October 17-20, 2024
Sylvester - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) - YouTube
Hosted by the LA Chapter, Conference Organizing Team: Pamela Wegner, John Butta, Steve Sisneros, John Blasco, Corrado Giovannoni, Bryan Matsumoto, Russell Hammerl, Ron Heinmiller
Volunteers Contact: John Butta The LA chapter hosts the conference every five years. Let’s make it a great event, volunteer!
Questions Contact: Russell Hammerl
Let’s hike, bike, dance and take care of some business! Our 70’s disco theme for the conference will get everyone in a festive mood. We have reserved a wonderful group campsite with fantastic facilities. The Rio group campsite has covered pagodas, restrooms, showers, potable water, fire rings, BBQ grills, and picnic tables. Silverwood Lake is a reservoir between the West and East Fork Mojave Rivers. Also, the Pacific Crest Trail passes near our campsite for long and short hikes. Note: There may be times that the water quality in the lake may pose a health risk due to algae blooms. See the current status: Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
Directions: The park is located off of Highway 138 and Cleghorn Road, 11 miles east of I-15 heading east; or 20 miles north of San Bernardino via Highways 18 & 138. Get directions through Google Maps
Climate, Elevation: Average high/low: 79° / 50° ; Elevation 3400’
Thursday, Oct 17
2:00 pm: Check-in, there are no activities this day as the organizers will be setting up for the conference. You can check-in either Thursday or Friday. The three best Pride decorated RVs or Campsites win a prize on Saturday night.
5:00 PM: Early Birds Meet & Greet and Happy Hour (BYO beverage)
6:00 PM: BYO Dinner
7 PM: Campfire (no wood burning allowed)
Friday, Oct 18 (Official Start Date)
7:00 am Coffee, breakfast on your own.
9:00 am Hike on the PCT, Pacific Crest Trail, going north east out of the campground, 5 miles. Bring 2 liters of water, snacks/ lunch, hiking poles, shoes with good traction, etc. There will be a good amount of uphill climbing. Led by Russell
2:00 pm Nature Center, (an unguided activity)
5:00 pm Meet and Greet with bingo mixer led by Pamela. Bring an appetizer to share and your own beverage. Buy raffle tickets.
6:00 pm Hosted Taco Bar. Bring your own reusable plate and utensils.
8:00 pm Campfire and star gazing
Saturday Oct 19
7:00 am Coffee, breakfast on your own
9:00 am Lake hike with wonderful mountain and lake views: led by Bryan Matsumoto. Bring 2 liters of water, snacks or lunch, hiking poles, shoes with good traction, etc.
10:00 am Bike ride around the lake area with John Blasco
1:30 pm- 2:30 pm Outdoor Experience Introduction - Meet trip and hike leaders for Q&A and learn about leadership opportunities. Join the team, acquire new skills, make a difference and feel good about yourself. Find out more: Outdoor Experience
3:00 pm Arts and Craft with Pamela
6:00 pm Potluck Dinner - bring a dish to share. GO will provide dessert. Wear your best Disco or Pride outfit - prize for 3 winners with best outfits!
7:00 pm Award Presentations; announcements
7:30 pm Super Raffle drawing! Bring cash! Tickets only $5. Fabulous prizes: outdoor gear and more!
8:00 pm Disco Party Night
Sunday, Oct 20
7:00 am Coffee
12:00 pm Check out
Business Meetings: All members are welcome to attend the business meetings. Meet at Pavilion - Check whiteboard at camp for updates and details.
Friday, Oct 19
7:00 pm Elections Committee Meeting -Attended by current Corp Board and Chapter Representatives.
Saturday, Oct 19
9:00 - 11 am General Business Meeting, Corp Board and elections, Incoming Board Meeting -Attended by outgoing Corp Board, Chapter Delegates, Committee Chairs. We elect a Corp. Chair, Secretary and Financial Officer. The Chair then appoints Committee Chairs.
Incoming Board Meeting- Attended by the newly elected Corp Board and Committee Chairs.
11:00 am Outdoor Experience Committee meeting- Attended by VPOs of each Chapter and other interested parties.
1:00 pm All VPO's trip planning, calendar meeting- Attended by VPOs of each chapter, delegates, newly elected Corp Board Committee Chairs and other interested parties.
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Outdoor Experience (OE) Program
1:30 pm OE Introduction - Meet trip and hike leaders for Q&A and learn about leadership opportunities. Join the team, acquire new skills, make a difference and feel good about yourself.- Attended by VPOs of each Chapter and other interested parties.
2:00 pm OE Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Session - Meet Chapter Officers and hike leaders presenting Trip Leader resources that have made GO more accessible to new members and trip leaders. Potential topics include: financial support for trip leaders and attendees, welcome/EDI statement crafting, respecting native lands/people, a free Trip Leader Starter Kit for all attendees, and recognizing our GO founders. Attendance by VPOs recommended and all members welcome.
Registration:
Day Tripper– $10.00
Each Vehicle- $80.00 The price is per vehicle because we have a total of 30 parking spaces. Overflow parking available at main campsite (approx. 5 mins; 0.6 miles away).
Payments: Registration is available to Great Outdoors members only.- Click Here for Membership
Cancellation: Email, [email protected] by Oct. 5 to receive a refund minus a $10 service fee.
Carpool Information: Due to liability and insurance reasons Great Outdoors cannot organize carpools and hike/trip leaders cannot take an active role in making arrangements for participants' transportation. If you would like a ride, or could provide a ride, you can sign up on your own by clicking here: Carpool
RVs: No RV hookups at group campground. RVs must be parked in provided space and may not protrude into the roadway. Maximum length 31'. Roadways must be kept open and clear to allow for emergency vehicles. Consider carpooling with a tent camper. Full hookup sites may be available at the nearby New Mesa Campground via Reserve California
Quiet hours: 10pm - 6am.
Non-Campers: Lodging can be found in nearby Crestline
Pets: Welcomed if leashed, controlled, picked up after. Dogs are only allowed on paved trails.
Optional Activities:
Nature Center: The Nature Center is located to the left of the park's entry kiosks down Cleghorn road. The history of the lake, information about wildlife, and showcases with artifacts from the area’s native past. The Nature Center is open Friday-Sunday from 10am to 4pm during the winter season.
Hiking/Bicycling: A trail extends for 13 miles around the park. Most notably, the Pacific Crest Trail passes through the recreation area, a popular layover for thru-hikers.
Deep Creek Hot Springs: To the north is a popular destination for soakers who appreciate the shade of the sycamores and a more natural experience.
Crestline: The quaint mountain town is a short drive away with restaurants, antique and collectible shops, supermarket and Lake Gregory Regional Park. At Lake Gregory you can rent kayaks and paddleboards and fishing gear.
Silverwood Lake: Swim beaches and enjoy the surroundings.
4X4 Off Roading: Pilot Rock OHV Trail, California - 643 Reviews, Map | AllTrails, Cleghorn Ridge OHV Road: I-15 to Highway 138 at Silverwood Lake, California - 975 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
What to Bring: Ten Essentials, camping and cooking gear, food, name tag, camp chair, warm/cool weather clothing, bicycle, swim suit, towel, possibly water shoes, potluck dish, appetizer for the tea. If you would like to donate an item for the raffle, contact the trip leaders.
Also bring cash for the $5 each Super Raffle tickets. And last but not least, bring your Disco and Pride outfits and decorations! Prizes will be awarded!
GO GREEN! Please bring your own reusable plates, cups, mugs, and eating utensils.
Do not bring firewood. Wood fires are not allowed due to current restrictions. We will have a propane fire pit for our campfire. Please feel free to bring your own as well; we may need several with our large group.
Campground Brochure: Click Here
Campground Contact: (760) 389-2281
What is the difference between a regular GO campout and a conference campout?
Conference is held once every year in October (as required in the by-laws) where delegates from each of the five chapters and the Corp board come together to:
Nominate and elect a new Corporate Board for the upcoming year.
Vote and amend any by-law changes that may occur.
Schedule and coordinate the next year's camping trips.
Special awards and recognition will be presented.
Who puts on the Conference?
Hosting conference is on a rotational basis by one of the five chapters..
This year is hosted by the Los Angeles Chapter
The next conference will be hosted by the San Diego chapter.
Do I need to attend any of these business meetings?
Only if you are a chapter delegate, a corporate committee chair or Corporate Board member; however, all are welcome to attend.
Can I come to any of these meetings if I am not on the Corp board or a delegate?
Yes! We encourage anyone who is interested in how our organizational leadership works to come and observe our meetings!
What if I am not part of the Corp board or a delegate, can I still attend the conference?
Yes! There will be other planned activities and events to attend..
This is a great opportunity to become acquainted with GO leaders, members, and learn the organization of Great Outdoors.
Can I attend the day activities without camping?
Yes, register for day use only.
Volunteer?
Each Chapter elects or appoints a Board Representative to represent your Chapter at all GO Corp. meetings.
The GO Board also consists of the following appointed committees or positions: Archives, Awards, Bylaws, Outings, Outdoors Experience, and Webmaster
If you are interested in running for one of the three (3) elected positions or serving on one of our Committees, attend the meetings and let us know.
Any other questions? - contact Trip Leaders or Board Members
If you would like to know more about the history and founding of GO click here.
Dos Picos County Park Trip Notes
Dos Picos County Park is located in Ramona, California. Its name is Spanish for "two peaks," derived from the two prominent mountains nearby. The surrounding ranch land and steep rocky slopes help preserve its secluded atmosphere.
This park is known for its magnificent Oak trees. The landscape is a mixture of chaparral, open grassland, and oak woodland. Coyote, fox, possum, skunk, and raccoon are all seen in the park regularly.
The campground has coin-operated showers. There are five wine-producing vineyards in the area, so bring your wine-tasting palettes. Tastings are typically $10/person, that fee is waived if you buy a bottle. The city of Ramona is minutes away when driving. You may purchase food and other supplies there.
Maximum RV length is 40 feet. All sites have E/W. Several sites will be dedicated as tent sites. These sites can have three tents, max and two cars. The water spigots at these sites are unique. It is housed in a plastic box that sits below ground level.
Tent campers, all the sites are gravel. Your tent will likely be pitched on gravel. Please bring blow-up mattresses or cots to sleep on, so you are not sleeping on gravel. Tents should also bring extension cords.
At each site there is room for an RV and tow vehicle, or two vehicles. Extra vehicles can park in the overflow lot for a total of $9, which is paid by GOPS. The overflow parking lot is NOT close. It’s located on the opposite side of the campground from our sites, so car camping would NOT be a good choice, please bring a tent.
Leashed dogs are welcome at $1/night/dog. Campers will pay for their own dogs upon check-in at the campground.
Sites 63 & 69 are ADA sites. If you have an ADA placard, please let the trip leader know.
We will have access to the indoor pavilion and its outdoor picnic area. It is located in the middle of all our sites. There is a massive charcoal grill and firepit, GOPS will supply the charcoal. Bring meat to grill if you like. The use of that pavilion and its outdoor space was an additional cost that was figured into the cost of this campout. Typical weather in this are in November is high 73, low 42.
Cancellation policy: cancel for full refund minus a $10 fees on or before Nov 10th, 2024.
Dos Picos County Park Campground
17953 Dos Picos Park Road
Ramona, CA 92065
(760) 789-2220
Trip Leader Contact: Robert Varga
[email protected]
(760) 641-9112 text messages only
Dos Picos Campout Schedule of Events
Disclaimer: the following schedule is tentative and could change without notice. Check-in and Check-out are set in stone, no changing those.
Sunday, November 24
Monday, November 25
Tuesday, November 26
Wednesday, November 27
Save the date. Details to be updated
Discover the wonders of the desert at the southern end of Death Valley!
TECOPA HOT SPRINGS, natural hot springs located in a relaxed desert environment. These are gender-segregated, no-clothing-mandatory, indoor hot pools for soaking that are open 24 hours. Tecopa Hot Springs Resort is a desert oasis that offers a variety of activities and amenities. Restaurants, live music, entertainment, hiking, off road adventures and many nearby attractions and interaction with some of the nicest people in the Mojave Desert. It's a large campground with 30 AMP RV hookup sites. Tents share sites with electricity, includes restrooms, showers and unlimited entry into the hot springs. Tent sites are located on level gravel area among the RV's. We have the community center reserved for evening activities.
Schedule Of Events
Sun Dec 29
Wed Jan 1, 2020 HAPPY NEW YEAR!
9:30 am Check white board for activity planned
Thur Jan 2 Check out
* Check white board for hike/outings updates
Registration Notes:
Registration includes admission to hot pools.
Registration is available to Great Outdoors members only. You may join and purchase a membership - Click Here For Membership - which will allow you to register.
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi at the local community center library. No cell service. Bring drinking water (local water is not potable). RV dump station. Nearby restaurants. Market at Shoshone (8 miles). Pahrump,NV is 36 miles.
Motel accommodations:
What to Bring:WATER, the local water is not for drinking, Ten Essentials, camp chair, name tag, electric heater/blanket for your tent,cash, camping/cooking gear, food, warm/cool weather clothing, potluck item, heavy duty tent stakes in case of wind, extension cord, electric blanket or heater, firewood/and or propane fire-pit and extra propane tank.
Bring something to grill on the charcoal grill
You may also consider bringing or renting a 4x4 off road vehicle. We will explore nearby trails with 4x4 vehicles. Drivers may have passenger space available.
Directions: Campground Location map
Located about 50 miles north of Baker CA via Hwy 127.
Climate: Hist. Avg.: 60° /35° Be prepared for cold nights. Tents can plug in electric heaters/blankets.30 AMP adapter for 120 outlet may be needed. See your RV neighbor for adapters. Check weather forecast and plan accordingly.
Possible Adventures:
Refunds: Cancellation for a refund due by 12/23/2019. eMail Scott if you wish cancel.
Contact: Scott Connelly Click Here
Photos from previous trips: Click Here and Here album 2
Pets: Are welcomed on a leash.
Health Problems/allergies:It is the responsibility of participants to carry on their person a record of significant allergies, medications and medical history in the event of a medical emergency. Discuss any medical concerns with the hike leader if you wish.
Spend 4 nights and 3 days exploring Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. We will be camping at the main campground at Twin Peaks Campground surrounded by organ pipe cacti and lush desert plants located 1.5 miles from the Kris Eggle Visitor Center. Restrooms have running water and some have solar-heated showers. Hookups for electricity, water, or sewer are not available. A dump station, with potable water is located past the last row of campsites.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument was set aside on April 3rd, 1937 for future generations as an exemplar of the Sonoran Desert. This natural area is home to an abundance of life: quirky cacti, talkative birds, whispering springs with desert fish, and so much more! The life found in the Sonoran Desert has adapted to this land of extremes in a multitude of ways, each playing a role in this magical landscape. Explore the desert wilderness hiking through hidden washes, adventuring off on a scenic drive, or just relaxing at the monument's campgrounds.
Directions: The Twin Peaks Campground is located 1.5 miles from the Kris Eggle Visitor Center and Highway 85. Continue past the visitor center and almost immediately turn left at the sign that says "Twin Peaks Campground." Follow that road for 1.5 miles until you reach the campground kiosk.
Logistics: 5 tent sites and 10 RV sites have been reserved. The tent sites are in the tent section of the campground; each site has its own gravel pad with one tent per site. The RV sites range from 28 ft. to 40 ft. The RV sites are located in the section where generators can be used during generator hours (see below).
Generator Hours: Quiet Hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Generator hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Campfires: Ground fires within the park is prohibited. All fires must be in the provided raised grills. For those with propane file pits, please bring them to use at night in lieu of a campfire. Two tanks of propane will be provided to use towards the nightly campfire.
Pets: Pets must be leashed (six feet or less) or otherwise physically restrained at all times. For details about where you can and can't go with your pet, visit the Pets page or contact the visitor center by calling (520) 387-6849.
Payments: This event is limited to GO members. When you register, you'll need to have your credit card (MC, VISA, Discover or Amex.) ready and pay your registration fee within 15 mins. If you are not a member yet, you can first join as a member online and then return here to register.
*******************************
Cancellation/Refunds Policy: Cancellation for a refund, minus $10, must be received by January 8 and must be sent to the Trip Leader, Beth Schneider email click here
********************************
What to Bring: Camp chair, camping/cooking gear, food, warm/cool/wet weather clothing, potluck item, and the Ten Essentials. Per the schedule below, bring food to share on Sunday (meet and greet appetizer) and Monday (pot luck dinner) nights. Every effort will be made to have hot coffee ready by 7:30 am (sunrise) if sufficient power is available to make coffee before 8 am (see generator hours above). Bagels and muffins will be available in the morning for breakfast.
Directions: Follow I-10 E to AZ-85 S/Phoenix Bypass Rte in Buckeye. Take AZ-85 south and turn right on Puerto Blanco Dr. For directions click here
Weather: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument weather click here
Trip Leader: Beth S.email click here
Tentative Schedule
The reserved group meeting area is site #xxx (TBD).
Please check the white board set up at site #xxx (TBD) for updates
Sunday
Monday
** As generator hours start at 8:00 am, every effort possible will be made to have coffee available at 7:30 am, depending on availability of power at the campground.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday -
Site assignments and additional details will be in the reminder email a few days prior to the event.
Health Problems/allergies: Discuss any medical concerns with the event leader that may affect your ability to participate in this event.
This event is being planned by Palm Springs Chapter.d For more information about this trip:
SAVE THE DATE
LA - Central Coast and Morro Bay Camping
Start: Wed, April 16, 2025, 2:00 PM
End: Mon, April 21, 2025, 12:00 PM
Location: Morro Bay State Park
This event is being planned by the Los Angeles Chapter. Trip Leaders: John Blasco and Joe Holliday.
REGISTRATION IS NOT YET OPEN.
Please check back here for updates; or contact John Blasco at [email protected]
© 1981 - 2024 CALIFORNIA GREAT OUTDOORS, INC., a 501(c)(7) not-for-profit, all-volunteer LGBTQIA+ and Allies organization dedicated to the enjoyment of the outdoors. All rights reserved. Privacy policy