Car Camping at Sandbanks (Jun 4 - 6) (6/4/2010)

PAYMENT DEADLINE CHANGE: The payment deadline has been changed to MAY 14th. As of the 15th, I'll replace non-payers from the Waiting List.

The TOC's quasi-traditional spring camping trip to Bon Echo sees a slight change this year as we shift to Sandbanks. This trip provides a chance for a sizable crew of us to get together for a bit of adventure.

We've the large group site at Sandbanks booked this year. (I've stayed at the awesome 'smaller' site, so have high hopes here too!) The major Pro to a group site is the extra space we'll have to spread out with tents and cars. The usual negative is that we may be slightly farther from the beaches and showers.

SANDBANKS & PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
Sandbanks itself is most famous for its three excellent beaches. But it's much more too, offering kayak and canoe rentals on site. Jim O's yearly trips to the area have also highlighted it as an amazing area for cycling too (and likewise Bicycle rentals are available). Several of us bought a caribbean vacation for the owners of the beautiful bakeshop in Bloomfield last year, or at least the equivalent of one. Similarly, the entire region is dotted with wineries (that's certainly a bike or car trip away though).

For a little more information on the park and area see the PEC site and the Parks Ontario site for Sandbanks.

FOOD
With a large group, meals will be 'every camper for themselves'. However:

• we'll encourage you to team up with your carpool mates for food, or with other friends in the group
• if there is sufficient interest, we'll organize a casual 'pot luck' dinner Saturday night (Let us know in the 'Notes' field when you sign up)

EQUIPMENT
If you lack the right equipment, don't worry! Many people have spare equipment or tent space. We'll work out the specifics in subsequent emails. In the mean time, check out the checklists here on the TOC site.

COST
This site has a base cost of $141 with an additional "$4.50 per person per night" and "$3.50 per car per night". Carpool costs will be added as per usual.

Additionally, expect a small cost for communal firewood to be split amongst the group.

We're asking for $5 to be paid up front (which includes the regular $1.50 transaction fee). This will cover the base cost of the site, and be a show of your commitment to coming! There will be no refunds for this fee. Should there be any leftovers from this, it will be put towards firewood first, and then donations.

Remaining costs for firewood and carpool will be collected at the event.

SURVIVOR/FEAR FACTOR
Those who camped with Ian and Andrew at Presqu'ile last August may remember the "Survivor" game. Ian (our mastermind) brings it back this weekend! After a competitive field of players last year I'm very keen to see it again. For those who weren't there we had many physical (e.g. Swimming, Three-legged soccer, "chicken-fights", jigsaw puzzles) and 'consumptive' challenges (all real food, though not always palatable) to be faced. As on the show, the number of players is continually pared down, with the play expected to last a good portion of Saturday.

If we've piqued your curiosity and you'd like to join in, please let us know so in the 'Notes' field when you sign up! If there is sufficient interest we will have to limit the number of participants; in this case we'll do so based on the order in which you sign-up (like any TOC event). Please note that we will be asking for a small token entrance fee to cover the cost of materials.

OTHER QUESTIONS
Email us and ask ;)

• If we are short carpool drivers, those on the waiting list indicating they are willing to drive may be given priority.
• After the payment cut-off date has been reached, those who have paid in advance will be given priority over those who have not.