Hobbies, Hiking and Hangouts Columbus (H3C)

My name is Daclaud and welcome to H3C!

This group will mainly focus on three things: Hobbies, Hiking and Hanging Out in Columbus, Ohio. All of the "hobbies" are centered around my own hobbies, but I do have quite a few of them and I'm looking for like-minded people who share my interests! If you never thought any of this stuff was ever cool, then think again! We are here to make it cool! Here's a sample of what this group is about and some of the events that you can look forward to:

• Candle-Making Workshops - Create themed candles that tell a story at an unbeatable price! You’ll have full access to premium soy and paraffin waxes, an 8oz tin vessel, and your choice of crackling wooden or traditional cotton wicks. With high-quality scents sourced from Candle Science and other fragrance companies, your creations will rival any you’ll find out on the market!
• Soap-Making Workshops - Craft your own bar or liquid soap! All ingredients are provided, along with a curated list of scents. Bring home a one-of-a-kind soap, hand-made by you.
• Wood Working Workshops - I have a set of Ryobi power tools, a box of screws and some tools... Let's see what we can build out of re-claimed wood such as pallets.
• Lamp Making Workshop - I have 3D Printers, some empty wine bottles and paints... Let's see what kind of lamps we can create!
• Paint & Sip Sessions - Enjoy painting 3D-printed models with a free model or mini for all attendees! I'll provide paints, brushes, and community supplies so you can dive right into one of my favorite relaxing hobbies.
• Paracord Bracelet Making Workshops - Make a survival paracord bracelet with fire starter and compass! Choose from a wide variety of colors and learn to tie different knots!
• Hikes & Ghost Tours - Explore the city’s hidden corners and hear urban legends on our hikes. Get in some exercise while uncovering Columbus's mysterious past. Are these stories truth or fiction? You decide!
• Random Hangouts - Building connections are important, and from time to time, we’ll organize meetups at bars or restaurants for a refreshing change of scenery. It's worth noting that bar and dinner events tend to bring an influx of new members who are obviously here for the wrong reasons (if you've been on Meetup long enough, then you probably already know who these people are because their reputation follows them). They tend to misuse Meetup as a "free" dating app and are only looking for an opportunity to "shoot their shot" with someone who happens to be attending. I don't tolerate this because that's not what I'm paying the yearly fees for. If you genuinely form a connection with someone based on similar interests or values, then there is nothing greater, but I don't want people joining this group with the wrong intentions.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Below are some frequently asked questions, which I would like to address, so there are no misconceptions.

Are Your Events Beginner Friendly?
Absolutely! Most of these hobbies are easy to learn. The main goal is to have fun doing what we enjoy.

Is This Group a Business in Disguise?
Not at all! While I do have an online store that I might mention here and there (you can check it out at www.daclaud-lee.com), there's zero pressure to buy anything. The main purpose of this group is to connect and enjoy shared hobbies and events—not sales. I have no problem with you coming to an event without buying anything. I actually have a lot of weekly giveaways where I can introduce you to the hobby of model & miniature painting at no cost to you (make sure you actually attend these events and don't skip them over)! Any purchases are just a bonus that helps cover Meetup’s $300 annual cost, plus supplies for our events. Every bit of support allows me to reinvest in the group, keeping us stocked with snacks and free stuff for everyone to enjoy!

Why Are You Asking for Donations?
Not everyone wants to participate in a paid event like a workshop, and that’s perfectly fine! Organizing free events such as haunted hikes do take some time, creativity, research and planning. I also try to keep the snacks and supplies stocked for everyone. Instead of charging membership dues (no one likes that), I’m going with a “pay what you think it’s worth” approach. If you can chip in a little, awesome! It helps keep the group running and motivates me to keep planning fun stuff. I just want to make sure there’s something here that you really enjoy!

What To Expect at Paint and Sip Nights?
These events are completely free to attend, and you even get a FREE, randomly selected 3D-printed miniature or 3D printed object as a gift! While donations are appreciated, they’re not required—they just help cover the cost of the maintaining the group, snacks, and community supplies I provide as well as a little for my time setting up and cleaning up after the event. You’re also more than welcome to bring your own art or craft project if that’s more your style, and I encourage you to bring along any food or drinks you’d like to share.

What To Expect from Workshops?
Our workshops are a great way to socialize with familiar faces or complete strangers for a very affordable cost compared to other places. While I do charge a fee, you will find that it is more budget friendly than anyone else in Columbus! The main goal is making these events possible, not profiting off them! Most workshops are priced close to the retail value of the items we create with no up charge. So, there is no extra charge added for my time—it’s all about sharing the experience.

What To Expect on Hikes?
It depends. Some hikes are strictly just "fitness hikes", so the only goal is getting in a good workout together (these hikes you will see me wearing a weighted vest and I will be focused on working up a sweat). Other hikes may be more social and involve exploring local urban legends and having food or drinks afterwards (I will be dressed a bit better for these hikes and we won't be sweaty or exhausted).

You Seem to Like Gothic Horror and Fantasy. Why?
These are two of my favorite genres, especially if they are combined! The main reason is very simple and it's just because I like the dark aesthetic, the Halloween aesthetic and spooky things in general. This may be the main reason why this group is more active in the Fall and Winter as opposed to Summer.

You Seem to Enjoy Mini Painting. Isn't Painting Warhammer Minis for Neckbeards and Losers?
No. If you feel that way, then you don't belong in this group! All I can say to all the haters is Henry Cavill is more of a "Gigachad" than any of you will ever be and even he paints Warhammer minis. LOL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k44abmLfwZM

Does This Group Actually Play Warhammer, D&D (or other Tabletop Games)?
No, but maybe in the future if I ever feel up to it (or if someone out there is interested in hosting, but I'm not). There are already a lot of board gaming groups on Meetup, and I really have no interest or time to play. Truthfully, I really don't even find the gaming aspect fun and this group is more focused on the creative, craft, lore and artistic side of Warhammer and D&D such as painting miniatures, creating scenery, dioramas and 3D printing. I also have no interest in studying all of the rules for these games (which is a separate hobby in itself).

Do You Play PC Games?
Sometimes. I would be thrilled to find people to play 7 Days to Die with. This game is actually another one of my creative outlets. You start with nothing and have to build custom of bases to defend against hoards or zombies every 7 days. You can also loot buildings, so there is a survival horror element. Each in game day is roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes, so a 3 hour casual gaming session once a week (or more) is very doable! It's one of the best simulations to an actual zombie apocalypse that I have ever come across. Here is my Steam ID if you'd like to add me: https://steamcommunity.com/id/daclaud/ or "Nosferatu_D" if you want to search for me instead.

What Value Do I Get by Joining Your Events?
I offer a more affordable alternative to popular events like Paint and Sip and Makers Events. Even my Ghost Tours are donation based and free to attend even if you cant' donate. I provide an underground niche within a niche since you may end up paying double or triple the prices doing the activities I offer elsewhere. The reason why I can keep my prices low is because I'm just on Meetup to break even and to have fun showing people what I enjoy doing!

Why Are Disclaimers and Waivers Necessary?
Mainly because someone actually decided to sue McDonalds over hot coffee in the past (among other frivolous lawsuits). For legal reasons and safety accountability, I have to post these. While not every event requires a waiver, some activities come with inherent risks that require one. Hiking, woodworking, anything involving alcohol and other hands-on activities involve elements beyond my control, like unpredictable conditions, timing issues, other people's actions, and even your own misjudgment, miscalculation and assessment of your skills and physical abilities. It’s essential to set clear expectations, so we can all enjoy the event while minimizing any potential mishaps.

That being said, I’m committed to keeping everyone as informed and prepared as possible. Before any event, I’ll provide safety guidelines, links to credible resources, or handouts to ensure everyone understands the precautions needed. It’s up to you to review this information and let me know if anything needs further explanation before we start. If I’m offering direct instructions, feel free to ask me questions at any time; otherwise, I’ll assume everyone is on the same page and ready to go.