30 Days and Counting

Letter from the Editor

As August 17 approaches on my seventh year attending The Gathering, I’m vividly remembering my first in 2010. I was kinda scared to death and yet crazy excited. I knew all of two people going to The Gathering - one was my dear friend, Rick, our Executive Director, and the second was a man I met at nudist pool parties in Atlanta. That was it. Out of 500+ men, I knew two.

What ensued for me upon arrival was nothing short of life altering. The men I met every day were incredibly kind. Completely non-judgmental. Many many returning GNI members took me under their wing to ensure I was enjoying the experience. I had the wonderful opportunity to be a volunteer where I ensured we had popcorn popped for the dining hall after the performances. It was a glorious time to be working the popcorn machine (back when we were able to pop fresh popcorn) and soooo many men would stop by to say hello.

The night the disco opened, my cabin-mates and I walked down together to see it. One of my cabin-mates, Ian, nudged me to get on one of the pedestals to dance. I protested, “I don’t know how to dance.” and “Everyone will be watching me.” He encouraged me further by saying, "You will dance up there before this week is out." I don’t have words for how it felt to get up there finally and dance my heart out - free of judgment, full of freedom - amongst the men who just wanted to be themselves.

To bring my journey down memory lane to a close - walk peacefully under the stars at night, hang out by the campfire, go to the disco and dance your heart out, discover the freedom to be yourself…all of this is possible and so much more.

If you’re on the fence about going, take the leap. Listen to your intuition; your body and soul need this experience.  I'm also thrilled to mention that I met my fiance at that first Gathering. We're getting married in Oct. So...ya never know who you'll meet!!

This One Time at Summer Camp...

Camp is 30 days away.

You've checked out the schedule for the social hours, you've heard about yoga, the Pocono Eagle, Mr. GNI, Mr. Bare Bear, Miss Lace, Body Electric, and all the other events at camp...

With so many options for activities to participate in, it might get a bit overwhelming. Here at BuffBuzz, we are here to help! Take a glance at some of the images from years past and see if it's something you're interested in! Make The Gathering the best Summer Camp experience of your life!

Letter from the Assistant Editor...

I'm Chris G. I grew up a dancer. A dancer whose shape and size were not typical. A dancer who was told numerous times he would never succeed or be successful in the dance community because of his weight, yet here I am teaching dance and performing to this day...

It's odd. I'm not only looking forward to The Gathering for the regattas, contests, parties or anything of the sort. I'm looking forward to the introspection that will occur by stripping away that which protects me from the mirrors, clean windows and metallic car doors that show my truest reflection. I've struggled to understand why I couldn't just love my body. And while that question may not be answered 100% at camp, I know that this experience will be one that will allow for that self reflection and self love. Maybe fully, maybe not...but this is more than just a summer camp. It provides for the community a safe space where you come as you are and leave a more humbled version of yourself.

Love your body. Love yourself. Love your friends. Love your enemies. Because in the end, we are all struggling for that one basic need we all share in common: the need and want for love.

I cannot wait to meet as many of you as humanly possible at camp. If you see me, say hi!

Q&A With GNI's Mr. Bare Bear 2017

Ron Burrage, GNI's Mr. Bare Bear 2017, shares some thoughts via a Q&A with the GNI BuffBuzz team. 

Where do you live currently and are you involved with any nudist or bear groups in your hometown?

I’ve recently relocated to New York City from Harrisburg, PA and am beyond excited to be in a place where there are more bears in the city than in the zoo! Both Miss Lace and Mr. GNI Leather are now my neighbors and looking forward to exploring the city together and getting more involved. We have our first “date night” on Monday! I’ll be sure to send pictures!

Was this past year your first time at camp?

Officially, yes. I had participated in the Body Electric workshop the year before and made it to the opening night of the GNI disco but did not stay for the week. The disco, and Pete from Cabin I-2 were actually what convinced me to spend the full week at camp.

Can you recall the drive up to camp and what was going through your head the first time you came to The Gathering?

My husband and I live in different states and we were meeting at The Gathering for our summer vacation. He had arrived earlier for Body Electric, so I was a little anxious to see him and wondered what our cabin mates would be like. 

Were there any activities at camp that made the experience that much more enjoyable for you?

It goes without saying, the disco is pretty amazing. I couldn’t wait to get there every night. I also participated in body painting and spent lots of time at the pool. And of course, once I decided to enter the Mr. Bare Bear competition, there were lots of events and activities that kept me busy. Most of all, I really enjoyed getting to meet people from all around the world, share stories, beers and the dance floor! 

Who did you live with for the week? Did you know them prior to your arrival at camp?

I met most of my cabin mates the day I arrived. We had chatted a bit on Facebook in advance to help with planning/coordinating, but with the exception of my husband, I met everyone the day I arrived.  

What was it like competing for Mr. Bare Bear?

OMG. So much fun. Mr. Bare Bear 2016 told me I should enter the competition and I thought it was a good way to break the ice with people I didn’t know. While the challenges were really fun, my favorite part was collecting “point cards” as it gave me a chance to literally approach every man at camp. I was really surprised at how open everyone was to conversation – bear, otter, daddy, etc., - it really didn’t matter. Many of the people I’ve stayed in contact with are people I wouldn’t have felt comfortable approaching in a bar. The Bare Bear contest and The Gathering really broke down any insecurities I may have had about myself or assumptions I may have made about others.

Do you have any philanthropies, causes or movements that are close to your heart that you want to use your title to bring light to?

I am a member of the HRC Founder Club and have held board positions on Equality Pennsylvania as well as local community theatres. While it’s not easy to directly connect those to GNI, the value of inclusivity and helping those who don’t have the means to have a voice be heard. 

If not, what do you think are the responsibilities of someone with a title such as yours during their “title year”?

I think the most important thing any title member can do is spread the word about GNI. But, I also think that is the responsibility of anyone who has attended The Gathering in the past. This community is so special and we’re only going to be able to keep it going and flourishing through our commitment to share the love. I’d also love to talk to anyone who might be considering The Gathering but needs an extra push or dose of confidence to make it happen. (**Editor's Note: If interested in connecting with Ron, please send email here.)

What advice would you give to someone who has never been to The Gathering before but wants to come?

Go. There’s nothing like it. There is such a diverse group of men and activities at The Gathering. Truly something for someone for everyone. 

What is the reason that you have been to camp, you keep coming back, or encourage other people to attend?

My first trip was for Body Electric, which opened the door to the world of GNI and The Gathering. I had so much fun and met so many interesting people in just one night that I really wanted to come back to experience the full event and I don’t regret it. I’ll keep coming back for the people and camaraderie.  

Any words of encouragement for any guys out there who may be hesitant to attend a nudist event because of confidence, body image or self esteem issues?

As a bear who has been on a diet since the third grade, I have always wanted to be thinner, fitter, taller, etc. None of that matters at The Gathering. Truly. I also loved meeting men without any of the status elements that come into play in the real world. Everyone enters on a level playing field. And by the time your bags are to your room or tent, you forget you’re not wearing any clothes. 

I hope to meet you at the next Gathering.

My Naked Summer: Burning Man

Written by Tim D.

If you haven’t heard of Burning Man, it’s a gathering of almost 70,000 people in the Nevada desert, and it defies simple explanation. Let’s just say that it’s a place apart, where creativity meets community. For a number of years, I have wanted to attend, but it conflicts with other important events. In addition, getting to and being prepared for Burning Man is a daunting task, from getting a ticket, having all the gear needed, and getting to the “playa” (the name “Burners” have given to the Black Rock Desert home of Burning Man). While it was very last minute, everything came together, and I found myself starting the journey with a bus ride from our Poconos GNI home back into New York so I could catch a flight to L.A., where I met my camp mates for the journey to the desert.

I knew that being at Burning Man might be a challenge, so I tried not to have too many expectations. Depending on your camp, you may have to prepare your own meals, you may be sleeping in a tent, toilets consist of port-a-potties, and warm showers are scarce. Add to these conditions extremes in temperatures from night to day and sudden dust storms.

To understand my naturist experience at Burning Man, it’s important to know about the Ten Principles of Burning Man, and in particular the principles of radical inclusion and radical self-expression, which work hand in hand, as radical self-expression can’t really succeed without radical inclusion. For me, being naked outside the confines of a nudist event is radical self-expression, as it is an expression of who I am at my core—a nudist, and someone who feels it is important that we accept ourselves for who we are, and accepting our bodies is part of that. While nudity is allowed, it’s not as commonplace at the event as you might think, so for others to accept me as I was, and truly include me in the Burning Man communal experience, it requires for others to practice radical inclusion.

Among the naked activities at Burning Man,
the “Gymnasium” camp hosted naked wrestling.

I began the week committed to being naked as much as I could be, but with some trepidation how I would be accepted. Monday, August 31st was the first full day of activities, and I decided to go get my “Genital ID”. As gifting is another principle of Burning Man, different camps and individuals do things to provide gifts to attendees. For one camp, it was the instant photo ids of your genitals. I thought it was a fun way to start the day. After that, I wandered over to a naked twister game. On my way back to my camp, I got the full experience of what wandering around Black Rock City meant, as I was also gifted fingernail painting, an ink stamp on my butt from the “Booty Hunters”, and a chai tea. In other words, every time you leave your camp, you’re never quite sure what will happen. All in all, while still wondering what the experience would be like, I was more comfortable with being naked and committed to being naked when the temps permitted.

While there were others like me who were naked much of the time, there are times and places where nudity is encouraged and more people participated. The biggest nude event of the week is Wednesday’s naked bar crawl. An estimated 500 of us (mostly gay men) headed out from the center of the playa at 11:00 am and, by bicycle, visited several camps around Black Rock City. Each camp featured a different drink, starting with the “Barbie Death Camp and Wine Bar”, a perennial favorite. By mid-afternoon, we had visited several camps, had drank far too much, and returned to camp exhausted and happy. Along the way, I had met former Gathering attendees, as well as someone who had moved from my neighborhood out west several years ago.

Author's image from
the “Alone in Public” series

During Burning Man, I also found that being naked required me to overcome fears. One of these fears is my fear of reaching out to others. Along with my naked summer adventures, I have also been working on a photography project. Titled “Alone in Public”, my goal is to use my own nudity in public places to highlight the challenges one has in finding places of solace in the urban landscape. For these photos, I use my own camera/phone on a small tripod, with a timer. At Burning Man, there were a few art installations that I wanted to get a picture of myself in front of. One of these (pictured here) was especially poignant for me, as I saw how we, as adults, often turn away from each other when, in fact, our inner child is yearning to connect. I have built a life that is very self-reliant, to the degree that I often fail to see how connecting with others would enrich my life, and in some instances is necessary. Over the last few years, I have realized this about myself, and begun the process of reaching out more to others, but this art reminded me just how much work I still need to do, and was made all the more real when I realized I couldn’t get the picture I wanted on my own. Opening up about the situation to one of my camp mates was cathartic, and I thank him for his support, and his help in making the photo a reality.

The “love” art installation

Completing the photo, I was moved to make my last trip to the Temple. The Temple is a structure where you can leave messages and mementos, both as memorials and celebrations, and is a place for contemplation and self-reflection. Even though the Temple was crowded, I decided to leave everything I had with me on my bike—my backpack, goggles, handkerchief—all of the things that protect you from the dust. I wanted to enter the temple completely naked, baring all that I am, without fear of judgement. While there, I encountered a white out. I just took the moment to sit in a sheltered spot, close my eyes, meditate, and let the dust engulf me, but not control me. The feeling was amazing. It was just me and the dust, despite being surrounded by hundreds of people. Before I left, I wrote a message on the outside of the temple—a commitment to living life more openly.

The author near the “totem of confessions”.

My final night, I embraced my nudism in a way that required me to overcome more fears. After the initial spectacle that is the burning of the man, when it is safe to do so, they allow people to get closer to the burning embers. I had heard that people dance naked around the burn. Despite the cold, I decided to investigate, and found that it was a joyous atmosphere. After some initial trepidation, I discarded my clothes into a little pile, and joined the celebration. An art car with great music had stopped by the burn, and it got me in the dancing mood. There was also another art car there, shaped like a giant, straight-backed chair. People were hanging out and dancing on top of it. I decided I wanted to go up there, but I was fearful of being judged (who wants to see a middle-aged, naked guy dancing?), and fearful of having to ask if I could go up (I’ve never felt a part of the “cool” crowd and fear rejection). I overcame my fears and got on the chair—and danced like a mad man. It was exhilarating, with the fire below, and off in the distance, I had a perfect vantage point for seeing the burn of the magnificent Totem of Confessions.

I then overcame my fear of the fire. At a certain point, cool spots in between the burning embers appear, and people started to walk across the burn site. Still naked, I jumped on what looked like a giant bolt in the middle of the burn area, and danced again. It was exhilarating–I was completely IN the moment, and completely free from clothes, from fear, and from self-doubt. A cheer rose from the crowd, and after I departed the spot, more people began to enter the center to explore the moment and the man’s rubble. The joyous atmosphere of the burn continued well into the night. Leaving the next day, I was both happy and drained—Burning Man had far exceeded any expectations!

Editor’s Note: This is part 3 of a three part series. To read parts 1 and 2, you can find the articles published in The Gay Naturist E-former by clicking on either of these two links: My Naked Summer – Part 1 and My Naked Summer – Part 2.