A recovery community event built on connection, fellowship, and shared recovery
The Oak Forest Bonfire Meeting is a weekly recovery community event designed to bring people together in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Open to the broader recovery community, alumni, families, and friends, this gathering is about connection first and recovery always.
Recovery does not happen in isolation. It grows through shared experience, honest conversation, and moments of connection that remind people they belong. The Bonfire Meeting creates space for all of that—without pressure, formality, or expectation.
What the Bonfire Meeting is
The Bonfire Meeting is both an open 12-step meeting and a community recovery meeting, welcoming individuals at all stages of recovery along with alumni and supporters.
Each week includes:
- Dinner and informal fellowship
- Yard games, conversation, and community time
- A speaker-led recovery meeting
- Recognition of sobriety milestones and anniversaries
Guests are encouraged to arrive early, share a meal, and connect before the meeting begins. The atmosphere is intentionally casual, making it easier for newcomers and longtime members alike to feel comfortable.
A peer recovery gathering rooted in community
What makes the Bonfire Meeting unique is its emphasis on fellowship and shared recovery. This is not a lecture or clinical session. It is a peer recovery gathering where people show up as they are and connect through lived experience.
Attendees often include:
- Members of the local recovery community
- Alumni of Oak Forest Recovery
- Friends and supporters of individuals in recovery
- Family members seeking connection and understanding
The shared goal is simple: support recovery through presence, honesty, and community.
When and where the Bonfire Meeting takes place
When: Thursdays
Dinner at 6:30 PM
Meeting at 7:00 PM (PST)
Where:
OFR Compound
455 Manzanita Ln
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
The outdoor setting helps create a relaxed, inclusive environment where connection can happen naturally.
Why community matters in recovery
Recovery is strengthened when people feel connected. Community provides accountability, encouragement, and hope—especially during challenging moments.
The Bonfire Meeting reflects Oak Forest’s belief in the power of a strong <a href=”/about/community/”>recovery community</a>. It offers a consistent space where recovery is visible, supported, and celebrated.
For many, this weekly gathering becomes an anchor point, reinforcing that recovery is not just about staying sober, but about building meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging.
Families are welcome
While the Bonfire Meeting is rooted in recovery, it also supports families and loved ones who want to better understand recovery culture and community.
For those seeking additional guidance and connection, Oak Forest also offers dedicated <a href=”/family-support/”>family support</a> resources, including education and support groups designed specifically for loved ones.
Together, these offerings create a recovery environment that includes both individuals and the people who care about them.
A space to show up, connect, and belong
The Oak Forest Bonfire Meeting is not about perfection or performance. It is about showing up, sharing space, and being part of something larger than yourself.
Whether you are early in recovery, long-established, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking community, you are welcome here.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact us—we look forward to connecting with you.