• Nov 2007: Decided to include Iron Chef, Games, etc.

• http://www.ymcaeastbay.org/camparroyo
• http://www.ymcaeastbay.org/campravencliff
• http://www.ymcaeastbay.org/camplomamar
• Walden West Facility

Walden West Center, located in the hills above Saratoga, has what you need for your group’s next meeting - beautiful scenery that creates a sense of tranquility, large and small meeting areas, on-site dining facilities, and more. On weekends during the school year, and every day in the summer, Walden West is available to youth and adult groups for a variety of activities, including school in-services, company workshops and picnics, church retreats, music and language groups, and private parties. The minimum charge is for a group size of 50 - 190. Call us today at (408) 573-3050 - JACKIE for more information. It may be just the change of scenery your group needs. Walden West Features:

• Multi-purpose room for up to 200 people
• Sleeping facilities for 170
• 2 outdoor amphitheaters
• BBQ and shaded picknic area
• Large, grassy playing field (ideal for soccer, volleyball or softball)
• 35 acres of wooded and grassy areas for meeting and recreation
• 3,500 acres of hiking trails in adjacent Sanborn County Park
• Close proximity to the quaint picturesque village of Saratoga

Walden West’s large multi-purpose room is ideal for general assembly and dining. Experienced kitchen staff is flexible with menu selection and special needs. The center has 6 dorm-style rooms that each sleep 18-20 people and 4 cabin style rooms that sleep 14 each. The rooms are fully heated, have wall-to-wall carpet, and are equipped with wooden bunk beds with mattresses. A separated living area has three rooms that can accommodate 3 people each. These rooms share a common living room with a mini kitchen.

PRICING:

• Cost: $100 per person includes food (Friday’s dinner, Saturday’s breakfast, lunch and dinner and Sunday’s breakfast and lunch), cabin usage
• Deposit: $500
• Site (flat) fee: $400 (supervisor and poeple)
• $200 – Solar Heated Pool – need certified lifeguard
• INFO: To reserve – booked it from 6 months to a year unless call and check their calendar

I think this place is ideal, but it is just so gorgeous! So i changed reservation dates: If we plan to arrive on June 13th, we have to make reservation on January 15 at 7am. If plan to arrive between June 15h to July 14th, we have to make reservation on February 15th at 7am Here is the website of campsites we can look into: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campground.htm We have to take this reservation seriously… because we do it any later, we won’t get the date =( We also have to consider, do we want to stay in the tent cabin provided? or do we went to stay in tents at a campsite…

Here is the website of campsites we can stay at: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/camp_region.htm

Last summer I stayed at Lodgepole, it was right next to stream, it was gorgeous. I have not really found the groupsites yet, I believe the only group side so far would be in Dorst Creek. Only problem is, if we want to hold more than 25 people, we have to look elsewhere.

A lot of the campsites are first come first serve, the only two sites i know that you have reserve would be Lodgepole and Dorst Creek. Reservations are made up to 6 months in advance… therefore, if we want to go during the planned weekend, we have to book it by this month. thoughts? ideas?

Some other places we can consider: Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, Death Valley National Park (though i think it might be a little too far) ** if you guys want me to research on any of those places as well, please let me know.

I guess some things to consider while looking is what kind of camping are we looking for? I remember Ali mentioning camping on the beach as well. What is the expected attendence on this trip as well?

• Iron Chef