Annual Outing

Hiking trails among towering Redwoods and walks along pristine ocean beaches await us at the 2026 Chemeketans Annual Outing. Paddlers who attended the 2017 Outing in this area also found many quiet and beautiful spots for canoeing and kayaking. All of this will be available within a walk or an easy drive from camp.

The Klamath River runs along one edge of our campsite in Redwood RV Park nestled between Highway 101 and the ocean. The site is at the edge of the town of Klamath, California, and about 7 miles south of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park.

Some details about how the Outing works are listed below.  More information will be added as it becomes available.

Non-members wishing to attend must first go to the Chemeketans’ Becoming a Member page to apply and pay for membership (it’s a bargain at $20 per year!)  After that, they may return to this page and sign up for the Annual Outing as Chemeketans Members. Members of groups associated with the Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs (FWOC) may sign up by printing and mailing registration and liability forms along with the same fee as members. 

Basics: If you haven’t attended before, the Outing is quite an operation! The club hires professional cooks and provides hot meals for breakfast and supper and a make-your-own lunch for the trail. We'll set up a tented camp kitchen and huge dining tent. Many hands will be needed for camp set-up Saturday at noon, July 25. Campers bring their own camping shelter and equipment, and camp duties are shared.
 
The first meal provided will be supper on Saturday, July 25.  Second week campers may arrive after breakfast on Saturday, August 1 – first meal provided is supper.

The drive from Salem is a little over 300 miles and takes about five and a half hours. We hope that first week campers will arrive as soon as possible on July 25 so that the camp kitchen and dining area can be set up in time for the cooks to prepare supper for that evening. 

Weather and Habitat:    During July and early August (according to U.S. climate data) average daily high temperature in the town of Klamath is 67 F, average low 51 F, and average rainfall for the month of July is only about .34 inch. 

Duties: The Outing is a cooperative venture. As was the case for the first time last year, you will be able to choose your own camp duties.  When you complete your registration, you will receive a link to SignUpGenius – a web-based signup program that will list the duties that need to be filled during camp.  Pick what you like, coordinate with friends and family, try something new, choose your own adventure.  You will be instructed to choose three or four duties for each camper you have enrolled.  Unfilled duties will be chosen or assigned during in-camp check-in.  Those enrolling early will of course get the early choices.

Camp Meals: A hot breakfast, dinner, and a brown-bag lunch, including vegetarian entrees will be provided from the first Saturday dinner (July 25) through the last Saturday lunch (August 8).  Dishes and utensils are provided. The club hires cooks and pots and pans washers, but other duties are shared by campers.

Special dietary needs:  Because of our small kitchen and limited choices available from the food service vendors that we must depend on for deliveries, we cannot promise to provide for all special diets. A vegetarian main option will be provided at each dinner.  Those who want that option must indicate so on their registration form.  Some dinner main options are also dairy-free.  A salad bar and a vegan/gluten free side dish will also be available at dinner. PLEASE NOTE: Gluten free dishes are not guaranteed to be completely gluten free, as they will be cooked in a kitchen with other food with gluten. Lunch offerings will include a variety of breads, corn tortillas, meats, cheeses, peanut butter, cut vegetables (such as carrots, peppers, and lettuce), fresh fruit, nuts, dried fruits and snack bars. Oatmeal and other foods will be available at breakfast, as well as plant-based milk (e.g., soy, almond) for those who cannot eat dairy.

Drinking Water and Electricity:  Drinking water is available at the campsite.  Electricity will be provided for the kitchen and for charging personal electronic devices at a central location.  

RV hookups will only be available for those who make separate arrangements with Redwood RV Park.

Truck Loading: All attendees in the Salem area are expected to participate in either truck loading or unloading.  Loading will take place on Thursday, July 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Bridges Storage, 4370 Silverton Rd. NE, Salem (just east of Lancaster Dr.) Better to have too many hands than too few.  This is always a good social event and a way to connect with others who will be attending the Outing.  Camp and hiking guides will be available. Bring gloves and work clothes and water. Unloading is on Sunday, August 9, also 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Pets:  Pets are not allowed at the Outing, with the exception of trained service animals.

Hiking: Hiking is the main activity of the Outing, and the Outing Guide will include descriptions of hikes and specifics about signing up for and leading hikes.  There will be a number of hikes each day. Anyone can start a sign-up sheet and organize a hike.