Dads and Daughters Camping in San Diego

The Elk are one of nine father-daughter clubs that make up Bear Nation, one of the largest and most active groups within YMCA Adventure Clubs in North County San Diego. Our mission is simple: to create opportunities for fathers and daughters to spend meaningful time together. Through father-daughter camping, family events, service projects, and shared traditions, fathers and daughters strengthen their own relationship while building lifelong friendships with other Elk families. Along the way, dads form lasting friendships with other dads, daughters create special bonds with girls their own age, and families make memories that endure long after the campfire has gone out.

Our members come from Cardiff, Carlsbad, Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Fairbanks Ranch, La Costa, Leucadia, Oceanside, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego, San Elijo Hills, San Marcos, Solana Beach, and surrounding North County communities. Whether you're an experienced camper or pitching a tent for the very first time, you'll find a welcoming, supportive group ready to help you jump in, get involved, and become part of the Elk family.

Campouts are designed to be fun—not stressful. Shared meals, community equipment, and experienced Elk dads are always there to help, making it easy for new families to join the adventure with confidence.

As Featured in the San Diego Tribune

The Elk were featured in a July 2026 edition of the Rancho Santa Fe Review (San Diego Tribune) for our father-daughter camping program. Check out the article HERE or view from our website (shared with permission of the Rancho Santa Fe Review).

Adventure Club.pdf

Why Join Bear Nation & Elk?

Bear Nation is one of the largest and most active YMCA Adventure Clubs Nations, bringing together more than 665 fathers and daughters across nine local clubs—including the Elk.

Across North County San Diego, you'll also find other YMCA Adventure Club Nations, including Tahoe Nation, Wildcat Nation, Spirit Nation, and Coyote Nation. Each has its own traditions and loyal following, but around YMCA Adventure Clubs, Bear Nation has earned a reputation for doing things a little bigger, a little louder, and with a whole lot of fun. From unforgettable campouts and creative themes to friendly competitions and lifelong friendships, it's easy to see why so many families choose Bear Nation.

Fill out an Elk Interest Form today and join the fun!

What We Do

Throughout the year, Elk families participate in more than a dozen activities and adventures across Southern California. From beach campouts, desert excursions, mountain retreats to family camp and YMCA events, fathers and daughters create lasting memories while exploring the outdoors together.

Along the way, Elk families share campfires, ceremonies, traditions, service projects, and fundraising efforts that strengthen our community and support programs such as YMCA Dreamcatcher. These experiences help daughters build confidence, develop leadership skills, and form friendships that often last for years.

Most importantly, Elk provides dedicated opportunities for fathers and daughters to spend meaningful time together away from the distractions of everyday life. Whether gathered around a campfire, volunteering in the community, or embarking on a new adventure, Elk is about creating connections and memories that last a lifetime.

We also take our camp cuisine seriously. From sunrise breakfasts to late-night campfire snacks, Bear Nation has earned a reputation for making sure dads and daughters are always well fed.

Where We Go

One of the things that makes the Elk experience so special is the variety of places we explore together throughout Southern California and beyond. No two campouts are exactly alike, and every season brings new adventures and lasting memories. Campouts from recent seasons have included:

Beach & Island Camping – Del Mar Beach at Camp Pendleton & Catalina Island (Two Harbors)
Mountain & Backcountry Retreats – Kern River (Sequoia National Forest), Hurkey Creek, Los Coyotes, Empire and Jewel Ranch (Boulevard)
Desert Adventures – Borrego Springs and Joshua Tree
YMCA Campgrounds – Indian Hills (Jamul) and Camp Marston (Julian)
Family Camp Weekends – Vail Lake KOA (Temecula) and San Diego KOA (Chula Vista)

From sleeping under the stars in the desert to exploring mountain trails, relaxing on the beach, rafting rivers, and kayaking at Catalina Island, Elk families experience a wide range of adventures while building friendships and creating memories that last a lifetime.

While destinations may vary from year to year, the spirit of adventure remains the same.

Elk Dad Testamonials

"I thought we had an eternity to camp, to laugh, and to share long drives with just the two of us, but somehow seven years passed in the blink of an eye. I'd like to say this program brought out the best in Sophia, but the truth is she was always amazing—it brought out the best in me, pushing me to become a better person, a better friend, and a better father. No one will ever fully know the impact this journey, this Nation, the campfires, the early mornings, the lifelong friendships, and the countless memories have had on my life, but I'll be forever grateful." - Sachem Chief Duncan
"Camping with Bear Nation and the Elk with my two daughters has become one of our favorite family traditions. What started as trying something new has turned into the highlight of every month, giving us the chance to unplug, explore the outdoors, laugh around the campfire, and create memories that will last a lifetime. The Elk have made these past six years truly unforgettable, and I'm grateful for every adventure, every friendship, and every moment we've shared together." - Chief Peter "Smoke Show"
"Camping with Bear Nation has given my daughter and me something that's increasingly rare in today's busy world: uninterrupted time together, lifelong memories, and a community that truly feels like family. The campouts, adventures, and traditions have strengthened our bond in ways that will stay with us long after she graduates from the program, and I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything." - Chief John "Surfing Turtle"
"Camping weekends with the Elk are so exciting for my daughter and I, the next morning I get this nostalgic feeling of having my coffee at the campfire for sunrise, seeing everyone slowly wake up for breakfast together." - "Stinky Socks" of the Elk

Elk is a father-daughter tribe within Bear Nation, part of YMCA Adventure Clubs. This website is a volunteer-run resource for Elk families and is not an official YMCA website. The views and content presented here do not necessarily reflect those of the YMCA.

Google Sites

Report abuse