New Families, Start Here

Everything we wish someone had told us before our first campout. Ten minutes of reading, then go buy a headlamp.

What is Adventure Guides?

A YMCA of Orange County program for dads and daughters, roughly kindergarten through fifth grade, built on one idea: a dad and his kid doing things together, on purpose, on a schedule. No coaching, no tryouts, no bench. There are a dozen-plus Adventure Guides expeditions across Orange County; Soaring Spirit is one of the dads-and-daughters expeditions based in South County — several circles of families who camp, hike, and show up together from September to June.

Every family joins a circle of roughly 5 to 15 dad-and-daughter pairs — often from the same school or neighborhood, sometimes work friends, and not necessarily all the same age. Your circle is your crew: you camp next to each other, cook together, and take the stage together at Saturday’s campfire. It’s also the group text you’ll actually read.

What a weekend actually looks like

No agenda longer than a napkin. Here’s the shape of it.

How to sign up

1. Join through the YMCA of Orange County. New to Adventure Guides? Use the new member registration and choose the Soaring Spirit expedition. Already a member? Log in here.
2. Pay the season fee. One yearly program fee covers the whole 2026-27 season and puts you on the expedition email list.
3. Register for each event. Every campout and day event is registered separately through the member portal — the “Register” link next to each event on the schedule takes you straight there. Event fees cover the campsite and group meals.
4. Get placed in a circle. We’ll match you with a circle that has room and fits. Your circle leader will reach out before Hurkey Creek.

Questions everybody asks

Can we try one event before we commit?

Yes. The YMCA’s Adventure Pass (we call it the Buddy Pass) lets a dad and daughter who are thinking about joining come to one event as guests. Download the form, fill it in, and get it to an Adventure Guides director before the event — it needs the standard waivers, and it’s for families who haven’t been in the program before. Current members get first dibs on event spots.

What ages?

Daughters in kindergarten through about fifth grade. Little sisters are welcome at the June family campout.

Do I need to know how to camp?

No. Half the dads had never pitched a tent. Your circle gets you set up Friday night, and the packing list tells you exactly what to bring.

What does it cost?

A yearly program fee to the Y, plus a per-event fee. Hurkey Creek is $125 for a dad and daughter and $10 for each extra daughter; other events vary with the venue. The Y will not turn a family away over money — financial assistance is one form and a couple of pay stubs, and it’s confidential.

What do we need to buy?

For the first campout: a tent, two sleeping bags, two camp chairs, and headlamps. Borrow from your circle before buying anything else. Everything else is on the packing list.

What’s a guide name?

Every dad and daughter picks an Adventure Guides name when they join — Running Deer, Little Fox, Tall Pine, that kind of thing. You’ll use them at campfire and at induction. Pick something she’ll still like in fourth grade.

What about the vest?

The leather vest is where the patches go. It’s optional and it’s the best thing you’ll buy. All about vests →

Is it religious?

It’s a YMCA program, and the Seven Aims and the closing at campfire reference Our Creator. Families of every faith and none are in the program. Respect for everyone’s beliefs is literally Aim 6.