101st California Men’s Gathering • Camp Arroyo, Livermore, CA
Labor Day Weekend – September 3rd – September 6th, 2021
Registration is now closed. Event has been canceled due to on going concerns about Covid. Another shorter online Summer gathering maybe in the works. Please stay tuned in.
What’s a Gathering?
The Summer California Men’s Gathering is a three-day weekend in a beautiful peaceful setting in the hills above Livermore. Many men come together from California and beyond to take a break from their daily routines, open their hearts and minds, relax and have fun building a diverse community of men.
Each man is encouraged to take part in as much or as little as he chooses, so the weekend can be about enjoying life, meeting new guys, and reconnecting with each other and ourselves.
Theme: Love, Vulnerability, and Healing
When we love, we make ourselves vulnerable emotionally to unexpected changes and loss. We can also be vulnerable when speaking our truth or otherwise putting ourselves out there. Healing comes in part by being open to vulnerability’s presence. Healing others can help us heal ourselves. Finally, can we teach our hearts to embrace vulnerability as necessary to living our lives more fully? Throughout the weekend in general sessions, small group workshops, and other activities, we will explore these and other ideas that surround Love, Vulnerability, and Healing.
The health guidelines of the CAMP REQUIRE that all attendees have received all doses of a Coronavirus vaccine at least 14 days before the event. The CMG Board of Directors has decided to require that you submit documentation of vaccination to the CMG by means of a secure form. During online registration you may submit a picture or scan of the original CDC card provided at the vaccination site, a statement from your doctor, a digital vaccination record from your online medical record, or in California, you may obtain it directly from the State Department of Public Health at http://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov Currently, the State of California also requires that masks be worn at all residential camps and retreat centers, regardless of vaccination status. We expect that these guidelines will be updated before the gathering and will keep you informed on any changes.
Please note that all activities listed below are subject to change.
Throughout the weekend, men will have numerous opportunities to connect in a variety of healthy and constructive ways. These include a wide array of workshops and other activities; in each, you can choose to participate and challenge yourself or not. Each in its own way will explore the theme of men connecting with one another with authenticity, respect, and caring.
- Each CMG Gathering includes large group activities and smaller workshops with a choice of topics and perspectives.
- A Gathering weekend usually includes pool activities, dances, a variety show, hikes, heart circles, and much more.
- The broad variety of activities allows each man to create his own personal experience. For some, a Gathering is like going to summer camp, for others, it’s more about self-exploration and connecting at the heart with other men.
- While those attending Gatherings are predominantly gay and bisexual, anyone identifying as a man 18 years or older is welcome.
- CMG Gatherings are drug and alcohol-free events.
There’s a kind of magic that happens at a Gathering…
If you’ve been to a Gathering, you know. If this is going to be your first time, you’re about to find out! Each Gathering offers something new, even to those who attend year after year. Like a weekend summer camp for men, a California Men’s Gathering is a coming together of friendly, mostly gay or bi men — or anyone who identifies as a man — ages 18 and up, who are looking to relax, have fun, connect, bond, build community, and grow.
We each contribute to the fun, the friendliness, and the success of the weekend. We love to share our knowledge, talents, and skill, our wisdom, and our experiences. We contribute to the community by volunteering, lending a hand to make it all work while having an often-unspoken collective intention that the weekend be, at the very least, incredibly satisfying for everyone there.
Join us! Labor Day Weekend – Friday, September 3rd to Monday, September 6th at Camp Arroyo in Livermore, CA
Registration Fees
The registration fee is a sliding scale based on your annual income. This fee is all-inclusive and covers lodging, meals, snacks, workshops, and all events. The camp can only accommodate 144 guests. Register today to save your spot.
- Annual Income Fee
- 0 – $30K……………………………………………….. $320
- $30K – $60K……………………………………….. $370
- $60K – $90K……………………………………….. $425
- $90K and up………………………………………… $490
Financial Aid
We do our best to make it possible for every man who wants to be at the gathering to be able to attend. This summer, we have a limited number of $100 grants available on a first-come, first-served basis. Complete the scholarship application at https://forms.gle/ykFGVoDqExcFG4UR7 prior to registering. DO THIS IMMEDIATELY AS IT MAY TAKE A DAY TO RECEIVE AN ANSWER AND WE EXPECT REGISTRATION SLOTS TO FILL UP FAST.
First Timer Discount
We’re glad to meet you! If you’ve never been to an in-person CMG Gathering before, you get a $40 discount!
Registering and Paying
Online Registration is open now and will close when all available slots are filled. Registration and payment must be completed to guarantee you one of those spots. There is no on-site registration or day passes. For help or questions about online registration and payment options, email the registrar at registrar@thecmg.org.
Donations to Financial Aid Fund
When you register, we invite you to add on an additional, tax-deductible contribution of any size to the Financial Aid Fund. Your donation will help make the Gathering available and affordable to men from all walks of life.
Refund Policy
If a refund is requested on or before August 27, 2021, a full refund will be made, minus a $25 processing fee. Qualifying refunds will be issued by the end of September. Refunds requested after August 27th will not be available, however, there are options provided in lieu of receiving a full refund. Email Registrar@thecmg.org for more information.
About Camp Arroyo https://www.uccr.org/camparroyo
Camp Arroyo, located in the hills above Livermore, CA is about 60 miles east of the City of San Francisco. As one of the only camps in the greater Bay Area, it features hay bale construction and plenty of space. Livermore is home to vineyards and nearby Lake Del Valle in Contra Costa County. This beautiful site has so much to offer with a beautiful handicapped accessible pool, large outdoor amphitheater, and even an art yurt!
Camp Arroyo sits entirely within the Del Valle Regional Park of the East Bay Regional Parks District. Its existence within a public park creates many restrictions including no nudity, no drugs or alcohol, no food permitted outside the dining area, no smoking, and no vehicles beyond the parking lot. It also creates an opportunity to be close to the city and public transportation, where cell service is fair to good and is supplemented by available wifi connections provided by the camp. As such, electronic devices are welcome at the gathering to take notes, make reminders and access the program/schedule but participants are encouraged to use them discreetly for communication. The planners are committed to making your experience at this gathering a memorable one while respecting the requirements of the camp and park officials.
Accommodations
Camp Arroyo is a children’s camp during the summer and includes dormitory housing with bunk beds (12 to a room) with shared bathroom facilities. NOTE: You are responsible for bringing your favorite camp-style bedding and towels etc.
Housing for Men with Mobility Issues
Spaces are available for those men who require accommodations due to mobility issues. Indicate when registering if you need special accommodation. Please note that the only accommodation that we can make is to place you in a lower bunk in a cabin that is closer to the dining hall. All areas of the camp that will host events are wheelchair accessible.
NO Pitching Tents/RVs
Unfortunately tenting and RV’s are not permitted at this camp and parking of any inhabitable vehicle is banned in the parking lot for any reason.
Indicate your dietary requirements during registration & every effort will be made to accommodate you.
Make your selection for transportation options during registration and we will help get you to the camp.
Getting to the Camp
- Ride sharing is strongly encouraged as camp parking is limited. Choose your Rideshare preference when registering.
- For those flying to the Gathering, use San Francisco (SFO) or Oakland (OAK).
The Camp is 20 minutes from the Dublin-Pleasanton BART station. Volunteers will be able pick you up on Friday. Very convenient for those flying in to SFO or OAK as BART service is available at both airports.
Events and Activities
There will be several Community Gatherings (general sessions) held over the weekend that you won’t want to miss! As well as many workshops presented by the men attending the Gathering. All workshops and activities are included in your registration fee.
This year, we will have many exciting activities. As usual, we’ll have the hilariously unpredictable Variety Show led by Ben Andy, plus a dance, campfires, Puppy Piles, “Assassins” and other fun games, and probably a few surprises!
Lead A Workshop
We invite you to share your experience, gifts, and wisdom by presenting a workshop. A workshop can be anything you are interested in and want to share. Workshops are part of what makes a Gathering great! To propose a workshop that you are willing to lead, please fill out the workshop proposal form at: https://forms.gle/hkZzU692rGxqEqfC6
Talent & Variety Show
Always a highlight of the weekend, the Variety show offers an opportunity for any man to show off what he’s got… sing, dance, read poetry, or just get on stage for the first time (for 5 minutes or less!). You can’t find a more supportive audience for your debut! No audition required – just get on stage and do your thing! Submit your act at: https://forms.gle/iH5fV37YEfT84yuz7
Saturday Night Dinner followed by dancing
On Saturday, starting with a virgin cocktail party outside the dining hall, enjoy an evening of dining, dancing, and fun. Often, men dress up or wear interesting costumes. Let your fun side roam free and get into the mix!
Sunday Afternoon Pool Event
An afternoon of poolside fun and frolicking… Fashion Show, aquatic games, and music. As always, bring a big ugly dress.
Yoga, Fitness, and Sports
For you early-risers, there’ll be morning yoga every day at 7am hikes and other fun, sporty, fitness-related activities throughout the weekend.
Massage Exchange
Massage is super popular at CMG gatherings. When the Massage Cabin is not in use for a workshop, there will be a sign-up sheet for those who want to give and/or receive a massage.
Puppy Piles
Each night there’s a hosted clothes-on, no-grope, cozy, cuddly puppy pile of men. It’s nice!
Make the Most of Your Weekend – Be a Buddy
A buddy is a man who has been to at least one CMG Gathering and is willing to share his thoughts and experiences with a man who is there for the first time, or anyone wanting a Buddy connection. If you would like to be a buddy, check the buddy option when you register and our buddy coordinator will contact you.
Lend a Hand / Be a Champion
CMG is always an all-volunteer group. We can’t do it without you! Your volunteering is a fun and social way to connect with the other men at the Gathering and be a part of the community. Every man who attends will sign up for at least one volunteer opportunity when they check in at the camp. Champions take the lead for specific jobs. Let us know how you’d like to lend a hand in a specific way on your online registration form or send a note to question@thecmg.org
Email with any questions about registration – registrar@thecmg.org
And anything else about the gathering – question@thecmg.org
For more information about CMG’s year-round activities including other Gatherings and local or online events, visit our website at http://www.thecmg.org
If it’s your first time to register for a CMG event — or if it’s been a while — you’ll need to create an account on our customized registration system. Having an account at www.thecmg.info is free and easy. Just select a username and password, and submit with your favorite email address. That way, when you register for events in the future, the info you added last time will be kept on file for next time!
Register online: Click to Register
Be sure to sign up to receive notices at http://thecmg.info.