FAQ
....answers to frequently asked questions about Out & About and our activities
What
is Cleveland Out and About?
Cleveland Out and About is an all-volunteer outdoor recreational group
serving Northeast Ohio. Although primarily a gay and lesbian organization,
the group welcomes all to participate in its activities. This group is
incorporated and associates itself with the International Gay and Lesbian
Outdoor Organization (IGLOO). IGLOO is a worldwide network of lesbian,
gay and bisexual outdoor organizations to provide members with access
to other member groups and their activities such as skiing in Vermont
and scuba diving in the Caribbean.
How
do I join?
Membership is $10.00 per year. Visitors are welcome to join in on our
events at any time without charge, but we encourage you to join and support
the group so that we can continue to pay for services such as our recorded
phone message, voice mail, po box, and web presence. For more information
on membership, click here.
What's
the mix of women : men, and how many people participate?
Typically the mix at our activities is 50:50 men:women. The group ranges
from 15 on a cold and rainy day to 40 on a beautiful warm sunny day.
Are
dogs permitted on hikes?
Dogs are welcome on most hikes. In some cases, due to the terrain or park
regulations, we may not permit dogs, and we will include information on
this on our calendar and in our mailing list notices. We ask that dogs
be kept on a leash due to park regulations and group safety.
Is
smoking permitted on the hikes?
While we prefer that participants not smoke during events, we do not forbid
it unless mandated by the rules of the park or nature preserve we are
hiking in that day. However, out of respect for the non-smokers, we do
ask that if you must light up, you drop to the back of the group while
you're smoking. We also expect that all butts will be carried out to the
trail head and disposed of in a proper trash receptacle. Failure to do
so creates a fire hazard, which is a punishable offense, and will result
in your not being permitted at future events.
Is
it ok if I talk on my cell phone during a hike?
If you must take a cell phone call, please move away from the group to
do so.
Are
some hikes/activities difficult?
Some hikes are difficult and some are easy - we offer activities at a
variety of levels so that we can meet the requests of all of our members,
who range in fitness and interest. We provide a description for each activity,
on the calendar and in our mailing list notices. The description will
indicate the difficulty level and any special precautions (e.g. mud, hills,
distance).
I'm
ready for a hike! What do I bring?
We recommend that you wear hiking boots because trails can be muddy at
times and a supportive boot will keep your feet comfortable. You may also
want to bring water, a small snack, and a fanny pack for carrying these
and any other items you may want to have with you. Be sure to check the
weather before you leave for the event and dress appropriately.
Do
I need a bike helmet for biking events?
Yes, yes, yes. For your safety, we require that you wear a helmet while
participating in our biking events.
What's
Orienteering?
Orienteering has been called "the thinking sport" or "cunning running".
Orienteers navigate around a series of control locations, usually in a
park or forest, using only their maps, their compasses and their wits.
The controls must be visited in a given order but orienteers choose their
own routes based on personal navigational abilities and physical condition.
While the serious competitor's ultimate goal is to complete the course
in the shortest possible time, recreational orienteers enjoy testing their
navigational and map reading skills by choosing the optimum route as they
leisurely hike through the forest.
