In February of 2025, the board of CMG updated its policy regarding the use of alcohol or marijuana at a gathering. The revised policy 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.
We recognize that this chosen wording was intentionally vague, so Gathering committees could decide for themselves, for the camp where it will be held, how to carry out this policy. Our current guidelines for events (passed in Spring of 2025 and affirmed for the Summer Gathering months later) look like this:
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Marijuana and alcohol are permitted after 9:30pm, but only in the specifically designated areas, so that those who don’t want to be around it can avoid it and to provide space between those partaking and those sleeping in bunk houses.
Bunkhouses are never areas for drinking; however, in private and semi-private rooms, it is acceptable so long as all men occupying that private room agree to it and no one else is invited, since sound carries.
Regarding Alcohol
Drinking will be only in the alcohol-allowed zones, explained below.
Regarding Marijuana
The smoking area is the only place that marijuana, even for medical purposes, can be smoked in accordance with the camp’s strict rules to minimize the fire risk in these woodsy areas.
Vaping after 9:30pm is permitted in the smoking area OR in front of the other alcohol-allowed zone, since vaping should not be done inside the rooms.
Where are the Alcohol-Allowed Zones?
For Pathfinder Ranch (Spring and Fall Gatherings):
The first two alcohol-allowed zone are Rooms D2 and D3, from 9:30pm until 2am. If you find the door locked, the punch code will be posted on it.
The third option is the smoking area, but only until midnight because of the potential noise for homes around there. After midnight, please go to D2 and D3 if you’re going to continue with drinking.
For Enchanted Hills (Summer Gathering):
As the policy is new, the location for the alcohol-allowed zone will be announced at the camp, once the committee has had time to arrive and determine the best spot for it.
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This is still a fairly new policy for CMG and we really appreciate your cooperation in helping make this a positive change going forward by being part of implementing it with consideration.
This webpage is subject to change; it is possible, though unlikely, that updates could have been made since the last posting.