About us
Welcome to the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group! This group was created in 2016 for like-minded people and active adults who enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature and adventure travel in the great outdoors. Check out our calendar of events page to see what new adventure travel and special events we have coming up here in 2026 & 2027. Our group adventure travels include single and multi-day trips, here in the U.S. and internationally. Our outdoors activities and events include hiking, white water rafting, river kayaking, scuba diving & snorkeling as well as other special events including an online destination orientation meeting for our upcoming international adventures and a “Discover & Explore” online travel series with expert guest speakers.
I hope you will come out and join us on one of our amazing adventure travels and special events, and enjoy a whole lot of fun, friendship and camaraderie through the exciting discovery and exploration of the beauty, majesty and wonder of the great outdoors! Cheers! 😎 Laura Halik, Administrator, Group Organizer
Follow us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thegreatoutdoorsadventures
Or join us in our group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1638129706438217/
Follow our You Tube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXSmDumi9zPdwG_PWBZHPGQ
Stay in touch with us and receive news updates and announcements of new and upcoming travel and events, as well as information on new travel destinations and adventures. Join our email list at https://mailchi.mp/7cb28f797c63/great-outdoors-adventures-travel-email-list
GROUP TRAVEL & EVENTS POLICIES & GUIDELINES:
· Please be courteous and treat organizer(s) and all members with kindness, courtesy, and respect at all times. Come to participate positively and responsibly. Contribute constructively to all trips and events and respect the laws & customs of the host country on international travel. No soliciting, criticisms, gossip, or discussions of politics.
· Members are welcome to post within the group’s discussion area online to share travel and adventure related information.
· There is zero tolerance for harassment, bullying, offensive, confrontational and/or otherwise unacceptable conduct or behavior towards the group organizer or any member during any trips or events. Non-compliance will result in the member’s removal from the group and all future trips and events. Should you have a conflict with another group member, please take it privately to resolve it in a constructive manner. If you are unable to resolve it privately, please let your organizer(s) or event host(s) know.
· You must be a member of the group to attend any trip or event. Guests of group members are always welcome. All guests must comply with the policies and standards of conduct of the group. Group members are responsible for their guests.
· All attendees must be RSVP’d in advance for a trip or event and plan to participate in the trip’s primary activity or activities with the group. No exceptions.
· Please be sure to read through the trip and event descriptions, which include all the details and logistics to attend. If you have any questions about the trip or event, please contact the organizer.
· Please follow the advisement and direction of the group organizer. There are many hours of time and work in the research and planning to ensure that all trips and events are well-planned and organized and are a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Multi-Day Domestic & International Travel Events:
-All deposits, payments, cancellations, and refunds will be subject to the policies of the outfitter, dive operator, resort, or cruise line.
-A valid passport or passport card good for at least 6 months is required for international travel.
-All international travel events will abide by the host country’s laws, customs and regulations.
-“Partying”, or otherwise excessive alcohol drinking & disorderly conduct and behavior is not acceptable on any trips whether foreign or domestic.
Single Day Hiking Events:
-Please be sure to read the event description and if you have any questions about the difficulty and experience level advised for a particular hike, please contact the organizer. You are responsible for yourself so please ask questions regarding any concerns you might have, prior to attending the hike.
-Group Pace: On the hiking adventures, we do not trail run. So, if you average 3+ mph, you may be ahead of the group. If you hike 2 mph or slower, you may be behind the group. Hike at the pace which is most comfortable for you but please note you are responsible for yourself should you lose the group and are not familiar with the route. Highly advise to research the hike before you come by reviewing the websites and logistics information that’s provided and come prepared.
-If you are RSVP’d for a single day trip or event, we are looking forward to your coming. If you are running late to the meet up location, just let us know and we will wait for you. However, if you cannot make it, please let us know by updating your status to NOT GOING. “No Shows” will be flagged and may be removed from future day hikes and events.
-Please be sure to help minimize your impact on the environment by packing it in and packing it out and reducing plastics in our oceans & seas by using refillable water bottles and ocean reef-safe sun protection while on trips and events.
Through the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group, it is my hope that you will find a whole lot of fun, friendships, and camaraderie, and the inspiration to get out and travel, and live life now to its fullest through the amazing discovery and exploration of the beauty and wonder of nature and adventure travel in the great outdoors! 😊
Upcoming events
6
OPEN WATER SCUBA DIVING TRAINING & CERTIFICATION-MAY
Arizona Dive Center, 10001 West Bell Road, Sun City, AZ, USDiscover & Explore our World’s Oceans and Seas and Experience the Amazing Adventures of Scuba Diving!
“Discovering the amazing adventures of scuba diving is a wonderful sport where you will find everything from heart-pumping and thrilling marine life encounters, to mysterious caves and sunken shipwrecks and beautiful, vibrant coral reefs offering tranquility and relaxation!”
So, if you’re ready for new and exciting outdoors adventures with amazing international travel around the world, then come join us on one of our upcoming diving adventures by learning how to scuba dive!
We will be working with the professional folks at the new Arizona Dive Center, (fka Scuba Professionals of Arizona), and their experienced dive master instructors to complete your Open Water Scuba Diving Training & Certification.For more information about the Arizona Dive Center, you can go to their website at https://arizonadivecenter.com/
The Open Water scuba diving training will start on Saturday, May 2nd, which will begin with eLearning/classroom, snorkeling skills review, followed by pool skills and certification at Lake Pleasant to finish the course by Sunday, May 17th.
The Open Water scuba training & certification course is divided into 3 main parts. The class schedule is as follows:
- Course Review Session: Sat, May 02, 2026 at 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Snorkeling Skills #1: Fri, May 08, 2026 at 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
- Pool Skills #2: Sat, May 09, 2026 at 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Pool Skills #3 & #4: Fri, May 15, 2026 at 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
- Certification Dives #1 & #2: Sat, May 16, 2026 at 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Certification Dives #3 & #4: Sun, May 17, 2026 at 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
The cost of the Open Water Scuba Diving Training & Certification course is $499 which includes all eLearning & training materials, instruction, pool dives, open water dives, certification at Lake Pleasant, plus your digital certification card.
For more information go to https://arizonadivecenter.com/courses/open-water-diver
What’s not included in the course materials are your personal snorkel gear & equipment:
*Mask
*Snorkel
*Fins
*BootiesAlso not included but recommended are the following:
*3 MM Wet Suit or 1 MM Skin Suit
*Hood
*GlovesAll personal gear items need to be purchased separately. It is recommended but not required to wear a 1 mm skin suit or a 3mm wet suit for the lake certification. These items are available to purchase at the Arizona Dive Center, or you can also purchase them on Amazon. However, I highly recommend purchasing your personal gear at the dive shop, so you know you are getting quality equipment. Plus, they can help make sure everything is fitted to you properly too.
HOW TO SIGN UP:
To sign up and register for this Open Water Scuba Diving Training and Certification course, first RSVP on meetup, then contact the Arizona Dive Center, at 623-246-2402. Ask for Tina Lowe and be sure to let her know you are with Laura Halik and the Great Outdoors Adventures Group.All forms of payment are accepted. Once you have registered, you will receive your online course training materials to start studying for the class. All personal gear & equipment must be purchased prior to arriving on the first day of pool training.
If you have any other questions regarding this Open Water Scuba Diving Training course or learning how to scuba dive, please let me know.To your future underwater adventures in the great outdoors, cheers! :) Laura Halik
1 attendee
SCUBA DIVING SKILLS UPDATE TRAINING COURSE-MAY
Arizona Dive Center, 10001 West Bell Road, Sun City, AZ, USUpdate Your Scuba Skills and Come Join Us Discovering & Exploring Our World’s Oceans and Seas Through the Amazing Adventures of Scuba Diving!
“Discovering the amazing adventures of scuba diving is a wonderful sport where diver’s find everything from heart-pumping and thrilling marine life encounters, to mysterious caves, canyons, sunken shipwrecks and colorful coral reefs full of life!”
If you are already a licensed scuba diver but haven’t been scuba diving for a while, maybe over a year, and you’d like to get back in the water diving again, then a scuba skills update course is just what you need before taking that next scuba diving adventure!
We will be working with the professional folks at the new Arizona Dive Center, (fka Scuba Professionals of Arizona), and their experienced dive master instructors for this Scuba Skills Update Training course.
For more information about the Arizona Dive Center, you can go to their website at https://arizonadivecenter.com/
The Scuba Skills Update training is a short course beginning on Friday, May 8th, with a classroom review, followed by a pool session to review the basic scuba skills on Saturday, May 9th.
The cost of the Scuba Skills Update training course is $175 which includes eLearning & training materials, classroom instruction, rental gear and your pool dives.
For more information about the Scuba Skills Update training with the Arizona Dive Center go to https://arizonadivecenter.com/courses/scuba-skills-update
What’s not included are your personal snorkel gear & equipment: Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Booties
If you do not already have your own personal gear items, then you will need to purchase them separately. These items are available to purchase at the Arizona Dive Center, or you can also purchase them on Amazon. However, I highly recommend purchasing your personal gear at the dive shop, so you know you are getting quality equipment. Plus, they can help make sure everything is fitted to you properly too.
HOW TO SIGN UP:
To sign up and register for this Scuba Skills Update Training course, first RSVP on meetup, then contact the Arizona Dive Center, at 623-246-2402. Ask for Tina Lowe and be sure to let her know you are with Laura Halik and the Great Outdoors Adventures or Phoenix Metro Scuba Divers Group.
All forms of payment are accepted. Once you have registered, you will receive your online course training materials to start reviewing for the class. All personal gear & equipment must be purchased prior to arriving on the day of pool training.
If you have any other questions regarding this Scuba Skills Update Training course, please let me know.To your future underwater adventures in the great outdoors, cheers! Laura Halik
1 attendee
OPEN WATER SCUBA DIVING TRAINING & CERTIFICATION-JUNE
Arizona Dive Center, 10001 West Bell Road, Sun City, AZ, USDiscover & Explore our World’s Oceans and Seas and Experience the Amazing Adventures of Scuba Diving!
“Discovering the amazing adventures of scuba diving is a wonderful sport where you will find everything from heart-pumping and thrilling marine life encounters, to mysterious caves and sunken shipwrecks and beautiful, vibrant coral reefs offering tranquility and relaxation!”
So, if you’re ready for new and exciting outdoors adventures with amazing international travel around the world, then come join us on one of our upcoming diving adventures by learning how to scuba dive!
We will be working with the professional folks at the new Arizona Dive Center, (fka Scuba Professionals of Arizona), and their experienced dive master instructors to complete your Open Water Scuba Diving Training & Certification.
For more information about the Arizona Dive Center, you can go to their website at https://arizonadivecenter.com/
This Open Water scuba diving training will start on Saturday, June 13th, which will begin with eLearning/classroom, snorkeling skills review, followed by pool skills and certification at Lake Pleasant to finish the course by Sunday, June 28th.
The Open Water scuba training & certification course is divided into 3 main parts. The class schedule is as follows:Course Review Session: Sat, Jun 13, 2026 at 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Snorkeling Skills #1: Fri, Jun 19, 2026 at 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Pool Skills #2: Sat, Jun 20, 2026 at 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Pool Skills #3 & #4: Fri, Jun 26, 2026 at 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Certification Dives #1 & #2: Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 7:00 am to 11:00 am
Certification Dives #3 & #4: Sun, Jun 28, 2026 at 7:00 am to 11:00 amThe cost of the Open Water Scuba Diving Training & Certification course is $499 which includes all eLearning & training materials, instruction, pool dives, open water dives, certification at Lake Pleasant, plus your digital certification card.
For more information go to https://arizonadivecenter.com/courses/open-water-diver
What’s not included in the course materials are your personal snorkel gear & equipment:
*Mask
*Snorkel
*Fins
*BootiesAlso not included but recommended are the following:
*3 MM Wet Suit or 1 MM Skin Suit
*Hood
*GlovesAll personal gear items need to be purchased separately. It is recommended but not required to wear a 1 mm skin suit or a 3mm wet suit for the lake certification. These items are available to purchase at the Arizona Dive Center, or you can also purchase them on Amazon. However, I highly recommend purchasing your personal gear at the dive shop, so you know you are getting quality equipment. Plus, they can help make sure everything is fitted to you properly too.
HOW TO SIGN UP:
To sign up and register for this Open Water Scuba Diving Training and Certification course, first RSVP on meetup, then contact the Arizona Dive Center, at 623-246-2402. Ask for Tina Lowe and be sure to let her know you are with Laura Halik and the Great Outdoors Adventures or Phoenix Metro Scuba Divers Group.All forms of payment are accepted. Once you have registered, you will receive your online course training materials to start studying for the class. All personal gear & equipment must be purchased prior to arriving on the first day of pool training.
If you have any other questions regarding this Open Water Scuba Diving Training course or learning how to scuba dive, please let me know.
To your future underwater adventures in the great outdoors, cheers! 😊 Laura Halik
1 attendee
SCUBA DIVING SKILLS UPDATE TRAINING COURSE-JUNE
Arizona Dive Center, 10001 West Bell Road, Sun City, AZ, USUpdate Your Scuba Skills and Come Join Us Discovering & Exploring Our World’s Oceans and Seas Through the Amazing Adventures of Scuba Diving!
“Discovering the amazing adventures of scuba diving is a wonderful sport where diver’s find everything from heart-pumping and thrilling marine life encounters, to mysterious caves, canyons, sunken shipwrecks and colorful coral reefs full of life!”
If you are already a licensed scuba diver but haven’t been scuba diving for a while, maybe over a year, and you’d like to get back in the water diving again, then a scuba skills update course is just what you need before taking that next scuba diving adventure!
We will be working with the professional folks at the new Arizona Dive Center, (fka Scuba Professionals of Arizona), and their experienced dive master instructors for this Scuba Skills Update Training course.
For more information about the Arizona Dive Center, you can go to their website at https://arizonadivecenter.com/The Scuba Skills Update training is a short course beginning on Friday, June 19th, with a classroom review, followed by a pool session to review the basic scuba skills on Saturday, June 20th.
The cost of the Scuba Skills Update training course is $175 which includes eLearning & training materials, classroom instruction, rental gear and your pool dives.
For more information about the Scuba Skills Update training with the Arizona Dive Center go to https://arizonadivecenter.com/courses/scuba-skills-update
What’s not included are your personal snorkel gear & equipment: Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Booties.
If you do not already have your own personal gear items, then you will need to purchase them separately. These items are available to purchase at the Arizona Dive Center, or you can also purchase them on Amazon. However, I highly recommend purchasing your personal gear at the dive shop, so you know you are getting quality equipment. Plus, they can help make sure everything is fitted to you properly too.
HOW TO SIGN UP:
To sign up and register for this Scuba Skills Update Training course, first RSVP on meetup, then contact the Arizona Dive Center, at 623-246-2402. Ask for Tina Lowe and be sure to let her know you are with Laura Halik and the Great Outdoors Adventures. All forms of payment are accepted. Once you have registered, you will receive your online course training materials to start reviewing for the class.All personal gear & equipment must be purchased prior to arriving on the day of pool training.
If you have any other questions regarding this Scuba Skills Update Training course, please let me know.
To your future underwater adventures in the great outdoors, cheers! :) Laura Halik
1 attendee
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