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"Who" is Starland?
Mostly gay guys. Our visitors are mostly men, mostly gay or bisexual, who make
the journey, to experience peace, friendship, and natural beauty. Membership to
Starland is required. We offer memberships, so that we provide a safe,
"country-club" atmosphere in a freely-formed community. Starland is governed by
a group of self-selected Shining Star Members, who make up the Starland Steering
Committee.
"What" is Starland? A
small rural
rustic not-for-profit desert camp. We encourage and
sponsor a number of relaxing, educational, and spiritual activities throughout
the year.
"Where" is Starland? Near
Yucca Valley, California U.S.A. No address or directions are available on this
website. Only event registrarees are given directions.
"Why" is Starland? For
community mainly and also education, fun, friendship, nudity, nature, Radical Faeries, and the
like.
What kind of people
are at Starland? Mostly happy open-minded middle-aged gay guys,
occasionally women (when it's not an all-man thing), Radical fAERIEs, all races, nature lovers and naturist,
blue collars, white collars, and publicly assisted, occasional dog lovers and
their pets, handy guys and prissies, smokers and non-smokers, artists and
clumsies, and an occasional conservative, or "wanna-not-be conservative."
...Pagans, witches and wolves, non-practitioners and wholier-than-thous...
granola munching or hot-dog eating... 'need I go on?
Ages? This
varies widely from time to time, adults 18 and up are welcome. The
average age is 35-55.
Women? Women are very welcome
Atmosphere?
Usually very relaxed and low-key, even during a "Work
Weekend." There is no loud music accept for the occasional disco
during a special event. The desert is a very quiet place. Our patrons
are typically very jovial and friendly.
What is there to
do at Starland? You can spend time alone or enjoy the
many venues for interacting with others. Relax, get naked (optional),
have fun with friends, meet new gay friends, cook, share meals, trips to
the local eateries and curio shops, visits to Joshua Tree National Park,
dine at
Cross Roads Cafe -a very upbeat and cheery place with great food
and atmosphere, hike Starland's "out-back" and commune with nature, with
each other, or both, read books, play parlor games, play cards, watch
TV/Videos/DVD's, soak in the hot-tub. We often eat together and
sometimes make meal meals together. Some of us are vegetarian.
Sleeping together and cuddling are always an option. Sometimes others
bring stuff to do, like karaoke, and arts and crafts...you can bring
stuff too. You can sleep all day or hike all day. There's always someone
new to meet at Starland. Starland is given to many interests and
activities. Fitness, exercise and health are always supported.
What can I bring?
Pets? Can you bring Fluffy? Of course you
can, most of the time, with permission. Please see our
Pet Policy.
What do I need at
Starland?
Your warmest bedding (quilts/blankets/sleeping bag) and pillow
-for overnight stays on cold nights in a tent or other non-insulated
accommodation. Otherwise the Main Hall, the Bunk cabin, and the Vista
Arroyo cabin are very well insulated, cozy, and heated.
Your toiletries -Towel or two, Shower
Soap (bio-degradable type) -other preferred personal toiletries.
Shoes -sandals or open-toed shoes are not recommended, especially
off premises in the out-back.
Food -except where events provide food. Snacks are always
available. We also have limited refrigeration storage available. You may
also bring food to share for possible communal meals that often happen.
Mohabee's Recommendations:
Flashlight, chap stick, body lotion, massage oil, tweezers, band
aids, phone calling card, bug repellent.
Optional Items: Drums or other percussion,
Altar items, Incense and Scented oils, Fae Drag, camera, art supplies,
journal.
What do I do at
Starland? Relax... what is there to do? You are
free to enjoy as you please, just don't hurt yourself or others. Stay
sane and sober. Well show you where everything is and provide you with a
basic tour of Starland to orient you and then let you be, unless you
don't want to be let alone we'll try to show you how to have a good
time!
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More random Starland's FAQ's
Our visitors often inquire about particular aspects about
Starland, that our website may not cover. There is no particular order in this
FAQ list.
If you have a question which is not on this page, and appears to be unanswered
in our website, please email us. We appreciate your
comments and constructive criticism.
Where is Starland?
Starland is located 45 miles north of Palm Springs, CA, near Yucca Valley, CA.
Starland is in the Mojave Desert, and is surrounded by desert mountains and
valleys. Starland exists in a rural neighborhood, on a bluff overlooking a vast
arroyo.
Are the neighbors "gay friendly?"
While many might perceive rural neighbors as "redneck," surprisingly, most of
our neighbors live and let live. The community surrounding Starland is
peaceful and mostly pleasant. Most of the houses in sight from Starland are
unoccupied for most of the year.
How do I obtain directions to Starland?
We provide directions, upon receipt of a reservation, or upon confirmation of a
time and date, for a brief daylight tour of Starland.
What is Starland?
Starland is a not-for-profit, member-based campground and retreat, which offers
simple, basic accommodations, and also offers weekend events,
seminars, and other activities. Starland is privately-owned, and is proudly
gay-friendly.
Who comes to Starland?
Mostly gay men, who enjoy camping out (or staying in one of our cabins) in a
safe, relatively silent, and delightful environment.
How many do we expect for a weekend event or on a typical night?
As many as 30; as few as one or two.
Is Starland ever closed?
Starland closes its gates rarely. We now have substitute volunteer caretakers
who help us make Starland available year-round. We encourage you
to make a reservation as soon as you know your arrival and departure dates, one
or two weeks in advance of your arrival. Please let us know if you plan to
arrive late at night.
I called Starland and got no answer! What's up with the slow reply time?
We often have one person who is responsible for many tasks. Please be patient,
and allow a couple of days for us to return your phone call or email inquiry.
The turn-around time is usually right away, but when the rain falls, or there is
high wind in the air, our phones and electric service may be temporarily
interrupted. Also note that Friday is when most of our visitors arrive, for
weekend events or open camping. We might be greeting our new arrivals on that
day, so leave a message on the phone machine, and be sure to include a phone
number that you'll be close to, for our delayed return call. Thanks for your
understanding and patience.
Are women welcome?
Indeed. Note that we offer some events for "men only." The few women who have
already visited Starland have been gracious, and are accepting of the
mostly-male presence at Starland.
Are heterosexuals and bisexuals welcome?
Yes. As long as what you do is legal, done with respect, and does not frighten
the coyotes.
Are children welcome?
No. Starland is an adult campground and retreat, for those age 18 and older.
What is the age of a typical Starland visitor?
There are visitors as young as 18, and visitors as old as 89, who come to
Starland. Visitors of all ages in-between are plentiful, too! The "average"
age of a typical Starland Member is late-30's.
I'm a faerie. Will I be welcome?
Yes. We have many Faeries at Starland. Starland is seen as a bit different from
the Faerie Sanctuaries that are known to exist. While Starland is
known as a sublime place for Faeries to visit, we don't label Starland as a
"sanctuary."
What is Starland's spiritual atmosphere?
We embrace open spirituality. We have been blessed with a labyrinth, a medicine
wheel, and several altars that have been built and are visited
frequently. We hold celebrations of the earth and its many blessings at
Starland.
I'm chubby/hairy/slim/average-built. Will I feel welcome?
Indeed. Starland is for those who are chubby, those who are slim, those who work
out, those who are "couch potatoes," those who have lots of hair,
those with no hair, those with truck driver's "sunburn," and those who have good
complexions. In other words, we encourage our visitors to be
themselves, and to enjoy the many characteristics of others at Starland.
What is the typical "atmosphere" at Starland?
During the week, and at Open Camping weekends, visitors relax and unwind. Most
of our visitors want to be in a quiet, unrushed, and relaxed place,
far from the city and it's noisy, crowded characteristics. We offer simple
activities, and our hot tub, to assist road-weary and overworked visitors
relax and to become refreshed with the splendors of the Mojave Desert.
What is the sexual atmosphere at Starland?
We offer a quiet, peaceful place for sexual expression. We prefer subtlety over
overt public sexual encounters. Most of the visitors who come to
Starland are here to "get away" from the sexual tensions of city night clubs,
bars, and bathhouses. Starland is about being an adult with clear
intentions and respect for others. We discourage "touchy-feely," but encourage
our visitors to gently ask before touching, embracing, or having
sex with another visitor.
Is there a discount for couples/partners/married visitors?
While we encourage couples to come and share the delights of Starland, we ask
that each visitor sign up for himself. We regret that we are unable to
offer any specific discounts for couples, but please consider some of our
options that couples could benefit from, such as our Shining Star
Membership, which allows two people to share up to four nights, per year,
for a tent space, RV parking, or Main Hall accommodations, as a
thank-you gift, from Starland.
Is beer/wine/spirits allowed at Starland?
Some visitors will drink alcohol at Starland, but we discourage drunken
behavior, and those with wayward manners, while under the influence. Most
of our visitors do not drink alcohol.
Can I smoke "pot" at Starland?
No. We also prohibit use of illegal drugs and illegal substances.
May I arrive as a "day visitor?"
Yes. Please note that we ask all visitors to become Members of Starland. There
may be a nominal fee for visiting us in the daylight hours only. Our
overnight fees apply for anyone staying at Starland after 8:00 PM. Some of
Starland's weekend events prohibit day visitation, so please check with us,
before arriving as a day visitor.
May I arrive unannounced or without a reservation?
While we encourage the freedom of visitors to come and go, we discourage
visitation without prior notice. Please call us, or
email us, or
make an online reservation, before traveling to Starland.
Is Membership to Starland required?
Yes. Please sign up for Membership, or
get further information
about our Member levels, and the membership dues. Note that the
annual Bright Star Membership is included in the price for some of our events
and activities, for newcomers to Starland.
What is Starland's climate?
Starland has four seasons. Our best seasons are spring and fall. Summer is very
hot and dry, while winter is often cold, windy, and sometimes wet
(with a rare snowstorm). Spring can be quite windy at first, but expect calmer
weather as spring becomes summer. Fall is calm and warm at first,
but becomes colder and windier as the season approaches winter. We may
experience a desert "monsoon" during the months of July and August.
What Clothing and Shoes shall I bring to Starland?
Here are our seasonal suggestions:
Shoes (all seasons): bring comfortable shoes, but no sandals, for outdoors,
please. Bring hiking shoes, for walking in the wilderness and up the
mountain trails. Our Main Hall and cabins are conducive to barefoot walking, or
in sandals.
Summer: Nudity, or very little clothing. Bring a hat, sun block, and a
smile!
Fall: Light warm-weather clothing, such as shorts and tee shirts, for
daytime. Bring a light jacket or sweatshirt for nights.
Winter: Cover up, and bring warm clothing for daytime and nighttime. Rain
coats or water-repellant jackets, and warm socks and ski caps, for outdoor
activities, are recommended.
Spring: Warm-weather clothing, such as tee shirts and shorts, but do
bring
a pair of sweats, and a jacket with you, too.
What is the weather forecast for Starland?
Note applet on left side of page -->
Is the staff paid or volunteer?
Everyone who serves Starland is a volunteer. This includes our greeters, our
builders, our supervisors, our promoters, and our caretakers. We
encourage our Members to volunteer (link). From time to time, we may hire
someone with specific applied skills or for work that needs to be done
immediately (such as the local tractor man who re-grades the driveway after a
storm).
May I trade my skills as a volunteer, for visitation at Starland?
There is no clear "yes" or "no" to this question. Please inquire with us (link),
and offer your skill(s) first. We have allowed visitors to barter
needed skills, in exchange for a visit to Starland. We reserve the right to
negotiate the exact terms, and the right to refuse an offer. We prefer
volunteers who offer a clear intention to perform a task, and can set a deadline
for the completion of a task.
How rustic is Starland?
We offer basic comforts, such as running water, electricity from the "grid," and
hot showers. Our cabins are insulated, and have heaters for
winter comfort. The house and Main Hall have evaporative coolers, for summer
comfort.
How wild are the wild animals at Starland?
We often hear and occasionally see coyotes, but rarely encounter snakes,
scorpions, or other dangerous creatures. In short, be prepared to see a
variety of creatures at Starland, most of which are human-friendly, or animals
that simply avoid creatures bigger than they are. We recommend that
you store food in your car, or bring it inside the Main Hall or house, to avoid
being "raided" by the creatures in our midst.
Are there native plants to watch out for?
Yes. The native cacti, called "cholla," have needles that "jump" at close range!
Fortunately, these wild plants are far from where most of our
visitors walk, and are not present around the buildings, tent and RV areas, and
driveways at Starland. When you visit Starland, request a nature walk, to see
the unusual species of yucca and cactus that thrive in the Mojave Desert.
Any other suggestions?
-Remember that desert driving, while mostly pleasant and uneventful, may
dehydrate the driver and passengers. Bring plenty of water for your drive
to and from Starland.
-Cell phones work well enroot to Starland, except while in mountain passes and
desert canyons. Starland has fairly good cell phone service near the
Main Hall.
-We suggest visiting the local attractions while staying at Starland. The
Integratron, in Landers, and the Natural History Museum, in Yucca Valley,
as well as Joshua Tree National Park, are all close to Starland.
-We encourage creativity and free expression. Bring your art supplies, musical
instruments, crochet supplies, tarot cards, or other forms of
personal expression.
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