IH Scouts West Car Club

Who They Are

Scouts West is a Southern California community dedicated to preserving, driving, and responsibly enjoying International Harvester vehicles, including Scouts, Travelalls, and IH trucks. With four active chapters (San Diego, Orange County, Inland Empire, and Grapevine/Frazier Park), the club blends vintage 4x4 enthusiasm with trail stewardship and family-friendly events. You’ll find seasoned IH owners and first-time builders swapping knowledge, parts, and practical advice to keep these classics trail-ready and roadworthy.

What They Do

The club holds monthly meetings that often turn into hands-on work parties, helping members troubleshoot projects and get rigs back on the dirt. Trail runs range from beginner-friendly to expert-level, emphasizing safety, Tread Lightly principles, and good trail etiquette. Scouts West also maintains an “Adopt-A-Trail” route in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, supporting access through volunteer labor and ongoing upkeep.

A signature tradition is the annual mid-April gathering at the KOA next to Calico Ghost Town: a three-day campout (Friday–Sunday) featuring guided runs from easy to extreme, a museum tour option for two-wheelers, a Saturday Show & Shine, and a community BBQ. Awards follow the judging, capped by a raffle whose proceeds are donated to a rotating charity, typically organizations that defend land/trail use or support veterans. The club also hosts occasional informal meetups or cars-and-coffee-style hangs.

Focuses

• International Harvester trucks, Scouts, and Travelalls
• Trail stewardship and Adopt-A-Trail maintenance
• Safe, skill-building off-road runs (easy to extreme)
• Hands-on tech help and restoration knowledge-sharing
• Family-friendly campouts and Show & Shine culture
• Charitable giving (land use & veterans causes)

How to Join & Get in Touch

Scouts West welcomes new members across its four SoCal chapters. Prospective members can explore chapter activities, event calendars, and membership info at scoutswest.com and by searching for the Scouts West group on Facebook (event details for the Calico weekend are typically posted there).

Whether you daily an IH or you’re just starting a Scout build, this club offers a balanced mix of technical help, responsible off-roading, and community, rooted in keeping International Harvester heritage alive on California trails.

Primary Contact

• Peter Albrecht
• Email: albrechtpeter.32@gmail.com
• Phone: (951) 805-5976

Additional Links

• Website: scoutswest.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/434703589970789/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihscoutswest/