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Find Your People
Bears at The Woods.
Bigger, hairier, older, easygoing — every kind of bear, cub, and admirer is celebrated here. A brotherhood that's prominent all season, and roaring during five themed weekends.
The Bear Community
A brotherhood that's here all season.
The bear community is prominent at The Woods throughout the entire camping season — and especially celebrated during our four Bears at The Woods weekends and our mid-July Bear Vacation Week.
Whether you're a bear, a cub, or someone who simply appreciates them, you'll find a place where body positivity isn't a slogan — it's the whole point.
Our Mission
Why the bear community gathers here.
The community plans, organizes, and runs bear-themed activities and social events across the resort with three goals in mind.
A welcoming home
Fostering an inclusive community for bears, cubs, and their admirers — celebrating shared identity and creating space for connection, support, and friendship.
Culture, out loud
Celebrating the bear community in all its forms, promoting visibility, and organizing events that highlight our culture of body positivity and acceptance.
Bridges, not silos
Connecting the bear community with the other communities across The Woods through events and initiatives that promote fun and fellowship.
Mark Your Calendar
2026 bear weekends.
Bears 1 Weekend
Kick off the season with the first roar of the year.
Bear Vacation Week
A full week of bear culture, sun, and easy days in the woods.
Bears 2 Weekend
Mid-summer's biggest bear gathering, with the Ca-Bear-et benefit show.
Bears 3 Weekend
The titleholder competition crowns the new Woods Bear, Daddy & Cub.
Oktoberbears Weekend
One last bear hug before the season winds down for the year.
What to Expect
More than a party.
Bear weekends are built around real connection — and a lot of fun along the way.
Belonging
Bears and their admirers often face body-image stereotypes even within LGBTQ+ spaces. Here, non-mainstream presentations are celebrated, not sidelined — and isolation gives way to friendship.
Community building
Our bear events foster a sense of identity within the broader LGBTQ+ spectrum, with traditions and culture all their own — building a special history and pride.
Self-acceptance
Seeing a wide range of body types, ages, and styles openly celebrated is a powerful antidote to narrow beauty standards. Guests feel safe to be authentic.
Fun & entertainment
Parties, dances, contests, and themed gatherings — a space where humor, camp, and flirtation are shared without fear of judgment.
Charity & workshops
Many bear events include fundraisers and workshops that contribute to the betterment of everyone involved.
Vendor markets
Regional vendors set up across bear weekends, building lasting relationships between The Woods and the wider LGBTQ+ community.
The Crown
Woods Bear titleholders.
Each year during Bears 3 weekend, a competition determines the new Woods Bear, Woods Cub, and Woods Bear Daddy. Winners then represent The Woods Camping Resort throughout their title year.
Woods Bear
Woods Cub
Woods Daddy
Charity in action. The 2026 titleholders — Woods Bear Stephen Haker, Woods Cub Pup Richter, and Woods Daddy Adam Britcher — have chosen the Attic Youth Center as their charity to raise funds for during their title year.
Bear Brotherhood The Bear Culture
A subculture with its own soul.
In the gay community, bears embrace a rugged, masculine aesthetic — often bigger-bodied, hairy, and warmly approachable. But it's far more than a look: it's a distinct social identity with its own culture, events, and values.
The subculture emerged in the 1980s as a counterpoint to the then-popular "clone" and "twink" aesthetics, celebrating body types and masculinity that didn't fit mainstream gay beauty standards. The look isn't mandatory — what matters is body positivity, earthy and approachable energy, and a strong sense of community.
The Woods Bear Committee
Run by the community, for the community.
The bear culture at The Woods is vast and the events are many. A committee of dedicated members organizes and produces it all, season after season, keeping the fundamentals of bear culture front and center.
Want to get involved? Volunteer for a future bear weekend, pitch an event, become a demonstrator, or sponsor a celebration — the committee would love to hear from you.
Interested in selling your wares? Vendors are welcome on bear weekends all season long.
Connect with the Bear Community Facebook group to stay in the loop between weekends.
Come As You Are
Join the brotherhood this season.
Book a bear weekend, meet your people, and find out what body-positive really feels like.