Nature and Outdoors

Welcome to Nature and Outdoors Group. The Nature and Outdoors Group is a welcoming community for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy activities such as hiking, backpacking, camping, kayaking, and traveling. The group fosters a respectful and supportive environment, encouraging members to explore and appreciate the outdoors together.

• Many group members are especially passionate about the Catskill Mountains, regularly organizing Catskill 35er hikes and supporting others who are pursuing this achievement.
• The group offers a wide range of activities for all experience levels, from scenic camp and paddle trips to travel and more challenging mountain hikes. This variety ensures that every hiker, camper, paddler, and traveler can participate, learn, and enjoy the outdoors.
• To help cover the high Meetup platform fees for the organizer, a small $2 organizer fee is applied.

Disclaimer:

Liability Waiver and Risk Acknowledgment Agreement

1. Nature of Activity & Voluntary Participation: All events are non-profit, self-organized, and held by private individuals. Organizers, event organizers, and any event assistants are only voluntary coordinators, not professional guides or commercial service providers; no guiding fees or professional service fees are charged, and organizers do not possess professional rescue or medical qualifications. There is no employment, service, contractual, or statutory supervisory/care relationship between organizers and participants. All participants join under the principles of "voluntary participation, personal responsibility, and safety first."
2. Outdoor activities (including but not limited to hiking, camping, kayaking, etc.) inherently involve unpredictable risks, including but not limited to: adverse weather, challenging terrain, traffic accidents, insect bites, disease onset, falls, injuries, or even disability or death. Participants must be 100% responsible for their own safety. Please assess your own health and outdoor experience before signing up.
   By joining, you confirm that you are in good health and have no illnesses that would make strenuous outdoor activity unsuitable (including, but not limited to, heart disease, hypertension, asthma, epilepsy, serious joint injuries, or recent major surgeries). Organizers are neither obliged nor able to review your health condition or outdoor experience. During the event, if personal injury, property loss, or other force majeure occurs, organizers will assist with rescue efforts but bear no legal, medical, or financial liability. Team members should offer assistance and first aid as able, provided it does not endanger their own safety. Such help is an act of goodwill, not a legal obligation, and does not make organizers or helpers liable for ongoing health or recovery.
3. Discipline: Participants must follow the organizer's instructions and may not leave the group without permission. The organizers reserve the right to change the route, return early, or require unqualified participants to withdraw due to sudden weather changes, safety concerns, or participants' physical condition/equipment. Participants must comply unconditionally.
4. Strictly follow the "Leave No Trace" principle. All non-biodegradable personal waste (including fruit peels, tissues, plastic bags, etc.) must be taken back. Open fires are strictly prohibited (unless in a designated area with permission).
5. Personal Property: Please look after valuables (phones, cameras, wallets, etc.). Organizers are not responsible for any loss or damage. Photos and videos taken during the event may be used for group review or publicity. By signing up, you agree to the organizers' free use of such materials.
6. The $2/person fee is solely to share the costs of Meetup platform subscription, website maintenance, and other administrative expenses. This fee is not remuneration or payment for organizer services. The organizer does not receive any personal or commercial profit from the events. By paying this administrative fee, participants acknowledge and agree that it does not constitute a service or commercial safety guarantee from organizers. Organizers remain volunteer companions and assume no liability beyond what is customary for mutual assistance among private individuals.
7. Carpooling is a voluntary civil act among participants and is unrelated to the Meetup group or event organizers.
8. Extended Effect: The legal force of this waiver extends to participants' heirs, close relatives, executors, property managers, and legal representatives. If you sign up on behalf of others (friends, family), you are responsible for ensuring they are fully aware of and agree to this agreement. Should a claim arise against the organizers due to your failure in this duty, you will bear any resulting legal and financial losses.
9. This waiver takes effect upon your registration and participation in the activity. If you register on behalf of others, it is understood you have been authorized and that the person you register for is fully aware of and agrees to all terms of this statement.