Father’s Day Highlight: Adventure Guides Families

Adventure Guide Spotlight: The Scott Family

When Josh Scott first joined the YMCA of Orange County’s Adventure Guides program in 2017, he had no idea it would create so many lasting memories and friendships for him and his children. Over the last eight years, Josh has attended approximately 70 outings with his twin sons, Jack and Owen, and around 50 outings with his twin daughters, Abby and Lily.

“Over the years, we’ve done everything from spending the night at Sea World to camping on the beach to riding camels in the desert,” Josh said. “Adventure Guides has given me endless chances to get away from screens, spend quality time together, and become real friends with my kids.”

One of his favorite parts of every adventure?

“The drive home,” he said. “I always ask the kids to tell me their top three memories from the weekend. I love hearing their views and their excitement for the next event.”

What sets Adventure Guides apart for Josh is not just the experiences themselves, but the community that supports them. That spirit of camaraderie extends beyond the campground. Josh has made lifelong friends through the program. With a handful of other dads, he now goes on annual backpacking trips.  There are also dads willing to meet-up at alumni campouts.

“Some of the best guys I’ve ever met are in this program. If they ever needed anything, I’d be there in a heartbeat, and I know they’d do the same for me,” said Josh.

Josh finds that sense of belonging to be one of the most powerful parts of the experience. The dads come from all walks of life; some are new to camping, while others are seasoned pros, but none of that matters.

“We’re all here for the same reason: to get away from the noise of everyday life and focus on what really matters—our kids,” said Josh. “There are some incredible fathers in this program, and I’ve learned a lot from watching them.”

Adventure Guides has helped Josh reflect on how he shows up, how he supports his kids, and how committed he is. Beyond attending these trips and setting up tents, the program reminds Josh of the importance of being present and intentional with his parenting.

For any dad considering joining Adventure Guides, Josh encourages them to ask questions, find a circle that feels right, and just give it a shot.

“You don’t have to be a camping expert. You just have to be willing to show up and invest the time. We have been fortunate to find this program and fortunate to be able to invest the time around sports and other life activities.  I would note that none of this could have been accomplished without my supporting wife Kristen…she understands the importance of making the time now and has embraced her weekends with the kids that are not camping with me to make her own set of memories with them,” said Josh. The Y’s Adventure Guides program turns weekends into lifelong memories, strangers into community, and dads and kids into teammates, adventurers, and best of all, friends.

Adventure Guide Spotlight: Lee & Regan

Lee and his daughter, Regan, joined the YMCA of Orange County’s Adventure Guides program in October 2021, just after Regan turned five. Now four years and 38 events later, the two haven’t missed a single outing and they don’t plan to. Their experience is a testament to how the Adventure Guides program provides a rare and deeply meaningful space for fathers and daughters to connect, and how the YMCA serves as a powerful community hub.

“I’ll tell anyone who will stand still for more than five minutes how life-changing this is,” Lee said.

They join about 10 events a year, including themed campouts, special excursions, and small group meetups. One of Regan’s favorite memories so far was a Western-themed campout at Joshua Tree. She loved learning how to throw a lasso around training cows and simply getting time to be with her dad.

That’s a recurring theme in their Adventure Guides journey: time together, away from screens and distractions, in a place designed for connection.

“This is one of the few things in life where you get more out of it than you put in. You’re going to have 10, 12, even 20 substantial memories with your child every year—and all you have to do is sign up,” said Lee.

Lee acknowledges that it can feel overwhelming at first.

“When you walk in, it might seem like everyone knows each other and knows what they’re doing. But trust me, these people want you there, probably more than you want to be there. They’ll go to the ends of the earth to make sure you feel included,” said Lee.

Lee recently broke his shoulder and couldn’t manage the usual physical tasks that accompany an Adventure Guide outing.

“The other dads helped transport us, set up our tent, and did all the heavy lifting. That kind of support is unlike anything I’ve seen anywhere else,” said Lee.

In a world where time is fleeting and distractions are everywhere, YMCA Adventure Guides offers something rare: connection, community, and the chance to be truly present.

Learn more about Adventure Guides at https://ymcaoc.org/adventure-guides/