Our vision is for this to be a fun group with minimal bureaucratic structure so we don't have officers or business meetings but we do have some basic rules to make our group enjoyable and safe for those participating including:

1. Have fun

2. Respect and have courtesy for others

3. Use proper etiquette and good manners

4. Practice safety and use common sense (see the safety info in our Resources Section)

5. Participate as a member of the group

6. Take Nothing but Pictures, Leave Nothing but Footprints, Kill Nothing but Time

We expect our members to help create a welcoming and friendly environment for everyone. As a outdoor and social club, we ask that members participate in our activities together as group members.

If you are interested in doing activities on your own or just with your friends, then you should do these activities separate from our group functions. It is disrespectful of our group leaders, guides, and other participants to leave the others in the group to do your own thing at an outing or other event. We typically expect participants to attend an entire outing, i.e. not show up late just for the main function or leave early unless that has be arranged with the outing leader before the day of the activity.

OUTINGS THAT INCLUDE HIKING OR BIKING

For safety reasons, participants in any outing that includes hiking (including camping and caving) are required to wear high-top, over-the-ankle lace-up boots boots with lug or deeply treaded soles (worn-in, not worn-out). Participants in a biking activities are required to wear a bike helmet and proper shoes. If a biking outing involves some street riding or a bike path with street crossings, bright/light colored clothing should be worn for better visibility.

Failure to wear required footwear or helmet will result in participates not being allowed to participate or being removed from an outing. 

RESERVATIONS/RSVPs

All activities require a reservation unless specifically stated otherwise. There are additional rules and conditions relating to RSVPs/reservations including payments and club/activity participation which are provided when making a reservation.

Any member showing up to an event which they are not on the attendance list may have their membership revoked. This is a safety and liability issue and will not be allowed for any reason. Reservation lists are also needed for the proper planning of events in addition of some events having a cap on the number of participants.

PARTICIPATING

Anyone participating in an activity/event is required to:

(1) be a Hotlanta Adventures Member in good standing,

(2) be registered for the event,

(3) abide by our Participation Guidelines and Rules of Conduct,

(4) assume responsibility for your own safety,

(5) sign a liability release waiver, and 

(6) other guidelines which may vary with different events.

Please remember you are representing Hotlanta Adventures, as a member, while participating in any club event! Please conduct yourself in such a way as not to detract from the enjoyment of the other Participants (at all times) and the good name of our club. You may be removed or excluded from an event or our club should your behavior not be permitting. This is to make an enjoyable and safe environment for the group as a whole. Hotlanta Adventures is run by volunteers. All participants at any Hotlanta Adventures activity must assess and assume responsibility for their own safety.

GUESTS

Due to safety and liability issues anyone participating in an outing must be registered as a Basic or Supporting Member.

OUTING/EVENT CHECK-IN/OUT

Most outings outside of Atlanta have an initial meeting location in Atlanta separate from the event where participants are checked-in, waivers and other needed paperwork is handled, announcements are made, and we review other needed details before an outing or other event so it is important for you to attend. These meeting times are typically combined with a meet & greet/social time along with some events having a meal/social time after the main outing/function.

If you live out of town or there are other factors that doesn't make it feasible for you come to a meeting location that is separate from the event, let us know so that we can make arrangements before the day of the event for you to meet at the activity location.

Participants are expected to check-out with the trip leader before leaving an outing.

RETURN TIMES TO ATLANTA

Participants should be aware that unavoidable delays can and will occasionally occur, resulting in a later-than-expected return. Most participants want to enjoy nature outside from the hectic schedules of their city life so we usually have flexible agendas that allow for additional time enjoying the great outdoors and socializing. With many of our outings, the group as a whole may decide to spend additional time at a water fall or other scenic location, visit an overlook or other or other area not planned, or have dinner before returning to Atlanta.

Since we can't guarantee return times, it's best to avoid making evening plans on the return day of your trip (especially with outings that include lengthy drives).

PARTICIPATION/GROUP FEES 

Most outings/activities have a Group/Participation Fee to participate. We will many times include water or other drinks and snacks for outings.

We are a volunteer based group but do have expenses. 

Participation & Membership Fees are used to pay for things like our 

· website & email services, 

· phone service,

· first aid kits/supplies & trainings,

· drinks, ice, & snacks for some events, 

· water & food coolers, 

· picnic supplies, 

· two-way radios, 

· camping equipment (tents, screen houses, etc.), 

· canopy tent & tables used at festival exhibit booths, 

· exhibiting costs at festivals and other events, 

· copying/printing, 

· membership fees with affiliate organizations, Environmental Stewardship projects, 

· and other items and expenses for our group.

In addition to the Group Fee, some events may have additional cost based on the particular activity. Some of these cost could be state/national park entrance or parking fee, food/restaurant tab, shared gas with carpool drivers, rental fees (rafts, canoes, etc.), outfitter/guide expense (whitewater rafting, caving/spelunking, etc.), lodging, and other cost involved with an activity.

CELL/MOBILE PHONE Emergency Contact Programming

Emergency medical personal suggest programming an emergency contact entry under the name "ICE: [name]." ICE is the acronym for In Case of Emergency so a phone book listing as "ICE: Jane Doe" would tell someone to call Jane Doe in the event of an emergency.

DOGS & OTHER PETS

Pets are not allow at any Hotlanta Adventures events unless specifically stated otherwise. Any member who brings a dog or other pets without prior approval may be requested to leave the event, forfeit any monies paid, and have their membership revoked. This is a liability and safety issue and will not be allowed for any reason.

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS

Hotlanta Adventures encourages diversity within our organization. Any member not being respectful/tolerant of a member, guide, or other's race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, or gender will have their membership revoked without warning.

Any member caught abusing the parks or other facilities we use, or the equipment we use (owned by the club, other members, or outfitters) will be required to leave an event and have will have their membership revoked.

We have a zero tolerance policy for anyone mistreating a horse or other animals on an outing. Anyone found, in our judgment, to be mistreating or abusing an animal will be required to leave an event and will have their membership revoked.

This is not a group for nudist activities, hooking up, finding group/public sex, or anything similar.

Hotlanta Adventures reserves the right to deny admittance, removed from an event, and/or terminate the membership of any participant that, at our discretion, exhibits behavior that is anti-social, inappropriate, disruptive, or exceeds the bounds of good taste, is not being respectful of others, or engages in improper, immoral, or illegal acts. If these actions are taken, the participant forfeits any monies paid for activities and their membership fee.

Smoking: There is no smoking allowed at any Hotlanta Adventures activities or events.

Alcohol: Responsible drinking of alcoholic beverages is permitted at selected events during appropriate times but we do not condone excessive drinking or drinking by those under the legal drinking age. For safety reasons, drinking is NOT allowed before going on or while participating in any recreational activities. Drinking alcohol can and will increase the inherent dangers of participating in outdoor adventure activities including putting people at risk of their safety or even in life threatening situations. Those who found to be intoxicated will not be allowed to participate in group activities and forfeit any monies paid for such.

Drugs: We do NOT welcome those who do illegal drugs, chemicals, or other related substances of any kind either recreationally or otherwise. Anyone found using any drugs or other related substances will be banded from our group and are subject to being required to leave an event and forfeit any monies paid for such. Many of our activities have inherent dangers and risk involved in which being under the influence of drugs, chemicals, etc. increases those dangers and put themselves and others risk of their safety or even in life threatening situations. As such, we have a zero tolerance policy in regards to drug use.

Weapons: Firearms or other weapons are prohibited at any events.

These guidelines are subject to modifications and updates as needed. We suggest members visit this page prior to attending an event to refresh their knowledge of these guidelines and check for updates.

Last Update: 10/18/2008