I have been wanting to host a gtg for a while, but never feel prepared. Is there anything special I need to do? Half of me really wants to do it and the other half is scared crazy. There aren’t many around here (Colfax, WI) so I figure it would be a good way for some of the local members to meet up. It wouldn’t be anything fancy. Just cutting/splitting some wood and maybe some informal races. I have some doug fir that would make good race logs, and there is plenty of wood to cut. I have only been to a couple of them, and they were a lot of fun. I wouldn’t be able to provide a ton of food, but could make something. Maybe rabbit wings. People could bring food if they wanted to. I have plenty of space for parking. Let me know what you think and if you would be interested. This is just a hypothetical right now.
Your first paragraph describes my feelings exactly. I too have the land and space, but never pulled the trigger on a gtg. You could dip yer toe and plan a one day event. That's how I'll go about it if I ever host one.
It's pretty much whatever you want to make it. Some just have a few logs around to cut/split, the obligatory fire pit to satisfy the inevitable FHC pyros, with some room to park some chairs around to choot some bull! Others will climb/drop trees, skid logs, cut split, stack, have a huge BBQ/etc. Most people provide their own drinks, and bring food to contribute for a group meal...or it could be as simple as ordering pizza for dinner. Generally people are more than willing to contribute a lil $ toward expenses (food, porta potty, etc) If you have the space, some will camp overnight for a multi day event, or having nearby hotels are sometimes preferred. Start small, get your feet wet, go from there. I've been to a bunch, large n small, every one has been a good time...that's why some travel halfway across the country for them! I've been to a bunch here in Ohio, been to Dennis' in Michigan at least 3-4 times, over to Altoona PA. 3 times. Always a good time...love meeting up with FHC folks!
Good info. This is what I have… I have room for people to camp, and a fire pit, if people wanted to arrive the day before, or if it was a multi day event. I can run a power cord out from the shed or shop for limited power. I have a bobcat to move logs with, so nobody has to get hurt moving them. I have 2 splitters, one gas one electric, and both are about 20 ton. The nearest hotels/motels are about 15-20 miles away. There is an awesome pizza place about a mile down the road. They are pretty good. I have a smoker and offset bbq for cooking as well as the fire pit. Food can be kept frozen/cold in the shop. There is no shortage of refrigeration here. People could bring whatever they want to eat/cook. The water here is amazing, so bring bottles or jugs to take some home with you. There is more than enough wood to keep everyone busy for days. Feel free to bring your own splitter(s) if you feel the need. All classes of saw are welcome, from the little guys to the big v8’s, if ya got one. It would be some time during the summer. June through September. I am leaning more toward June or July. Let me know what works best. There is no rush.
That's the other trick right there...finding dates that work for people...between weather, holidays, vacations, school stuff, etc, some parts of the year are tougher than others for sure!
Isaac, that can be a good time if done right. I remember going to a GTG one time and on our trip home I told my wife if I ever had one I'd surely run it differently. I was shocked and almost ran off the road when my wife then told me to do it! I didn't expect that answer. But we did and that was followed by several more. I guess we did a few things right because our GTG's kept growing. We had good folks coming and then they would bring friends or simply talk others into coming. Food is perhaps the most difficult thing to prepare for as you just don't know how many will show. Folks will help a lot by bringing a passing dish. It is necessary to rent porta potties. Some have only 1. I always had 2 and was told by many that was good. We didn't need 2 but our camping area was a distance from most of the activities and if you are camping out, it is best to have one close. You and I could get a private conversation going to help plan. Then we could invite any others who are interested in coming. That can be a big help. All in all, you will be planning a good thing but won't know if it will go over well or not. Being well prepared will help.
That’s nice to hear, because I didn’t know what to do for activities other than cutting and chatting.
Remember in '19, I thought we were coming a long way to Dennis', then Chris and his dad came from Australia.
Hey, if you planned it for Sept, I might just make that our anniversary trip... Miz Carol has been to every GTG with me, 3x to MI, 2x to PA and once to OH. Fun times for sure. Planning to go to amateur cutter GTG this spring. I thought about hosting a GTG myself, just haven't done it yet. Good luck with the planning.
Attendees tend to bring their own "games"... There is no such thing as FHC/gtg/boring...there just isn't.
