Terms and Conditions of Participation in California Men’s Gatherings
Generally, the men at our Gatherings get along great and a lovely time is had by all. That said, CMG is very open to new attendees and it’s been known to happen that someone comes who creates a conflict. In addition, some policies are for safety reasons, support camp rules, and/or follow CMG culture. As such, we have general policies in place that all should understand and agree to before coming.
Participation Conditions
- Age: All participants must self-identify as men and be 18 years of age or older.
- Health and Well-being: Participants are fully responsible for their own health and well-being and for not exposing others to symptoms of illness. Our gatherings are opportunities for men to connect physically and emotionally which places us close to each other. By its very nature, a CMG Gathering cannot provide significant protection against infection. Therefore, it falls to the responsibility of each person to protect themselves and others.
- Behavior: It is the responsibility of all men to help create the gathering as a safe, growth affirming space by honoring other’s boundaries, seeking enthusiastic consent for intimate activities, and reserving judgment to foster patience and understanding. The California Men’s Gatherings celebrates connection including physical intimacy, be it sexual or otherwise. To make this possible we strive to create a space that is safe from outside expectations and restrictions providing support for vulnerability and openness. This is created through the participation of every man to reduce judgment, pressure and influence and increase communication and consent with mutual respect. Every man chooses how he will participate in the Gathering. If at any point you feel pressured to do something, you should be frank and honest about your feelings and decline participation. If someone declines connection or stops interaction for any reason, it is your responsibility to respect their wishes and honor that boundary. Some areas may be designated acceptable for nudity. All sexual activity must be with enthusiastic consent and conducted in private spaces designated for intimate activity.
- Restrictions and Understandings:
- Smoking is only allowed in a place designated by the facility.
- Weapons are never allowed in anyone’s possession at the gathering.
- Participants may experience strong emotions during the event and must NOT act or react with physical or verbal abuse, disruptive behavior or harassment.
- Our alcohol and marijuana policy, as of January 2025, reads as follows:
A California Men’s Gathering is a place where men can be authentic without external influence. The CMG does not encourage the consumption of alcohol or marijuana at any weekend retreat, nor do we supply them. While this is not an outright prohibition, we request that if you partake in either that you do so responsibly outside areas of congregation, remain mindful of others and respect their boundaries.
That said, this is more of an after-hours policy. Out of respect for others and the processing work we do together, it is not okay to come to the day’s assemblies or workshops under the influence.
- Media: There is often an official camp photographer. Individuals who do not wish to be photographed by the camp photographer should let him know as early in the gathering as possible. CMG has express permission (except of those who notified the photographer) to use photos and videos in ways that further the mission of the organization. Gathering attendees may take photos and videos of other men only when the subjects are aware and must receive separate permission of all persons visible in the media before posting it in a public forum. Photos that include nudity are further restricted and are subject to the same consent boundaries as sexual activity and will not be posted online by anyone and will not be kept or used by CMG. Attendees must not use information provided by CMG for any contact that isn’t personal and individual.
- Censure: Behavior at the Gathering that violates these sentiments or otherwise interrupts our ability to provide a safe and comfortable environment for participants and for the operators of the facility are subject to censure up to and including removal from the event and the inability to participate in future events. This is decided at the sole discretion of CMG leaders.
Cancellation and Refund Policies
- Cancellation and refund policies vary slightly from Gathering to Gathering and, of course, the dates will change accordingly. At the current cancellation and refund policies page, you’ll find the cancellation policies for what is currently the next gathering, as of the last time we updated this page.
- If the Gathering on that page is in the past, please notify us so we can update the page to relate to the next upcoming gathering.