Sober Outdoors Community Guidelines

Welcome to the Sober Outdoors community! Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just exploring what connection through nature and community can look like, we’re glad you’re here. This space is built on respect, recovery, and real connection—with zero room for toxicity, ego, or drama.

To keep this community safe, authentic, and thriving, we’ve laid out some clear guidelines below. Please read them. Then follow them. This isn’t a "terms and conditions" checkbox—this is the heart of our culture.

1. Respect Each Other

• Kindness is the baseline. Assume good intent. Be human.

• Disagreeing is fine; being disrespectful is not. No trolling, bullying, shaming, or harassment.

• Hate speech, slurs, and offensive language will get you bounced—zero tolerance.

2. This Isn’t Tinder (Seriously)

• No 13th stepping, hitting on members, or using the Member Area, DMs, or events as a dating/hookup platform.

• Flirting, inappropriate messages, or anything that makes others feel uncomfortable will be taken seriously and addressed swiftly.

3. Substance-Free, Online and Offline

• No glamorizing, discussing, or soliciting alcohol, drugs, or any mind-altering substances—including in DMs.

• This is a sober-safe space. Share your journey, but don’t romanticize the substances we’ve left behind.

4. When You’re Struggling, Start With Staff

• If you’re in crisis or facing a tough time, reach out to a Sober Outdoors Staff Member first. We're here to support you and help guide next steps.

• While community support is powerful, serious struggles deserve structure and care—let us help you first.

5. No Spam, No Self-Promo, No Selling

• This is not a marketplace. Do not promote your business, podcast, services, or side hustle without prior approval.

• If you’re here to sell, you’re in the wrong place. If you’re here to serve, welcome home.

6. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Are Not Optional

• All identities, backgrounds, and stories are welcome. Period.

• Respect pronouns. Avoid assumptions. Stay curious and open-minded.

• If someone corrects you, listen and adjust. We all grow together here.

7. Politics? Sure. Disrespect? Nope.

• Political discussions are allowed, but respect is mandatory.

• We can disagree without dehumanizing. Listen to understand, not to reply.

8. Nature First, Always

• Practice Leave No Trace. Respect wildlife, trails, and shared spaces.

• Clean up after yourself (and maybe even someone else, too).

• Follow event-specific rules, especially in protected or sensitive areas.

9. Privacy & Boundaries

• What’s shared here, stays here. Do not share anyone’s story, photo, or personal info without clear consent.

• Respect personal boundaries. Some folks are open books, others are post-it notes. It’s all valid.

10. Safety First

• Follow event leader instructions and safety protocols at all times.

• Bring the right gear, stay hydrated, and take care of yourself and others.

• If something feels off, say something. You won’t be judged—you’ll be heard.

11. Be Present. Engage Positively.

• Be here for the right reasons: connection, healing, growth, nature.

• Phones down, hearts open. Participate, don’t spectate.

• Come with curiosity and leave with community.

12. Own Your Impact

• Violating these guidelines can lead to removal from the group or future events.

• We’re not here to police—we’re here to protect the vibe. Help us keep it real, safe, and sacred.

🚨 Final Word

If you're not sure if something crosses a line—assume it probably does. And if you see something, say something.
Let’s make this a space where people can show up as their full, flawed, beautiful selves and be met with kindness, accountability, and belonging.

Thank you for being here, for respecting these values, and for helping us build a community that actually means something.

Questions or concerns? Contact a Sober Outdoors Staff Member or email us at contact@soberoutdoors.org.