Thousands of gay guys around the country are members of a growing, online social networking community made specifically for “outdoorzy” types who love hiking, camping, canoeing, skiing, biking and other similar activities.
The website is GayOutdoors.com. Organizer and Waterville Valley, N.H., resident Mike Boisvert has run outdoor trips and adventures for gay and bi men for over 20 years. His experience started with the Chiltern Mountain Club, a Boston-based gay outdoors group, and eventually grew into a desire to take the love of the outdoors to a national gay audience.
To date, Boisvert’s brainchild has attracted over 12,000 registered members, including many in the Carolinas. Hundreds of members organize outdoor adventures from coast to coast throughout the year. They advertise and recruit others to go on their trips through GayOutdoors.com member listings and calendars.
Boisvert told Q-Notes that the website has made organizing activities simpler and quicker for members. “The site had the advantage of being built by guys who love the outdoors for guys who love the outdoors. Outdoorzy guys are finding partners online and those that participate in our trips are having such a great time they are telling their friends. It’s a great way to meet new outdoorzy guys who share similar interests.”
GayOutdoors members are able to utilize the site in multiple ways, Boisvert explained. “Guys can search for others with specific outdoor pursuits using our Profiles Search Engine and email them, chat with members online or in our forums, and post their own activities in the Activities Calendar so that other guys can sign up online.”
A quick scan of the calendar reveals there is no lack of activities for lovers of the great gay outdoors. “We have dozens of outdoor activities every month,” Boisvert said. “You can participate in an activity you are familiar with like hiking and skiing or try something new like backpacking, mountain biking or kayaking.”
Boisvert feels much of GayOutdoors success comes from the fact that activities are planned and implemented by members, which gives everyone a stake in the community.
GayOutdoors members gather at their campsite on the Appalachian Trail.
“We are a member-operated organization. Trips and activities are led or sponsored by the members themselves,” he said. “For example, if you would like to hike on Saturday with other guys, you simply visit the website and post the date, time, place and event description. Your activity is posted on the website and announced in our weekly e-newsletter sent to members.”
As would be expected with so many activities planned each year, there is a wide span of offerings available to GayOutdoors members. This variety is encouraged so there are no restrictions on who can organize an event or what kind of activity it will be.
“Any member can run an activity,” Boisvert said. “Activities are led by members that know of a cool activity, have an area of expertise or are really good about researching and planning. They also are organized, willing to help others, and have good communication skills. We encourage all our members to coordinate an activity as this is the cornerstone of our club. If you are familiar with a particular area or activity, there isn’t much planning to do.”
He added that “the web is a great resource for learning about new things to see and do. If you’re interested in checking out a new place or adventure it is likely others would like to come along.”
At press time, there aren’t any GayOutdoors activities listed in the Carolinas — although the calendar shows canoeing trips in Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp scheduled for April and May. Boisvert offered ideas on how gay Carolinians can spend the beautiful, spring days on their home turf.
“North Carolina has the Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains,” he observed. “There are phenomenal hikes and camping opportunities in these areas. I’ve hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and one of my fondest memories is hiking to Charlies Bunion in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This section of trail was lined with wildflowers leading up its shelf with sheer drop-offs and spectacular views.”
Charlies Bunion in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina offers beautiful sights on its almost 13-mile hike.
Boisvert added that his North Carolina “to do list” includes a hike up Burnsville’s Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. He also wants to whitewater raft the Chattooga River on the border of South Carolina and Georgia, where the movie ‘Deliverance’ was filmed.”
GayOutdoors.com is free to join. Boisvert encourages everyone to get involved in the site because “it’s a great way to meet other outdoorzy guys, get some fresh air and exercise.”
info: www.gayoutdoors.com
<
