About us
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 to participate in our activities and workshops posted on our Meetup site. Annual dues are $15 for individuals. Please read further if you are interested in becoming a club member. Questions about membership can be directed to [solarmembership@solaroutdoors.org](mailto:solarmembership@solaroutdoors.org). Or select this link to become a member https://form.jotform.com/251014794107149
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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](http://solaroutdoors.org/About/Meetings.aspx). 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
8
- $15.00
Fitness Workshop to get Ready for Outdoor Activities
32270 N Campbell Rd, 32270 N Campbell Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071, USA, Madison Heights, MI, USFitness Workshop to get Ready for Outdoor Activities
Instructor: Mary Donahue-Wold
Contact Information: mldonahue824@gmail.com
Date: Nov. 8, 2026
Time: 4-6 pm
Location: Juliana's Academy of Dance, 32270 N Campbell Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Cost: $10 per person cash, Venmo to: @mary-donahue-30
Or check made out to Solar Outdoors and mail to Mary Donahue-Wold - 1176 Hendrickson Blvd, Clawson, MI 48017 for checks.
Meetup cost is $15.00 per person
Minimum number to hold workshop: 5 people
Maximum number: 10 peopleDescription: Included in the workshop will be examples of different stretching, strengthening, endurance and functional techniques. The focus will be on safety, preventing injuries and enjoying the great activities Solar Outdoors offers throughout the year.
Solar Outdoors club membership is required to participate in our activities and workshops posted on our Meetup site. Annual dues are $15 for individuals. Select this link to become a member: https://square.link/u/YpuCsZIT
1 attendee - $18.00
Overnight Backpacking Trip to Green Lake
Gerald E Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd, Chelsea, MI 48118, USA, Chelsea, MI, USLet's celebrate International Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day with an Overnight Backpacking Trip to Green Lake!
When
November 14-15, 2026
Cost
$15 if paying by cash or Venmo, $18 if by MeetUp
Venmo: @ShirleyPindzia
Description:
We'll meet at the Eddy Discovery Center parking lot at 9am on Saturday and hike approximately 5 miles to the Green Lake rustic campground where we'll camp for the night. We have two campsites reserved, each with a picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets and hand pump for water are nearby. On Sunday morning, we'll hike 5 miles back to the Eddy Discovery Center parking lot.
This trip is a great opportunity for recent participants of the Basic Backpacking Workshop to put to use what they've learned, and to re-connect with your fellow classmates and others. It's likely our last chance this season to squeeze a backpacking trip in, especially before the holiday chaos! Carve some time out for yourself in nature with your Solar besties to celebrate LuLu (International Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day)! 😊
Sunset will be just after 5pm, so it may be worth the weight penalty to take some battery powered lights for your tent.
Paper trail maps will be provided at the start of the hike.
Please plan appropriately for Michigan weather!
Details:
Meet at the Eddy Discovery Center parking lot - 9am
Waterloo Recreation Area
17030 Bush Rd.
Chelsea, MI 48118
Contacts: Tim Davis (cell#248-506-1134) or tdavi11@aol.com) & Shirley Pindzia (586-203-7520 or spindzia@gmail.com)
Club membership is required to participate in our activities and workshops. Annual dues are $15 for individuals. Click this link to become a member: https://www.solaroutdoors.org/solar-new-membership/2 attendees
Past events
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