The Run-a-ways were established in 1970 as a private RV family camping club for Elk members. Most of our club members live in the Orange County area although we do have a few that live out of the region.
We are a small group of both young and old (humm... not so very old!) singles, couples and families who enjoy outdoor local camping trips where we can pack up our RV's and hang out around the campfire, fish, golf, catch up on some rest and share recipes.
The clubs center point for travel reference is the center of Mission Viejo,setting a one-way 100-125 mile limit. Although its not carved in stone, it serves as a distance guideline for the RV parks and campgrounds where we like to camp. The campgrounds we attend have full hookups with an average daily price range of $25-35.
Most of the time we have an informal light breakfast and potluck dinner on Saturday with everyone kicking in a recipe. We're not really a dry camping club. However, many in our club get together on the off weekends and do other types of camping activities as well.
Our campouts are held within the area shown on the cover map. Our members come from all over the Southern California area. It's a family atmosphere. We average around 15-25 rigs in attendance at each campout as the members schedule permit. Some come in on Thursday but most of us arrive throughout the day on Friday and are gone by mid-Sunday afternoon.
The club member make-up is families including kids, middle age couples with their children off to play (college?), and retired folks enjoying the mix that the club brings along with their grandkids and great-grandkids. Everyone one is friendly and enjoys a good campfire story. Most of the rigs are 5th wheelers, pull trailers, and motorhomes. We discourage pop-up trailers or tents in general because the RV parks that we go to normally do not allow them.
Also keep in mind most RV parks we attend have a "pride of ownership" clause in their contract, so if your rig is pretty beat up you may run into some restrictions. Dogs: Just a quick reminder most RV parks have some breed restrictions in place. So keep this in mind.
Our current by-laws require that everyone take a turn as a trail boss or as an assistant. We elect new officers annually. If you are interested in becoming a member, then you will need to complete a membership application which has your name, address, phone and some rig information for our files. We normally do not allow non-members to attend more than one campout without joining our club since the RV parks hold us accountable for your reservation, conduct, and you know the rest...
We also know it is very difficult to attend an outing with a bunch of strangers, so we will do our best to certainly make you feel at home. When you arrive at a campout on Friday there are always members on the lookout for you.
Take a moment, look over our Schedule of Events for the next family campout...
If you find a campout you'd like to go, then send an E-mail to our wagon master Pat Martino at Pat Martino <pbmartino@sbcglobal.net> and he will send you some extra information as soon as you check your e-mail.