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June 19, 2025
Starting Your Own Camo Hat Club Chapter
A Guide to Building Connection and Fighting Loneliness in Your Community
What is the Camo Hat Club?
The Camo Hat Club is a simple but powerful antidote to the epidemic of loneliness, especially among men. We believe that regular, no-pressure connection can make all the difference in someone’s life. Our formula is straightforward: same place, same day each month, good food, and genuine check-ins.
The Core Philosophy
Keep it simple. The beauty of the Camo Hat Club lies in its simplicity. We’re not trying to solve everything at once – we’re just showing up for each other, month after month.
Consistency builds trust. When people know they can count on something being there, they’re more likely to open up and invest in the group.
Connection over perfection. It’s not about having the perfect venue or agenda. It’s about creating space for real human connection.
Getting Started: The Basics
- Choose Your Foundation
- Day of the month: Pick a specific day (like “first Tuesday” or “third Saturday”) and stick with it
- Time: Keep it consistent. We meet for breakfast and it seems to work.
- Location: Find a reliable spot that can accommodate your group size
- Location Considerations
Restaurants work best because:
- Food naturally brings people together
- Built-in conversation starter (“How’s the food?”)
- Servers provide natural breaks in conversation
- No one person has to host or clean up
Look for places that are:
- Reasonably priced (don’t price anyone out)
- Not too loud (conversation should be easy)
- Welcoming to groups
- Consistent in their hours and service
- Set Up Your Text Chain
- Use whatever platform works for your group (regular texts, WhatsApp, GroupMe, etc.)
- Keep the group name simple and clear
- Start with just a few people who are committed to showing up
Building Your First Group
Start Small
Begin with 3-4 people who you know will show up reliably. It’s better to have a small, committed group than a large, flaky one.
Who to Invite
- Friends who seem isolated or could use more connection
- Colleagues who might be new to the area
- Neighbors you’d like to know better
- Anyone who seems like they could benefit from regular check-ins
Remember: You’re not looking for a specific “type” of person. The only requirement is showing up.
The First Meeting
- Keep expectations low and pressure off
- Focus on getting to know each other
- Establish the rhythm: “We’ll be here same time next month”
- Don’t over-explain or oversell it – let the experience speak for itself
Running Effective Meetings
The Simple Format
- Arrive and order (15-20 minutes of settling in)
- Go around the table – each person shares how their month went
- Natural conversation flows from there
- Confirm next month before leaving
Creating Psychological Safety
- What’s shared at the table stays at the table
- No judgment, no fixing, just listening
- Everyone gets a chance to speak, no one has to
- It’s okay to have quiet guys who mostly listen
Using Your Text Chain
Keep it Light Between Meetings
- Share interesting articles or memes
- Quick check-ins when someone’s going through something
- Reminders about the monthly meeting
- Coordinate if you need to change plans
Don’t Overdo It
The text chain supports the in-person meetings, it doesn’t replace them. Keep digital communication light and use it to drive people back to face-to-face connection.
Signs Your Chapter is Working
- People start reaching out to each other between meetings
- Members bring friends or family members occasionally
- Conversations get more honest and vulnerable over time
- People express gratitude for the group
- You see guys supporting each other through tough times
Growing the Movement
Once your chapter is established (after 6+ months of consistent meetings), consider:
- Helping someone start a second chapter in your area
- Sharing your experience with other communities
- Connecting with other Camo Hat Club chapters
Final Thoughts
The Camo Hat Club isn’t about changing the world overnight. It’s about changing one person’s month, one conversation at a time. Some meetings will be amazing, some will be quiet, and some will be awkward. That’s all normal.
The magic happens in the showing up, month after month, for each other.
Remember: You don’t have to be perfect to start. You just have to start.
Questions about starting your chapter? Connect with other chapter leaders through camohatclub.com or email me: dennis@halfasorrow.org
