Upcoming and Past LA Chapter Events

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• LA - Central Coast and Morro Bay Camping

  • Start
    Wed, April 05, 2023
  •  
    2:00 PM
  • End
    Mon, April 10, 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Morro Bay State Park Campground
  • Spaces left
    1
  • Registered
    21 registrants

  Register

  
  

  

  April 5 - 10, 2023

  Join us as we explore the beautiful Morro Bay area, perhaps California's most scenic coastline, on a 6-day/5-night camping getaway - with showers!

  Our theme will be "Explore Nature's Beauty and Experience our Magnificent California Central Coast."

  Walk along empty sea cliffs with waves crashing on the rocks. Observe elephant seals, sea lions, and sea otters up close, and maybe gray whales at a distance. See spring wildflowers bloom on the green landscape of San Luis Obispo County. Hike up to a waterfall and see redwood trees along the Big Sur Coast. Discover the unique biology and geology from our trip leaders, and enjoy cooking, socializing and camp camaraderie.

  
  

  Details:

  We have reserved Group Site Osos at Morro Bay State Park Campground, which is within walking distance of trails in the Morro Bay wetland, the Natural History Museum, and viewpoints overlooking Morro Bay. The group site allows tents only. (There may be RV spaces available through the Morro Bay State Park reservation system which can be booked entirely separate from this event registration.)

  Campground amenities include flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, and potable water. Showers are located about 1000 feet away in the lower part of the campground. Morro Bay village is about two miles away, with grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and other amenities.

  
  

  
  

  Day Activities:

  Activities will be located north and south of Morro Bay. Some planned hikes and walks are:

  • Morro Rock: observe sea otters in the bay
  • Heron Rookery National Preserve
  • Montaña de Oro State Park: Ranger guided tour of tide pools, walk Bluff Trail to sea cliffs to small coves
  • Montaña de Oro State park: picnic at Spooners Cove
  • San Simeon Beach: Observe the only elephant seal colony on the US mainland
  • Overlook and small hikes at Ragged Point and Salmon Falls along the Big Sur Coast
  • Visit the southernmost redwood grove in California
  • Kayaking on Bay
  • UPDATE:  Professor Joe Holliday plans on joining the trip to tell is about the fascinating geology and oceanography of this feature-rich natural setting.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Campground Evening Activities:

  Wednesday: Check-in after 2:00 pm. 5:00 pm: Welcome and Meet-n-Greet. 6:00 pm dinner (bring your own). 7:30 - 10 pm First night campfire.

  Thursday: 6:30 pm: Sunset Dinner. Bring-your-own-picnic to dine and watch the sunset over the bay, a short walk from our campsite to the bay. Sunset 7:29 pm.

  Friday: "Weenie Roast" Dinner (with vegetarian option) will be provided by Great Outdoors LA.

  Saturday: 6:00 pm: Traditional Great Outdoors Potluck. Hello Top Chefs and foodies! Everyone makes or brings a main or side dish to feed 5-6 people. Healthy, organic, plant-based dishes encouraged. Some desserts will be provided by Great Outdoors LA.

  Sunday: 5:00 pm: Farewell Happy Hour. Bring an appetizer and optional beverage (alcohol/non-alcohol) to share.

  6 PM Dinner at a local restaurant in town.

  Monday: Check-out by 12 noon.

  Every night: Campfire (Bring your camp chair, highlights of the day, jokes, games, camp songs, etc.)

  Think eco-friendly. Everyone brings their own reusable plates, utensils, cups, napkins, etc. For the potluck, remember to bring your own serving dishes, bowls or platters with serving utensils. Be sure to pick up your dishes when you leave. Let's aim to minimize trash/ single-use disposables.  Thank you for pitching in to keep our camp clean.

  Alcohol is allowed, please enjoy responsibly!

  
  

  Registration, parking limits, carpooling:

  This campout is limited by the number of vehicles allowed at the group sites. Our group site (25 persons max) comes with only 10 parking spaces. After the 10 spaces are full, during the day parking is available on the street outside of the campground, and at night extra cars will have to park in the town of Morro Bay about 3/4 of a mile away.  Therefore, we encourage carpooling.  Besides, it also saves gas, reduces traffic congestion and pollution, and may earn you the respect and admiration of your peers.

  During registration, please note if/who you will be carpooling with. We will assign the first 10 parking spots in the order people register. The remaining vehicles will need to park outside as noted. It may be helpful to ask each other to help shuttle folks back/forth.

  If the trip is sold out, please add yourself to the wait list. Based on the number of vehicles from other registrants, you may still be added to the trip in the order added to the waitlist if we can fit you in.

  Getting there:

  Directions from Route 1: Exit at South Bay Rd (Baywood Park) off ramp, turn left, go about 1 mile, turn right into park, go about 1 mile (do not go up the uphill road on the right), turn right into campground, check in at entry booth.

  Bring your 10 essentials, your camping & cooking gear, food, and a bundle or two of firewood. Dress in layers since the mornings can start cold, and sea breezes are strong on the central California coast.
  

  Cancellation:

  Full refunds will be issued if cancelled by March 22. No refunds will be issued after this date. If you need to cancel, email both trip leaders directly, as soon as possible so we can notify the next person on the waitlist.

  Health issues/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.

  Pet Policy: No dogs allowed on the beach.

  Image credits:

  https://thedyrt.com/camping/california/montana-de-oro-state-park/gallery

  San Luis Obispo Tribune

  https://www.flickr.com/photos/goingslo/2225715896

  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mdoblufftrail.jpg#file

  https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/salmon-creek-falls-big-sur/

  https://visitcambriaca.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ch1dr_air1-highway-1-scenic-aerial_29843871126_o-1024x575.jpg

  Contact:

  If you have any questions, please reach out to us at:

  John Blasco: johnlongbeach@gmail.com, 562-981-4133 or John Buckley: j_l_buckley@yahoo.com, 818-613-7602

  Additional information will be mailed to registrants with more details as the trip nears.

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• LA - Camping - Silverwood Lake - Save The Date

  • Start
    Fri, April 21, 2023
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • End
    Sun, April 23, 2023
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • Location
    Silverwood Lake

  SAVE THE DATE:  

  Silverwood Lake 4/21/23-4/23/23 (2 nights). We’ve reserved the group site with our own showers and bathrooms.

  An announcement with details will be emailed and posted, at which time registration will open.

  REGISTRATION IS NOT YET OPEN FOR THIS EVENT

  
  

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• CORP - Outdoors Experience - Hike and Trip Leader Training

  • Start
    Fri, June 02, 2023
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • End
    Sun, June 04, 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    O'Neill Regional Park 30892 Trabuco Canyon Rd, Trabuco Canyon, CA

  Register

  

  OUTDOORS EXPERIENCE

  Hike Leader - Morning 4 hrs
  Trip Leader - Afternoon 4 hrs

  You may attend either one or both.

  Full Weekend Schedule:

  Friday June 2 

  2 pm Check in campground

  4 pm - Fun hike nearby. We will adjust the time if needed to accommodate those arriving on Friday and camping for the training. This is a welcome hike for attendees at the hike/trip leader training this weekend. We will discuss and demonstrate the Ten Essentials and safety on the trail.  

  6 pm Meet and Greet and dinner on your own or group selects a restaurant.

  Saturday June 3   Training class at the Administrative Building.

  ·        8 am - 12 pm  Hike Leader Training

  ·        1 pm - 5 pm Trip Leader Training

  Sunday June 4  8:30 am -10:30 - Training hike nearby where participants will be confronted with a variety of situations that one may encounter on the trail.

  DAY HIKE LEADER - SECTION I

  
  

  Be a Hike Leader!  Not just someone who knows the way, but someone who applies safety, best practices, fun, and local knowledge to make a successful outing. In addition to the course outline we will discuss any issues with past hikes and plan for future hikes. We will review basic hike leader procedures and techniques and latest technology and information. Completing this course will provide participants with Day Hike Leader Certification. Also a good refresher for hike leaders.

  Hike Leader Syllabus

  Prerequisites: Great Outdoors member (click here to join). The course is for anyone interested in becoming a hiker leader, learning more about leading effective hikes, or becoming a more confident and capable hiker.

  This Hike Leader Certification course is for hikers who are interested in learning new skills as well as experienced hike leaders who are looking to update or refresh their outdoor leadership skills. It is suitable for all ranges of hiker abilities, from novice up to very experienced hikers.

  Objectives: Introduce participants to the skills, knowledge and attitudes of a trained hike leader, including appropriate risk management for day hikes. Present skills for leading a safe, environmentally responsible and enjoyable hike.

  Content/Topics Covered:  Hike planning, description, screening participants, trail group management, emergency management, medical issues on the trail, map reading and navigation, outdoor techniques, environmental protection, and problem solving techniques and scenarios.

  Course Format: The training includes in-person instruction with group discussion and problem solving applications and trail-based scenarios.

  Pre-Course Assignment: Review training manuals and video:

  Link to Training Resources: Click Here

  

  Printed manuals available at the training location at no cost to participants. Option to have manual(s) mailed to you upon registration.

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  TRIP LEADERSHIP - OVERNIGHT EVENTS - SECTION II 

  One of the premier features of Great Outdoors is overnight trips. As a leader you will propose, research and design overnight trips. You will manage and administer the trip using leadership and group management skills. Completing this course will provide participants with Trip Leadership Certification.

  Course Outline:

  • Create a new trip or update a former trip.

  • Planning, scouting, securing reservations.

  • Finances and budget.

  • Create a trip description and promotion.

  • Secure all logistics including any permits, and support staff as necessary.

  • Communicate with participants to provide information and answer questions.

  • Conducting your trip, safety issues, group management issues - preventing and solving.

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

  Course Length/Hours: 4 hours.
  

  What to bring:  Lunch, water bottle, mug for hot drinks. If you are taking the Hike Leader course bring a day pack with your ten essentials. If you are tent camping, bring food, camp gear, warm clothing.

  Weather: O'Neill Regional Park click here

  Facilities:  We will be in the campground conference room with tables, chairs, projector, TV monitor and restrooms. Trailheads located onsite.

  Overnight accommodations:

  Camping at O'Neill Regional park, standard sites

  Motels located nearby.

  More information:

  • Scott Connelly, Chair Outdoor Experience: email click here
  • Lance Whitmier, OCLB President: email click here

  Course Preparation: You are encouraged to review the Outdoor Experience Training Manuals ahead of time. 

  Link to Training Resources: Click Here

  Suggested Additional Reading and Video:
  

  1. Wilderness Navigation: Finding Your Way Using Map, Compass, Altimeter, & GPS. Bob Burns, Mike Burns
  2. The National Outdoor Leadership School's Wilderness Guide.  Mark Harvey
  3. How to Lead a Hike by the Sierra Club  15 min. video click here

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• LA - Camping - Kern River - Save The Date

  • Start
    Thu, June 15, 2023
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • End
    Sun, June 18, 2023
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • Location
    Kern River

  SAVE THE DATE 

  Kern River 6/15/23-6/18/23 (3 nights). We have 5 sites along the river.

  REGISTRATION IS NOT YET OPEN FOR THIS EVENT
  

  An announcement with details will be emailed and posted, at which time registration will open.

  
  

  
  

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