Events

At Elk, we're committed to more than camping, adventures, and spending quality time with our daughters. We believe in raising young women who understand the importance of compassion, gratitude, and serving others.

Throughout the year, our dads and daughters participate in meaningful community service projects that support our local community, military families, and organizations making a difference. These experiences teach our girls that even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.

2025–2026 Service Highlights

🎗️ August – American Cancer Society Relay for Life

The Elk proudly donated more than $2,000 to the American Cancer Society, which became over $4,000 through a generous employer matching gift. Elk families also volunteered at the Survivors Breakfast, preparing and serving meals to honor cancer survivors, while our daughters participated in fundraising efforts and walked laps during the Relay for Life event.

🇺🇸 September – Care Packages for Deployed Service Members

Our Elk girls assembled care packages for U.S. military personnel stationed overseas. Filled with personal care items, favorite snacks, games, and handwritten letters of appreciation, these packages delivered a small piece of home while expressing our gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

🌊 October – Beach Cleanup

Living the Fifth Aim of Adventure Guides—to serve the community—our Elk families spent an evening helping keep our local beaches beautiful by collecting litter and protecting our coastal environment.

🎁 December – Casa de Amistad Christmas Giving

During the holiday season, Elk families donated gifts to children served by Casa de Amistad, helping ensure they experienced the joy and excitement of Christmas.

🥕 May – Feeding San Diego

Elk dads and daughters volunteered at Feeding San Diego, sorting fresh produce for distribution to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity throughout San Diego County.

Building Future Leaders

Service is woven into the Elk experience. By volunteering together, our daughters learn empathy, gratitude, teamwork, and the value of giving back. These shared experiences strengthen our community while creating memories and life lessons that extend far beyond our campouts.

We are proud of the difference our Elk families make—and we're always looking for new opportunities to serve our neighbors together.

Every Elk campout is unique, but they all share the same purpose: creating meaningful time between fathers and daughters while building lifelong friendships throughout the Elk and the larger Bear Nation.

Each weekend blends cherished Bear Nation traditions with unforgettable Elk adventures. Families come together on Friday evening, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning for shared meals, campfires, songs, and ceremonies that strengthen our community. Saturdays are typically dedicated to a special Elk activity, which may include hiking, fishing, boating, rafting, swimming, beach days, sightseeing, nature exploration, or other adventures that showcase the local area.

If your schedule allows, we encourage families to arrive around 3:00 PM on Friday. It's a great opportunity to set up camp, help unload the Elk trailer, meet other dads and daughters, and settle in before the Bear Nation Dinner officially begins the weekend.

The weekend concludes Sunday morning with Zócalo, a beloved Bear Nation tradition where families gather one last time to celebrate the memories made before heading home around midday.

One of the best parts of Elk is its flexibility. There is never an expectation to attend every campout or event. Some families make every adventure, while others participate whenever their schedules allow. Whether you join us once or all season long, you'll always be welcomed like family.

New to camping? Visit our Resources page for recommended gear, packing checklists, and advice from experienced Elk dads to help make your first campout fun, comfortable, and stress-free.