OVJAOttawa Valley
Join, free
About

Who we are

The Ottawa Valley Jeep Association is a family-friendly off-road club based in Ottawa, running a well-worn set of routes through Renfrew and Lanark counties. Founded 2023. Free to join.

What we’re about

The club is organized for the purpose of social, recreational and educational activities designed to foster the enjoyment of off-road vehicles while protecting and preserving our natural resources.

That is the club’s own description, and it is a fair one. In practice it means most weekends from May to November there is a run somewhere in the Valley, and through the winter there is dinner.

What we’re not

  • Not a hardcore club. The routes we run most are stock-friendly by design, with optional obstacles you can drive around without losing the group.
  • Not a mudding club. Bypassing an obstacle widens the trail; going through it is the ethical choice, but blowing out a wetland is not.
  • Not a pay-to-play club. There are no dues, no tiers and no fees.
  • Not publishing trailheads. Meeting points go out to members with each run.

How the club is run

OVJA is run by one person. Jay organises the runs, posts the events, books the meet-and-greets and takes most of the photos. There is no executive committee, no board and no AGM, decisions get made in the group.

If the club ever wants a formal structure, this is where it would go. Describing one now would be inventing it.

Affiliations

OVJA is OF4WD registered, a member club of the Ontario Federation of 4WD Recreationists, the provincial body Ontario clubs organise under. An individual OF4WD membership is what carries personal liability coverage for organised off-road events, and it is bought from OF4WD directly rather than from OVJA.

The club is committed to safe, responsible four-wheeling and to the principles of Tread Lightly!

The four rules

  1. 1. Respect everyone’s privacyBeing part of this group requires mutual trust. Authentic, expressive discussions make groups great, but may also be sensitive and private. What’s shared in the group should stay in the group.
  2. 2. No gatekeeping
  3. 3. No promotions or spamNo promoting social media pages, asking for follows, or spamming sale ads. Posting of not-for-profit events and fundraisers are welcome.
  4. 4. For sale ads must be clear and concisePhotos must be clear and advertised with price.