BWS Community El Capitan 2026

About the Trip   •   Cabin Map   •   Agenda   •   Canyon Café Meals   •   BWS Camp Shop   •   Activities Fees & the Fund   •   Check Out
About the Trip
El Capitan is one of those weekends that just works.
Once you are there, everything slows down in the best way. Laughter carries through the canyon, friendships deepen, and the usual pace of life quietly fades into the background.
This trip is designed to be easy, connected, and just structured enough that everyone can relax. There is always something happening, but never anything you have to do. You can join in, wander off, or simply sit and take it all in.
Days are filled with time outside, kids moving freely between cabins and activities, arts and crafts, games, and spontaneous moments that tend to become the ones everyone remembers.
Evenings bring everyone back together for shared meals, campfires, karaoke, and time as a group.
It is a time where kids get to be kids in nature, not on devices. They run, explore, and create their own fun in a way that feels increasingly rare. They can play online games anytime. This weekend, they get to climb trees, build friendships, and be fully present with each other.
If you’ve been before, you know. If not, you’re about to.
See below for your go to guide for the weekend.
As always please feel free to reach out with any questions.
If you don’t know us already, on Friday night at welcome dinner we’ll be wearing our “B” sweaters.
Come say hello.
Lynda, Andy, and Audrey ’33
Cabin Map
The blank map below is for reference as you plan your weekend. The day before arrival, the final map with family names will be published here.
El Capitan Canyon Cabin Map
Agenda
Driving from Brentwood to Goleta on a Friday can be a bit of an adventure. Plan ahead, bring your favorite road trip distractions, and settle in. The weekend starts the moment you leave.
This trip is about fun and decompressing.
Friday +
4:00 pm · Check In · Front Office
You may have received a text from the resort for pre check in. Otherwise, check in at the front desk. Early check in may be available for a fee and must be arranged directly with the resort.

Once settled, take a shuttle to the Upper Meadow. Stops will be marked on the map.
6:00 pm · Upper Meadow (well lit)

Glow Table
Glowing necklaces, bracelets, and plenty of fun for everyone.

Karaoke
If it is not in the library, we will find it.

S’mores
Bring your own sticks or grab a set at the Canyon Store. Supplies will also be available.
10:00 pm · Quiet Hours
Shuttle runs until approximately 10:30 pm.
Saturday +
10:00 am · Canyon Store
Llama Hike. Meet the llamas and feed them if you like.
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm · Center Meadow
Amazing Kid Company will be running games and activities.
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm · Long House
Arts, crafts, and games including origami, bracelet making, masks, sun paper, chess, mahjong, and more.
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm · Center Meadow
Skits and group gathering time. Flexible and informal this year.
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm · Long House
Skit Performances followed by open stage.
7:30 pm · Long House
S’mores by the fire.
8:00 pm · Lower Loop
LED Stargazing.
10:00 pm · Quiet Hours
Shuttle runs until approximately 10:30 pm.
Sunday +
11:00 am · Check Out
Please plan to depart by 11:00 am.
Canyon Café Meals
We will once again be offering Canyon Café group meals to make things easy, fast, and family friendly throughout the weekend.
Details and sign up links will be available shortly.
Coming Soon
BWS Camp Shop
The BWS Camp Shop will offer a curated mix of swag, weekend essentials, and kid friendly favorites.
Pre-Order Required
Coming Soon
Activities Fees & the Fund
Activities Fees +
The fees for 2026 are $80 per person.
Activities fees cover far more than the visible activities you see and are required for all attendees to ensure a safe, seamless, and shared experience.
As a few families have reached out in past years about the Activities Fees being required, we have made adjustments and removed all organized meals on Saturday. Fiesta Dinner on Saturday night will be opt in, just as breakfast and lunch have been in previous years. The remaining items cannot be separated into individual participation. After check in, driving in the canyon is not permitted, which makes the shuttle essential for everyone. Lighting, insurance, liability coverage, and the rest of the programming are shared across the group. For that reason, the Activities Fee is required for all attendees to ensure a safe, well run, and consistent experience for everyone.
This fee must be paid before April 7th or your reservation is at risk of cancellation.
This fee covers:
• Friday night welcome pizza party
• Shuttle
• Amazing kids company activities
• Additional space rentals including the long house, meadows, activity yurt, and surrounding areas
• Arts and crafts and games
• S’mores supplies
• Firewood for community campfires
• Beverages and ice for community areas
• DJ and sound equipment
• Karaoke
• Digital photo booth
• Lighting crew and equipment
• Production vehicle rental and fuel
• El Capitan crew gratuity
• Additional crew and crew housing
• Llama hike, nature hike with naturalist ranger Larry, LED stargazing, and other shared experiences
• Administrative costs including LLC, insurance, and accounting
• Miscellaneous shared event costs
All accounting is open book. Any excess will be transferred to next year’s Fund.
Volunteering & the Fund +
We would love your help. Please note on the survey if you would like to volunteer.
In addition, we want to make this trip as inclusive as possible. If you are able, we truly appreciate contributions to the Financial Assistance Fund. Any amount is meaningful and helps make this weekend accessible for more families.
Contributions can be made at:
www.elledici.net/thefund

Credit cards and ACH are available, or you may use any of the listed payment options with a note indicating it is a donation to the Fund.
For families who would like to attend but for whom cost is a barrier, we encourage you to still reserve your cabin. We are often able to provide financial assistance to help defray a portion of the cost.
Requests are handled completely confidentially. Please email:
bwselcapitan@gmail.com
Any remaining funds will stay within the designated account and roll over to support next year’s trip.