WW School Meals and Such...

[Jaytee]

Got some questions specific to me, but perhaps a thread like this might help a number of other first-timers.

Saw about the fish fry Sat night (hooray) and am already acquainted with them tasty Turner Bend sammiches but in terms of eats Friday evening and breakfasts Sat-Sun morning, are there any options at all?

Just trying to figure out if we're limited to cooler and camp stove or if there's anywhere to buy anything that is worth a darn. I've never camped at Turner Bend... are there grills?

Other questions for those in the know:

How jammed up is the camping? Is there a designated quiet area? How large an event is this (what kind of crowd to expect)? Other than the 7 pm start Friday, how early do folks tend to show up to hang out?

Lots of great info already on the website, but just looking for a little more sense of what to expect. Thanks!

[Owl]

The River Valley Chapter of the ACC does a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning, also. Other than that, the Northwest Chapter fish fry, and TB sandwiches you're on you own. There are no grills.

This event is typically very popular with attendance of 250-300 people. Camping is crowded with tents everywhere but this year I understand that Turner Bend is also opening up some space they have that's a mile or so from the main campground. That might be the quietest area but least convenient, too.

Some folks arrive as early as Thursday but the majority don't get there until Friday afternoon.

Here's a view of the campground during school a few years ago:

[PattiV]

There is a place in Oark called the Oark General Store that serves food. Here is a link that might help you. http://www.oarkgeneralstore.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; However, it is a pretty good drive from Turner Bend. I am not use about the mileage, but I wouldn't plan on that for breakfast on Saturday.

As has already been posted, the camping will be crowded. Basically, everyone is just camping with everyone else the entire weekend. Turner Bend has opened up an overflow camping area that will be much quieter and roomier than the main campground. The best way to locate it would be to check in with someone at the Turner Bend store and ask for directions since I am directionally challenged and there is no telling where you might end up camping. The other options are described in the General Information under the School of Whitewater Paddling which is located in the Events on the main page of the ACC website. I think the section is called Accomodations.

Most people will arrive by Friday, but there are a few of us that get there earlier on Wednesday or Thursday. There is a registration check-in area where the participants need to check in and then you can go get settled somewhere. We have a short meeting Friday evening for general information and then instructors will break into their individual classes and meet with their participants. Saturday morning will come bright and early, so don't "hang out" too late!

[Lupe]

You mentioned already knowing about Turner Bend's yummy sandwiches...but here's another tip you might not know (or others reading this thread):

Since there will be SO MANY people wanting sandwiches for the river and since classes start pretty early it can be pretty hard to get a sandwich in the morning before hitting the river. But, you can PRE-ORDER your sandwiches. If you get in Friday night before the store is closed, go ahead and place your sandwich order and pay, and then they will have your sandwiches made bright and early the next morning before the store opens and all you have to do is stop in and pick up your order....all wrapped up and ready for the river. You can pre-order for both Saturday and Sunday and you're done. Easy! This really helps there being a mad scene in the store each morning as so many people all try to get sandwiches made, and the folks at the store can be sure they have everything to make everyone's order.

See you there!!!

[glow]

For those who arrive early on Friday and get set up, you can also drive into Ozark in 20 - 30 minutes where you can find many of the food chains you would expect in a middle size Arkansas town. Last year on Friday afternoon I drove back in to Ozark and found their local BBQ place. They had good food, will try to do the same thing this Friday.

There is also A Wal-mart a mile or two south of the interstate, in case you forgot something you really need that isn't available at the Turner Bend store.

gary low

[Jaytee]

These are all really helpful tips -- thanks folks!