BACK IN 1987…

The Story of OutsideCon

OutsideCon began with Robert Embler and his lifelong love of the outdoors. As a kid, he was in Cub Scouts, 4-H, and Boy Scouts. He learned to ski, hiked every chance he got, and sought out natural preserves to camp. Those grand adventures as a youth became a tradition he’s carried on ever since.

Robert also attended Science Fiction and Fantasy conventions, where he loved hanging out with friends and building community. Eventually, he realized he could rent space at campgrounds — and the idea of merging those two worlds was born.

The first two OutsideCons were held at Billy Dunlap Park. A great turnout encouraged him to think bigger. As attendance kept growing, he moved the event to Montgomery Bell State Park — a place he’d first visited at age 8 or 9 with a church camp, then later with the Boy Scouts of Ft. Campbell, and again with the SCA.

For a short time, the event moved to MaryMount to increase attendance and offer better food options. In the early days at Montgomery Bell, cooking meant campfires plus whatever came out of Mr. and Mrs. Embler Sr.’s ovens.

But Ernest called us back. The very campground we use now was featured in the film Ernest Goes to Camp, and it felt like coming home.

“Please have a good time and I hope this kindles in you the same love I have for the great outdoors and a desire to learn about and stay in other state parks.” -Robert Wayne Embler