Camping, Overlanding, & Lifestyle blog

The Gathering 2023 – Hendersonville

Join us for a weekend of outdoor adventure, nature, and skill-building in beautiful Hendersonville!

Become more comfortable, confident, and curious about outdoor adventure.

For beginners to advanced outdoor adventurers, The Gathering by Staples InTents was specifically designed create safe space for everyone to explore the outdoors and provide education about camping and overlanding. This year, we’re excited to bring The Gathering back to Hendersonville, NC, from October 19-22, 2023.

Join Us!

If you’ve ever thought about exploring the wonders of the outdoors but don’t know where to start, we’re here for it! 

As avid travelers, adventurers, educators, and sightseers, we strive to provide a safe, fun space to incorporate outdoor activities into your healthy lifestyle while challenging the negative stereotypes that people of color don’t dwell and thrive in these spaces. 

We want you to see YOU in these spaces so you can reap the physical and mental benefits of outdoor adventuring. 

When people come to The Gathering, they’re looking to explore the unknown safely and freely. Maybe that’s you! Maybe…

        • You’ve had no one to share an outdoor adventure with before! 
        • You aren’t familiar with camping and don’t know what supplies you need to have a good experience!
        • You haven’t found anyone to guide you into this unfamiliar territory!
        • You don’t have support from your existing circles!
    • We’re here to change that.

People attend The Gathering to become confident, comfortable, and curious in the outdoors. And also to…

  • Meet people with similar interests
  • Cultivate skills to go on their outdoor adventures
  • Connect with nature in a safe environment
  • Experience something new with supportive experts
  • See a different part of the country
  • Gain a greater sense of community
  • Learn about other methods of travel
  • Find the right gear to fit their outdoor lifestyle

Every experience is unique, and we can’t wait for you to see how outdoor adventuring changes your life as it did ours.

Here’s what to expect at The Gathering:

If you’ve attended any of our events, you know the weekend will be epic. We’ll create a safe and welcoming environment where all campers feel comfortable and leave with increased confidence and curiosity about camping and outdoor adventure.

This event is for both the novice and avid camper. It will offer educational and fun activities throughout the weekend, including outdoor ethics, camp cooking, vehicle recovery, bonfires, and happy hours. The Gathering Hendersonville 2023 will be held on 150 acres of beautiful, privately-owned property at Reeb Ranch in the mountains of western North Carolina, featuring a waterfall and extensive hiking and mountain biking trails. A wide range of accommodation options to suit every comfort level are available, a farm house, cabins, Airstream trailers, glamping setups, or DIY camping. Throughout the weekend, be prepared to connect with fellow campers and gain valuable skills that will help reconnect you to the great outdoors.

Helping others find community and comfort in the outdoors is why we host this event, and we invite you to embark on this adventure with us!

Register Now!



This is what we’re about…

At Staples InTents, we increase diversity in the outdoors by educating and inspiring others to become more comfortable, confident, and curious about outdoor adventure. 

We’re Sonya and Necota, your outdoor experts and friends on this journey into the outdoors. We started our camping journey just a few short years ago, and it quickly snowballed into off-roading and overlanding. With our newfound love of glamping, we wanted to share it with our friends and family, but no one understood why we wanted to “rough it” outside. So we started making YouTube videos to educate and encourage friends, family, and the Black and Brown community to experience the life-changing effect of the outdoors.

Our passion grew from online to offline. You can now learn from us in person through visuals and curated experiences that welcome outdoor beginners, nature enthusiasts, and advanced campers to grow together. 

Hendersonville 2023 Event Details

Wag Valley Farm

315 Shoals Falls Rd, Hendersonville, NC

October 19 – 22, 2023

DIY Campsite – $300

Accomodation Options

Get comfortable and enjoy ALL the comforts of home. This newly remodeled farmhouse is complete with two bedrooms featuring queen beds, two full bathroom, kitchen, and loft with two twin beds and is perfect for a large family or group of friends.

                          

Exclusive to Patreon members

Unwind and enjoy this remodeled, vintage airstream complete with queen bed, bathroom, kitchen, and sitting area. Perfect for the couple looking to explore camping, while still having access to the luxuries of home.

                        

Exclusive to Patreon members

Have all your own gear? Bring your setup…what ever you like to be comfortable and enjoy the weekend.

                  

Click here to reserve your DIY campsite.

NOTE: Each option includes 1 primary adult camper.  Addition campers, in the same tent/vechicle must also register, using the additional camper option.

What’s included?

  • 3 nights camping
  • Access to 150 private acres of property w/ waterfall
  • Safe and secure environment
  • Swag bag our sponsors
  • Friday night social
  • Saturday night social
  • Nightly campfire & happy hour
  • Access to food trucks
  • Contest and raffles
  • Toilet & hand washing facilities
  • Potable water onsite
  • Classes and workshops includeing (outdoor ethics, camp cooking, how to properly setup a tent, solar power)
  • Enjoy a growing community of like minded outdoor enthusiasts

Feedback from Previous Attendees

Got questions? We’ve got answers.

Who can attend The Gathering?

Anyone looking to build community and connect with nature can attend The Gathering?

The Gathering was created as a safe space for all.

What's the difference between the DIY Campsite and Adult Camper

The DIY Campsite is the accomodation option, and includes registration for one adult. 

The Adult Camper registration is for additonal campers, sharing accomodations (tent, RV, cabin) with someone.

Example: For a party of 4 adults, the registration should include 1 accomodation option and 3 additional adults.

What happens in the event of bad weather?

In the case of bad weather (rain, snow, sleet…) the show will go on.  The beauty of camping is you can have fun and be successful in all conditions.  Fall in the mountains will provide warm days and cool evenings. Be sure to layered clothing to keep your warm at night.

What types of wildlife should I expect at The Gathering?

Since we will be camping outside, we can’t promise that no wild animals will wander into camp.  There are known deer, racoons, snakes, possums, and of course bugs.

With large groups, animals tend to stay away, but the best way to prevent the unwanted animals is to keep the campsite clean.  Be sure to take all trash to the large trash cans, located throughout The Gathering each evening and avoid spilling/pouring food/drink on the ground to prevent bugs.

Can I build a campfire?

Individual campfires are allowed, but only in a self-containing firepit, that does not damage the ground.  Remember to extinguish fires at night and never leave a campfire unattended.

Firewood will not be available onsite.

Are kids welcome at The Gathering?

Yes! The Gathering, is for everyone. Registration for kids 13 and under is $40, and includes a special kids swag bag. This year we will also have a special designed workshops for kids.

Are animals allowed at The Gathering?

Pets are welcome at The Gathering, but we do ask they they remain on a leash at all times and not disturb other campers.

NOTE: Animals are not premitted in any cabin, house or trailer.

 

What is the bathroom situation?

For your convenience, additional port-a-potties and showers will be onsite during The Gathering.  If you’re not a fan of port-a-potties or sharing, we encourage you to bring your own bathroom/shower option.  For tips on using the bathroom while camping, watch the video below.

Please note, digging of “catholes” will not be permitted during The Gathering.

 

Will there be cell service/wifi at The Gathering?

All cabins and Airstreams will be equipped with WiFi, but there will be no public WiFi available.

We encourage everyone to take this time to disconnect and get to know their fellow campers.

Will water be available at The Gathering?

Although a potable water source will be available at The Gathering, we do recommend that you bring a full water container.

Will there be a place to dump trash?

Large trash bins will be distributed throughout the campground.  Please practice Leave No Trace during your time at The Gathering and bag/dispose of all trash.

Will electricity be available at The Gathering?

Although electricity is available on the property, only the cabins and Airstream will have direct access to electricity. A power station will be set up for communal use.

Please plan to bring back up batteries for all electronic needs.

Will food be available at The Gathering?

Food trucks will be available onsite, at an additional cost, and will serve both vegan and meat options.

If you’d like to try camp cooking throughout the weekend, we’ve offered a sample menu of some simple items to prepare.

What should I bring to The Gathering?

You are required to bring everything you need to enjoy yourself and be self-sufficient.

  • tent
  • sleep system
  • kitchen system
  • food for your stay
  • toiletries
  • appropriate clothing for your stay 
  • any medication you may need
  • phone charger
  • rain boots (you never know)
  • sneakers
  • If you are DIY camping, here is a great camping checklist from Staples InTents:

 

What if I forget something?

If you forget something, we encourage you to utilize your fellow campers for support and assistance first. Hendersonville, is located in a beautiful area with stores, shops and restaurants close by.

 

 

How are the campsites setup?

All campsites are located in an open grassy area where you will be able to park at your individual site. All campers will have ~25 sqft to setup.

Will there be quiet hours?

Please be considerate of guests who are attending The Gathering for a quiet, natural experience. In the main camp area, radios, televisions, musical instruments and all other noise-making devices should not to be used between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.  Nightly bonfires and socials, will be located away from the main camp area, for those who want to enjoy themselves into the night.

Can I reserve a campsite near my friends?

All guests of The Gathering will be assigned a campsite in the order they arrive and spots can not be saved, so there is no way to ensure you can camp with your friends.  If you would like to camp next to your friends, we recommend arriving together so you can park together.

What should I expect as a first time camper?

Expect to enjoy yourself and have a ball!  The best part about The Gathering is you will be in a large group and among friends.

If you need assistance with what to pack, use our camping checklist to get started.

Do I have to be present to win a raffle item?

Yes, you must be in attendance at the event in order to win a raffle item.  If your name is announced as the winner of a raffle, you will have until the next raffle to claim your prize.  Any winners not present during Sunday’s raffle, will forfeit their prize.

What is the COVID protocol?

While COVID is still a huge concern and our aim is to create a safe and enjoyable event.

On 145+ acres, there is ample room to maintain social distancing.

Sanitation and hand washing stations will be available throughout the campground for your use.

We ask that if you are sick, you please refrain from attending.

In addition, all persons handling food, will follow appropriate food hygeine.

What is the cancellation policy?

Refund and Cancellation Policy:

  • All tickets are non-refundable
  • There are NO refunds if you cannot attend.
  • Tickets will not be refunded due to inclement weather. Events take place rain or shine.
  • Event cancellation:
    • If the event is canceled, attendees will be offered a refund or the option to transfer registration to the next event.
    What if I can't attend? Can I transfer my registration?

    Although The Gathering does not have a refund policy, you can transfer your registration to another camper.  In the event that you cannot attend The Gathering, please email info@staplesintents.com to transfer your registraion to another participant.

    Is an off-road vehicle needed?

    NO. The Gathering is designed for all outdoor adventurers. The location is easily accessible off the highway and any off-road activity is optional.

    In partnership with:

    Sponsored by: