Everywhen is camping, community, and an intentional experience in the Black Rock Desert. Every 4th of July, we create a temporary village where art, storytelling, and connection thrive—built entirely by those who show up.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Everywhen supports campers and artists by providing essential infrastructure—bathrooms, shade, lighting, and shared resources—while ensuring we Leave No Trace. What emerges is something truly organic: a mix of planned experiences and spontaneous moments, shaped by the people who bring it to life.
But what does it take to build a village in one of the harshest environments on Earth? To find out, I sat down with Laura Warren (Jadestone), Everywhen’s Backstage Manager, who has been with the project since 2021. From her first experience as a volunteer to the evolving logistics of running Everywhen behind the scenes, she shares what makes this place special, what’s new for 2025, and why you should be part of it.
Finding Everywhen
Mathew Gilbuena: You’ve been with Everywhen since 2021. What first drew you into this wild, evolving project?
Jadestone: Oh! So, to be honest, I’ve always been involved in some form of charity ... and 2020 just upended my life, as it did for everyone. I resigned from a nonprofit board, and since we were on lockdown, I wasn’t able to volunteer at the Wilbur May Arboretum anymore. I was going crazy ... no social interaction, no feeling of being part of something.
I was going crazy ... no social interaction, no feeling of being part of something.
Then I saw a post on Facebook—Everywhen was looking for volunteers. And I thought, "Oh, well, this looks interesting." So I put in an application ... talked to the organizers ... and the project just kind of sucked me in. And now it’s my passion project. Laughs.
Mathew: What has kept you coming back year after year?
Jadestone: Um! It’s seeing people discover us. Not even just at the main event ... it happens anytime we gather. People come up, start talking to us, and we start talking about Everywhen ... about what we build out in Black Rock. And then you see it—that wonder in their eyes.
It’s like watching a kid discover something new, that moment when their eyes light up ... that’s what keeps me coming back.
Mathew: How has your role changed over time?
Jadestone: Well, in 2021, I was just part of a camp ... just a volunteer, helping with check-ins at the gate, placing people as they arrived.
That morphed into ... well, now I’m the Backstage Manager. Laughs. It’s hard to describe everything I do, but a big part of it is making sure people get to the right person within the organization who can help them. I guess I’m kind of like the first contact for a lot of things ... especially in the Reno area.
At the event, it’s the same—making sure things run smoothly and that people have what they need.
The Evolution of Everywhen
Mathew: Everywhen has grown from a loosely gathered community to a fully realized village. What do you think have been the biggest turning points?
Jadestone: I think ... it's the clarification. A lot of people have gathered out in the Black Rock Desert to just be wild ... and do what they want. And I’ve seen in that wildness, sometimes, the not-so-nice parts of humanity come out.
I think the big turning point for Everywhen was when we really stuck by our ethos of Do No Harm. We had to have conversations with people ... like, "Look, it's cool that you want to blow off steam that way, but that’s harmful to other people here." And if that’s the energy you’re bringing ... maybe this isn’t the place for you.
That was a shift. We weren’t just saying Do No Harm—we were living it. And we made it clear that if you were going to be here, you needed to be mindful of the people around you.
This layout is so unique ... you don’t really see anything like it anywhere. The layout of a smiling snake.
Mathew: Constellation City’s layout changes each year. This year’s theme is the Wood Snake. What makes this design special?
Jadestone: This layout is so unique ... you don’t really see anything like it anywhere. The layout of a smiling snake.
I think it’s going to be really inviting—people will see this winding strip of light in the middle of the desert ... these beautiful curves creating little mini-neighborhoods, but still connected. And then at the tail, we have the Red Light District ... laughs. I think that’s going to be really fun.
I’m really curious to see how the neighborhoods form along the curves. Are they going to have their own unique personalities? Or will they all just kind of blend together? It’s going to be fascinating to watch.
What is the Everywhen?
Mathew: For those who’ve never been, what can they expect from Everywhen 2025?
Jadestone: You’re going to go out there and feel like you’ve left the planet. The playa is vast ... it’s an alien landscape.
Yes, we have lights, but it’s not so much light that it’s pollution. It’s just enough to see where you are, where people are camped. And above you? The darkest skies in America.
You’ll be able to see the Milky Way with your naked eye ... all these stars that you just don’t see in the city. Even with our lights, the sky still looks endless.
And it’s not just about the landscape ... it’s about the people. The music, the art, the way different cultures and ideas all come together. You can walk through it all without fear ... meet people, connect, share stories. It’s a space where you can just be.
Mathew: If you could capture the essence of Everywhen in one phrase, what would it be?
Jadestone: Building community.
Mathew: Final question—what keeps you coming back, year after year?
Jadestone: The people. The people? Laughs. Yeah ... the people. The staff members, the volunteers who always show up ... and the brand new people who come in for the first time.
Every single one of them.
Join Us at Everywhen 2025
Everywhen is about creating something extraordinary together—a place where camping, art, community, and storytelling come to life in the vastness of the Black Rock Desert.
Secure your spot now, and be part of the story.
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