Oktoberfest megadive 2010

[ROXANNE]

I'll be getting in around 5:00p Thursday and a full day of diving Friday sounds great. This is my first time at Ginnie Springs too, so i have no idea what I'm in for, but I'm excited!. See ya'll in a couple days!

For a rundown of the weekend festivities refer back to post 272 on pg 28.
There is a link to Ginnie Springs from there. Maps, etc.
Well be there before noon Friday. See you all then.

 

[The Chairman]

Speaking of post 272...

Ok, here is the rundown.

Oktoberfest Megadive 2010 - Fri., Oct. 29th - Sun., Oct. 31st.
Come 1 day or the whole weekend.​

All are welcome. This event is open to all dive levels, newbie OW, all the way to full cave certification. If you don't have a buddy, don't worry, there are a bunch of us and there's always someone ready for a dive! Diving is set at your own pace, when and where you want in between eating and sleeping. The only dive that is a scheduled dive will be the galaxy dive around dusk on Sat. evening. As it is a family event, there are plenty of non divers and kids too.

Ginnie Springs has a full service dive shop and a pretty nice little store. They also rent canoes, kayaks and tubes for use on the river. Check out their website below for further info, park maps and directions.
Florida Staycation vacation place for scuba diving & Florida ecotourism
Or give them a call at Ginnie Springs Outdoors 1-386-454-7188

When you get to Ginnie Springs, you'll need to check in the Main Office, tell them you are with ScubaBoard as we are hoping to get a discount. Also let them know if you have AAA on anything else that might get you a discount. If you check in on Friday and won't be diving until Sat., go ahead and pay for your diving then and get your wrist bands. It can get really busy on Sat. and you don't want to waste your time waiting in line again. We have the Turkey Roost area reserved. Most of us will be tent camping. Some though do stay in town at the motel, but you'll miss a lot of the fun... There isn't electricity where we're camping, but the are several taps with running water and grills. There is electricity at the pavilion and the bathrooms w/showers are a short walk away. Don't forget to bring chairs for around the fire and bug spray is the bugs like you. No need to make reservations, but sign up on this thread and let us know how many are attending and what you'll be bringing to pitch in.

Friday- All meals will be on your own. Some will go out to dinner; some will cook at the campsite. It's up to you.
Campfire - a little smores, a little music, a little singing, a little drinking(BYOB) or not, keeping it mild in anticipation of the big day of diving on Sat.
Saturday-
Brekky and Swap Meet - MegaOmlettes, group buffet style. Not to be missed... Then since we're all there, we'll do the Swap Meet, so bring your diving items to swap, trade or sell.
Lunch- On your own.
Dinner - Group buffet style somewhere around 5:00. Bring something to share.. Read the latest post on whos whos and whats whats to see what everyone is bringing and what is still needed. Then post and I'll add you to the list.
Galaxy Dive - Around dusk. Not to be missed...
Campfire -a lot of music, a lot of singing, a lot of drinking(BYOB) or not. Just lots of fun! Not to be missed...
Sunday
Brekky- MegaOmlettes group style.

 

[AceszHigh]

We're not going to be camping there, but whats in the turkey roost area? Picnic tables? grills?

Anyone who will be there friday AM want to plan to meet up?

 

[DEEPSEAWOLF]

One note: I believe Cave Excursions is now closed. It was 2.5 miles from Ginnie. I'm on my way up to the castle in a few hours, I'll look for sure and post on it. I just recieved the email confirmation,.... here are prices and such direct from the email.

"Your group is confirmed for the campsites at Turkey Roost from October
29th through 31st, 2010. I have also reserved the Old Devils Eye
Pavilion for you on Saturday, October 30th, 2010.

The pavilion rental is $75.00 for the day and it includes the use of
10 tubes for the day at no charge.

I have your group size to be around 40 guests? m/l. As in the past
your guests will pay their admissions as they arrive. The camp fees
are $20.40 per adult and $6.00 for children 7-14 years old. This is
still a per night fee.

Scuba diving is $30.00 and $22.00 for certified cave divers. This is
per day and the dive fees are good until midnight. Please remember
that fees and rentals do not include sales tax."

From what I can tell, there is no discount price. I will bargain us a lower rate as we will have twice in one year done this and show the amount of money we are bringing in. If we can't get a better rate after I talk with them, we may again start to consider a new location. If all else fails, I now have 5 acres, only 12 miles away, and that can become the new location for camping! NOT for 25/night/person either!!!!!! Oh yeh and ALCOHOL IS PERMITTED there, almost required. This will be a topic of discussion at the Saturday Meeting during dinner.

 

[DEEPSEAWOLF]

I just spoke with Ginnie. Letting them know that we are now bringing 50+ people to each event, twice a year, is approximately 10 grand a year from our group alone. Averaging 150/family to camp for the weekend, not including diving, is getting cost prohibitive for twice a year.
I will be looking at me n wife, two kids, costing about 175 for the weekend for camping/diving plus 75 for the pavilion rental, at 200$ an unemployed person can NOT afford. WE will probably be coming out early Saturday morning and camping for one day and no diving at this point and hopefully, donations cover the pavilion. I told her that considering we've done this 5+ years, 10+ events, now bringing in 10k a year, we'd like to see better rates as a group than regular price. She will be speaking to management and will contact me with any news.
As for the April Fool's Day event, I'm proposing a change of venue for camping to my property in Bell. We can all daytrip and get the pavilion at Ginnie for Saturday as scuba diving includes park entry. Then we all head back to the castle for festivities! Neighbors will probably want us quieting down by 9 or 10, but that could save about 25$+ per weekend for camping per person!
Something to consider. By April, I will have some form of constant electricity onsite, the pool ready and plenty of parking at my place. It's almost a straight shot past Ginnie for 12 miles-ish. Not hard at all to find! Free camping as opposed to almost 25$/person/night is better for a lot of us.

 

[Imbodie]

Well.... Heath talked me into it. I'm coming for Saturday and the evening dive....
What should I bring (or send with Heath, since he will have my mega cooler)for the communal contribution?
-Tim
aka Imbodie

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

Huh? Cave East is closed???

 

[PfcAJ]

I'm excited to meet all of you! Should be a good time!

 

[The Chairman]

Huh? Cave East is closed???

What makes you say that?

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

One note: I believe Cave Excursions is now closed. It was 2.5 miles from Ginnie. I'm on my way up to the castle in a few hours, I'll look for sure and post on it. I just recieved the email confirmation,.... here are prices and such direct from the email.

"Your group is confirmed for the campsites at Turkey Roost from October
29th through 31st, 2010. I have also reserved the Old Devils Eye
Pavilion for you on Saturday, October 30th, 2010.

The pavilion rental is $75.00 for the day and it includes the use of
10 tubes for the day at no charge.

I have your group size to be around 40 guests? m/l. As in the past
your guests will pay their admissions as they arrive. The camp fees
are $20.40 per adult and $6.00 for children 7-14 years old. This is
still a per night fee.

Scuba diving is $30.00 and $22.00 for certified cave divers. This is
per day and the dive fees are good until midnight. Please remember
that fees and rentals do not include sales tax."

From what I can tell, there is no discount price. I will bargain us a lower rate as we will have twice in one year done this and show the amount of money we are bringing in. If we can't get a better rate after I talk with them, we may again start to consider a new location. If all else fails, I now have 5 acres, only 12 miles away, and that can become the new location for camping! NOT for 25/night/person either!!!!!! Oh yeh and ALCOHOL IS PERMITTED there, almost required. This will be a topic of discussion at the Saturday Meeting during dinner.

Pete ^