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GayOutdoors Gathering

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Registration

Up I keep trying to register but I get an error message?

This is probably caused with you trying to upload a picture of yourself that exceeds the size limit of 3MB. Try registering without uploading a photo of yourself.

Up I signed up but I cannot login?

Did you click on the link in the email we sent you to activite your account? All members email addresses must be confirmed before we grant you access. Check your SPAM folder for trailmail@gayoutdoors.org. To ensure you receive emails from other members, add this email to your address book.  

Up How do I join and start having fun with GayOutdoors?

If you haven't already joined the club, there's a link on the home page called JOIN. Click on this and get ready to become a GayOutdoors member! We ask that you complete as much information as possible. Once you complete you can browse even more of the website and begin registering for events. What are you waiting for?

Up Are you going to sell or pass my details to third parties?

NO! Absolutely not. GayOutdoors is private group and all the information you submit will never be passed on to any third parties.

Up What information will be made public on my profile?

When you are entering your profile, you will see certain fields are required to be completed. In your profile you will see a page called Edit Settings/Privacy. In this page you can determine which members can view your profile and last name.

Up I've filled in all the details, now what happens?

You will receive an automated email sent to the email address you entered in the sign-up form. You must confirm receipt of this by clicking on the link contained in the email..

Up My user name and password don't work! What can I do?

GayOutdoors uses cookies as a part of the login process. Your internet browser must be set to accept them. If you are not sure how to check and/or do this, refer to this link: http://help.expedient.com/browsers/cookies.shtml

Up I just paid my $25 and received confirmation from Paypal. But my profile still comes up as "Guest Member". How long does it take for "Full Membership" to kick in?

PayPal will approve payment once your bank confirms that there is money in your account. This may take up to 24 hours. Once we get this approval, we will update your profile.  

Up Can I send you a check to become a Full Member?

Absolutely! Make the $25 check payable to GO and mail it to 676 Upper Mad River Road, Thornton NH, 03285. Be sure to include your user name so we can upgrade your account.

The Website

Up What is the Buddies tab in the member profiles?

This is where your buddies are listed. You can invite members to be your buddy. You will receive an email if a member wants to list you as a buddy. All you need to do is click on the link and on the provided page select Accept or Decline.  When you have an event or trip planned, you can invite all your buddies at once using the form provided provided. They will receive an email from you and respond if they can make it or not.

Up What is the Events tab in the member profiles?

This tab lists all the events you are currently signed up for, the events you've attended in the past, and the events you have led. A link to the event details is provided. For past events, a link to the original event details provided along with any associated trip reports and photos.

Up What is the Photos tab in the member profiles?

This is where members can share and view photos from any outdoor adventure whether a Club activity or not.

Up Can I submit an Article, contribute to Trail Mail or share a trip report?

YES! We often get "How To," "Choosing Gear," and "Neat Places To Go" type stories which is great material. Many members post their trip reports in our Forums. So if you have a great story to share with other members, Contact Us.

Up Can I advertise on your website?

Absolutely. To get more information, Click Here.

Up I belong to a local club. Can we use your website?

Absolutely. You can post a trip in our Events Calendar as long as you don't post a link to your club's website for more information or to register. If so, then post your trip in our Forums.

Up Trail Mail is being sent to my old email address. What can I do?

At the bottom of Trail click on the link Update Profile/Email Address. On this page you can edit your email address.

Up For some profiles I receive the message YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE THIS PROFILE. Why?

Most likely that member has registered but not yet verified their email address to activate their account. This will most likely occur with the newer profiles. The other reason is that members may have decided to not have anyone view their profile. You can find those settings under your profile in the Edit Settings/Privacy link.

Up Do Guest Members [unpaid members] have to be Full Members [paid members] to respond to emails?

No. Guest Members will receive your email and can respond either by clicking 'reply' or using your email address that will be embedded within the message itself. Whether Guest Members actually choose to respond to your email is a whole other matter :-)

Up How do I activate Instant Messaging/Real Time Chat?

You first have to be a full member. You should see the Send An Instant Message icon beside members when you view Who's Online. The icon appears besides members when they have clicked on pages of the website so the system knows that they are online. You will never see this icon on your profile because you can't send an Instant Message to yourself. 

If you want to verify that the icon appears next to your profile, login and click on some website pages. Then logout and view your profile on Who's Online. The Send Me An Instant Message button should appear by your name. 

Up I saw a nude photo of a member. I thought this was not allowed?

Nude photos of members are strictly prohibited and if we find any the member's profile is deleted without warning! The only way we find these is if we happen to see them or a member informs us. So if you see any nude photos of members please Contact Us and let us know their user name. 

Up I'm having difficulty uploading my photo. Can you help me?

Your photo probably exceeds our limit size of 3MB and you need to size it down. You can  resize pictures using Windows Paint in your computer. Click here for instructions onhow to do this: http://www.mrkent.com/photoreducer/

Up I find the forums too restrictive. How can I promote my trip when I can't reply to my own messages about the trip?

You are welcome to post any topic you would like to discuss in our forums but use our Events Calendar for activities.

Using our forums to post an event is not an effective way to reach our members because you are missing out on having email notifications to any member who is within 150-300 miles of the event!

Then as members sign-up, you have the ability to email them all about s. You can edit the activity yourself at which point all members who have signed up will get an email notification about the changes. There is no need to use the forums for activity s.

Plus, a week before the trip, our Events Calendar will promote your trip one more time by sending another email notification to all registered members within 150-300 miles of the posted location.

As for our forum policies prohibiting members from responding to their own email messages is a standard policy in any forum. Just because we are a gay site, does not mean we can be lax about them. These are not outdated ideas.

Just use our Events Calendar to its full potential and forget about using the forums. Forums are meant for discussions about a certain subject; not to post/ on activities or promote an existing trip (our Events Calendar.

Up Who is Gandalf, Wholesome, and Chris19111? Is GO some kind of clique or closed group or something?

Not in the slightest! We use trail names in profiles for the fun of it and to protect the identity of members. You'll see the trail names when you search members, view forum messages and view trips. If you click on the trail name you'll get to see the respective member's profile. Click on a trip leader's trail name to ask questions about the trip. Click on the other participant's trail name for carpooling questions or to ask them a question. Or click on the trail name of another member to meet up or plan an activity. All are welcome to click on the trail name link and view member profiles. GO is your club. We are just the guys that type fast and can put up with cranky databases, HTML, and Coldfusion so we get the job of maintaining this site.

Up Can I Change My User Name?

Yes you can! This is a new website enhancement. Simply "log-in," click on "Edit Profile" link [beneath your thumbnail photo], change your user name in the 'user name' field, and click on the "submit button" at the bottom of the page. [Warning: Your Buddies List will be deleted.]

Up I thought I was set up for automatic full membership renewals?

Our latest upgrade now allows you to set-up an automatic renewal next time you pay provided you have a PayPal account. Once you do we will still send you an email 7 days before you make a payment in case you've changed your mind and want to change your settings.

Up How do I delete my profile?

We are sad to hear you no longer want to be a member but welcome you to visit our website at anytime to find out what we are up to. Please Contact Us if there is something we could do to make the club work better for you.

To delete your profile log-in, click on View Profile, Status, Upload Photos [below your thumbnail picture] and on the next page click on Delete Profile that is above the About Me section. 

Up I'm unable to upload photos in a trip report.

There is a photo size limitation in our system when uploading photos into a trip report. Digital cameras today have very large pictures and they need to be reduced to either 800x600 [best for us] or 1024x768 with a 72 dpi resolution for our system. [They still look great on the website]. I downloaded a tool to help me called the Image Resizer from Microsoft Power Toys for XP . All you do is right click on the batch of images you want to resize, choose the picture size, and your computer will create a copies with the reduced picture size! 

You can  resize pictures using Windows Paint in your computer. Click here for instructions onhow to do this: http://www.mrkent.com/photoreducer/
 
There are free websites out there that will reduce images, or you might already have photo editing software on your computer or you can buy an inexpensive photo editing software. 
Up How do I receive email from others? Do emails come into this site or my profile? Will I only get them through my external email address?

Only full members can send you an email by clicking on the Send Email link when displayed such as within a profile, Who's Online, Member Search Results, Trip Details, etc. These will be sent to the external email address you have noted in your profile. [In our next upgrade, we will have a new option for full members to send/retrieve message from within the website itself.]

Up How do I know who has viewed my profile?

Only full members have this privilege. Click on the Search Members link on the home page and above the list of GayOutdoors Member Profiles you will see the "Who Viewed Me" button.

General

Up I'm not OUT. If I join GayOutdoors will my family find out I'm gay?

No. The only way it's possible to search member profiles is by becoming a GayOutdoors member. Non-members are only able to view the profiles rotated on our home page or posted on Who's Online but obviously that is highly unlikely they will see your picture. The only "real" way your family would find out that you are gay through GayOutdoors, would be to become a member of the group. It's a group for gay friendly outdoorzy guys so it's extremly rare that someone who is not would be looking to join the group. As a member you do have the option to allow only members or nobody to view your profile. You can find those options in the Edit Settings/Privacy link in your profile.

Up What is the difference between Guest and Full Members?

As a Guest Member you can create a profile, search for other members, have a voice in our Forums, receive email notifications of new outdoor excursions posted, register for all events and add other members in your buddies list so you can invite them to an event/trip your are running via email. Full Members can contact other members, enlarge all member photos, send instant messages to other members, get priority listing on all search profile results, find out who's viewed their profile, get a "Full Member Badge" displayed in their profile and receive a GO sticker. Ready to become a Full Member? Click Here now.

Up What is GayOutdoors' policy on sex during events?

GayOutdoors is first and foremost an outdoor activities group. It is designed with active outdoorzy guys in mind to help them enjoy the outdoors, get some fresh air, exercise -- in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. GayOutdoors is NOT a group organizing sexual encounters and never will be. That is not what we're about. That's not to say there's a chance of you meeting the love of your life online or at one of our events, but your primary motivation for coming along should be to take part in the activities we offer.

Up I'm new and would prefer meeting everyone else socially before attending an event?

We've heard from many guys who are hesitant about joining a new group. It's normal. You just don't know what to expect!

GO is full of fun-loving guys who want to GO Outdoors and Make New Buddies (that means you!)

The best way to 'get your feet wet' is try to get to know other members online and eventually sign-up or run a simple event, like a light walk or nature walk. We are encouraging members to host a "Happy Hour" at a local bar; this is a fabulous way to meet fellow GO members.

If you are new to doing stuff outdoors in general, ask questions in our forum. Although we're not experts, we'll share our experiences with you and tell you what's worked for us. And we have lots of helpful articles you can read at our website as well.

New guys show up at our activities all the time, and we always do our best to make them feel at home and welcome. Well, YOU ARE WELCOME after all! GO relies on your input and participation. Getting involved in some way is why we joined.

Your President is here to answer any questions, you may have so contact me. Or sign-up for an event and chat with us outdoors. We'll introduce you around.

If there are no events near you, you'll have to take some initiative and run something light to meet other guys. I've been running outdoor activities for gay/bi outdoorzy guys for almost 20 years and I've NEVER received 'creepy' emails or met 'threatening' guys at the activity itself. You can always say in your trip description that "Three RSVP's are required for this event to take place" if that makes you feel more comfortable.

Up Is GayOutdoors just another profit making organization?

No!  GayOutdoors is a Non-Profit Corporation and membership dues goes towards the running, expansion and development of GayOutdoors. The GO President is paid a small monthly salary for the countless hours spent running the organization; this incentive has kept GO viable, vibrant and growing.

Up Is GayOutdoors just another gay profile website?

No! Of course you must set up a profile when you join the group, but this is necessary for you to meet other outdoorzy guys online and to register for events. Everyone writes "I enjoy the outdoors" in a personal ad to make themselves look healthy and active; however, you just don't know to what degree.

Nobody is lying about their outdoor interests at this website just so it looks good and healthy in their personal ad. Our profiles require members to disclose the level of outdoor fitness they have and the specific outdoor activities they enjoy.    

We're not all online chatter and no activities. Our events our real. We do have fun. We do make new buddies. If you're not into bars, personals, or traditional internet dating sites, what have you got left? There is nothing wrong with wanting to meet outdoorzy guys with similar interests and the best way to do that is to invite them to join you in your outdoor pursuits.

If a member answered your email to join you on your next adventure or you met them in one of our group events, it's a pretty good bet you have something in common to build your relationship. Whether he becomes your new outdoor buddy or a loving boyfriend only time will tell. What sets us apart is that we provide a real life community of supportive outdoorzy guys.

Up What's GayOutdoors all about then?

Gay Outdoors (GO) was founded by New Hampshire native Mike Boisvert in 1999 who lives at the foot of the White Mountains. He had been running outdoor recreation activities for outdoorzy guys for almost 20 years with a local gay outdoor club. He found that gay/bi outdoorzy guys nationwide lacked a means to meet one another, pursue outdoor trips and share their outdoor experiences/knowledge.

GayOutdoors is a group aimed at gay, bi and straight guys interested in outdoor pursuits. We don't discriminate against anyone regardless of age, sexuality, or ability and all we ask to become a member is that you agree and abide by the guiding principles of the group.

GayOutdoors is designed as an alternative to both the traditional gay scene and also to the other more straight orientated outdoors groups.

If you are fed up with or not interested in the traditional gay scene then GayOutdoors could be for you. We can offer you a way to meet up with other outdoorzy guys in your area, without the need for bars, clubs and alcohol.

GayOutdoors is not all about getting you a date or fixing you up with a potential partner with our online profiles. There's a whole myriad of other websites out there to do that for you. GayOutdoors is about fun, buddies and challenging yourself.

GayOutdoors is fun. We know because our members consistently tell us so. Click here to see how much fun our members have been having on outdoor excursions. Whether camping in the rain, hiking in the crisp winter sunshine with snow underfoot, watching a crimson sunset, paddling down a river, skiing down a mountain or feeling elated because you finally managed a particularly hard climb; you'll get such a sense of enjoyment that you'll be itching to come back for more.

GayOutdoors is about buddies. Whether you've just moved to a new area, are feeling lonely, recently come out, don't know any other gay people, or just want to widen your circle of friends, GayOutdoors can help. The guys who come on events are typically down to earth, friendly and welcoming. Many of us have made new and lasting friendships and gained a strong network of buddies in our area. Spending a day walking with a group of other guys, someone watching your back while scrambling, or the guy who catches you when you fall; you'll develop a powerful sense of inclusion and trust with the other members of the group. Many members say GayOutdoors is like a family. And it's true, it is. You'll never be left wanting for buddies again. You've just come across a group of guys who'll be your friends for life.

GayOutdoors is about challenging yourself. You're scared of heights, but you've just climbed a windswept knife-edge along a ridge. You thought you were claustrophobic, but you've just squeezed through a small cave. You've never walked further than the shopping mall, but you've just gone ten miles! Ok, you might ache a little, but the elation you'll get from doing something you never thought possible, you'll never forget. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or wanting to improve your general fitness and lose weight, GayOutdoors is for you. We offer a range of activity options for all abilities. On a GayOutdoors event, there's nothing that isn't achievable.

This is the magic of GayOutdoors.

Join Us and see for yourself.

Up Can women join?

There are some gay outdoor groups that allow both men and women. There are some for women that don't allow men. There are some for men that don't allow women. This does not mean these clubs are being prejudiced.

GO is an affinity group of gay, bisexual and straight adult men who enjoy the company of other men who want to engage in active, outdoor pursuits. This is the defining essence of who we are, and it is what brings us together. 

Our motto is after all, "GO Outdoors and Make New Outdoorzy Buddies in a safe, comfortable atmosphere!"

Up This all sounds great. How do I find out more about what is planned?

To find out about the events we have planned, visit our Events Calendar.

Up Why is GayOutdoors not completely free?

Full memberships allow us to pay for our operating expenses. We do offer a free basic package [guest member]. Paid full members receive additional benefits. We feel by having two membership levels we are able to satisfy the needs and wants of the greatest number of outdoorzy guys.

If you have something of value then you can charge a fair market price for it. A club will only keep running if it obtains funds to keep operating. Otherwise we will have to shut down. The website, events and other services you enjoy today would cease to exist. Besides, a Full Membership is only $25 per year. That's less than filling up your car with gas! 

Membership dues help cover the costs of running GayOutdoors. Many guys have asked how to make GO even stronger. They realize that a viable, vibrant and growing club will increase its worth to members. Membership dues will enable GO to continue on its path toward building our full potential. Member dues will go back into maintaining/improving our website, and promoting our outdoorzy guys community.

Up Do you have an email newsletter?

Funny you should ask. Yes, we do. By registering and creating a free profile you'll start to receive our e-newsletter, Trail Mail, twice a month. And rest assured your email address is safe with us. Unsubscribing? It's as quick and easy as snapping your fingers.

Up Who's in the club?

We're all over the place for demographics. The average age is in the 30's and 40s range, but there are sooooo many members younger and sooooo may members older than that it's really hard to draw a line anywhere. We all just have fun regardless. We are here to exclusively focus on helping outdoorzy guys to meet each other so you'll see only men on our activities. Most guys are from all New England States, New York, Florida, District of Columbia region, and California. But we have members from all over the United States, Canada and abroad that it's to the point where it's hard to figure where the bulk of members actually live. Our most active region is Boston-Manchester-Worcester-Providence since that is the only Chapter we have as of right now, and where Your President resides.

Up How can I join my local chapter?

Our goal is to expand our club by creating chapters, expand what GO represents, and grow our unique concept throughout the United States and Canada! We have members living in every state and province looking to join a chapter. Every trip that is posted is associated with a chapter.

Here is a list of our current chapters. If there is not one near you just yet, you still belong to GO! GayOutdoors is a nationwide club. Besides sending emails to each other or chatting in our forums, local guys connect with each other by running and participating in events that are posted in our Calendar. We send you email notifications of any events posted near where you live. 

Up Are you guys on Facebook or Twitter so I can follow?
Our website is designed for anyone to "follow us." Once you become a GayOutdoors fan by signing up to become a member on our website, you'll be able to view the profiles of other members, receive email notifications of activities posted near you, receive our bi-weekly e-newsletter, receive buddy invitations via email and receive emails from other members!
 
For GO members who have a Facebook page, we have options to post to "your wall" when you first join, post an activity or sign-up for one. You can post a link to your Facebook page in your GO Profile. And many of our pages allow you to twitter or share on "your wall" such as events, trip report/pictures and articles.
 
We hope you become a GayOutdoors fan!
Up Why is this Internet-only?

GO is Internet-only because of the combination of the website and e-mail is a very fast and efficient way to keep everyone in touch and to let everyone know what's going on. Running a club using the telephone and regular mail is not as immediate, plus there are major costs involved in both money and time. Our budget is pretty low for either.

Up I know someone who'd love to know about the things that GO is doing, but my friend doesn't have Internet access. What can my friend do?

If someone doesn't have Internet access but would like to get involved, there's a way around the Internet access issue, kinda-sorta. Here's what to tell your friend:


  • Find the library in your town or a neighborhood town. Head there and use their Internet terminal to access GO. Our site has no nudity so it should not be being blocked.
  • For e-mail, head to a site like Google and get a free e-mail account. From there you can do all the communication you need to do to get involved with GO outings!
No equipment to buy, nothing to maintain...And a guest membership is free. Most libraries are open weeknights making Internet terminal access possible for pretty much everyone at convenient times.
I hope the library near your Internet-less friend is wired up and can provide access for him.
Up How do I find information on gay swimming holes in my area?

You have two options:

  • Click on Articles. Under "All Activities" select Swimming Holes and under "All Destinations" select the geographic location of where you live. Then click the "GO" button to see all the Gay Swimming Holes Articles specific to your area. 
  • The other option is to search our Links. Under "Destination List" select the geographic location of where you live. Under "Section List" select Swimming Holes. Then click on the "GO" button to see all the Gay Swimming Holes specific to your area. 

GayOutdoors Gathering

Up When will the GO Gathering 2010 be held?

It will be held August 13-15 along the Shenandoah River near Front Royal, Virginia. 

Up Can I just attend the GO Gathering for the day?

Yes! To accommodate guys who prefer staying in a motel, a 'Saturday pass' can be purchased that will give you entry into the campsite so you make new outdoorzy buddies and swim/hangout on the river. It will also include all the beer you can drink, meals [breakfast/lunch/dinner], fireworks, and dancing to a live band.  

Up Why isn't the GO Gathering in NH where the GO President resides?

GO is a nationwide club and the basis for the GO Gathering is for members all across the country to meet. The reality is that members who attend live in the region it is being held. It takes a lot of research, planning and coordination to host a GO Gathering so after the site has been chosen, it's easier to run it there again for a few years. Therefore the decision was made for the GO Gathering to move from one region to the next every three years.

The first GO Gathering was held in central Massachusetts for the New England region and then moved to New York. After three years in the Mid-Atlantic region it's now being hosted in the DC region. It will move to another region in 2012. The GO Gathering will return back to New England once it has been held in all regions of the United States. So don't expect the GO Gathering to be hosted in NH anytime soon. If your interest is in a camping weekend, you can certainly put one together in your state and have other members join you.

Activity Participation

Up Who can participate in these activities?

Anyone who is a registered member.

Up Are events REALLY free?

Yes. There is no obligation, and no salesperson will call. :-) You pay for personal expenses, lodging, trail fees, admission fees, food, and so on. Remember to chip in for gas and tolls when you carpool! 

Up How do I know if an activity is right for me?

The description of the activity combined with a Difficulty Level Rating should give you a good idea of what to expect. Activities designated as easy and easy/moderate are generally suited for those with little or no experience. So if there is something you want to try, get signed up! If you have questions email the activity coordinator.

Up I can't afford to buy any of the gear that is required?

Borrow, share or rent gear until you're sure you like an activity. Don't go out and buy a lot of expensive equipment until you know you like the activity.

  • Many members are willing to lend or share all sorts of things including tents, backpacks, camping gear, kayaks, canoes, snowshoes, etc. Ask other members who signed for the trip for help.
  • Several second-hand equipment stores as well as numerous rental shops serve as sources of equipment. Many outdoor retailers rent equipment.
Up How do I sign up for an activity?

After registering go to our website sign-up through the Events Calendar Page or click the link within the activity email notification.

All you need to sign up for something is select your mode of transportation using the drop-down box, make any comments if you wish, click on the "Click Here To Sign Up" button and then show up. For activities involving payment, there may be additional instructions, such as sending in some money, making a reservation, etc. The instructions will be outlined in the event description.

It is essential that you have reviewed the activity [or asked questions about what you don't understand about it] before you go to make sure you can complete the activity safely. You must also be prepared with appropriate gear, food, water, or whatever the event calls out for. If you aren't sure about something, ask the guy running the event, or do a little research on the internet or perhaps in a trail book [readily available at bookstores all over the place]. 

And guess what? You'll GO Outdoors and Make a Few Outdoorzy Buddies :-) 
Up How do I cancel myself from attending an activity I signed up for?

Log-in, go to the activity details page you signed up for, and click on the link [on the upper right hand side] that says Remove Me.  

Note: If you decide you can't make it, please remember to do this. It will allow another Club member to take your place.

Up What is my responsibility as an activity participant?

Be on time and prepared. An afternoon walk on the beach obviously requires less preparation than a weeklong backpacking/camping trip. Plan accordingly. Email the activity coordinator if you have any questions. (Only Full Members can email the activity coordinator.)

Up Why can't I invite a friend when I register for an outing? It says, "Comments such as "+1" or "bringing a friend" are NOT permitted."

We are a private club and everyone needs to have created a free profile for a guest membership on our website. This is in order to ensure that they support our club and its objectives,  agree with our terms/conditions, and consent to the liability waiver when they sign-up for an outing. Our outing registration system needs to track the number of participants so that they will be placed on the waiting list once the trip size limit has been reached.  

Up Can I contact other members about a listed activity?

Yes. There is a button on the bottom of the specific activity page that says Email Them. Only Full Members can do this.

Up How can I help guys get involved who live near me?

Tell your friends by calling them or using our email tool. Invite your friends to be your buddy on the website. Then plan, organize, and coordinate an activity. Post on your favorite Internet message boards/forums, outdoor related websites, newsgroups, local Craig's List under "men seeking men"; and tell them about finding us and your upcoming activity. You often can get a free club and activity listing in local newspapers and magazines.

Up There aren't any events where I live. What can I do?

GO really is nothing more or less than the sum of the energy and enthusiasm that all of our individual members contribute - the greater and broader that energy, the greater and broader will be the enjoyment that we derive from GO.  By injecting your own involvement and enthusiasm, you will be contributing directly in that formula.

In addition to seconding your personal goal of participating in a GO event sometime soon, another thing to consider doing is to actually organize and post a GO event yourself, in your area.  Whether it's camping, hiking, a beach or paddling outing, biking, a cookout or something else, there are many GO members in your area who might be interested in meeting and joining you.  As you likely would surmise on your own, the key to a rich event calendar lies with those first few people who are able to step out in front and get the ball rolling.  To get further perspective on the in's and out's of organizing an event, click here for some help or read the questions/answers in our FAQ next time you have a moment.

Up Should I tell others about GayOutdoors?

Yes! Tell your friends by calling or using our email tool. Next, post on your favorite Internet message boards/forums, outdoor related websites, or newsgroups and tell them about finding us. You often can get a free club and activity listing in local newspapers and magazines.

Up I contacted the Event Coordinator but I haven't heard back from him?

If he doesn't respond to your emails, there is nothing more we can do from this end. It is up to him to get back to you. 

Up Don't Be A NO SHOW!

Over the course of the summer there have been several organized trips that appeared to be full but on the day of the event, less than half of the respondents attended. Sometimes nobody showed up!

We are fortunate to have members volunteer to organize some pretty nice trips. Many of their trips have had a list of people who were turned away because of the necessary group size limits. It was then unfortunate and disturbing to learn that guys would RSVP yes to a trip and not attend. This takes opportunities away from other members and it frustrates those who organize events, guys looking to meet and have a good time.

So what to do? We ask trip leaders after the event to review the Trip Details Page (moves to Trip Report/Pics section after the trip) and at the very bottom of the page, click on Edit Activity to remove these members so they don't get "bragging rights" for attending the event in their profiles. Another step that can be taken for frequent offenders is to email them about this situation and warn them that next time there is a waiting list on your trip, you will put them on it. Trip leaders can move members on/off the waiting list as part of editing/managing trips on the Trip Details Page. 

As a possible enhancement in the future within member profiles, we might add a tab called 'member messages.' Members would be able to enter positive and negative comments about a member into their profile including 'no shows.' Anybody would be able to view them!

These steps are not our preference as it creates work and this club was never intended to be work, just fun. We ask that guys show a level of courtesy to one another, respect one another's time and respect the commitment.

If you say yes to an event, please be there and please be on time. If circumstances arise such that you cannot attend, please remove yourself from attending the event and/or contact the trip leader.

And if these expectations are too much for you, please consider removing yourself from being a member of our club.

Up I'm unable to contact the Event Organizer because I'm not a Full Member. Can you contact him for me?

You'll have to wait for the Event Organizer to contact you (if he is a Full Member).  Why don't you just become a Full Member at only $25 a year?  I'm sure you know that the right reason to join is because you're interested  in GO and its members in general, rather than simply to use GO as a one-time stepping stone to contact someone. Of course,  it's your decision.  We hope to see you as a Full Member! 

Up Can I change my comments after I initially signed-up?

No. Why don't you just send an email to the Event Organizer?

Up How do you handle money for reservations?

It's vital that you respond early to an activity where there'll be a reservation required. That way it may be possible to get a group rate. When a deposit is required:

  • Generally all monetary transactions can be handled by the event's destination, such as a motel, campground, outfitter, etc. You'll call them directly, tell them that you're with the GO group, and take care of things directly using your credit card or other means of payment.
  • When this is not feasible, such as getting a bunch of tickets to something, the person running the event will collect deposits, usually be snail mail [US mail] before buying the tickets. If you do not send your deposit in by a certain date, your reservation will go to the next guy on the list. 
  • Although not recommended, if the member running the activity does put up some money for you, it is done out of the goodness of his heart, and there is a great deal of trust placed you to repay the money. You must make good on your promise to pay all money owed whether you attend the event or not. GOers are a super bunch of guys and I don't anticipate this being an issue. Still, it must be said: There are no refunds unless someone can take your place. 
Up Why do things get posted kinda late?

Many weekend hikes, for example, get posted Wednesday evening - or even Thursday evening. This is largely so guys running the event can get an idea of the weekend weather. Plus day hikes are kinda spur-of-the-moment. Even so, if you live near the area the event will be held, you'll be sent an email invitation. Everyone should be checking their emails Friday morning for events being posted for the weekend!

Up I want to bring my dog.

Most of the time that's just fine! If your dog is well behaved around guys, deals well with other animals, and is allowed where we are going, then having your pup along is generally OK. Double-check with the guy running the event. I encourage those with dogs to run activities with your four-legged friends [mention in the description that your dog will be along], since we receive many questions about where it's OK to bring dogs. This will start giving pet owners out there some hiking ideas!

Coordinating Activities

Up Can I coordinate an activity?

Yes. We encourage all our members to coordinate an activity as this is the 'cornerstone' of our Club. You don't have to be an expert. And it's what makes GO work!

Up How do I run an activity for GO?

We suggest you read our Trip Posting Policies/Trip Leading Tips. But in a nutshell you put together enough info (location, times, dates, directions, etc.) to fill in the Add An Event form at the website. Answer any questions that come up before the event, revise the event details on the website if necessary, and finally show up with everyone else and have fun! That's pretty much it!

Up How do I post an activity?

Go to the Add An Event link at the top of our navigation bar. Make the activity title clear and concise. Next chose the date, time, location, zip code, maximum number of people, and write a description of the activity. Include driving directions and other relevant information so guys can make an informed decision whether to attend. Also, designate the rating of the activity. Be sure to enter a one or two sentence summary in the space noted and try to upload a photo if you can. All of this information can be changed or updated later, even after the activity has been posted. Once you press Submit members will be notified via email about the activity.

Up How do I prevent/handle NO SHOWS?
  • Always click on the "Email Them" button a few days before and ask that participants respond to confirm their attendance. This is probably the best protection.
  • In your activity description, you can mention that a certain number of guys (let's say 4 guys) will make the activity official. In this fashion, you can protect yourself somewhat from arriving at the meeting location and have nobody there.
  • After every activity, log-in to the posting at the website and any guys who never showed-up. They should not get bragging rights in their profile that they participated in an activity they never showed up for.
Up How can I communicate with guys who signed up for my activity?

If you are a Full Member, you can email them by clicking on the Email Them button on the bottom of the specific activity page. It is good to communicate with participants as the date approaches as it serves to remind guys of the activity, their commitment to attend. People often forget and upon receiving the reminder will remove themselves if they are unable to make it.

Another way to communicate, especially if you are a Guest Member because you can't email anybody, is to Edit the activity. An email will be sent to all participants that signed up that you've d the information so they can go to the website and read it.

Any Guest Members who have signed up cannot contact you directly. That is another reason to contact all participants. Give them your email address and phone number if they have questions. Ask for their phone number in the event of a last minute cancellation.

We know that the communication may be difficult if you're not a Full Member but you can always become one! It only costs $25 and is less than the tank of gas it will take you to drive to the meetup location! 

Up What are my responsibilities as an activity coordinator?

Find out as much as reasonably possible about the activity, location, possible weather conditions, etc. The communicate via the activity description and Email Them button what guys can expect and what they should bring. Take precautions about keeping people from getting lost on hikes too. Have the person(s) in front of the group wait at every trail intersection or where there is a turn with unmarked trails. This will keep people from taking a wrong turn and wandering off. Have other activity participants help out if necessary. Also, helping to facilitate carpools as an activity coordinator is good for our environment.

Up What are my rights as an activity coordinator?

To have FUN! You control the activity. You control the horizontal, you control the vertical. You decide the maximum number of guys you'd like along, and you can establish a minimum. If someone shows up unprepared or unfit for the activity you have the right to ask them to turn around to NOT put the rest of the group at risk! If someone is rude, you have the right to ask them to leave. 

Up Can I edit or the activity once I post it?

Yes. Go to the Calendar and then your specific activity. On the upper right hand corner in the Sign Up For This Event Box, you'll see Coordinator can click here to edit this activity. Make the changes and click Submit. Participants will receive an email that you've d the activity.

To cancel the event, click on the Cancel Event button. Participants will receive an email that you've cancelled the activity. Members that have signed up may be dissapointed if you have to cancel but a generally understanding.

Up Can I remove or add members to my activity?

Yes.Yes. Go to the Calendar and then your specific activity. On the upper right hand corner in the Sign Up For This Event Box, you'll see Coordinator can click here to edit this activity. At the bottom, you'll see a small icon beside each member. the Member names(s) and you can either move members on the Active List to the Waiting List or move members on the Waiting List to the Active List.

Up Can I charge members for my activity?

Generally no. However, you can charge if you need to be reimbursed or if there are other costs involved such as permits, tickets, or equipment costs. Think of it as bringing your friends out for an activity and treat your fellow members the same way. If you have a question about what is reasonable, contact us. We should be able to give you the guidance you need.

Up How do I encourage guys to sign-up?

Do your research and post as much activity details as possible. Send an to everyone on your GayOutdoors Buddies List. Get the word out by posting something under "Men Seeking Men" at your local Craig's List. Call or send an email to everyone you know or anyone you think would be interested. You can also send something to your nearest gay newspaper and have them post it in their Events Calendar.

Up Should I tell others about GayOutdoors?

Yes! Tell your friends by calling or using our Invite Friends tool that is in your Profile Box. Next, post on your favorite Internet message boards, outdoor related websites, or clubs to tell them about finding us. You can often get a free club listing in local gay newspapers and periodicals.

Up What do I get out of it?

The biggest reward is seeing the smile on people's faces and sharing the experience with a bunch of new outdoorzy buddies. Most guys who coordinate activities get a great deal of enjoyment out of it. Consequently they keep doing it. The activity coordinators are the 'cornerstone' of our Club and without them we wouldn't exist.

Up What if I have questions?

Our Forums is a great place to get your questions answered, "float an idea" for an activity, or get guidance from other guys.

Up How can I contact you?

Please try the Forums first. If you still can't get the answer you are looking for the use the Contact Us link at the bottom of the website page.

Up Can I post campground, racing, fundraising and ski week events?

You must be a guest member to post an event and willing to hangout with all the guys that sign-up at our website for the event/weekend. If you are organizing the event, you'll be too busy working it instead of enjoying it with other GO members so your event would NOT be approved.  

Our Events Calendar is used for members to enjoy outdoor activities together and NOT to exclusively publicize events run by another organization, campground or fundraiser. We would approve organization / campground / racing / fundraising / ski week type events if your intention is to create a sub-group of GayOutdoors members to enjoy it together. 

The description should make it apparent that you want to get a group of GO members to enjoy the event with you. Details should include a time/location where other members can initially meet you such as a ticket office, registration table, campsite/room number, etc.so that introductions can be made AND details should include what you will do together as a group during the event.

Up I was wondering if GO requires a member to be 18 years of age to participate in outings. The thought of a 16-year old participating in my bike ride makes me nervous.

When someone joins they must check a box indicating they have read and agreed with our terms and conditions that includes them being 18 years or older. With that said our board allows trip leaders to make their own decision regarding allowing non-members to attend their outings [women, children, teenagers, etc.]

Up I never had a waiting list before on my trip! I asked guys to email me separately to confirm they will be coming. What if some of the guys on the Active List don't respond? How do I delete them? How do I invite the guys on the Waiting List?

What I do is use the Send Email to all Participants button at the bottom of the events page asking all participants to take themselves off the trip if they are undecided, can't make it, or have not secured a ride.  I let the list take care of itself with the hope that guys will take themselves off the list if they cannot make it. Sending separate emails to all participants asking them to reply separately to you defeats the whole purpose of our system. It's designed to make it easier for you to run an outing.

If from past experience, you've had issues with certain guys who have signed up on a trip such as a 'no show', you can either delete them or move them to the bottom of the waiting list. Go to the trip details page and near the top below Sign Up To This Event who will see "Coordinator can click here to edit or delete this activity." Click on that link. You will see icons beside each member that allow you to either remove member or move to waiting list.  

Up I'm trying to enter a date when posting an event and an error keeps appearing that I must have a valid starting and ending date no matter how I enter the dates. Is there some sort of format for posting dates that I don't know about?

Be absolutely sure that the ending date is older than your starting date [a common mistake]. What I do is use the small calendar icons beside each field. A small pop-up calendar will appear where you can select the start date and end date. If you don't want to use the calendar icon, the format requires you to enter, for example, a start date of 08/07/2010 and an end date of 08/08/2010. 

Up Tried to change the meeting time of my event from 6:00 pm to 5:00 pm, but the form puts the colon in the wrong place.

You need to backspace starting from the last character and working your way to the first character. This deletes the entire field. Then you enter the numbers with colon all over again in the same format: 05:00.

Edit Email Subscriptions/Privacy

Up Where do I edit my email subscriptions and profile display options?

In Profile box under your thumbnail picture, click on the Edit Email/Privacy link. This page gives you options on receiving our email event notifications and newsletter. You can also choose who is allowed to view your profile. 

Up How do I stop receiving the event email notifications?

In Profile box under your thumbnail picture, click on the Edit Email/Privacy link. On the next page at the top you can choose the range of miles within your zip code to receive the event email notifications:

  • 150 miles
  • 300 miles
  • All
  • None
Up How do I stop receiving the bi-monthly e-newsletter, Trail Mail?

In Profile box under your thumbnail picture, click on the Edit Email/Privacy link. On the next page in the middle you have choose you "Subscribe To Our Newsletter" settings: 

  • Subscribe
  • Unsubscribe
Up Can I just have registered members view my profile?

In Profile box under your thumbnail picture, click on the Edit Email/Privacy link. On the next page near the bottom there is a section called " Profile Viewing." Here you can choose  "Who Can View My Profile":

  • Everyone
  • Members Only
  • None
Up Can I have nobody see my last name?

In Profile box under your thumbnail picture, click on the Edit Email/Privacy link. On the next page at the bottom there is a section called "Profile Viewing." Under there you can choose who can view your last name with the "Show my last name to settings":

  • Everyone
  • Members Only
  • Buddies Only
  • Nobody
Up How do I change my email address?
To change your email address, login and then in the bottom of the your profile picture is the Edit Profile link. On the next page you'll see the field to change your email address. Be sure to click the "Save Profile" at the bottom of the page.


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