At least some people are taking a more lighthearted approach to the camp model, which has recently been spilling over from technology to food. , a convergence of mostly amateur bakers, was first held in June 2008. Founder Ariel Waldman says she modeled her event, during which attendees presented their sugary creations and tasted those of others, off BarCamp. "The idea is that everyone is a participant and can own the event for themselves," Waldman says.

Cupcake Camp still draws a tech crowd. For her that makes a lot of sense. "Tech people get really passionate about certain things, and that carries over into other parts of their lives," she says, including their confections.

And their breakfast foods, apparently. From Cupcake Camp an even more recent event has spun off: . Last month, scores of Bay Area bacon lovers showed off their frying methods, even their bacon sculptures, in a similar show of organized unorganization.

Karen Nguyen, who headed the event, has her own explanation for the camp craze: the Internet facilitates communication, whether or not it's tech-related. Still, "the relationships you make online can only go so far," says Nguyen. Soon enough denizens of Web 2.0 want to take their new social skills out into the light of day--and do some bonding, whether it's over the future of technology or a crispy strip of bacon.