Canoe School & Rendezvous 2011 Dates ?

[Mike B]

Trying to confirm some dates.

Canoe School is always the weekend before Mother's Day so it will be April 29th, 30th and May 1st, 2011?

Rendezvous 2011 Date?

Can anyone confirm these.

Thanks
Mike

[Liz Caldwell]

Yes, Canoe School will be April 29 & 30 and May 1.

Rendezvous used to be the second weekend after Labor Day, but this year it was moved up a weekend, so you would need to check with Tom and/or those who will chair the event to see what they plan to do.

[Crane]

The second weekend after Labor Day was a better weekend... just my 2 cents... Crane

[okieboater]

yup, lots of folks take advantage of Labor Day long weekend to make that last dash of summer back east or out west.

[GN YAKN]

Way back in the day.......

Canoe School has always been the first weekend in May, even if Sunday falls on May 1st. That's cuz Mother's Day is always the second Sunday in May and boaters love their Mom's.

Rendezvous usually fell on the second weekend after Labor Day due to the scheduling of the Blues Fest in Fort Smith which always fell on the first weekend after Labor Day. Many of the ACC folks from this area that were involved in the Rendezvous also volunteered for the Blues Fest so it worked out well. Now the Blues Fest is in June so it doesn't come into play any more.

The Vous date is subject to availability of Camp Couchdale but we usually get the dates we want if we ask for them early.

If I could offer my 2 cents worth for future scheduling, it always helps attendance if you keep the date consistent and people can plan way ahead. (ie, first weekend in May is always Canoe School and second weekend after Labor Day is Vous)

Also, the weather for past Rendezvous that fell on the second weekend after Labor Day was potluck. Some years it was cool enough for great camping and a big fire and other years the temps were high. That second weekend, though, always seemed to be the weekend when the high summer temps finally broke and the humidity left with the high temps.

Dave

[Tofu Canoe]

I thought the humidity and the heat this year at Rendezvous was high, I was unable to sleep in my tent either nights, so I slept in the dorm, underneath the dining hall, it was kinda noisy but oh well.

[Dave Thomas]

I thought the humidity and the heat this year at Rendezvous was high, I was unable to sleep in my tent either nights, so I slept in the dorm, underneath the dining hall, it was kinda noisy but oh well.

Well, unfortunately dealing with humidity is just part of being an Arkansan. To get away from the humidity Rendezvous would have to be scheduled during a winter month and then you’d be dealing with the cold. The current date seems to work well with the majority of club members. However, my advice would be to invest a little $ and get yourself a battery powered fan and some earplugs. Just be sure that your alarm clock is effective with the plugs in. I learned the hard way. You hide your fatigue well; you seemed to be pretty chipper Sunday morning for paddle down the river (see photo below). Tofu, shoot me a pm or start a new forum thread about ways to deal with humidity and noise while sleeping, or in your case attempting to sleep, in a tent.

[okieboater]

This summer, a friend of mine showed up on a river trip with a battery powered fan. I did not think it would be worth much till the fan was turned on as we sat around a table one hot evening.

I ended up finding one at WalMart.

I uses a lot of size D batteries, but one set lasts a lot longer than I thought. I am working on picking up rechargeable ones.

I have used my WalMart special fan several time and on a hot humid night these fans make a big difference.

Highly recommended for summer time nights with no cooling wind blowing into the tent.

[Clif]

A few August nights at boy scout camp were incentive for mine. Keep us informed on the rechargeable search, Okiedave.

[Jeremy M]

I haven't spoken with Marcell yet regarding Rendezvous, but I know the date was moved up this time so Rendezvous didn't collide with Gauley fest. With enough planning this could help some manufacturer's that might like to be present at Rendezvous attend. With that said, the date is still open and if folks would like Rendezvous to be the second weekend after Labor Day, then I'm open to that. I will add, though, that I hope to be able to have a FREE RENDEZVOUS this year, but that will mean moving the venue away from Camp Couchdale. Its probably the wrong time to post something like this given the lack of water, but a lively message board discussion may be just what we need and we could take advantage of the down time to hear all suggestions from club members and non-members alike. My thinking is that since Rendezvous is an outreach event and will be used to attract/expose potential members to what the club has to offer, then having it free might make it easier, not only for current members who travel, but for folks who may just want to stop in and see what its all about...

Thoughts? Discussion?

[Crane]

Thoughts: I happily pay for the convenience and facilities of Couchdale... Rendezvous was intended to break even, at best. If the ACC wants to reduce entry fees by using club funds, that would, of course, be fine. But, use of Couchdale is too good a facility to let go lightly. Maybe we could organize a "free" weekend at Porterfield's in conjunction with Surf & Turf? Crane

[GN YAKN]

Change is good. New blood is good! Let the discussion begin.

Keeping the spirit of Vous alive is good, too. It's a great opportunity to get together with old friends and make new ones. Learn, teach, experience new stuff. Buy new gear, etc.!

Keep it easy going and laid back. We always tried to make sure we didn't overwhelm our volunteers and instructors with chores so that they could feel like they could enjoy themselves and have fun, too. Maybe teach one or two little events throughout the weekend.

Course the Vous Chair, Silent Auction Chair and Gate Keeper still have huge jobs, but for the most part it's not as much work for helpers as say, Canoe School.

Is Gauley fest always the same weekend? May need a new norm to faciliate folks wanting to attend the fest. The one thing you can't plan on is the Razorbacks ball games. May ruffle some ridgeback feathers but if you try to plan around those you might be bouncing back and forth each year.

It still advocate for picking a weekend and sticking to it. Helps your vendors plan their annual calendar as well.

Dave

[Steve S]

Jeremy, what locations would you consider to replace Couchdale?

Perhaps we could make use of the facilities at Lake Catherine State Park. Folks would have to pay for campsites, but if we don't charge for entry, that would partially offset the camping fee.

[Jeremy M]

I'm considering Porterfields for the entire event. For those that camp it will mean easier access to all of the mini-clinics and events that happen, which will mean no driving. For down river trips, only running a shuttle to the top will make logistics for all involved easier. Typically, the camping on the river at porterfields is cooler. For those that wouldn't want to camp, we could work with the local hotels close to the ledge for special rates on rooms. Access to Porterfields for this event is basically free and setting up large tents, etc..for silent auctions, raffles, pot-lucks, etc...is easily done.

Thoughts? Constructive criticism? This is THE CLUB's event, so....it can be organized however ya'll want it. Just keep in mind that if we try it this way one year and it doesn't work, then next year it can go another way.

[Clif]

Those days always seem busy for us...meaning...scuse me for chimin since I have never been.

I thought Vous was for a more laid back member time? Not tryin to discourage the outreach aspect.

And, many that do this event do not do this board so much anymore. Got another way to spread the word on this discuss?