March 19–21, 2027

2027 Camp Resilience

Ride · Recover · Thrive

Join us March 19–21, 2027, at Lake Casitas for a recovery-centered weekend of movement, nature, service, and community. Ride, hike, meditate, connect, or volunteer — there is a place for you here.

Meals & camping included · 18+ · Drug- and alcohol-free

$1,050

Raised · 1% of $100,000

Donors

Fundraisers

137

Days Left

/ Why Camp Resilience(01)

Recovery is strengthened when we move, connect, and show up for one another, whether that’s on a bike, on a trail, in a meditation circle, or around the campfire.

4Participants1%Of goal reachedMar 19, 2027 – Mar 21, 2027$1,050Raised so far$100,000Campaign goal

Camp Resilience riders and volunteers gathered for a group photo

SoCal Camp Resilience brings people together for an unforgettable weekend of outdoor activity, fellowship, service, and fun. Whether someone rides 20 miles, takes a morning hike, joins a meditation circle, volunteers as a Roadie, or spends time around the campfire, they are part of a community built on resilience, hope, and mutual support.

Every participant commits to raising at least $500 by March 1, 2027. Donations support the life-saving missions of The Phoenix and Trudging Buddies while helping create recovery-centered experiences rooted in movement, connection, and hope.

/ The Weekend(02)

Ride, hike, meditate, connect, or volunteer. There is a place for you here.

Over three days at Lake Casitas we’ll share meals, miles, and time in nature while raising money to support free recovery programming. Whether someone rides 20 miles, takes a morning hike, joins a meditation circle, volunteers as a Roadie, or spends time around the campfire, they are part of a community built on resilience, hope, and mutual support.

Camp Resilience is broader than a cycling event — participants of every activity level belong. The weekend is recovery-centered and drug- and alcohol-free.

Ride

Supported route options of 20.3, 38, and 100 miles through the hills around Lake Casitas — with rest stops, sweep riders, and a community that makes sure you never ride alone.

Explore

Cycling is featured, never required. Hikes, meditation, a sound bath, bird watching, and other community-led activities fill the weekend for everyone off the bike.

Serve

Join as a Roadie and power the weekend — supporting setup, meals, check-in, activities, routes, rest stops, sweep, and camp operations.

Itinerary

Three days at Lake Casitas: arrive and settle in Friday, ride and explore Saturday, and close out together Sunday. Meals and campsite programming included.

/ The Commitment(03)

$500 fundraising commitment. Your weekend can help someone else find recovery and community.

This isn't just a registration fee — it's an invitation to strengthen recovery community. Position your ask around why recovery, community, or the event matters to you, and rally the people closest to you first.

What registration includes

Friday-through-Sunday programming and campsite parking
Friday dinner, three Saturday meals, and Sunday breakfast and lunch
Snacks, hydration, supported cycling routes, and community activities
Limited loaner bikes and camping equipment by request

Hotels, personal equipment, and transportation to Lake Casitas are not included.

Register
Sign up as a participant or volunteer Roadie. Early registration is $100 and increases to $150 in 2027; Roadie registration is free. You must be at least 18 years old by March 19, 2027.
Fundraise
Each participant commits to raising at least $500 by March 1, 2027. Break it into manageable goals — 10 gifts of $50 or 20 gifts of $25 — and track your progress on your personal fundraising page.
Show Up
Join us March 19–21, 2027, at Lake Casitas. Ride, hike, meditate, connect, or volunteer — meals, campsite programming, and supported routes are all included.
Impact
Donations support the life-saving missions of The Phoenix and Trudging Buddies while helping create recovery-centered experiences rooted in movement, connection, and hope.

$1,050of $100,000

4 fundraisers4 donors

Share Share

Fundraisers: 4
Teams: 1
Donors: 4
Days Left: 137
Location: Lake Casitas Recreation Area

/ Our Participants(04)

The people making recovery possible.

4 participants and 1 team fundraising so far.

Set up your page, share why this weekend matters to you, and invite your community to support you. Every contribution supports the life-saving missions of The Phoenix and Trudging Buddies.

Register as a participant or Roadie, raise funds at your own pace, and be part of a community built on resilience, hope, and mutual support.

Sort by

Participant

/ Itinerary(05)

Three days at Lake Casitas. Shared miles, meals, and campfires.

A recovery-centered weekend of movement, nature, service, and community near Ojai, California. Open to participants of all backgrounds and activity levels — you are welcome here.

Campers enjoying the talent show at dusk on the shore of Lake Casitas

The detailed schedule — with exact times and activity signups — is shared with registered participants ahead of the event.

Friday · March 19All participants
Arrive & Settle In
Times to be announced
Roll into Lake Casitas, check in, and set up camp. The weekend opens with Friday dinner and time around the campfire to meet the community you'll spend the next three days with.
Saturday · March 20Choose your path
Ride & Explore
Times to be announced
Supported route options of 20.3, 38, and 100 miles roll out in the morning, while hikes, meditation, a sound bath, bird watching, and other community-led activities fill the day off the bike. Three meals, snacks, and hydration keep everyone fueled.
Sunday · March 21All participants
Close Out Together
Times to be announced
Sunday breakfast and a final morning of community time, then a closing lunch before breaking camp and heading home.

/ The Routes(06)

Three routes. One community. Cycling is featured, but never required.

Every route is supported — rest stops, sweep riders, and Roadies making sure no one rides alone. Route selections at registration are preliminary; you’ll confirm your preference closer to the event.

20.3mi

The Community Ride

A gentle, social-paced spin — perfect for newer riders or anyone who wants the miles without the sufferfest.

38mi

The Middle Way

A solid morning in the saddle through the hills around Lake Casitas, with rest-stop support along the way.

100mi

The Long Haul

The big day out for riders who want to earn their campfire seat — fully supported with rest stops and sweep riders.

A 60-mile option may be added — route details are still being confirmed and exact courses will be shared with registered riders.

/ FAQ(07)

Questions? We’ve got answers.

Volunteer

Want to volunteer as a Roadie?

Roadie registration is free. Choose the Roadie option when you register. Fundraising is optional, but encouraged!

Questions about volunteering? Email Michael Stantz at mstantz@thephoenix.org.

Event Registration

$100. Register today, as the price will increase to $150 on January 1, 2027.

Yes! The registration package with a commemorative camp t-shirt is $150 through December 31, 2026, and increases to $200 on January 1, 2027.

We hope so! We only have 200 participant spots and 50 roadie spots available. Register now to ensure you hold your spot!

All participants must be at least 18 years old as of March 19th, 2027. No one under 18 may participate in this event.

Unfortunately we cannot accommodate pets.

This is a drug and alcohol-free event. Please respect the sobriety of others and abide by the recovery-focused nature of this event.

Yes! All participants must raise a minimum of $500 by March 1, 2027. Donations are tax-deductible and help support the life-saving missions of The Phoenix and Trudging Buddies. By inviting friends, family, and colleagues to support your ride, you’re not only fueling this event, you’re spreading the message of resilience, recovery, and hope far beyond the road. If your plans change and you can’t participate, let us know before March 1 and we’ll work with you.

Start early and make it personal. Share why recovery, community, or this event matters to you, then invite friends, family, coworkers, and others in your network to support your journey. People are most likely to give when they understand your connection to the cause and the impact their donation will make.Begin with a personal contribution if you can, then reach out directly to a few close supporters before sharing your fundraising page more broadly by text, email, and social media. Break the $500 minimum into smaller, achievable goals—for example, 10 donations of $50 or 20 donations of $25. Follow up, celebrate your progress, and thank every donor.Remember: you’re not simply asking for money. You’re inviting people to help strengthen recovery communities and make connection, resilience, and hope available to more people. You don’t have to do it alone—reach out to the event team if you need ideas or support.

The safety of our community comes first. If unforeseen circumstances like inclement weather or fire conditions force us to cancel, we’ll notify all participants as soon as possible. Please understand that we’re unable to refund registration fees or roll over fundraising to future events. We appreciate your understanding.

Event Itinerary

We will share program details as we get closer to the event.Friday 3/19 - Participants arrive at Lake Casitas campground in the afternoon and get settled in. Welcome activities and dinner provided.Saturday 3/20 - Our signature supported ride series (Advanced, moderate and beginner route options), along with a number of other outdoor activity options. Three meals provided.Sunday 3/21 - Morning and early afternoon activities. Breakfast and lunch provided. Pack up camp and head home.

Our signature bike rides will take place on Saturday, March 20th. We'll have other activities for non-cyclists: morning and sunset hikes, sound bath, meditation circle, campfire games, bird watching, and more! Bring comfortable, warm, & active clothing. An activity preference form will go out about 4 weeks prior to the event. Please keep an eye out for that.

This weekend is all about empowering you and your recovery! We want to assist you in serving the recovery community. Email Michael at mstantz@thephoenix.org with your idea and a good phone number to reach you. We'll get in touch to discuss making it a reality.

Travel and Arrival Info

We suggest coordinating carpools to get to Lake Casitas Recreation Area. Please use the TB What’s App Group to find a buddy and make plans.

Parking is included and your vehicle will remain with you at your assigned campsite.

Volunteers: Please arrive by 12:00 PM for orientation.Riders & Participants: Check-in opens at 3:00 PM.

Upon arrival, camp staff will guide you to the event campsite, where you’ll complete check-in and receive your assigned space.

Our team of volunteers are managing check-in for many people, so please help us by arriving before 7 pm on Friday. If you absolutely cannot arrive prior to 7 pm, please contact Michael at mstantz@thephoenix.org. Late arrivals will be accommodated on a case-by-case basis. Thank you for your understanding.

Bike Ride Details

A bike, helmet, two water bottles, bike lights (front and back), and tire repair kit. Please note: It will be dark at the beginning and end of the day and we want everyone to be safe. Please read our New Rider Orientation packet for detailed info about what gear you may want to bring.

Trudging Buddies has a limited number of bicycles to loan out. Please indicate your need when registering and see Slide 7 in the New Rider Orientation packet for info on how to make a bike loan request.

Most people will choose to bring a road bike or hybrid bike. E-bikes are fine—just don't forget to charge them in advance as we have very limited electricity on site.

There will be periodic rest stops along the route (every 15-20 miles) where we provide water, snacks, and rest rooms. Please have your bike professionally tuned up in advance.

We will share Ride With GPS links as we get closer to the event. Please choose the route that best matches your ability and fitness. Please join our Ride With GPS Club using this special link to get free turn-by-turn navigation.Short RouteLake Casitas to Ojai Center
20.3 mi | 1,000 ftMedium RouteLake Casitas to Ventura Beach to Ojai Center
38 mi | 1,391 ft
Note: We are exploring a new 60-mile route option. Please check back in the coming months for more details.Long RouteLake Casitas to Santa Paula, Grimes Canyon and Ventura Beach Loop
100 mi

You will keep your bike with you at your campsite, so we suggest bringing a bike lock or securing it inside your vehicle if you plan to leave your campsite for any reason. We are not responsible for lost or stolen bikes.

We recommend carrying a basic repair kit with two tubes, a hand pump or C02 cartridges. We'll also have bike tech at camp and at one of the rest stops, along with a few volunteer sweep vehicles to assist when needed. If you have a more serious mechanical issue that we can’t fix, you may be transported back to camp.

Camping / Lodging

We have a limited number of tents, sleeping bags, and mats we can loan you. Please indicate your need when registering.

Yes. Some folks may prefer this to tents.

Please reach out to Michael at mstantz@thephoenix.org to discuss arrangements.

10pm - 5am

Yes, you’re welcome to stay at a nearby hotel in Ojai or Ventura and still join us for meals and activities. Please note that the registration fee remains the same. Be sure to allow extra travel time to reach the designated meet-up locations at the scheduled times, which will be shared during Friday’s orientation.

Yes! The Hummingbird Inn will be holding a block of bungalows for us. Each room includes a refrigerator and microwave, with a tea kettle and hair dryer available from the front desk. Bathrooms feature a tub/shower combo. Be sure to mention SoCal Camp Resilience to receive the special group rate.

How to Prepare

Check out our "What to Bring" packing checklist.

Trudging Buddies has a 10-week training series to help you prepare. Please join our Spond group for training ride information.

Perfect cycling weather. Expect mild, moderately cool weather with average highs around 70°F and average lows near 48°F. Weather is typically breezy, and skies may be somewhat cloudy. Bring layers and a blanket for campfire camaraderie.

Food

Yes, all meals are provided. We'll also have snacks and hydration available.

Our volunteer food service team will keep everyone fueled with healthy, delicious meals all weekend long. You can look forward to two hearty dinners, grab-and-go style breakfasts, and bagged lunches available both on the route and back at camp.

Please inform Michael at mstantz@thephoenix.org if you have any food allergies. Our foodie team is able to prepare vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options upon request, but we encourage you to bring along any specialty items you know you’ll need.

Hygiene

Yes! There are 12 token-operated showers a short walk from the campsite. We can provide change for tokens. Please bring a head lamp as it will be dark along the road.

Yes!

There is a mix of porta potties and regular restrooms available onsite.

Medical and Emergencies

Our event is community-driven. We won’t have the full medical staff you might see at larger cycling events, but we will have trained first aid volunteers available to help with minor issues.

If you require emergency medical attention, call 911. Camp is located just a few miles away from Ojai Valley Community Memorial Hospital and Ventura County Medical Center.

Please plan to bring a cooler and keep it stocked with ice. We will not have refrigeration for you to use.

You are welcome to bring your own battery for devices such a CPAP machine, but please know we will have very limited electricity on site and cannot accommodate requests.

Roadies

Roadie registration is free. Choose the Roadie option when you register. Fundraising is optional for Roadies, but encouraged!

Volunteers dedicate their service to creating an amazing community event for all involved. We'll have a variety of roles and tasks including: setting up camp, assisting with meals, leading & supporting events, route prep, route support, sweep and SAG support, rest stop set up and operation, bicycle parking, telling campfire stories, etc. We want volunteers to have the expectation that they may not be able to participate in activities, as these activities will require their support. Please note, while volunteers are not required to fundraise, it is encouraged. :)

/ Our Sponsors(08)

The weekend is made possible by partners who believe in the mission.

Recent donations

Paul Santello$150Oct 25

Paul Santello$100Oct 25

A.J. Lewis$100Oct 20

John McKean$100Sep 14

Jesse Meida$100Sep 10

Ride. Recover. Thrive.

There is a place for you here.

SoCal Camp Resilience is a drug- and alcohol-free, recovery-focused event. Donations support the missions of The Phoenix and Trudging Buddies.