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.
Hey there. We’re so glad you’re here.
See below for your go-to guide for the weekend, and please feel free to reach out with any questions.
If you don’t know us already, come find us at Friday night welcome dinner. We’ll be the ones in the “B” sweaters and very happy to say hello.
We’re excited for a beautiful, slightly chaotic, very fun weekend with all of you.
Lynda, Andy, and Audrey ’33
Cabin Map
The map below is for reference as you plan your weekend.
The final version with family names will be shared the day before arrival.
El Capitan Canyon Cabin Map
Agenda
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 in advance.

Once you’re settled, hop on the shuttle to the Upper Meadow. Stops will be marked on the map.
6:00 pm · Welcome Dinner & Pizza Party · Upper Meadow

Friday night is when the weekend really begins — pizza, kids running around, everyone catching up, and that first big exhale of finally being here.

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

Karaoke
You and your kiddos are officially invited to take the stage — sing your hearts out… or just cheer from the crowd. Absolutely no pressure.

S’mores
Bring your own sticks if you’d like — but don’t worry, we’ll have everything you could possibly need for melty marshmallow goodness.
10:00 pm · Quiet Hours
The shuttle runs until approximately 10:30 pm — we’ll help get everyone back and tucked in after a full night.
Saturday +
10:00 am · Canyon Store
Meet the llamas, give them a snack, and try not to fall in love.
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm · Center Meadow
Amazing Kids Company will be running high-energy games, activities, and all kinds of organized chaos.
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm · Long House
Arts & Crafts (bracelets, masks, sun paper and more), or grab a game — dominoes, chess, mahjong — whatever your pleasure.
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm · Center Meadow
Skits & group rehearsal time if needed. Totally flexible this year.
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm · Long House
Skit performances followed by open mic… and then we turn it into a full-on dance party.
8:45 pm · Lower Loop
Stargazing — because somehow it’s even better out here.
10:00 pm · Quiet Hours
Shuttle runs until approximately 10:30 pm — we’ll help get everyone back home and happily exhausted.
Sunday +
11:00 am · Check Out
Time to pack up, leave everything just a little better than we found it… and start the countdown — only 363 days until we do it all again.
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.
For example, 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 for whom cost is a barrier, please reach out to bwselcapitan@gmail.com . We are usually able to help defray at least a portion of the cost.
All requests are completely confidential. Any remaining funds will stay within the designated account and roll over to support next year’s trip.