Hi
ALL
DATES
The following are the three best possible dates for our get together.
My personal preferences are for August Saturdays, either weekend, as my
haying season will be in full swing in July (Wet ground makes for late
hay harvesting! At least it gives the bobolinks a chance to get their
fledglings flying before we come through with the mower) Perhaps
schedule August 14 (or 15th ) and use August 21 (22) as a back up date?
Possible Dates:
July 10th or 11th
August 14th or 15th
August 21, 22
If we had it in September - any dates would work BUT most likely we
would have to be "up the hill w/out electric" and not be able to be at
the main camp, as Susan is going to be busy building then.
Insurance:
It would definitely be good if each group with insurance listed Earth
Connections as an "additional insured" for their activities during the
event.
As far as Susan's insurance goes, she will definitely have to consider
this an "Earth Connection" program. ( Individual property owner
state law safety nets don't apply to her as her place is a business.)
The cost to her depends on how many people attend. Camp insurance costs
her a minimum of 100 dollars a day (with between 20-40 people at camp.)
If we think we'll be under 50 people, 100 dollars should do it. If we
think we'll have under 100 people, 200 dollars, etc. etc.
Susan suggests that maybe the safest way to do this is charge each
individual two dollars.
If EC does children's activities - each educator will cost her 100
dollars for the day (and can serve not more then 12 kids.) EC Educators
could lead any of Susan's usual events, shelters, fires, archery,
tracking, weaving, etc.
Perhaps the best way to handle this is for parents who want a program
for their kids while they are working, to sign up for this service and
pay Susan directly. She is NOT making any profit on this, it is a
service she is providing at her cost as a convenience to parents.
May I add that my youngest son, Benjamin, worked for Susan when he was
16. Her programs were so interesting that even a 16 year old male
stayed after his duties were over and happily participated along with
the young kids.
Here are some other possibilities
Susan suggested:
Earth Connections could host a chicken BBQ for lunch, and the charge
could be raised and include lunch. She is also fine with a Dish to Pass
sort of thing, and groups could cook whatever they like on the campfires
My feelings on the matter is, if Susan is willing to do all the work of
cooking barbeque chicken, WOW! I say that's fantastic, let her do the
chicken. The rest of us can sign up and bring the remainder of the
food: drinks, salads and so forth.
Another brainstorm I had:
Mike Ludgate very kindly offered to sell advance sale tickets at
Ludgate Farms. I think probably other businesses in the area
would be willing to do this also. Alternatively, I had the following
idea as a way to raise money ahead of time so that I can go out and buy
materials. (Plus it would help us plan for total numbers, parking and
so on) What if, instead of selling tickets, I set out posters
describing what we were doing, and had RSVP cards that people could
fill out and send in an envelope to me (or some other generous
volunteer). The cards would inform us how many would be attending, what
food they could bring, their first names (so we could make them buttons
or something else to wear while they were at the event... proof they
had paid and also as a momento of the event) and attendees would
include a check for their donation. We would set a minimum cost per
head, which could cover the food and insurance. Anything additional the
individuals wished to donate toward trail materials, they could add to
that minimum. This gives people the opportunity to donate
according to their ability and desire, and still covers our costs if
they cannot donate more than the minimum. What does everyone think of
this idea?
Note to DEC: Dave and John, we
need to meet and go over the trail together so 1) we know what needs
doing and 2) what materials we need and 3) how much materials I need to
buy (and hence how much $$ we need to raise!) When works for you? This
time of year is best as the trail is at its worst.
Please let me know what you all think of these ideas, and add your own.
Otherwise, I have to run with what my own brain has come up with, and
that could be real scary! =)
Thanks everyone,
Ann
