Great Outdoors upcoming events

SBVC -Jalama Beach Camp Ground (Thu, September 03, 2026)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join us for a relaxing getaway to one of California's most spectacular coastal campgrounds!

Nestled along the rugged shoreline about an hour west of Santa Barbara, Jalama Beach offers a rare opportunity to unplug, unwind, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Central Coast. Early September is one of the best times to visit. The summer crowds have begun to thin, while the days remain warm and sunny with cool, comfortable evenings perfect for gathering around a campfire. Wake up to the sound of crashing waves, take a leisurely stroll along miles of sandy beach, search for shells and driftwood, or simply sit back and watch pelicans, dolphins, and perhaps even migrating whales offshore.

No visit to Jalama is complete without trying the legendary Jalama Burger at the campground's beachfront store and grill—a favorite among campers and day visitors alike. The camp store also carries groceries, camping essentials, ice, firewood, and other necessities, making it easy to settle in and enjoy your stay. Evenings are magical at Jalama. As the sun sinks into the Pacific, the sky often explodes into brilliant shades of orange, pink, and purple before giving way to a canopy of stars rarely seen from the city. It's the perfect setting for happy hour, shared meals, campfire stories, and great conversation with your Great Outdoor friends old and new. Whether you're looking for peaceful solitude, outdoor adventure, or simply a weekend of good company in an unforgettable setting, Jalama Beach is the perfect destination. Pack your camping gear, bring your favorite beach chair, and come enjoy one of California's hidden coastal treasures with us!

Cost: $100 for drivers or $80 for passengers.

Campout start time: Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 -check-in 3 pm, check-out Mon. Sept. 7, 11:00 AM. Duration: 4 nights, 5 days.

Location: Jalama State Beach, 9999 Jalama Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436.

Star Fish Group Site.

Special Note: Jalama Beach is about 20 miles South of Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), which is where most, if not all west coast rocket launches take place. (90% SpaceX) There is the possibility one could launch during our camp out! -Its averaging 3/month! You can refer to rocket launch schedule times and what actions we may need to take at this link:

Vandenberg SFB - Space Launch Schedule

Itinerary:

Thursday, Sept. 3

3:00 PM - Check-in NOTE: we are limited to 8 vehicles -no overflow parking, sorry no RV's, carpooling is required!
5:30 PM - Meet and greet, bring something to share,BYOB, dinner on your own
7:00 PM - Group Camp Fire -Star Gazing

Friday, Sept. 4

Breakfast on your own,
Beach walk/hike explore the amazing area.
Lunch at Jalama Burger or on your own
Relax, enjoy the surf!
6:00 PM Dinner on your own
Group Camp fire

Saturday, Sept. 5

Beach hike more exploring
Road trip, possible visit to Lompoc's famous 'Wine Ghetto'
6:00 PM potluck, practice your culinary skills!
7:30 PM group fire

Sunday, Sept. 6

Breakfast on your own -FYI Jalama Burger serves great coffee and donuts!
Day trip Picnic to historic La Purisima Mission
Dinner on our own (maybe a local eatery?)
7:30 Group Fire

Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day)

Another stroll on the beach, contemplate the meaning of life, have a sip of your favorite morning drink
Pack-up 11:00 am check out and return to reality!

The groups site includes (4) picnic tables, (1) prep table, (2) 30-amp RV pedestals -25 yards from the restrooms. Hot showers and flush toilets are nearby.

We are limited to only 8 vehicles with no overflow parking. Each 'tent first person' registration includes parking for 1 vehicle, the second or third person etc. registered with you must arrive in same vehicle. Due to the parking limit, because of this limitation, sorry no RV's.

You must be a paid GO member to register. If you are not a GO member, visit our Join page, click here, and sign up as a member and then return here to register for this event.

Refund Policy: Full refund if cancellation is prior to 20 days (August 14) before the event. 50% refund 10 days (August 24) No refund after that.

Any questions contact trip Leaders:

Justin or Brian

PS - Trip Planning for 2027 (Mon, September 21, 2026)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:30:00 GMT

Trip Planning - Overnight Events

Do you have ideas for camping trips and outings? Have you discovered a great adventure or a hidden gem?

Catered dinner provided.

Location will be in email confirmation and reminder.

We'll be taking the results of this meeting with us to the October all-chapter Great Outdoors planning conference, where we'll match up calendars with the other chapters and finalize the 2027 trips for all 5 chapters.

We are also looking for new Trip Leaders. If you are interested let us know. You can work with a Trip Leader as an assistant in planning and leading a trip.

If you are unable to attend please send ideas/plans/suggestions to V.P. Outings Kirk Olsen Click Here.

SBVC/CORP - 48th All Chapter Conference and Campout (Fri, October 16, 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

~~Into the Woods with the Great Outdoors~~
Join Us for the 48th Annual All Chapter Conference
and Campout Hosted by GO-SBVC

WHEN: Friday, October 16
WHERE: Cachuma Lake, Santa Barbara
TIME: Arrive at 4:00 PM

The Great Outdoors 2026 All-Chapter Conference and Campout
Hosted by GO-SBVC at the beautiful Cachuma Lake

Into The Woods with the Great Outdoors—A Weekend Full of Adventure

Hello and welcome. Our story begins Friday afternoon as we welcome friends from every Great Outdoors chapter to beautiful Lake Cachuma. After settling into camp, join us for a GO-SBVC hosted Tea, a casual opportunity to enjoy light refreshments and to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. Dinner is on your own. As the evening falls, we'll gather for a special guest presentation in the spirit of celebrating the good nature of the Great Outdoors.

Saturday morning we wake to a hearty breakfast provided by GO-SBVC before the day's adventures begin. Great Outdoors Officers and Core Group members will gather for their annual corporate meetings, where the business of our organization is conducted. Anyone interested in learning more about how Great Outdoors operates or seeing the process firsthand is welcome to attend.

For those not attending the meetings there are several ways to enjoy the day. Local GO-SBVC members will lead you on a scenic guided hike through the beautiful Lake Cachuma area or guide you through an excursion into the nearby Santa Ynez Valley wine country. If you'd rather explore on your own you can visit the beautiful new Chumash Museum and Cultural Center to learn about the rich heritage of the area's original inhabitants or try your luck at the nearby Chumash Casino Resort, both just a short drive away.

Saturday afternoon brings a little friendly competition as the chapters square off in our spirited Horseshoe Tournament. Whether you're aiming for a perfect ringer or simply cheering from the sidelines, it's all about fun, laughter, and chapter pride.

As evening falls, we'll gather once again for one of the weekend's highlights—a fantastic GO-SBVC provided Loaded Baked Potato & Salad Bar accompanied by the Bring & Cook Your Own Meat on the BBQ. We've got two large BBQ grills and we'll be there to help for those unsure around the grill-just be sure and bring your meat. Enjoy a delicious meal while sharing stories around the campground before celebrating together at our annual Awards Ceremony, recognizing the volunteers and chapters that help make Great Outdoors thrive.

Then, as every good fairy tale deserves a musical ending, we'll enjoy a special live musical presentation to include audience participation. Raise your voice around the campfire as we celebrate another memorable year together.

Before everyone heads home on Sunday morning, we'll share a GO-SBVC provided continental breakfast, exchange hugs and goodbyes, and bid farewell until our paths cross again on another trail.

No magic beans are required—just your sense of adventure. We can't wait to welcome you Into the Woods with the Great Outdoors!

We have 6 RV spaces available (no hookups) for our RV travelers, along with parking space for 24 vehicles. RV spaces do not include a towed vehicle and there are no hookups. Whether you're driving, riding along as a passenger, a guest, or simply want to join for part of the weekend adventures, we welcome you to register in advance so that you can be a part of our 2026 All Chapter Conference and Campout.

If you are an RV traveler and require hookups there may be available sites, but you will need to check with the park https://www.countyofsb.org/cachuma-lake.

We have reserved the Lanford Memorial Grove Group Campsite at the north end of the park.

Link to camp map https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/499e2bb7-b3bb-4a3e-a635-cd4cd5aec544

Not a Great Outdoors Member yet? No problem. Join Here:
https://greatoutdoors.org/join

Don't forget your 10 essentials - The 10 essentials are a collection or system of items that significantly increase your safety on any hike or outdoors trip. This is not an exhaustive list of anything you could ever need. You can visit the link included Here but one version of this list is as follows:
1. Navigation
2. Headlamp
3. Sun Protection
4. First Aid
5. Knife
6. Fire
7. Shelter
8. Extra food
9. Extra water
10. Extra clothes

EVENTS:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
-Meet and Greet
-Raffle tickets
-Afternoon Tea SBVC Provided
-Dinner is on your own
-Entertainment

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
-Breakfast SBVC Provided
-Corporate Meetings
-Mid-Day Activities
-Lunch is on your own
-Happy Hour
-Dinner SBVC Provided and Awards
-Entertainment

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
-Breakfast SBVC Provided
-Clean-up and pack

PS - Camp - Death Valley 4x4 Plus - SAVE THE DATE (Thu, November 12, 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Death Valley 2026 4X4 RV Trip Details

Reserve Now ~ Updated RV Reservation Notice

If you are planning to join us for our upcoming trip to Death Valley National Park, the scheduled dates are, Thursday, November 12 thru Monday, November 16, 2 2026.

Everyone attending is responsible for making their own RV reservations at the Stovepipe Wells RV Campground. Please be aware that the campground has only 14 available sites, so it is important to reserve your RV site as soon as possible.

How to Reserve Your RV Site

1. To reserve a rv site Click here
2. On the right side of the web page, select “RV Sites.”
3. Scroll down and click on “Book Now.”
4. Use the monthly calendar to navigate to November 2026.
5. Select dates from November 12 through November 16.
6. Continue scrolling until you see RV site options.
7. If RV sites are sold out ~ follow the direction.
"We are currently sold out, to be added to the waitlist please call us at 833.778-9290"
9. Once your site has been reserved, please send an email to Cliff

PS - Dos Picos County Park Campout-SAVE THE DATE (Sun, November 22, 2026)

Sun, 22 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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 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. We put two tent campers on one site. 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 $10, which is paid by GOPS. The overflow parking lot is NOT close.

Leashed dogs are welcome at $2/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 or license plate, please let the trip leader know.

Site 49 is below the group circle, but there is a nearby staircase or the road which makes it easy to walk up to the pavilion circle. This site is also RV only.

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 fire pit. 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 area in November is high 73, low 42.

Cancellation policy: cancel for full refund minus a $10 fees on or before Nov. 1st, 2026.

Dos Picos County Park Campground

17953 Dos Picos Park Road

Ramona, CA 92065

(760) 789-2220

Trip Leader Contact: Robert Varga
rvarga0@icloud.com
(760) 641-9112 text messages only

Dos Picos Campout Schedule of Events

Sunday, November 22

2:00 pm - Check-in (please don't arrive early)
6:00 pm – Meet and Greet, in the pavilion, BYOB and bring finger food to share, if you want.
7:00 pm – Dinner on your own, plenty of great restaurants in the nearby city of Ramona.
8:00 pm - group fire, please bring firewood, $8/bundle at the park

Monday, November 23

7:00 am – coffee and pastries in the pavilion
10:00 am – local hike somewhere, see whiteboard
1:00 pm – random activity, see whiteboard.
6:00 pm – Thanksgiving Potluck dinner in the Pavilion. All campers are welcome to use any of the cooking equipment any other camper may have, please ask. We are a very generous group.
8:00 pm - group fire, please bring firewood, $8/bundle at the park

Tuesday, November 24

7:00 am – coffee and pastries in the pavilion
10:00 am – local hike somewhere, see whiteboard
1:00 pm – random activity, see whiteboard.
5:00 pm – dinner on your own, plenty of great restaurants in the nearby city of Ramona.
7:00 pm - Raffle!!! $5/ticket or 5 tickets for $20; see the prize display in the Pavillon.
8:00 pm - group fire, please bring firewood, $8/bundle at the park

Wednesday, November 25

7:00 am – Coffee and pastries in the pavilion
9:00 am - pack up and clean up, say our tearful goodbyes
12:00 pm - Check out

Have a GREAT Thanksgiving!!