Frequently Asked Questions

No registration or commitment is required for the groups . You’re welcome to join at any time. Some people attend regularly, and others come when they can. It’s okay to try a group once or come back after time away. Some Unmasked in the Wild events may require advance registration and this will be advertised if that's the case. New participants for both the groups and the Unmasked in the Wild events are always welcome, and support is available if you need help getting started. 

There is no fee to attend Unmasked Space groups. Some Unmasked in the Wild events may have a small fee, which will always be advertised in advance. If cost is a barrier, please email us — we don’t want finances to stop anyone from participating. For some events, participants may also choose to bring spending money (for example, a coffee meetup), but we do our best to keep costs minimal.

At this time, all Unmasked Space groups are held at the CSA Community Center, located at 141 W Wisconsin Ave, Suite 2, Kaukauna, WI.  Unmasked in the Wild events are held in a variety of locations — sometimes at the CSA Community Center, and other times in different community spaces. Event locations will always be posted in advance so you know exactly where to go.

We typically share our group schedule every few months. If a group is canceled or changed, we post updates on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/mhaofwisconsin. Following the page can help you stay informed and reduce uncertainty.

Age ranges help create spaces with shared life stages and experiences. If you’re close to the range or unsure where you fit, feel free to reach out and we can explore together whether a group or event would feel comfortable and supportive.

You're welcome to attend either or both groups! Teen groups (13–19) are geared toward middle and high school students, and Young Adult groups (18–25ish) are for older participants. Some 18- or 19-year-olds find it helpful to attend both groups for a period of time as they transition into the Young Adult group.

Absolutely! It’s normal to feel a little awkward or unsure when you first join — even our facilitators have felt that way when they started. You’re only asked to share your name or what you’d like to be called; everything else is completely optional. Many people feel nervous at first and later find the group to be a place where they really fit in. Questions? Email marybeth@mhawisconsin.org — we’re happy to help.

We don't want anyone to feel forced to attend — it's important that your child feels comfortable and safe. Many participants have felt nervous or unsure at first, and later found the group to be a space where they truly fit. There's no pressure to participate in any particular way. Beyond sharing a name or what they'd like to be called, all other participation is optional. We're happy to answer questions and gently walk you and your child through what a group is like. You can email marybeth@mhawisconsin.org anytime.

To help keep the group comfortable and supportive for everyone, participants need to be able to take part independently. Our facilitators are there to gently guide the group and care for the shared space, but they aren’t able to offer one-to-one support.  Some Unmasked in the Wild events may be more flexible in that in some cases participants are sometimes welcome to attend with their own support person or caregiver. If you’re wondering what might feel like the best fit, please feel free to email us — we’re always happy to talk it through with you. 

Absolutely! You don’t need to have attended a group first. Unmasked in the Wild is designed to be a low-pressure way to connect with others in the community, whether it's your first time meeting people or you’re already familiar with the group. It's a relaxed, welcoming space where you can participate however you feel comfortable — whether that's joining in activities, chatting, or just observing. Everyone is welcome, and it's a great way to see what the Unmasked community is like in real life.