What we're about
Solar Outdoors is a Southeast Michigan based club with more than 400 members. Founded in 1975, Solar Outdoors remains dedicated to helping its members enjoy nature and outdoor activities.
Membership in the club is required for full access to our Meetup site. Annual dues are $6 for individuals. Please read further if you are interested in becoming a club member. Questions about membership can be directed to solarmembership@solaroutdoors.org.
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Solar Outdoors members themselves organize workshops and events in which other members can participate. Whether you are a beginner or experienced wilderness enthusiast, you will find workshops, activities, and trips for all skill levels and many different interests including--but certainly not limited to!--backpacking, day hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, paddling, orienteering, wildflower and tree identification, whitewater rafting, and geocaching. Solar Outdoors members can also borrow gear from our store of packs, sleeping bags and pads, stoves, and other outdoor equipment for an annual member fee of $35.
To learn more about Solar Outdoors and its activities we encourage you to visit our website, www.solaroutdoors.org. There you will find a calendar of upcoming workshops and events. These sources give more information about who we are, what we do, and how we do it. We also welcome anyone interested in the club to attend our monthly meetings, held at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 27475 Five Mile Road, just west of Inkster Road, in Livonia on the last Tuesday of every month (except December) at 7 pm. SOLAR is not affiliated with St. Paul's or any other religious institution. Directions are available here: http://solaroutdoors.com/solarmeetings.html. The business meeting is followed by a program on a topic of general interest to our members.
Solar Outdoors uses Meetup as a tool of convenience for our members to quickly get information about upcoming classes and activities and to sign up and pay for these events online. That's why our Meetup group is restricted to paid members of the club and non-members have very limited access.
Once you have checked us out online and, we hope, in person by attending one of our monthly meetings, you can decide if becoming a member is right for you. If so, you can join the club by downloading the membership form (http://solaroutdoors.com/downloads/S.O.L.A....), filling it out, and either submitting it with a check for the dues payment at one of the meetings or mailing both to the address listed on the bottom of the membership form. Once you are a club member you will have access to this Meetup group.
Thank you for your interest in Solar Outdoors. We hope to meet you soon.
Upcoming events (4+)
Canoe or kayak toward the setting sun to Milford Central Park. Walk into town for dinner and/or dessert. Paddle back under the moon and ending the night by socializing around a bonfire.
This popular event is perfect for a date night, a family outing, or an adventure with friends. All skill levels welcome. Please Dress For The Weather. Headlamps and drinking water recommended.
Time posted here is one hour before the launch time. There could be a long line to get your boat.
Saturdays 2023 Dates - Launch Time, Sunset, Moonrise
June 3 - 7:30pm, 8:25pm, 8:27
July 1 - 7:30, 8:34pm, 7:16pm
July 29 - 7:30pm, 8:18pm, 6:04pm
September 2 - 6:30pm, 7:32PM, 9:11PM
September 30 - 5:30pm, 6:47PM, 7:35PM
October 28 - 5:00 pm, 6:06PM, 6:01PM
Price per person:
Canoe $30 ($60 per boat) (Seats 2-3 People)
Tandem Kayak $30 ($60 per boat) (Seats 2 People)
Single Kayak $35
Personal Boat $20
There is a two-person minimum for each canoe and tandem kayak.
Price includes bonfire.
Pre-registration is recommended – walk-ins are subject to availability. Visit https://heavnercanoe.com/moonlight to complete the registration form or call (248)[masked]. Especially if you want a kayak. Those who pre-registered will receive their boat first.
Fine Print:
Space is limited. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to each event. Any remaining boats and tandem kayaks are available on a first come, first serve basis at the time of the event. • Dinner is NOT included in the price. • If you do not already have a State Recreation Passport, it is available for purchase.
In the case of severe weather (i.e. high winds, thunderstorm or tornado watch or warning, sustained periods of heavy rain), we will cancel the event. You will receive an email and/or phone call to inform you of the cancellation at least two hours before the scheduled event.
If the weather looks bad and you haven't heard anything then call Heavner's before you leave your home to see if it's been canceled.
- Jeff E.
- Beth
- Eric B.
- 7 attendees
Where: Island Lake State Recreation Area park entrance at 6310 Kensington Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Meet at: Bluebird Shelter parking lot
Length: 5 miles (trail has some shortcuts to make the hike shorter)
Dress for the weather. The only reason the hike will be cancelled is if the National Weather Service says to stay indoors or seek shelter.
Host: Laura Miller
Contact information: cell [masked]
- Laura M
- Elaine
- Delphine B.
- 3 attendees
Join Solar Outdoors for our annual summer picnic at Island Lake Recreation Area/Blue Bird Shelter. Anyone and everyone are welcome; you do not need to be a member of Solar Outdoors. Come on over and join us.
There are hiking trails if you'd like to join in on or lead a hike. There is a hike planned at 9 AM.
Have outdoor games? Bring them along.
Please bring anything you will want for your picnic lunch. The park has charcoal grills for your use if you want but you will need to bring charcoal.
- Tricia
- Jeff M.
- MaryDW
- 16 attendees
Pictured Rock Lakeshore Park Headquarters
We will be thru hiking the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, beginning in Grand Marais and ending in Munising. 42 miles over 5 days/4 nights. We will be staying at group sites along the trail. We will have cars at both ends of the trail so we will not need to use a shuttle.
Prior backpacking experience or completion of the beginning backpacking workshop is required.
You will be responsible for your lodging the night before(6/12) and your parking permit at the trailhead (purchased online prior to arrival).
Cost: $30 if you pay check, cash or venmo; $35 if you pay via this post on Meetup.com.
You must be a Solar Outdoors member to come along. Annual membership for Solar Outdoors is just $6 and you can join via Meetup.
Contact me via text at[masked] with questions or itinerary.
- Jeff Z.
- Bob T.
- Leslie C.
- 20 attendees
Past events (1,344)
- Krisanne
- Mike H.
- Alison
- 10 attendees
