What we’re about
**"*Stanford Researchers Find Mental Health Prescription: Nature - Study finds that walking in nature yields measurable mental benefits*"** [https://news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-063015/](https://news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-063015/) **\ ** \ \ 
**VIDEO On Group's Activities:** **Gikers: Canada & USA - Song: "Good Life"** https://youtu.be/XaXTz3jtnDs \
**ABOUT the Group**:
We are a friendly, welcoming, inclusive and low key "no attitude" group of LGBTQ hikers, cyclists, snowshoers, and walkers who love being outdoors year round, and are made up of LGBTQ singles, couples, families & friends of all levels and ages.
The mission of the group is to engage and increase access to the outdoors and outdoors activities like hiking, cycling, kayaking, snowshoeing and others for all members of the LGBTQIA community and their families - while at the same time creating new friendships and bonds within the community at large.
We have been running another Gikers: Gay Hikers & Bikers- LGBTQ & Friends group in another city now for several years and have enjoyed it and met some great people while enjoying some great hiking, biking, snowshoeing and fun social events. The group started small and it is now over 1,500, but we find ourselves spending increasingly more time in CT/NYC/TriState Area, and we love the outdoors - so we decided to start one here this summer to explore all the incredible trails this great state offers.
Most of the events are free to participate in, but some of the parks and their parking areas may have fees and we will do our best to post those upfront on the event. We also love dogs, and whenever possible, we will post if the park/trail permits dogs, but in all cases - only people/pet friendly non-aggressive dogs that are up to date in all vaccinations; are kept on leash, and owners are responsible for picking up after them at all times.
Looking to do mainly weekend hikes, snowshoeing & bike rides around Connecticut, and at our first event - we put together a work in progress list of about 50 hikes suggested by group members that is now posted on our message board, but we always welcome new suggestions & will continue adding to this initial list.
"*The New Science of the Creative Brain on Nature. Beautiful vistas and outdoor fun impact your brain in real ways — which means **you're just trails away from becoming a better thinker***" [https://www.outsideonline.com/2062221/new-science-creative-brain-nature](https://www.outsideonline.com/2062221/new-science-creative-brain-nature)
**Meetup/Group Respect & Etiquette**: \**Mutual Respect**:
As a courtesy to other group members; including LGBTQ Families who are part of this group, please no nude or inappropriate photos as profile or event photos. Also, if you, as a member of the group, receive an unsolicited - offensive message here from another member that is discriminatory, or sexual in nature - please copy message and meetup handle name & send directly to us. This is private group and we have and will continue to ban and block any member that does not respect other members or the meetup/group etiquette.
**Events RSVP**:
Please update your RSVP to No when not attending a previously confirmed event. As a courtesy to all group members, two No Shows - confirmed RSVPs will automatically delete member from the group.
**Illegal Substances of Any Type**:
As a courtesy to other group members, please do not bring any illegal substances (drugs, etc) of any type to any event or gathering of the group, and refrain from smoking while on group events as courtesy to the other members.
**Dogs**: We love dogs. When permitted by the park, dogs are welcome, but they must be well behaved with people & other dogs; they must be up to date with all required vaccines; they must be on a leash at all times, and you must pick up after your dog at all times.
**Group's Twitter Account with the Gay Hikers Daily News Paper:** \ \ [https://twitter.com/gay_hikers](https://twitter.com/gay_hikers) ([https://twitter.com/gay_hikers](https://twitter.com/gay_hikers))
This is a free group to all, but we do have annual meetup membership fees that keep going up and other monthly administrative events costs associated with running the group, so all profits from the sale of any Gikers Shop Merchandise \([https://shop.spreadshirt.com/gay-hikers-bikers](https://shop.spreadshirt.com/gay-hikers-bikers-)-) goes to funding current and future group operations; insuring that beyond the initial group founders/organizers - the group will continue to offer a free hiking/biking social network for any and all members of the LGBTQ community, our families and friends.
**ORGANIZERS**: Please remember that the Group Organizers are volunteers, not professional guides and we do not have any type of certified training. Organizers are going on hike and/or other outdoor/recreational activities and simply inviting others to join. \ \ Participation in any event with the group is at your own and your guests' risk. Hiking safety is your responsibility. Make sure that you and any guest you may bring are in good physical condition to participate and you have all the required equipment.
**RESPONSIBILITY WAIVER**: By requesting to become a member, accessing the group's site or mobile app, and/or attending any of the events myself, and any guests that I may bring, I, and any guests that i may bring to the events, fully understand that outdoors and other events/activities of the group may be dangerous and, by becoming member, I acknowledge and accept all the possible risks of injury, loss, or damage to me and any of my guests arising directly or as a consequence of any USA / Connecticut Gay Hikers & Friends Group activity (“Gikers”). I, and any guest that I may bring to the events, hereby release the Gay Hikers & Friends Group (“Gikers”) and all the activity/event organizers from all responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage to myself or any of my guests and release the said Group and organizers from any and all claims including any claims which may be made in my name, or in the name of any of my guests, by my or their heirs, successors, administrators, and executors of my will. I, and any guest that I may bring to the events, hereby understands, agrees, and accepts that the Gay Hikers & Friends Group ("gikers") reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by the group, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. The group may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by the group including but not limited to digital or print: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, videos, websites, apps, tweets, social media, and others. By participating in a group event, you are agreeing to release, defend, hold harmless and indemnify the group, its organizers, leadership team, its affiliates and all its members from any and all claims involving the use of your picture or likeness. Any person or organization not given written, signed and verifiable approval by the group's organizers - may not use, copy, alter or modify any group photographs, graphics, videography or other, similar reproductions or recordings at any time. If you do not agree to any of the above, please do not request approval to join the group and/or remove yourself from the group immediately
Group Waiver:
"As always 'Group Waiver' applies to all members, guests and all group activities and events: "By confirming attendance by yourself and any guests to this event, you are "re-confirming" your knowledge and understanding of the "Group's Member Waiver of Responsibility" that each of member of the group accepts upon requesting membership in this group, and that is in effect as long as they continue to be a member of the group. A copy of the waiver, as it appears in the "About the Group" section is below:
The USA / Connecticut Gay Hikers & Friends (“Gikers”) Group Organizers are volunteers, not professional guides and we do not have any type of certified training. Organizers are going on hike and/or other outdoor/recreational activities and inviting others to join. Participation in any event with the group is at your own and your guests' risk. Hiking, Snow Shoeing, Ice Skating, Biking, Kayaking, Camping, Pickleball, Picnics, Skiing, ZipLine, and all other Outdoor Activities/Events safety is your responsibility. Make sure that you and any guest you may bring are in good physical condition to participate and you have all the required equipment. By requesting to become a member, accessing the group's site or mobile app, and/or attending any of the events myself, and any guests that I may bring, I, and any guests that i may bring to the events; including this one, fully understand that outdoors and other events/activities of the group may be dangerous and, by becoming member, I acknowledge and accept all the possible risks of injury, loss, or damage to me and any of my guests arising directly or as a consequence of any USA / Connecticut Gay Hikers & Friends (“Gikers”) Group activity. I, and any guest that I may bring to the events, hereby release the Connecticut Gay Hikers & Friends Group (“Gikers”) and all the activity/event organizers from all responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage to myself or any of my guests and release the said Group and organizers from any and all claims including any claims which may be made in my name, or in the name of any of my guests, by my or their heirs, successors, administrators, and executors of my will"