.

Be Nice. Do something kind for someone you otherwise wouldn't.

Dance in the Rain. Do something that brings you pure joy.

Share Your Story. Tell me about it with a video, photo, and/or text.

That's Jenn's Challenge. Join us. Experience the joy of gifting joy.