Rediscovering Adventure

Gay Camping Friends

By John Anderson

Gay Camping Friends (GCF) has come a long way. From a simple idea, it has grown into the world's largest LGBTQ+ camping community, with over 200,000 members on Facebook and Discord and boasting one of the top 5 largest LGBTQ+ Facebook groups in the world. But the story behind GCF is one of community, built over time. I am John Anderson, the founder of Gay Camping Friends.

A Longing For Adventure

As the Executive VP and Senior Partner of a Dallas-based software corporation for over a decade, I helped grow the company from a few employees to over 50. Beyond work I also grew a sizable social media following that I used to organize events, petitions, and worked with non-profits focused on doing good things for the LGBTQ+ community. Yet, I felt confined by the four walls of my o ice and the monotony of my life.

After watching a documentary about an individual who embarked on a one-year RV journey, my then-boyfriend Jarrett and I were inspired. It seemed so easy. After years in the city, we longed for the freedom to travel and experience new things. We needed an escape.

For the next two years we planned. The company I had helped grow experienced an exit and I sold my house. I paid off all my debts and bought an RV trailer and truck with some of the exit money. Thus, we began our full-time adventure.

Community Building

When we decided to embark on a full-time RV adventure, I knew I had to document it online. Instead of creating just another cliché travel blog, I decided to create an environment where people who were on similar journeys or were interested in camping could share their own adventures, learn more about camping and traveling, make new connections, and be a part of a community of like-minded people. With that, Gay Camping Friends was born. The photos, stories, and experiences were inspiring. Members would post their favorite campgrounds and campsites, their tips and tricks, selfies of their outdoor escapades. Our GCF Mountain Logo became a symbol for the gay camping community. As the newsfeed grew, so did the feeling that this was more than just a Facebook group. Gay Camping Friends was a movement. It became a sort of friendly counterculture to the normal bar scene. People of all types shared photos of themselves without judgment or cliques, posting comments on open-ended questions that meld camping with deep thoughts and reflections about themselves and our community. As much as I was the founder, I found that I too was a consumer of this movement.

Gay Camping Friends didn’t create gay camping. The community was always there. It just needed a home.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LGBTQ+ SAFE SPACES

Gay/LGBTQ+ campgrounds have long served as safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community, providing a haven where individuals could socialize, celebrate their identities, and find belonging. We believe it is important to support gay/LGBTQ+ campgrounds as safe spaces for our community. As other safe spaces like gay bars are dwindling, these campgrounds provide a unique and vital sanctuary for the community, especially those who may not have access to LGBTQ+ resources in their local areas. It has become a core part of our mission to do what we can to promote and preserve these spaces for many years to come.

JOIN US at gaycampingfriends.com, Facebook: facebook.com/groups/715945572395578 (Or search for Gay Camping Friends)

Gay Camping Friends has become an online version of these vital spaces. It's a place where people come together, be themselves, forge friendships, and create lasting memories. GCF is more than just a camping group; it's become a critical part of LGBTQ+ culture, just like the LGBTQ+ campgrounds we support.

It is the escape I didn’t know I was longing for all along.

The Explosive Growth Of Gay Camping Friends

By our count, Gay Camping Friends was the fastest growing LGBTQ+ Facebook group in the world. As we grew, it became clear we needed to do more. We expanded our reach by adding an online store that o ers t-shirts, stickers, and merchandise with the iconic GCF Mountain Logo. We created a website that features a comprehensive map of gay, lesbian, LGBTQ+, and LGBTQ+ owned campgrounds.

As our members continued to interact online, we organized large regional meetups at LGBTQ+ campgrounds across the US and Canada to help them connect in person. We also launched our GCF Local Meetups program, low-barrier events such as hikes, house parties, and bar meets, that allow members to connect in their own communities and plan their own camping trips together.

The Community Impact

Gay Camping Friends has connected me with amazing individuals from diverse backgrounds, whose stories and experiences have been truly inspiring. One member, who suffered from a stroke, found encouragement from the group to work up the strength to go camping again, after feeling that he never could. Stories like these are a testament to the impact GCF has had on its members' lives.

For LGBTQ+ individuals living in rural areas, GCF provides a unique opportunity to learn more about their own culture and connect with like-minded individuals, either virtually or in person. We value inclusivity, diversity, and LGBTQ+ rights, and are proud to o er a safe space where all members can be themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination. While we avoid being political in terms of specific candidate or political party advocacy, we have spoken out in support of the trans community and other LGBTQ+ issues, as we believe it is our duty to advocate for our community. As one of the largest LGBTQ+ groups in the world, we stand firm in our belief that every member of our community deserves a voice and a safe space to call their own.

The Future Of Gay Camping Friends

Gay Camping Friends is committed to expanding our reach and impact by exploring new ways to support our members, such as organizing more events, providing educational resources about camping, and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity in outdoor spaces. We are also working on partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations and businesses to do even more for our members. There are so many different directions we can go. This is an adventure into uncharted territory, and no one has taken this same journey before.

I am incredibly proud of what Gay Camping Friends has become and the impact it has had on the LGBTQ+ community. It is a testament to the power of community and the unwavering spirit of adventure that lives within all of us. If you're looking for a place where you can connect with fellow LGBTQ+ campers, share your stories, and create unforgettable memories, I invite you to join us at Gay Camping Friends. Together, let's continue building a safe community of adventure and making a positive difference in the world.

2023 Gcf Regional Meetups

SOUTHEAST - May 11-14

Oz Campground - Unadilla, GA -

NORTHEAST - June 15-18

Camp Out Poconos - East Stroudsburg, PA

CANADA - July 28-30

Cedars Campground - Millgrove, ON

MIDWEST - August 25-27

Campit Outdoor Resort - Saugatuck, MI

SOUTHWEST - October 19-22

Anza-Borrego State Park - California

SOUTH CENTRAL - Nov 17-19

Rainbow Ranch - Groesbeck, TX

By The Numbers

As Of May 15, 2023…

MEMBERS: 202,400

DAILY ACTIVE MEMBERS:

73,200

DISCORD USERS: 4,800

LGBT/LGBT OWNED

CAMPGROUNDS: 72