There are HERPES SOCIAL GROUPS in MOST STATES and especially in MAJOR AND MIDSIZE METROPOLITAN AREAS that have regular get-togethers and events so that people can make friends with other local people who are in their same situation.  These groups are a WONDERFUL way to make friends and learn about other people's experiences living and dating with herpes. You may also find people to date or who become good friends. To find an H Social Group in your area, go to: Herpes Social Groups.

Friends Over Texas
May 15th - May 18th, 2008
San Antonio, Texas
The Friends over Texas event began in 2003 when members from the 4 major Texas Groups (Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston) joined together to host our first gathering. We have toured Texas once and are on our second round this year being hosted in San Antonio, Texas.
Accommodations: Crockett Hotel Downtown San Antonio. Reservations can be made by calling (800) 292-1050. This phone number is also available on the front page of the hotel's website at http://crocketthotel.com/. Click the links to the left for more information about the event. Group rates (only available if booked via phone - not via website) $130.00 + tax with Deluxe Continental Breakfast included. When making reservations please tell them that you are with Friends Over Texas toget this rate.Event fee: $52 before 4/1, $62 after. Fee includes Saturday night dinner dance.
Agenda: Activities include meet and greets, dinners, dancing, pool party, sightseeing.
Keep coming back to the website for updates:
http://friendsovertexas.com/

Umpteenth Annual Guadalupe River Toobin' Safari
June 13-15, 2008
Mountain Breeze Campground, New Braunfels, Texas.
Hosted by Houston H Friends http://www.houstonhfriends.org
Campground website: http://www.mountainbreezecamp.com/
We have reserved all the cabins, but those are long gone. We may pitch tents and camp in the cabin area (to stay together), and we have also reserved two campsites by the river (MB5 & MB6), ostensibly to have a pleasant place to hang out during the day, but we can also camp there. In years past some renegade factions have reserved their own campsites so that they could carry on private Bacchanalian rites. Each tent camper will have to pay a $12 per night fee to the campground operators. There are also trailer and R.V. sites available. Other have rented local houses or stayed in motels. You need to bring your food, camping gear, swim wear, water shoes, lots of sun block , a hat and an harmonious attitude. There are a canteen and store on-site. Many folks team up to dine together. Local herpsters come out for the day to toob and party with us. I have been known to cook a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning, but most campers are too trashed to partake. I also lead a Saturday night Hootenanny, having varying degrees of participation in different years. So, I encourage musicians to bring their music. If you are bereft of camping gear, thare are many of us with surplus equipment that you may borrow.
For more info, email tedslaw@... or go to
http://www.houstonhfriends.org

Indylicious - The Indy National Event 2008
June 19th-22nd
Indianapolis, Indiana
This is one of the oldest and largest national H events.
Activities include meet and greets, bars, pool parties, poolside cookout, dinners, sightseeing.
Hotel is Ramada Inn Indy.
Rooms are $75 per night. Mention "Indy Club" for special rate.
Event fee: $50 until 4/1.
For more info: http://indylicious.com/

POCSN Carribean Cruise
June 21-26, 2008
Join POCSN (People of Color Social Networking)* on a 5-day Western
Caribbean Cruise to Mexico from Mobile, Alabama on the Carnival Cruise Lines ship, "Holiday".
Optional pre-cruise party in Mobile on June 20.
Interior cabins are 556.92 per person; ocean view cabins $616.92 per person: payment due on or before April 7th, 2008. $400 deposit due September 21, 2007. This is all-inclusive (food, gratuities, etc.), excluding alcoholic beverages and shore excursions. Passport required.
*POCSN events are open to everyone in the H community regardless of ethnicity.
For more information, go to http://www.hfreedomnetwork.com/

BAY AREA FRIENDS ANNUAL YOSEMITE TRIP
July 24-28, 2008
Yosemite Village, CA
Hosted by Bay Area Friends (San Francisco, CA)
Join your H friends from all over California and other states for a 3-4 day weekend trip in America's Favorite National Park!  We reserve 40 spots in 4-bed tent-cabins at Curry Village in the center of Yosemite's Valley Floor and do lots of different hikes and other activities such as horseback riding, bike-riding, star-gazing and the ever-popular "river-sitting."  Some attendees are die-hard hikers who can do Half Dome or Clouds Rests hikes and leave everyone in the dust, but most people are just normal folks who can do 5-8 mile hikes and take their time.  Others prefer to walk around the Valley floor, sit by the pool or in the river, etc.  There's something for everyone. Although most attendees are from California, we've had visitors from Vermont, South Carolina, Texas, Nevada, and Germany, etc. Prices start at $125 (total includes all 3 days accommodations + camp foods/activities).  Prices go up on May 1, June 1, and July 1st. .Some people make their own reservations and join us for activities/meals,  For more info, go to: http://www.bayareafriends.org/yosemite_2008.htm

OctoberPhest - Philly National Event
Oct 3-5, 2008
Hosted by Philadelphia Friends
This is the 3rd Philly national event.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Philadelphia National Airport
Mention "Philadelphia Friends Group" for $89 per night special rate. Events include dinners, sightseeing, tours, museum, pub crawl, casino gambling. You are welcome to come early and spend Wednesday night with members of Philadelphia Friends for their ongoing monthly happy hour at The Dark Horse (bar/restaurant in Olde City Philadelphia.
Details are at http://www.philafriends.org/