Woof Camp 2015

Ruff- pup and Handler community:

Celebrating eight years of Woof Camp - the annual pup and Handler party held at International Mr. Leather in Chicago, IL!  Although Woof Camp was scheduled opposite the IML contest due to room size availability, we had yet another pawsome event this year. There was a massive attendance of pups/dogs/wolves and Handlers/Trainers of all breeds, genders, shapes, and sizes.

The theme was "Full Circle". More than a decade ago, the puppy moshes initially and informally began at the Congress Plaza Hotel with just a very small group of us gathering in a small area to pup out amongst ourselves. From those humble origins, Woof Camp has become the world's largest annual pup and Handler party that you all now see and hear about.

This year the pup and Handler party was held on Sunday, May 24th from 7pm-10pm. Immediately prior to the main event, we held Happy Puppy Yoga, a 30-minute "stretch and limber up" session led by certified yoga instructor pup Snuggles.

Pups and Handlers flowed in and out continuously throughout the 3-hour mosh, while hundreds of IML attendees looked on from the sidelines. While supplies lasted, pups and Handlers received a free commemorative enamel pin in the shape of two dogs sniffing each other with the words "Woof Camp" underneath them.

Woof Camp 2015 offered both Active and Quiet areas, multiple water stations, and storage tables for gear/clothes/boots. Our volunteer photographer, Bryan S., and official Woof Camp photographer Pup Beaker, took hundreds of photos and some video. In addition to photography, as the canine energy was at times "overflowing", medical services were available and provided by Ray H.
 
Later in the evening IML attendees enjoyed watching the pups destroy the seven black cat piñatas, with the added surprise of each one containing numerous multicolor light up bouncing balls for the pups to keep.

At 9:00pm was the group photo (as pictured above). Thanks to those pups and Handlers who were there for the group photo.

A couple of the Rock and Roll City Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence of Cleveland, Ohio surprised us with an impromptu visit and a water "blessing of the pups". Other new surprises this year included two enormous red nylon tunnels in the mosh Active Area, as well as a Pre-Woof Camp Orientation/Q&A held on Saturday afternoon.

To see photos of what occurred at this year's Happy Puppy Yoga 2015 and Woof Camp 2015 visit the "Prior Woof Camps" page.

Every year I cannot fully express my appreciation and deep gratitude to everyone who took the time to attend Woof Camp  and have fun, and 2015 is no different. But ultimately it is the group of volunteers who make this event possible, and to them I want to especially bark out a huge "Thank You"!

First and foremost is Scott Douglas of SquarePeg Toys (maker of the original silicone puppy tails). Without his ongoing financial support, background assistance, helpful advice/input/encouragement, and his support of the pup and Handler community in general, Woof Camp would not be the “free entrance” and successful party that it has been for the past eight years. Please make sure to email and say thank you or, better yet, shop from his wide selection of quality erotic silicone toys and support his business at SquarePegToys.com.

Please know this event would not have occurred without the pups/dogs/wolves and Handlers/Trainers who came forward and pitched in to make the event happen. A huge heartfelt "Thank You" to the below volunteers for giving of yourselves, your time, and your "can do" attitude and energy; I am continually humbled by your dedication and am always extremely grateful for your assistance.

The following are those who deserve howls and a-paws (in alphabetical order) for helping with Woof Camp 2015. (Please note that the above volunteer photos does not include all the volunteers listed below):

Ajax Superpup (Set-up; Windsor Ballroom Front Door Security)
Alan K. (Quiet Area Handler)
Andrew I. (Squirrel; Active Area Handler)
Bob R. (Set-up)
Bryan S. (Official Woof Camp Photographer)
Chris S. (Set-up; Windsor Ballroom Front Door Security)
Daddy Don (Pre-Woof Camp Orientation Presenter; Official Active/Quiet Area Handler Coordinator; Set-up; Active Area Handler; Tear-down)
Daddy John (Quiet Area Handler)
Esteban C. (Set-up; Windsor Ballroom Front Door Security)
Hurley puppy (Set-up)
Jason S. (Active Area Handler)
Jon V. (Set-up)
Keith P. (Set-up; Active Area Handler; Tear-down)
Kraig B. (Official Alcove/Windsor Ballroom Front Door Security Coordinator; Set-up; Alcove Ballroom Front Door Security)
Master Tom (Set-up; Quiet Area Handler)
Michael R. (Pup Blue) (Windsor Ballroom Front Door Security)
Nate (Quiet Area Handler)
Peter S. (Alcove Ballroom Front Door Security)
Pup Bamm Bamm (Joe G.) (loan of portable speaker system)
Pup Bandit (Set-up; Windsor Ballroom Front Door Security)
Pup Beaker (Orange fencer deliverer; Official Woof Camp Photographer)
Pup Bowser (Alcove Ballroom Front Door Security)
Pup Buddy (Set-up)
Pup Cockpit (Woof Camp Website Programmer; Personal Assistant to Brue)
Pup Dakota (Tear-down)
Pup Hoodie (Front Door Security; Set-up)
Pup Indigo (Set-up)
Pup Loki (Active Area Handler)
Pup Pug (Official Woof Camp Alcove/Windsor Ballrooms Set-up Coordinator; Set-up)
Pup Shawn (Quiet Area Handler)
Pup Snuggles (Official Happy Puppy Yoga Instructor)
Pup Studpup (Set-up; Quiet Area Handler)
Pup Tork (Pre-Woof Camp Orientation Presenter; Windsor Ballroom Front Door Security)
Ray H. (Official Woof Camp EMT)
Robert M. (Windsor Ballroom Front Door Security)
Sassafras (Active Area Handler)
Sir Gruff (Active Area Handler)
Sir Gruff (Set-up; Active Area Handler)
Sir Justin St. Clair (Windsor Ballroom Front Door Security)
Sister JFB Just F* Bubbles (Blessing of the Pups by Rock and Roll City Sister of Perpetual Indulgence of Cleveland, Ohio)
Sister Areice Commins (Blessing of the Pups by Rock and Roll City Sister of Perpetual Indulgence of Cleveland, Ohio)
Guard Taryn Sphincter (Guard of the Rock and Roll City Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence of Cleveland, Ohio)
Slade T. (Active Area Handler)
Solomon H. (Active Area Handler; Tear-down)
Starr Pup (Set-up)
Wolf F. (Personal Assistant to Brue)

We try to recognize all volunteers, but if you or someone you know has been overlooked on this list, please accept my apologies, and also let me know so I can correct the list.
 
I look forward to seeing everyone at the next Woof Camp event!

~Kirk "Brue" Pierce
Woof Camp 2015 Producer
(content but tired wags)