Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be naked the whole time?

Yes, with limited exceptions.

MMNG is a naturist/nudist event, not a clothing-optional event. You are expected to be nude at most times. Remember that everyone else will be naked, and attendees come in all sizes, heights, weights, and ages. 

Please bring a sarong or towel to sit on during meals at the Dining Hall and while attending events in the Pavilion and Main Hall so your bare butt and bits don't touch and rest on the chairs. 

If cool temperatures or activities require clothing for comfort or safety, you may wear what is necessary. It is not uncommon to need a shirt, light jacket, or wrap in the evenings. If needed, kilts, sarongs, and sweatpants are much more comfortable than tight jeans.

Footwear is essential and should be worn most times. Many attendees wear sturdy flip flops or socks and sneakers; if you plan on hiking the trails you should bring sturdy walking/hiking shoes. 

When and where you can be fully nude:

• The MMNG Pre-Gathering starts the 2nd Friday of June at noon. We do not have exclusive use of Gaea Retreat Center at that time yet, so if you arrive on that Friday you'll need to follow Gaea's rules on nudity. Check out the answer to the question "What is the clothing policy?" on their website. 

• We have exclusive use of Gaea from 8 a.m. on the 2nd Saturday through noon on the 3rd Sunday. You are allowed to be nude throughout Gaea during this time. After noon on the 3rd Sunday, the rules on nudity revert back to Gaea's usual rules. 

• Regardless of the day and whether MMNG has exclusive use of Gaea, be mindful to not be naked on main access roads and open areas adjacent to property lines. If you're out for a stroll or hiking, bring something with you to cover up when in those areas. 

What if I'm not ready to be naked right away?

We encourage you to come to MMNG during the Pre-Gathering, which starts on the 2nd Friday of June and runs through the Tuesday before MMNG officially starts. You are allowed to wear clothing during the Pre-Gathering and can gradually work your way up to being fully naked prior to the official kickoff day. Of course, you're welcome to be completely naked during the Pre-Gathering, too!

If you're unable to come to the Pre-Gathering and you're still feeling timid about being naked, we encourage you to try out a local nudist event, clothing-optional campground, or something similar prior to coming to MMNG. Check out our Links page for some ideas.

We rent Gaea Retreat Center for exclusive use during MMNG. Gaea is located at 25110 235th St, McLouth, Kansas 66054.

We're assuming most everyone knows how to use the maps app on your phone or that you have GPS, but if you need directions on how to get to Gaea, please let us know.

When you come to Gaea you will arrive at a gate once you drive in a bit. We will include the code to unlock the gate in the information we send you after you register for MMNG. We HIGHLY encourage you to save this code as a screenshot on your phone or on a stickie note in your vehicle, as there is a high likelihood you won't have cell service when you get close to and arrive at Gaea. This means you probably won't be able to pull up the email we sent you with the gate code in it when you're at the gate. 

During the times we have on-site check-in running, we will also usually have gate volunteers to help you through the gate when you arrive.

Airport and transportation 

If you are flying into the area, the closest airport is Kansas City International (MCI), which is about an hour away from Gaea. We do not have shuttle service to and from the airport available, so we encourage you to work out transportation with another attendee who will have a vehicle at MMNG (be nice and offer to pay for some gas). When you register you can let us know that you may need someone to pick you up and drop you off and, if we have volunteers available to help you out, we'll help you connect with someone.

What you should bring to MMNG will vary depending on the lodging you choose to stay in, the activities you plan to engage in, and a variety of other factors. We've prepared a checklist below that we hope you'll find helpful.

Gaea-related 

• The gate code (screenshot, printed out, written down - you likely won't be able to pull up your email when you arrive at Gaea)

• Directions to Gaea (screenshot, printed out, written down - again, you may lose service prior to getting to Gaea)

Being outdoors and naked

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Sun hat, bandana, or something else to protect your scalp

• A sarong or small towel to sit on during meals and other gatherings

• Sunglasses

• Drinking water (we will have water available at the Dining Hall and Pavilion throughout the event, but it's a good idea to have additional water at your campsite as well)

• Basic first aid supplies - band aids, antibiotic ointment, acetaminophen/ibuprofen, bug bite treatment, etc.

• A flashlight

• A light jacket, shirt, or wrap in case it gets cool in the evening

• Shoes - sandals, tennis shoes, hiking shoes that can handle gravel roads and hiking trails (if you plan to hike)

• Fanny pack or other small bag (since you don't have pockets when you're naked)

Lodging 

• Tent, if that's your lodging choice (MMNG and Gaea do not have tents available to borrow, by the way)

• Bedding - pillow, sheets, blanket, sleeping bag

  • If you're staying in one of the cabins, the mattresses are twin size

• Ear plugs (if you're sharing a room in a cabin)

• Cooler, snacks, drinks, adult beverages, etc. (yes, we feed you, but you might want to have additional items at your campsite/cabin)

• Ice (we will have ice bags for sale on-site) 

• Camp chairs - for your campsite and some attendees prefer to bring one to use at the Pavilion

• Trash bags

• Clothesline to hang up towels, sarongs, etc.

• Lighting and decorations for your campsite/cabin (if desired)

Hygiene

• Towels

• A hanger to hang your towel on in the Shower House

• Toiletries - toothpaste, toothbrush, body wash, shampoo, etc.

• Toiletries bag (you can leave it in the Shower House with your towel)

• Prescription and over-the-counter medications

• Condoms, PrEP, lube, etc.

Activities-related

• Camera (you are allowed to use the camera on your cell phone)

• Costume accessories related to the theme (if you plan to participating in the Costume Contest)

• Yoga mat (if you plan to do yoga)

• Props, musical instruments, etc. (if you plan on participating in the Talent No Talent Show)

• Cards, dominos, board games, books, etc. 

• Auction items (if the auction is happening this year)

DO NOT BRING

• Pets (see question about service animals/pets)

• Firearms

• Fireworks

• Illegal substances

June weather in Kansas is usually hot and muggy (perfect for a naked event!) but it can sometimes be much cooler. Average daytime temperatures are around 80 and nighttime lows around 60. At least one torrential thunderstorm will likely happen during MMNG.

We encourage you to drink water to stay hydrated. Water is available throughout the event at the Dining Hall and the Pavilion. If you need a break from the heat, the Main Hall is air-conditioned and we offer movie screenings at various times throughout MMNG. 

See our answer about nudity above for more guidance on what clothing is allowed when/if it gets chilly in the evenings.

Each year, we set the base registration fees for MMNG based on several factors, primarily influenced by how much it costs us to rent Gaea and by how much food costs per attendee. MMNG is a not-for-profit endeavor and any excess funds raised are distributed to LGBTQIA+ and/or naturist causes that benefit all of us, and/or help to improve MMNG in the following years. 

You can see what our current registration fees are on the Registration Fees page. Registration opens on February 15th each year.

We cap registrations at 200 attendees per year, so we encourage you to register as early as possible. 

Your base registration fee includes:

• 2 catered meals per day during the main MMNG event (Wednesday through Saturday)

• All lodging options (additional fees apply for RVs and campers - see related question)

• All activities

MMNG registration opens on February 15th and closes on May 31st, or whenever we reach 200 registrants. 

Head over to our Registration pages to get more information and to register on the Registration Form page.

There are three types of lodging options at Gaea:

• Staying in a tent you bring

• Staying in one of the Gaea cabins

• Staying in an RV, camper, bus, van, etc. 

Tent Camping

Gaea has lots of areas where you can set up tents, camping gazebos, and whatever else you might need to create the perfect campsite. You will need to bring your own tent, as MMNG and Gaea do not have any for you to borrow. 

The majority of MMNG tent campers set up in the tree line all along the Ridge, with others setting up in areas such as Davawood (aka Fentonwood) and Pixie Stix. It's up to you where you set up and how close you want to be to high-activity areas like the Pavilion and the Active Fire. 

We have a limited number of reserved tent campsite near the stairs that have electricity available for those who need to connect a medical device such as a CPAP. You can indicate the need for one of these sites on the registration form.

Cabins

There are 9 camper cabins available total. Cabins are equipped with twin-size mattresses on bedframes; no additional bedding is provided, so you'll need to bring it with you. Each cabin sleeps 6 to 8 people and either separated into two separate rooms or one big room. We highly recommend bringing earplugs, as you never know whether your cabinmates will snore. 

Cabins are wired for 1 to 2 small electrical appliances only; please prioritize for cabinmates who use medical devices such as CPAPs at night. There is no indoor plumbing in the cabins but there are outhouses nearby to each one and the Shower House is a short walk away.

The cabin closest to the Shower House on the southside is designated for attendees with mobility issues; you can indicate that you need to stay in this cabin on the registration form.

RVs, Campers, Busses, Vans, etc.

The designated RV/camper area is right next to the Pavilion. It has a limited number of 15-amp and 30-amp electrical hookups. No air conditioners are allowed on 15-amp hookups. Our MMNG RV Coordinator staff will be on site to assign spots and help everyone get squared away.

Don't expect a spacious campsite in the RV area, but rather organized chaos with units jammed into 10' to 20' width spaces, which must also accommodate awnings and any slide-outs. There are no shady spots or water or sewer hookups available. But you are always super close to all the fun happening at the Pavilion!

Yes, but it is limited.

There is electricity in the cabins that will support basics like fans, simple lights and medical needs. Recent improvements provide quality RV electrical connections, but locations and infrastructure are limited, so it may not be available to all RVs. 

There is also electricity in some of the tent areas available at no charge. This is limited to basics like lights and medical devices, and may not be used for refrigerators or air conditioners or other appliances. Campers must provide their own extension cords, which are limited by Gaea to a total of 50 feet. Tent campers who wish to use electricity for decorative purposes are encouraged to use solar or battery power (neither provided by MMNG or Gaea).

Generators can only be used south of the pavilion near the "Elysium" camping area. The MMNG RV Coordinator staff will direct you upon your arrival.

What about charging my phone and other devices?

There are electrical outlets available at the Pavilion and other buildings at Gaea. You are allowed to use these to charge your devices. 

We provide two catered meals per day, Wednesday through Saturday (8 meals total). Meals are served in the Dining Hall and provide a nice variety of options, including vegetarian and vegan options. We also provide water, tea, lemonade, and coffee. 

You are encouraged to bring any additional snacks, drinks, and adult beverages you would like to have with you at camp. Supply your own cooler and you can purchase bags of ice on site at Gaea. 

We also have cocktail socials at the Pavilion each evening Wednesday through Saturday, where you can enjoy adult beverages, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks for free. 

Need a break from camp food and itching to go into town? There are many towns and cities nearby, including Tonganoxie, Lansing/Leavenworth, and Kansas City, KS. 

Yes, to a limited degree.

There is a limited amount of space for personal food storage and medication in the kitchen. However, the kitchen area is closed to all individual meal preparation.

Yes.

MMNG is a 21 and older event. MMNG itself does not supply alcoholic beverages, but you are welcome to bring your own. Groups or individuals generally supply limited quantities of alcoholic beverages at the evening cocktail socials or other activities. 

We expect you to drink and act responsibly or you may be removed from the event.

Yes!

We rely on volunteering from our attendees to make MMNG happen and to help keep our costs low. Volunteer activities are usually more fun than work and they're an excellent way to meet fellow attendees!

Check out our 'Volunteering at MMNG' page for descriptions of volunteer positions and activities.

You will be asked to sign-up for at least two volunteer shifts when you arrive and check in for MMNG. 

Yes, and please do!

Individuals, groups, and/or businesses are invited to host all-camp cocktail socials during afternoon or evening gatherings at the Pavilion, but you must get prior approval from MMNG so we can ensure proper scheduling. Hosting means you get to choose your theme and what you supply. You buy it, set it up, serve it, and clean up afterward. We can assist you with ideas for snacks and drinks and as well as suggest quantities of what to supply. 

MMNG will reimburse up to $300 of the cost to host a cocktail social, but please be aware that costs could exceed this amount and some expenses may fall on the host(s). Alcoholic beverages are usually expected to be part of these socials, but you should respect that some attendees don't drink and supply non-alcoholic beverages as well.

Yes, as long as what you are selling is legal.

If you wish to sell handcrafted items, clothing (what?!), or other things at MMNG, please let us know in advance. If we approve your request you will be asked to make an appropriate donation of some sort to MMNG. 

We frequently have massage providers in attendance at MMNG and encourage you to compensate them appropriately if you receive a massage while at MMNG.