Meet Sean Malsbury, Mr. Woods Daddy 2025

24th September 2024 BWM Staff

During Bears in the Woods III, The Woods Campground named their new bear title family for 2025. Allow us to introduce you to Sean Malsbury, Mr. Woods Daddy 2025.

BWM: What drew you to the bear community and what keeps you here?

Sean Malsbury (SM): I really didn’t fit in anywhere, in my eyes. One of the first times going to the Woods Camping Resort on a Bear Weekend, I finally felt like I fit in somewhere. As I got to meet new people and became friends with them, I realized this is where I belonged. All the people I’ve met through the Bear Community became friends and chosen family. How open-minded and welcoming the Bear community is what keeps me here.

Sean Malsbury being sashed as Mr. Woods Daddy 2025

BWM: What does being a Daddy mean to you specifically?

SM: Being a Daddy means so much to me. It took a while for it to sink in and for me to embrace being a Daddy. When it did, I went with it. Being a Daddy lets me be someone others can look up to and turn to for guidance.

BWM: The gay community in general rebels against aging yet daddies embrace it as a badge of honor and bears certainly love their daddies. What are your thoughts on this? Did you readily accept becoming a daddy? If so, why?

SM: I think aging is a great thing and only a number. Yes, most definitely the Bears love their Daddies, and it’s definitely a badge of honor to be a Daddy in general at this amazing campground and in this community. At first, I didn’t accept being a Daddy, but that was more than two years ago. Being around the community has made me feel open to expressing my true self.

BWM: Tell us about why The Woods Campground is special to you and what role it has played in your life.

SM: The Woods Campground is so special to me because it has helped me come out of my shell in so many ways. In 2021, I ran for the first-ever Master Camper title at the Woods Camping Resort. By winning the Master Camper 2022 title, it got me out talking to people, selling 50/50’s and participating in other fundraisers. I assisted other titleholders in 2022 to raise money for their charities. In 2022, Tommy Patitucci (Mr. Woods Leather 2022) and I ran a lot of events during that camping season and that led me to run for the Mr. Woods 2023 Title. I ran for the Mr. Woods 2024 title as well. Although I didn’t win either title, I did gain confidence. I had more experience and that pushed me to run for the first-ever Mr. Woods Bear, Mr. Woods Cub and Mr. Woods Daddy titles last year. I ran for Mr. Woods Bear and was chosen as the runner-up.

From that point to this year, I felt more and more like a Daddy so I decided to run for Mr. Woods Daddy 2025, and I had the time of my life. I felt so confident and amazing. I tried my hardest to make all of the contestants feel loved and to do their best. I hope all will run again next year.

BWM: What was the competition like and why did you want to compete?

SM: This competition wasn’t my first attempt at a title at this amazing camping resort. It was so much fun. I wanted to compete for Mr. Woods Daddy to express acceptance of my true identity.

BWM: What are the responsibilities associated with your title? What are your goals for your title year?

SM: The primary duty of Mr. Woods Daddy, Cub and Bear titleholders is to represent the bear and LGBTQIA+ communities while also representing the Woods Camping Resort in the best light possible.

I want to make sure everyone has a great experience at camp. I make sure to greet everyone and include those who may seem isolated or lonely. I make sure to let everyone know about all the camp events and to invite them to hang out with me and my friends.

BWM: What is your favorite thing about the bear community and how can we improve it?

SM: My favorite part of the bear community, and its best feature, are the friendships I’ve developed. The members are loving and non-judgmental. It is truly an incredibly laid-back group of people. Although some people may not see themselves as potentially part of this community, our outreach to others could make our openness even more evident.