Donate-A-Pack Foundation		Riverside County Mountain Rescue
Like you, we at SoCalCamping.com tend to accumulate way too much gear. As items are replaced or upgraded, our garage gets filled and we want the space back. I'm sure there is plenty of old camping gear gathering dust all over Southern California. The Donate-A-Pack foundation benefits local, southern California groups like the YMCA, the Campfire Boys and Girls, Camp Laurel and other organizations by providing camping equipment for the underpriviledged. By providing equipment to not-for-profit organizations which offer outdoor programs for children and youth, the Foundation can enhance the ability of young people to enjoy the outdoors, learn outdoor skills and deepen their personal awareness about the environment. This positive experience develops responsible, enthusiastic and enlightened adults who will be motivated to share their wisdom and eagerness with the next generation.   'Many of our children arrive to camp without even    a coat. Very few have ever had camping gear. The    need for packs, sleeping bags, pads and tents is    great.' - Elaine Manso, Adventure Nature Camp The most needed items are sleeping bags, pads, tents and backpacks, but we also accept cook sets, stoves, water filters and footwear. Unless an item is badly damaged or falling apart, go ahead and donate it! So, got gear? Drop us an email at postmaster@socalcamping.com, and we will contact you about picking it up. As of June 2006, SoCalCamping has collected just over $200.00 for the Donate-A-Pack foundation		The Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit is a group of volunteers trained and ready to respond to wilderness emergencies. At any hour of the day, law enforcement agencies, national park and military officials may call upon the Unit to aid an unfortunate victim. The unit is on constant alert, via pagers, to search for and effect the rescue of hikers, skiers, rock climbers and outdoorsmen whenever and wherever tragedy strikes. The unit performs about 95% of it's missions in Riverside County. However, it has traveled south into Mexico, north into the High Sierras and into Nevada to accomplish it's lifesaving missions. The unit is comprised of 40 volunteers, who literally come from all walks of life. They regularly leave their jobs (or in the middle of the night, their warm beds) to respond to a call for help. They also do not receive remuneration for time given to search and rescue. The members make up a small, but spirited, group of mountaineers who spend one weekend each month training to sharpen their rescue skills. Each member must provide all of his own equipment at a cost of more than $2,500. Beside acting as a highly competent rescue workers, members also work closely with school, clubs, church groups, and Scout troops throughout the area to teach mountain safety. The ounce of prevention may well prevent the untimely pound of cure. In September of 1961 six men formed the 100% volunteer Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit. In a very short time the unit was tested and approved for membership in the national Mountain Rescue Association. Then in January of 1964 the unit was incorporated and granted non-profit status by the state and federal governments. As of June 2006, SoCalCamping has collected just over $35.00 for the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit