Freedom Valley Campground - Ohio’s safe haven for gay, questioning and straight men
Freedom Valley Campground
Ohio’s safe haven for gay, questioning and straight men
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
The tourism motto for Ohio is “find it here.” If you are looking for a safe haven for gay, questioning and straight men, you will find it in Ohio. It’s called Freedom Valley Campground.
We asked Freedom Valley Campground owner Michael Folkman to tell us all about it.
How would you describe Freedom Valley Campground in one sentence?
Freedom Valley Campground is a safe haven for men, over the age of 21, to be themselves without fear.
What can you tell us about the history of Freedom Valley Campground?
We purchased an existing, but failing, traditional Christian based family campground in November, 2007. Coincidentally, the original name of the campground was Freedom Valley and it became a sticking point in our acquisition once the sellers found out we were going to convert it to a gay campground. Needless to say, we prevailed and the name was part of the purchase. We thought that it was a perfect name for our campground.
The original purchase included 53 acres, most of them wooded, and 55 sites.
We opened for business April 1, 2008. We thought that we’d be lucky to end up with 15 seasonal campers at the end of our first year – boy, were we wrong. We had 30 seasonal sites and a waiting list of 30. During the winter between our first and second season, we added 14 sites filling them with the 30 person waiting list.
In addition to the 14 additional sites, for the first season we built a 20 x 40 inground pool in an area abutting our 2.5 acre stocked pond, an 8 bed bunkhouse and two cabins.
Over the next 8 seasons we doubled the size of our dance hall, creating a recreation area with a TV, pool table, built a 20 x 40 pavilion attached to the dance hall, created a community bonfire area surrounded by decking, video game and juke box; added five sleeper cabins and four rental trailers ranging from a 10’ trailer to a 40’ park model.
Two years ago we acquired the abutting 66 wooded acres for future development and a buffer zone.
Every year we keep growing – we’re proud to say that 1,936 men camped with us at least once during last season!
Who visits Freedom Valley Campground? All ages and body shapes?
We don’t have one “type” of camper. We are open to any man (gay, questioning or straight), over the age of 21. Our average age is in the 45 to 55 category.
We have scheduled Bear and Leather events throughout the summer.
In addition to trailer, RV, cabins and tenting we offer half-day and full-day passes. These are for people who want to sit by our clothing optional pool for the day, walk the trails or enjoy our evening events.
What can you tell us about the guest rooms and lodgings of Freedom Valley Campground?
We have a number of different opportunities to camp with us without having a tent or a trailer.
There is an 8 bunk bunkhouse that as a refrigerator, AC, heat, microwave and coffee pot. Each bunk is a single bed with provided pillow.
There are two 10 x 12 standard cabins – both with a queen bed, pillows, ceiling fan, AC, heat, refrigerator, TV, DVD player, fire ring and picnic table.
There are four 10 x 16 sleeper cabins with similar amenities, but includes a sitting area along with linens.
Other smaller rentals include the Camo Trailer (a converted horse trailer with a queen bed and similar amenities), the OZ Cabin (similar to our sleeper cabins) and the Flamingo Trailer (a 14’ aluminum trailer converted to a stationary rental).
Larger rentals consist of the Retro Rental (37’ trailer) which has a queen size bed, full kitchen on a site with a BBQ, fire ring and picnic table and the Deluxe Trailer (40’ park model) with a full kitchen, large deck, BBQ, fire ring and a king size bed.
What can you tell us about the amenities of Freedom Valley Campground?
The most visited area of the campground is our clothing optional 20 x 40 inground heated pool. Next to the pool is a raised deck area overlooking the pond.
These areas abut the 2.5 acre stocked pond and Buckeye BBQ. Buckeye BBQ is open during the weekends from mid-May through September serving Friday dinner, Saturday Breakfast through 9:00 PM and Sunday Breakfast and Lunch.
The majority of the campground is clothing optional, including the tent area, dance hall and all areas past the dance hall.
The dance hall is open Friday and Saturday nights with a DJ both nights. Every weekend is a themed weekend with a good percentage of the campers participating.
Adjoining the dance hall is the community fire ring with surrounding deck. The majority of the campground is wooded with a couple of trails.
The tent area resembles a park with large lawn areas and mature shade trees.
What are some of the events held at Freedom Valley Campground?
Every weekend is a scheduled weekend. During the summer we have a number of foam parties, leather events (including Mr. Freedom Valley Leather), bear events (including ARKTOS having their annual run at Freedom Valley), fund raisers (hosted by The Rangers and CLAW), game weekends similar to Family Feud and trivia nights, Luminaries (an annual celebration hosted by our seasonal campers that is our most sought non-holiday weekend) all ending with our Valley of Horrors in October.
Scattered throughout the season are pool parties (typically Saturday afternoon) and cookouts (typically Sundays of the three day holiday weekends).
Our 2017 schedule should be posted on our website www.FreedomValleyCamping.com by the beginning of February.
Conclusion
Freedom Valley Campground is located at 1875 US 250 S, New London, OH 44851-0030.
Their phone is 419)-929-8100
Visit their website at www.FreedomValleyCamping.com
Ohio’s safe haven for gay, questioning and straight men
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
The tourism motto for Ohio is “find it here.” If you are looking for a safe haven for gay, questioning and straight men, you will find it in Ohio. It’s called Freedom Valley Campground.
We asked Freedom Valley Campground owner Michael Folkman to tell us all about it.
How would you describe Freedom Valley Campground in one sentence?
Freedom Valley Campground is a safe haven for men, over the age of 21, to be themselves without fear.
What can you tell us about the history of Freedom Valley Campground?
We purchased an existing, but failing, traditional Christian based family campground in November, 2007. Coincidentally, the original name of the campground was Freedom Valley and it became a sticking point in our acquisition once the sellers found out we were going to convert it to a gay campground. Needless to say, we prevailed and the name was part of the purchase. We thought that it was a perfect name for our campground.
The original purchase included 53 acres, most of them wooded, and 55 sites.
We opened for business April 1, 2008. We thought that we’d be lucky to end up with 15 seasonal campers at the end of our first year – boy, were we wrong. We had 30 seasonal sites and a waiting list of 30. During the winter between our first and second season, we added 14 sites filling them with the 30 person waiting list.
In addition to the 14 additional sites, for the first season we built a 20 x 40 inground pool in an area abutting our 2.5 acre stocked pond, an 8 bed bunkhouse and two cabins.
Over the next 8 seasons we doubled the size of our dance hall, creating a recreation area with a TV, pool table, built a 20 x 40 pavilion attached to the dance hall, created a community bonfire area surrounded by decking, video game and juke box; added five sleeper cabins and four rental trailers ranging from a 10’ trailer to a 40’ park model.
Two years ago we acquired the abutting 66 wooded acres for future development and a buffer zone.
Every year we keep growing – we’re proud to say that 1,936 men camped with us at least once during last season!
Who visits Freedom Valley Campground? All ages and body shapes?
We don’t have one “type” of camper. We are open to any man (gay, questioning or straight), over the age of 21. Our average age is in the 45 to 55 category.
We have scheduled Bear and Leather events throughout the summer.
In addition to trailer, RV, cabins and tenting we offer half-day and full-day passes. These are for people who want to sit by our clothing optional pool for the day, walk the trails or enjoy our evening events.
What can you tell us about the guest rooms and lodgings of Freedom Valley Campground?
We have a number of different opportunities to camp with us without having a tent or a trailer.
There is an 8 bunk bunkhouse that as a refrigerator, AC, heat, microwave and coffee pot. Each bunk is a single bed with provided pillow.
There are two 10 x 12 standard cabins – both with a queen bed, pillows, ceiling fan, AC, heat, refrigerator, TV, DVD player, fire ring and picnic table.
There are four 10 x 16 sleeper cabins with similar amenities, but includes a sitting area along with linens.
Other smaller rentals include the Camo Trailer (a converted horse trailer with a queen bed and similar amenities), the OZ Cabin (similar to our sleeper cabins) and the Flamingo Trailer (a 14’ aluminum trailer converted to a stationary rental).
Larger rentals consist of the Retro Rental (37’ trailer) which has a queen size bed, full kitchen on a site with a BBQ, fire ring and picnic table and the Deluxe Trailer (40’ park model) with a full kitchen, large deck, BBQ, fire ring and a king size bed.
What can you tell us about the amenities of Freedom Valley Campground?
The most visited area of the campground is our clothing optional 20 x 40 inground heated pool. Next to the pool is a raised deck area overlooking the pond.
These areas abut the 2.5 acre stocked pond and Buckeye BBQ. Buckeye BBQ is open during the weekends from mid-May through September serving Friday dinner, Saturday Breakfast through 9:00 PM and Sunday Breakfast and Lunch.
The majority of the campground is clothing optional, including the tent area, dance hall and all areas past the dance hall.
The dance hall is open Friday and Saturday nights with a DJ both nights. Every weekend is a themed weekend with a good percentage of the campers participating.
Adjoining the dance hall is the community fire ring with surrounding deck. The majority of the campground is wooded with a couple of trails.
The tent area resembles a park with large lawn areas and mature shade trees.
What are some of the events held at Freedom Valley Campground?
Every weekend is a scheduled weekend. During the summer we have a number of foam parties, leather events (including Mr. Freedom Valley Leather), bear events (including ARKTOS having their annual run at Freedom Valley), fund raisers (hosted by The Rangers and CLAW), game weekends similar to Family Feud and trivia nights, Luminaries (an annual celebration hosted by our seasonal campers that is our most sought non-holiday weekend) all ending with our Valley of Horrors in October.
Scattered throughout the season are pool parties (typically Saturday afternoon) and cookouts (typically Sundays of the three day holiday weekends).
Our 2017 schedule should be posted on our website www.FreedomValleyCamping.com by the beginning of February.
Conclusion
Freedom Valley Campground is located at 1875 US 250 S, New London, OH 44851-0030.
Their phone is 419)-929-8100
Visit their website at www.FreedomValleyCamping.com
Article by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Copyright 2016 Sunny Harbor Publishing
Sunny Harbor Publishing
PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956
Phone: 321-446-7552
[email protected]
www.SunnyHarborPublishing.org
Copyright 2016 Sunny Harbor Publishing
Sunny Harbor Publishing
PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956
Phone: 321-446-7552
[email protected]
www.SunnyHarborPublishing.org