What we’re about
We are a club dedicated to getting outdoors. Events are run by coordinators, and longer trips allow for carpooling from a major transit stop. We will be hosting hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, cycling, paddling, backpacking, and other events at a variety of different levels.
Information about club fees & fee structure : The $25 yearly fee that we collect goes towards paying for this site and for our insurance dues (and it's as low as we can possibly go!) The $25 yearly membership is good for all events from January-December. (In July, it is discounted for those only joining for half the year).
$2 drop-ins are collected for event participants who don't plan to attend as many events and you can drop in about .
*E-transfer option: We prefer that you pay your membership fee by e-transfer to our email, **victoriaoutdoorclub@gmail.com**. *If you are using this option, PLEASE make your profile name on meetup at least has a last initial - OR send us a screenshot of your profile picture. (We have received some unidentified payments in past)!
Waivers: As a standard outdoor club procedure, every participant is required to fill out our FMCBC waiver once per calendar year, and these are kept on file (currently, fill in the paper waiver at our events. We plan to add a digital waiver soon).
No-show policy & emergency contact form: We take attendance at each event which is marked on an emergency contact form.
If you don't attend an event you have signed up for, you will be marked as a no-show. (If you inform us ahead of time we will not mark you as a no-show). If you have 3 or more no shows, an event host reserves the discretion to remove you from their events. *We have seen an increase in non-attenders lately. Please be polite! Hosts are volunteering their time.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Sheilds Lake via Sooke MountainTrailhead at Juan De Fuca Salmon Centre, Sooke, BC
A hike to Sheilds Lake (not a typo) in the Sooke Hills, via West Rampart and Sooke Mountain.
This is a 6+ hour hike, distance will be about 16km. Pace will be moderate. We will have breaks on Sooke Mountain, at Sheilds Lake, and as requested. Sheilds Lake is a good swimming lake if the weather cooperates. The section around West Rampart is a maze of real and abandoned flagged routes, and some bushwhacking is probable.
Please note: This is a hike in a hilly forest environment, partially on flagged routes. There will be uneven, rocky, gravelly, slippery, and steep sections. Balancing on logs over creek crossings, and/or class 2-3 scrambling may be required.
What to bring: Hiking boots, hiking poles, water (2 liter minimum), snacks, sunscreen, layered clothing, a raincoat. Please bring the 10 essentials if you have them. Feel free to bring a weighted backpack if you are training for overnight hikes, we will accommodate your pace.
Where: We will meet at the parking lot by the water treatment plant on Sooke River road, by the Juan De Fuca Salmon hatchery. There is a parking area for hikers right after turning off Sooke River Rd, please don't park further in at the Salmon center.
Yearly membership for VOC is $25 per year. You can pay by e-transfer to victoriaoutdoorclub@gmail.com or in person. *Drop in fee is $2.
*Anyone who hasn't already needs to read and sign the club waiver once in 2025. I will have copies on hand at the event! (We are still doing paper waivers as there is a complex system to set up safe storage of online waivers).
*IF you are not able to come, reservations close at noon the day of the hike - if you can't come, please take your name off the list so someone else can. If you are on the waitlist, it's a good idea to check if you've been added before you leave work/home for the hike! (The system adds people last minute). It is unlikely we will ever get 20 people on a hike, but I've set this limit as we do get last-minute cancellations.
*Please make sure you have your meetup profile set up with our club before attending an event. We use the meetup profiles to keep track of who has signed their waiver for 2025. - Mt. Sugarloaf plus four others!Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park South Trailhead - Parking Lot, Langford, BC
Join us for a full day hike! We will explore 5 Hills: Corner Hill, Crows Nest Mikes Hill, Sugar Loaf and Townsend Hill. We'll meet at Sooke Hills Wilderness Reginal Parking Lot at 9am. This Hike will be a large loop. There will be rocky steep sections over gown trail, logs and roots to transverse. On the upside there will be multiple view points and some interesting forest trails where Ewoks hang out... or at least Black Bears. We will have a couple of rest stops for lunch and snacks. The overall trip will be 13Km with approximately 5-600meter elevation gain. Be prepared to spend 5-6 hours on the trail.
What to bring: back pack, extra layers rain gear, hat, water, lunch, headlamp and the 10 essentials. Hiking boots with ankle support are a must for this one. Poles for people who use them will be beneficial. Epipen for those who would require one. (There were a few wasp nests on or near the trail.)
Housekeeping Info:
*VOC Volunteers may not have any specialized training such as first aid or survival skills for outdoor activities. You are responsible for your own health and safety. Please read our waiver.*Yearly membership for VOC is $25 per year. You can pay by e-transfer to victoriaoutdoorclub@gmail.com or in person.
*Drop in fee is $2. (3 drop in's allowed before you need to sign up for yearly membership.)
*Anyone who hasn't already needs to read and sign the club waiver once in 2025. I will have copies on hand at the event! (We are still doing paper waivers as there is a complex system to set up safe storage of online waivers).
*Reservations close 6pm on Saturday evening before the hike
*If you can't come, please take your name off the list so someone else can. If you are on the wait list, it's a good idea to check if you've been added before you leave work/home for the hike! (The system adds people last minute).
*Please make sure you have your meetup profile set up with our club before attending an event. We use the meetup profiles to keep track of who has signed their waiver for 2025.
