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What does your typical ride weekend look like?
Arrival times are staggered. Some families make ride weekends long and some short. Some even arrive on Saturday morning. Friday evening is very informal. We try to establish camp by placing everyone in a very large circle. We get around to meet everyone as they arrive. We do not want any first time riders to arrive without a greeting. There is no agenda Friday evening; however, there will usually be a campfire lit and a crowd gathered around it for socializing. We have a brief meeting Saturday morning at 9:00 am. We ask every family to introduce themselves as a way to become familiar with one another. We will also provide the agenda for the weekend such as any activities and rides that are planned. We have a club we call Jackrabbits. The Jackrabbit Club is for younger kids (typically between the ages of 4-10, but the age bracket is a general guideline.) If your child is under six, we ask that one parent participate with him/her at the Jackrabbit Club. There are also many groups of riders that take off throughout the day around the activities that are planned. Everyone is on their own for dinner. We have a campfire program that begins at 7:00pm. The campfire program typically involves some stories from the day, a game that involves as many people as possible, followed by some worship in music and a teaching time. Following our campfire program we have a dessert potluck. We compile desserts from each family to one area and enjoy the company of one another. Sunday morning is pretty informal too. Every now and then we have something planned on Sunday, but not too often. People leave at various times on Sunday. We leave to warm hugs and well wishes until we meet again.
When do you ride?
ITD has 8 "official" rides scheduled once a month, October through May. Click the link "Ride Schedule" for our 2008-2009 ride calendar.
What do I need to bring?
Everything you will need for a weekend of riding and camping in the desert. The ministry is supported by the individual riders and families, and not a specific church, due to insurance reasons. Therefore, each rider/family needs to supply their own equipment, supplies, bikes/quads, camping gear, and food. All insurance needs are also up to each rider/family to supply. In other words, if you need it, bring it. ITD will coordinate a flexible riding schedule and fireside chat for each outing.
Where do you ride?
We alternate between different riding areas, typically in a desert region that allows sufficient space for riding and camping. Some of our locations include Cougar Buttes, Anderson Dry Lake, and Soggy Dry Lake in Lucerne Valley (Johnson Valley), Red Mountain, Randsburg, Dove Springs, Superstition Mountain, El Mirage, Ocotillo Wells, Cal-City, Gorman, Stoddard Wells, and Fremont Peak. We are open to new areas, too!
What if I can't stay for the entire weekend?
No problem. Come out for a day. Come out for two. Whatever timeframe you can spare on any given weekend, we would love to meet you. There is a message board on this website that you can use to coordinate carpooling or caravanning.
Can I follow someone to the ride locations?
We will send out an e-mail message to everyone on the "e-mail list" prior to every ride with directions to our ride location. (Anyone can be on the list.) We will post a map and ride directions on the website prior to each scheduled ride. Get your e-mail to dd.oconnell@gmail.com to be included in the monthly e-mail. If you really want to follow somebody, then post a message on the message board.
How do I join ITD?
Just show up. We do not have a formal registration process or dues. We are a group of friends, not an organization or corporation. If you want to be included on the e-mail list for regular updates and messages, send your name and e-mail address to dd.oconnell@gmail.com and you will be added. If you want your address added to the official camp roster, send your name, address, kids names and ages and phone/e-mail information to kmur100@cox.net and you are in. Its easy. Our list of participating families continue to grow.
Is ITD affiliated with a church?
We have families from various churches (see list below) and would love to continue to grow our list. Let us know if your church isn't included and we will add it to the list!
- Saddleback Church (Lake Forest)
- Yorba Linda Friends Church (Yorba Linda)
- Coast Hills Church (Aliso Viejo)
- Compass Bible Church (Aliso Viejo)
- Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda)
- The Little Church by the Sea (Laguna Beach)
- Crossroads Community Church (Corona)
- Calvary Baptist Church (Huntington Beach)
- Northpoint Church (Corona)
We are a group of friends. We are not a business or corporation. We carry no form of insurance. Camping and riding is at your own risk. |
