Community for Dads
Our Story
Albany Corvallis Dads Club was founded in fall of 2024 with a simple mission: to create a space for area dads to connect socially. It began with a discussion post in a local message board, seeking local opportunities for dads to meet up, discuss their experiences as fathers, and organize play dates with their kids. No such group existed in the Albany-Corvallis area, so the club’s founders decided to create one themselves. The first ACDC event was two strangers meeting up for a hike at a local park. Later the group began meeting monthly, hosting small lunches for dads and their kids. Within a year, the group’s membership had grown from a few local dads to over 130 members, with multiple monthly events for dads and their families.
What We Do
There are a number of ways to become a member of ACDC. We plan multiple monthly events where dads and families can connect. We also host a Discord server where dads chat online every day about their kids, their hobbies, and local resources. The Discord is also a space for dads to organize impromptu get togethers outside our major monthly events. In addition to social events, ACDC engages in philanthropy, participating in food drives, holiday toy drives, and supporting local dads with home projects and other needs. Finally, ACDC is a resource hub. We are continually building out our formal and informal directory of resources, providing a space to ask questions and get answers, and hosting educational events about topics dads need to know.
Our Events
ACDC holds three events each month. While each event is unique, they follow a recurring format:
Dads Lunch
Dads lunch is a monthly meetup at a local restaurant (the location changes each month) where dads can connect and share a meal together. Families are welcome—dads can come on their own or bring their kids and/or partners. Sometimes we have a specific discussion prompt, other times we just hang out and talk. Every other month we swap in brunch in place of lunch to accommodate different nap schedules.
Dads After Dark (DAD) Night
One weekday a month, we host an evening event for dads. This event is for dads only (no partners or kids) to allow an open space to share challenges and discuss parenting experiences with other fathers. Past DAD Night venues have included pubs, game shops, and even a haunted corn maze. We make an effort to mix in sober spaces with drinking establishments so that all dads can participate, including substance-free dads.
Monthly Family Event
Every month, we host a big event for dads and their families. These events have included picnics, barbecues, trips to the carousel, and free music events.
FAQ
What is Discord?
Discord is an online messaging platform. It’s like a group thread, but instead of one ongoing message, conversations are broken up across channels. You might have a conversation about the latest video game release in our #gaming channel, while sharing a story about your kid’s stellar report card in our #parenting-wins channel.
Discord has multiple ways to customize notifications, so you can get alerted to the things you want to know about, like our upcoming events, while muting channels you aren’t interested in.
You can learn more about Discord here, or join the server by clicking this link.
Who can join ACDC?
We accept all members who identify as a dad and have a custodial relationship with a dependent, including dependents who have grown/left home. Adult mentors to children, uncles, or adult friends to families with children would not fall under our membership umbrella, unless they also have children of their own.
Is ACDC just for dads with younger kids?
ACDC is for all fathers, whether you’re a brand new dad or an empty nester. We feel strongly that mentors come in many forms–whether you’re currently in the throes of the terrible twos or all your kids are now adults, you have insights to share and lessons to teach.
Does it cost anything to be a member?
ACDC does not have membership fees. Often our events take place at restaurants and other locations where you may need to pay for your food or drinks. As well, we sometimes organize outings to locations that collect admission fees (tokens at the carousel, admission to a haunted corn maze, that kind of thing).
What about safety?
ACDC takes practical steps to protect the safety of members and children. As an example, we do not take photos of children at our events, or adults without a signed waiver. In our Discord server, new members are not given full channel permissions until they introduce themselves.
Is this a support group?
ACDC is first and foremost a social group. While part of forming meaningful social connections is sharing vulnerably, we are not trained mental health counselors or support group facilitators. If you need support resources, we can recommend several excellent programs for fathers in our area.
Some ACDC events take place at bars and pubs. I don’t drink—how can I engage with this group while maintaining my sobriety?
ACDC endeavors to create social spaces where anyone can engage, including members pursuing a sober lifestyle. While it can be difficult to find social spaces that don’t serve alcohol, for our monthly Dads After Dark events, we alternate between pubs and other establishments that aren’t focused on alcohol (like board game shops or arcades).
Does ACDC have a board or leadership structure?
ACDC is guided by a board of directors. Our bylaws can be found here.