Join Bear

Camp With Us! Registration Now Open!

We're excited you're joining Bear Nation for campouts for this upcoming Season! Whether you're an experienced camper or brand new to the outdoors, you'll find a welcoming group of fathers and daughters ready to help you get started. After registering, please complete a Bear Nation Interest Form so we can get to know you better and make sure your group preference during registration was processed correctly!

ANNUAL REGISTRATION (COMPLETED ONCE AT START OF SEASON - MUST BE DONE PRIOR TO CAMPOUT REGISTRATIONS)

Step 1: Visit the Ecke YMCA Adventure Clubs registration page HERE. You will need to set up a YMCA account if you do not already have one.

Step 2: Scroll down. The Father & Daughter blue button should already be highlighted (click it if not).

Step 3: Find Bear Nation (IMPORTANT!) and click the "JOIN" button. You do not want the wrong group.

Step 4: You must enroll both the Dad and Daughter(s). For Dad, click the Enroll button for "'26 - BEAR - ANNUAL REGISTRATION - ADULT (EK)". For Daughter(s), click the Enroll button for "'26 - BEAR - ANNUAL REGISTRATION - CHILD (EK)". Because you've already registered you and your daughter(s) through the YMCA website, your names should show up as an option after clicking the enroll button.

Step 5: Click on the checkout button in the upper right corner. You will come to a Questions section. You will be asked via dropdown menu to choose "What Group are you associated with?" and this is where you select "Bear - Elk". MOST IMPORTANT STEP! You need to complete the Questions section for both Dad and Daughter(s), otherwise you won't be able to proceed to the next section. Finish completing the rest of the form and make payment if required (for non-YMCA members).

CAMPOUT OR SEASON PASS REGISTRATION (AFTER COMPLETING ANNUAL REGISTRATION)

Step 1: Visit the Ecke YMCA Adventure Clubs registration page HERE

Step 2: Scroll down. The Father & Daughter blue button should already be highlighted (click it if not).

Step 3: Find Bear Nation (IMPORTANT!) and click the "EVENTS" button.

Step 4: You will either select individual campouts or a Season Pass. The Season Pass will say "2026-2027 - Events" in the Course Session column. The first campout of the year (Del Mar), is listed as "'26-09:Sep - Events" in the Course Session column. For more information on registration options, including pricing, please visit the "Registration Options" section below. Select the desired program and Enroll both yourself and your daughter(s). These will require separate clicks, as adults and children are separate registrations. If you have multiple children, you will select multiple children within the Child registration tab.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. Once registered, we'll get in touch and make sure you're ready for your first adventure.

Registration Options

At the beginning of each Adventure Clubs season, families complete a simple annual YMCA Adventure Clubs registration. Families then have two options for campouts:

Individual Campouts (Most Popular): Families register and pay for campouts individually throughout the season as their schedules allow. Pricing is subject to change and is officially managed by the YMCA, but as of July 2026, current pricing for the first campout at Del Mar Beach from Sep 28-Sep 30 is $122 for Adults and $109 for Children for YMCA members. If you are not a YMCA member, the campout pricing is $147 for Adults and $121 for Children.
Season Pass: Register for the entire camping season in advance and receive a discounted rate that is roughly equivalent to one campout free over the course of the year. Pricing is subject to change and is officially managed by the YMCA, but as of July 2026, Season Pass pricing for YMCA members is $799 for Adults and $677 for Children. This includes 8 campouts. The 9th campout (Catalina Island) is handled separately and is NOT part of the Season Pass. If you are not a YMCA member, the Season Pass pricing for YMCA members is $887 for Adults and $752 for Children.

Scholarships & Financial Assistance

If cost is giving you any hesitation about joining the Elk or Bear Nation, please know that financial assistance is available. All scholarship requests are handled directly and confidentially through the YMCA. Participation in a scholarship program is never shared with Elk or Bear Nation families.

The YMCA believes every child should have the opportunity to participate, learn, grow, and thrive. Through the YMCA ACCESS Scholarship Program, qualifying families may receive assistance with membership fees, program fees, and other YMCA services. In addition, the Adventure Clubs community proudly supports the Dream Catcher Scholarship, which helps ensure that no child misses out on the friendships, adventures, and memories that make Adventure Clubs so special. Throughout the year, Elk and Bear Nation families dedicate time and fundraising efforts to support this mission and help more fathers and daughters experience the program.

If cost is a concern, we encourage you to reach out. Assistance may be available, and all inquiries are handled with complete confidentiality. For more information about YMCA scholarships or the Dream Catcher Scholarship, please contact Adventure Clubs Director Tim Strong at tstrong@ymcasd.org.

How Much Does It Cost?

One of the most common questions new families ask is, "How much should I expect to spend?" We believe it's important to be transparent about the costs so there are no surprises. The good news is that participation is flexible. Some families attend every campout, while others attend just a few. Your total cost depends largely on how many events you choose to participate in. If cost is a concern, please visit the Scholarships & Financial Assistance section above. We never want finances to prevent a father and daughter from participating. Because some fees are set by the YMCA and campground pricing varies from year to year, the amounts below are estimates based on recent camping seasons. Official pricing is available through the Ecke YMCA Adventure Clubs, and YMCA members receive discounted registration rates.

YMCA Annual Season Registration
- Paid first, before start of season and before you can register for Season Pass or individual campouts
- FREE ($0) for YMCA of San Diego Members
- Non-YMCA Members are $100 One Time Fee for Dads Only (Children are Free)
Annual Dues
- Varies by Bear Nation Club. Visit the GROUPS page to learn more.
Individual Campout -or- Season Pass Registrations
- Season Pass Fee (Includes 8 Campouts) - $800 for YMCA members, $900 for Non-YMCA. The 9th campout, traditionally held at Catalina Island is handled separately.
- Individual Campout Fee - Averages around $150-$200 per Campout. Each campsite is different and carries a different cost.
Campout Food Expenses
- Varies by Bear Nation Club. Visit the GROUPS page to learn more.
Personal & Optional Expenses
- There's absolutely no expectation that new families purchase all new camping gear before their first campout. Many Bear Nation families start with basic equipment, borrow gear from other members, or purchase quality used gear. Our Camping Guide includes recommendations for keeping costs down, and we are always happy to help newcomers get started.

Scholarships & Financial Assistance

If cost is giving you any hesitation about joining Bear Nation, please know that financial assistance is available. All scholarship requests are handled directly and confidentially through the YMCA. Participation in a scholarship program is never shared with Bear Nation families.

The YMCA believes every child should have the opportunity to participate, learn, grow, and thrive. The Adventure Clubs community proudly supports the Dream Catcher Scholarship, which helps ensure that no child misses out on the friendships, adventures, and memories that make Adventure Clubs so special. Throughout the year, Bear Nation families dedicate time and fundraising efforts to support this mission and help more fathers and daughters experience the program.

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