The U.S. Forest Service is waiving fees at most of its day-use recreation sites over the Veterans Day holiday weekend, Nov. 9-11. The fee waivers – the fourth this year – are offered in cooperation with other federal agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Day-use fees will be waived at all standard amenity fee sites operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Concessionaire operated day-use sites may be included in the waiver if the permit holder wishes to participate.
“We wholeheartedly salute the men and women who represent the nearly 22 million American veterans who have served their country in the military,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “As we do throughout the year, we encourage veterans and their families to take advantage of their national forests and grasslands to enjoy all the benefits the outdoors provide.”
Here is one last reminder to get your registration in for Operation Desert Fun, a great fundraiser for the Cal-Diego Paralyzed Veterans Association and Cal4Wheel. Truck on down to the Truckhaven 4×4 Training Facility in the Ocotillo Wells SVRA for some all vehicle action. There are trails for all skill levels, a great vendor show, a raffle and lots more to keep you busy. Kids can even ride as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
And it’s about damned time!
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As the Boy Scouts – an organization that I have long admired – trundles down a path that I believe is going to end up tearing the organization apart, a new group – Trail Life USA – has emerged. The faith-based group believes that they are set to become a premiere organization for boys and young men.
Their stated goal is to “counter the ‘moral free-fall’ of the nation, and ‘raise a generation of faithful husbands, fathers, citizens and leaders.'” As they become more and more public, the group has captured attention because of their open competition with the BSA. Their mission is to “provide a robust alternative to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).”
The name of the group was chosen to avoid any political or controversial undertones.