The Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America is thrilled to announce the 2017 Jewish Outdoor Escape:
r'AZ-ma-t'AZ, an Arizona Adventure. The event will take place Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 -- Labor Day weekend -- in the scenic, high-desert town of
Prescott, Arizona.
Located between Phoenix, Sedona and the Grand Canyon, Prescott is home to a kosher style summer camp that will be Mosaic's base for five days. Come experience summer camp for grown-ups in the Southwest's mile-high playground, nestled amid Ponderosa pines and hills riddled with trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding -- altitude with attitude. As always, pre- and post-trip options are also available -- see below for details.
Background
Held in a different location every year, the Jewish Outdoor Escape (JOE) celebrates the end of summer. Here, Jewish outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world enjoy nature in a free-spirited and welcoming Jewish setting. More than 100 like-minded Jewish adventurers attend these events, taking part in such activities as hiking, biking, paddling, nature walks, arts & crafts, dancing, workshops, swimming, campfires, field games, photography, swimming, cultural events and some great surprises!
As always, this year's event is brought to you by Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America (MOCA), a non-profit, volunteer-run organization with 12 clubs located throughout the United States, Canada and Israel. MOCA promotes appreciation of nature, outdoor skills and conservation while building Jewish community and continuity.
Details
This year's event will be based in Camp Daisy and Harry Stein. Located at an elevation of 5,400 feet and about 100 miles from Phoenix, Prescott provides a cooler and more mountainous contrast to Phoenix's heat and sprawl. It's surrounded by pine tree-covered hills riddled with 400 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Some trails start right in camp.
Expect long, sunny days, with average highs in the low 80s F (upper 20s C), and crisp, clear nights with some of the brightest stars you'll see in your life. Days will be filled with activities both on and off the campus, and nights will be filled with socializing, music, dancing, workshops and other activities. Delicious kosher style food will be provided throughout the weekend. Round-trip transportation from the airport in Phoenix will be available for a nominal charge.
The city of Prescott is historical and quaint, with Victorian homes and Whiskey Row, a turn-of-the-century street filled with old west saloons. The town has four museums, more than 700 homes listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as well as many restaurants, art galleries and brew pubs. Nearby, four lakes are perfect for paddling, and scenic Granite Mountain and Granite Dells are popular among both hikers and rock climbers.
Activities
Thanks to its unique location, this year's event will see a variety of adventures available Friday, Saturday and Sunday, possibly including:
- A day-trip to Grand Canyon National Park. Note that due to the two-hour distance from Prescott, this trip will require an early start and a full day away from camp.
- A day-trip to Sedona, to include a tour of the famous "vortexes" and time to explore downtown.
- A variety of local hikes, including precipitous Granite Mountain, Thumb Butte, Prescott National Forest and Salida Gulch.
- Paddling on the cool waters of Watson Lake with the unique Granite Dells
surrounding you.
- Tour the former ghost town of Jerome, which is now home to one of the nation's most interesting art communities.
- A wine tour of the stunning Verde Valley, with views of the red rocks of Sedona in the distance.
- Exploring downtown Prescott, including sites once visited by the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday.
- Biking parts of the Prescott Circle Trail, a network of non-motorized trails that make a 54 mile loop around the city.
- A scavenger hunt with Puzzling Adventures, a cross between a scavenger hunt, an informative self-guided tour, and a Race.
Pre-Trip and Post-Trip
As always, we're offering additional programs for those interested in staying longer in Arizona. From Monday, Aug. 28 to Thursday, Aug. 31, we're offering a Pre-Trip near the Red Rocks of Sedona, a three-day romp through the Southwest's "energy" capital.
You can also sign up for our three-day post-trip to the Grand Canyon South Rim. The trip will run from Monday Sept 4, to Thursday Sept, 7. You will spend two days exploring one of the world's greatest natural wonders. There will be even more sights as you make your way back to Phoenix on the third day. Stay tuned for more details.
Registration and Prices
The Jewish Outdoor Escape is priced on a sliding scale, so be sure to register quickly. This year, participants can pre-register as soon as March 1 with a $50 deposit. Pricing to be announced soon.
Scouting Trip
Want to be an active part of planning this year's event? Join us April 27 to 30 at the camp for our scouting trip. We are looking for a few people who to scout the Prescott area and vet activities. This will be a working weekend, but also loads of fun. Please contact us at Event@MosaicOutoutdoor.org for more info.
Volunteers
As always, we need volunteers to make this event successful. Opportunities to get involved range from leading an activity to chairing a sub committee. Contact us at Event@MosaicOutdoor.org if you are interested in volunteering.
Pictures
Curious on what a JOE event is like? Click HERE to check out pictures from past years.
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