Backcountry Horsemen of California

Backcountry Horsemen of California is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving backcountry wilderness, protecting stock users’ historic use of the wilderness and educating the public about gentle, “Leave No Trace” wilderness use. We are a 501(c)4 organization, which means donations to BCHC Mid Valley are not tax-deductible. The Mid Valley Unit is based in Modesto. See our Links page for our neighbors and the state web site.

Visit our calendar to see what we’ll be doing in the next few months. See our recent event and ride activities here for pictures of recent activities.

To join the Backcountry Horsemen of California, first, determine what kind of membership you want (below). Then print the Membership Application.
Print it and fill it out. Remember, we are the Mid Valley Unit.
Mail it in with your check.

Need a bit of persuasion? Here are some good reasons to join us.

Types of Membership:

Individual memberships are for individuals 18 and over. You get one vote at General meetings.

Family memberships are for – families! You and your family may participate in all BCHC events. You get two votes during General Meetings. Everyone in your family has to live at the same address.

Benefactor: A Benefactor has all the privileges of a family membership, but you are contributing more to our cause.

Patron: A Patron has all the privileges of a family membership, but you are contributing even more to our cause.

Mt. Whitney: Mt. Whitney has all the privileges of a family membership, but you are contributing at the top level. In California, Mt. Whitney is as high as you can go and still touch the ground. That fact gave a name to our Mt. Whitney membership type; this group contributes the most to our efforts.

Associate: If you’d like to participate in more than one BCHC Local Unit, you may maintain one or more BCHC Associate Memberships. This Membership is available ONLY to persons already holding Individual or higher membership in good standing.

What an eventful summer it has been for our unit! We have stayed busy with trail rides, campouts, work parties, Dutch oven events, and even had the opportunity to do some demonstrations for our local 4-H group. It has been great to see so many of our members continuing to come out, participate, and support the unit. A huge thank you to everyone who has helped organize, volunteered their time, or simply showed up and joined in on the fun. It is our members who make these activities possible and keep our unit going strong.

On the home front, we have had some exciting milestones as well. Brantley recently celebrated his 7^th birthday and just started second grade. Both boys are playing soccer this year, with Austin starting his very first season. He is still a little shy when it comes to getting out there during the weekly games, but we are having fun watching him learn and gain confidence. Brantley, on the other hand, is loving soccer this year and has officially declared it his favorite sport. It is so cool getting to watch both of them grow, find the things they enjoy, and shine in their own ways.

As summer begins to wind down, I am also getting ready to start my final semester of undergrad. It is exciting to be this close to finishing, and I am looking forward to seeing where the next step in my academic journey takes me. Between school, family, and all of our Mid Valley activities, there is certainly never a dull moment.

I hope everyone has enjoyed the summer and has been able to make some great memories along the way. I am looking forward to what the rest of the year will bring us all!

Happy trails,

Barbara Riner
President