NH GO Gathering Weekend & 20th Anniversary Party

If you missed it, then you missed the passion, camaraderie and magic of another great GO Gathering in southern New Hampshire, held August 16-18, 2019.

I think having a GO Gathering at a men’s only campground makes for a better time.

The gathering, a reunion and homecoming event for gay outdoor enthusiasts everywhere, is held to celebrate the holistic benefits of gay men being active in the natural world. Just the fact that we're still having GO Gatherings and having so much fun after 20 years speaks for itself!  

We all came from distant points, hurrying along to arrive as soon as possible to enjoy the surroundings of southwestern New Hampshire and to meet new and familiar faces once more. MountainSide gay men's campground is FABULOUS!!! From the open fields providing views extending for miles to the cute accommodations in cottages, bunkhouse, vintage campers, cabins, screen houses, horse trailers and lean-to’s, the campground was perfect for GayOutdoors members. Dave was so charming greeting everyone and personally walking everyone to their site. He even had necklaces and keychains made with our logo to give to everyone. We give a bug hug to both Dave and Mike for helping us have the GO Gathering run so smoothly! SMOOCHES!!!  

Everyone began arriving Friday mid-afternoon to late evening. After checking in with Dave and Mike, and setting up their gear, guys chatted by the canteen.

MountainSide was our base. The campground was beautifully maintained, bathrooms clean with highly pressurized showers, and offered many opportunities for outdoor activities.

Sustaining members brought over snacks to share at the Canteen and then the GO Gathering got into full swing with the start of the Beer Blast Friday evening. At the Beer Blast, we brought a six-pack of our favorite local craft brew to share with others. Some of us pitched in a bottle of wine. Out of all the local brews I tasted, I thought those from Philadelphia were my favorite. It was great how everyone bought more beer on Saturday to extend the Beer Blast all weekend!

Each night, we lit up the Tiki Torches inside the Canteen that provided a soft, ambient light. The evening was a mix of socializing, entertaining and meeting other GO members. I noticed a lot of new faces as well as a great many GO Gathering veterans. I take that as a sign of a healthy and vibrant community that is developing its own tradition and history while looking outward and evolving.

Right outside the Canteen we had a campfire each night. We stocked up the fire pit with wood Jon and I brought and Dave skillfully lit up the fire. Mike from MountainSide tended the campfire during the night.

Saturday early morning was overcast and very hot and humid. After a relaxing breakfast in camp, Dave and Mike led a hike up to Daniels Mountain. In the afternoon, Jon and I led a hike and swim to nearby Kilburn Pond.   

I particularly enjoyed Saturday’s Potluck where the culinary outdoor talents of our members were in full display! I was just amazed how great all the dishes were...and this was put together in a campground. This rivaled any of the potlucks I've been at that were cooked indoors! Dishes included grilled sausage with onions, grilled kielbasa, steamed broccoli covered with cheese, delicious pasta dishes, yummy chicken soup, rotisserie chicken, and summer salads. Gay men sure know how to cook. For dessert, we had a GayOutdoors 20th Anniversary cake with ice cream!!!

Right after the potluck, we lit up the campfire and a few minutes later, a huge thunderstorm came in with pouring rain. It let up for about a half hour and then another band of showers rolled in. The showers were not too bad and we hovered around the campfire nonetheless.

Sunday we focused on packing and heading home. This was a fun weekend with an amenable group of GO members.  Most of us had never met before. Some kindled new friendships.

The GO Gathering certainly lived up to the GayOutdoors slogan, "Making New Gay Outdoorzy Buddies in a Safe and Comfortable Atmosphere!" It provided a fun and safe venue for a group of strangers to bond together, share their passion for the outdoors, and meet others to plan/run future outdoor activities for the gay community in their local area.

For 20 years, Gay Outdoors has been dedicated to helping gay, bisexual and straight male outdoor enthusiasts meet each other online to participate in outdoor activities run by volunteers who post them in its activities calendar, find the latest news of interest to the gay outdoors community, learn about where to go, what gear to buy and how to get started in outdoor activities. It all leads to a safe, healthy and positive lifestyle!

Thanks to all of us that signed up and participated! We had a fun and relaxing time. Hope to see you on our other trips real soon!

Mike and Jon

FUN! FUN! FUN! Our annual Men’s Camping Weekend for sustaining members and this year, our 20th anniversary party!

Don’t get left out, join our annual Men’s NH GO Gathering weekend! You are encouraged to reserve as soon as possible since the weekend is limited to 40 people.

We have again coordinated with MountainSide campground in Hinsdale, NH; a private natural setting nestled in the hills of Southern New Hampshire, for our mid-summer GO Gathering. The campground is a small horse farm with rolling hay fields, a large wooded area, a house, a barn and several buildings, including a guest house and bunkhouse.  A large grassy tent area overlooks the southern mountains of Vermont and offers colorful sunsets.  The owners, Dave and Mike, have been longtime GO members and are excited about having our camping weekend at their campground. ONLY SUSTAINING MEMBERS WHO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE CLUB CAN JOIN US.

MountainSide is a men's only campground in beautiful Hinsdale, NH, just across the river from Brattleboro, VT. The campground will be closed for the weekend for our exclusive use! Please note that the campground will NOT be clothing-optional this weekend.

The campground has private restrooms with hot showers. Everyone is responsible for their own trash so don’t forget to bring your trash bags. The campground will take your recyclables, glass and cans only.

MountainSide is very “dog friendly” so bring your pet! Please let the owner know when you register that you are bringing your dog.

This is an opportunity for newbies to learn more about the club and for loyal members to have a fun together camping for the weekend! There’s swimming hole excursions, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking and more!

The popular gay nude swimming areas Rock River and Ledges/Harriman Reservoir is a short half hour ride which is perfect on a warm summer day!

Many trails are located on the property, as well as adjoining State Forest preserves. You can hike many locations from MountainSide. Activities in the area includes hiking/swimming at nearby Kilburn Pond and Pisgah State Park, a climb up to Wantastiquet or hike up to Daniels Mountain from the campground; a 2.5 hour hike. Madame Sherri Forest is nearby with a variety of hiking trails to explore. You can hang out at the campground playing bocce ball with other campers, throwing a Frisbee, or relax in the sun. Mountain bikes are welcome – they have many mountain biking trails.

There will be several outdoor activities posted for the weekend – and they will be posted as separate events on the website. Jon and I plan on running an easy hike from the campground to Daniels Mountain in the morning followed by a swim excursion to pristine Kilburn Pond at Pisgah State Park on Saturday. We are looking for someone to post an excursion to the men’s clothing optional swimming hole at Rock River. We have some trip ideas. You may have an activity that you would love to share with other members such as hiking & swimming excursions, biking, paddling, bocce ball tournament, morning yoga sessions, etc. We can help you organize it or pair you off with an experienced trip leader to co-lead the trip if you are a little nervous about doing it yourself. Please post your event at the website and make note that it is part of the NH GO Gathering.

MEALS: You are on your own with regard to meals including breakfast.

The Canteen is the ideal location for meals and our Saturday night potluck. It’s a covered area with 6 or 7 picnic tables, gas grill, gas stove/oven, wood pellet smoker, sink, and small refrigerator. Coffee [with cream/sugar] will be provided Saturday and Sunday morning at 7AM but you’ll need your own coffee mug.

There are many reasonably-priced restaurants in the Hinsdale/Brattleboro area should you wish to dine out.  

SOCIAL EVENTS:

Evening activities is where members can relax and socialize with everyone else.

Friday Night Beer/Wine Blast at the Canteen 7PM: We’ll start off the weekend on Friday night with our traditional Beer/Wine Blast beside a communal bonfire. Bring a six pack of your favorite local craft beer to share in our communal cooler and sample what everyone else brought! Or bring a bottle of wine to our Wine Table and sample what everyone else brought! We’ll have name badges and it’s a great way to meet the gang.

Saturday Night Potluck at the Canteen 6:30PM: Calling all camp cooks! Let's have a pot luck supper.  Please focus on main dishes since we usually have so many appetizers and dessert that it gets thrown away; packaged food usually does not eaten. If you prefer not to cook and still care to contribute to the feast, we will also need heavy duty paper plates such as Chinet, plastic utensils, napkins and firewood. Please indicate in the comments section on this page what dish you will be bringing. Please bring only 1 dish per person otherwise we end up with a lot of food going to waste. Please be sure to bring the serving utensil for your dish. That said, the Canteen had a gas grill, gas stove/oven, and a wood pellet smoker for you to use.

We'll end the potluck by sharing a GO 20th Anniversary cake with everyone.  

Saturday Night Fireworks: After the potluck, it's relax time watching the sunset into the breathtaking hills of Vermont, party with a bonfire and later on, FIREWORKS!!!

RATE AND RESERVATIONS
MountainSide is perfect to spend a leisurely weekend without having to break the bank! We have special pricing for this weekend. Tenting is $20 per night for singles and $35 for couples; plus a $10 event fee to pay for the social events held during the weekend. How’s that for a deal!  MountainSide can only accommodate up to 40 campers.

MountainSide offers a variety of lodging options, from campsites and campers, to a bunk house and cabins. RV’s are also welcome, without hook ups. For tenting, we’ll be given a choice of tent sites to share with other members: Indian Pipe, Site #12, Site #11 Tres Bon, Orchard, Hillside and Back 40. Additional charges will apply if you choose another option besides tenting.

You must be a SUSTAINING MEMBER and first RSVP on this page. You will have to pay a $10 event fee separately. Make your check payable to GO and mail it to 676 Upper Mad River Road, Thornton, NH.  This fee is for the ice in the Beer Blast coolers, firewood, potluck accessories and fireworks; any unspent money will be donated to GayOutdoors.

In order to reserve your camping site, book directly with Dave the owner, by calling 603-398-7871 or through their website. Be sure to mention GO Gathering. Before accepting your RSVP, he will first verify that you have signed up on this page and that you are a SUSTAINING MEMBER. You can let Dave know your preference for a tenting site or he can choose one for you. If you prefer to upgrade to one of the campers/cabins or in the bunk house; or you have an RV, discuss this with Dave when you register. A deposit is not required but you will be asked to pay onsite when registering with either cash, check or PayPal; credit cards not accepted.

Check in on Friday is between 2-10PM. You must check in at the campground no later than 10:00PM Friday night. Dave and Mike will make sure you get checked-in at registration and find the perfect site for your camping needs. These guys do a fantastic job and deserve a nice pat on the butt!

You are encouraged to reserve as soon as possible since the weekend is limited to 40 people.

Never been camping? Never been to a GO Gathering? Have any questions? Post a comment and a fellow member will be happy to reply!

This is such a great event and we look forward to being with our GO sustaining members this August! Especially since int's our 20th Anniversary Party!!!  PLEASE JOIN US!

Your hosts,
Mike and Jon