2nd Annual Okefenokee Swamp Safari! Carside Camping & Canoeing - Fri, Apr 8 2011

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. This is a paid event with payment managed through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.



2nd Annual Okefenokee Swamp Safari! Carside Camping & Canoeing


The Basics:
Event Type:Adventure
Event Location: SE corner of GA, 18 mi east of Fargo
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Apr 8 2011  6:00 pm >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 1:00 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Tue, Feb 1 2011 10:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Mar 25 2011 4:00 pm
Event Duration:2 Nights & 2 Days thru Sun PM Apr 10
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Charlie Cottingham
Bobby Marie
Email Trip Leader(s)
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Member Cost:$16.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:25
Minimum Group Size:15
Number Registered So Far: 27 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Twenty-two of us from the AOC had a blast on this trip last spring, so Bobby and I (Charlie) immediately re-reserved the fabulous Stephen C. Foster pioneer group campsite for this more "prime-time" 2nd Annual swamp adventure on the Apr 8-10 weekend.  This year a second similar trip is being offered by the Club just 2 weeks later, and is also full with a large wait list.


REMINDER to our CONFIRMED GROUP:
MON APR 4 "PRE-TRIP PLANNING HAPPY HOUR" 6:30-7:30 PM:  If your schedule permits, please plan to join us for this informal gathering in the lobby bar of the Century Center Marriott. It's in NE Atlanta on the southbound access road of I-85 between the Shallowford Rd and Clairmont Rd exits (one mile NE of the REI Atlanta store). The address is 2000 Century Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30345. The hotel phone number is 404-325-0000.
  After introducing one another we'll address everyone's questions and suggestions about the trip. We'll pre-arrange "custom carpools" from Atlanta to and from the campsite -- also rental canoe partners for our big Saturday "Swamp Safari"—also discuss directions, what to wear and bring, our "potluck" meals plan, and all the exciting optional activities!

OVERVIEW:  World famous for its alligators, bears, egrets, cranes, waterlilies, cypress trees, carnivorous plants, and other exotic flora and fauna, Georgia's 600-square-mile Okefenokee Swamp and National Wildlife Refuge is truly one of America's "crown jewels."  Early April is considered prime time" to camp and explore the swamp, with usually ideal mild temperatures and few biting insects.
  Our home base for this exciting camping & paddling weekend will be Stephen C. Foster State Park, an "island oasis" near the center of the swamp, easily accessible via paved highways off I-75, where we'll camp Friday and Saturday nights.  Our "swamp safari" canoeing adventure on Saturday promises to be an unforgettable experience for all!

CARSIDE CAMPING AMENITIES:  From midday Friday until Sunday afternoon we'll have exclusive use of the State Park's very nice Pioneer Group Campsite, which offers more than an acre of level grassy and partially shaded tent space, with convenient parking for our vehicles just a few yards away.  The Pioneer site boasts a spacious covered dining pavilion (with lots of picnic tables and a huge deluxe charcoal grill!), two covered sleeping shelters (suitable for sleeping inside with or without a tent), a large campfire ring with benches—also on-site toilets, running potable water, and showers.  The camping style of this trip is suitable both for those who prefer taking a minimum of camping or backpacking gear and also for those who are happier with their queen-size air mattresses, multi-burner Coleman stoves, and big coolers filled with ice, fresh food and cold drinks.  Because of the excellent Park facilities and easy access to our vehicles we intend to go ahead with the trip rain or shine.

EXCITING THINGS TO SEE AND DO:  On Saturday we'll offer a 10-mile roundtrip "canoe & kayak swamp safari" from the State Park Marina (near our group campsite) into the heart of the swamp and back, via beautiful moss-draped canoe trails and waterways. Each participant is welcome to bring their own boat if you prefer, or to pair up with another AOCer and rent a canoe from the Marina (just $25 per canoe for up to 8 hours, including lifejackets & paddles).  Along the way there'll be lots of wild alligator sightings—rest assured, they're not aggressive!—plus beautiful birds, and photo ops at historic Billy's Island and beautiful Minnie's Lake.  On Sunday morning we'll offer more optional paddling for the group and a short nature hike or two within the State Park before returning home.  Nighttime stargazing should be spectacular both nights, with a crescent moon over our campfire each night and dark skies in the Pioneer campsite vicinity.

GROUP MEALS PLAN:  Charlie and Bobby will provide all the main ingredients and fixings for a big Saturday evening group dinner at the dining pavilion, included in the AOC trip price.  Other meals will be shared "Potluck-Style" including our Friday evening dinner (for parties that can arrive by about 8:00 PM Friday) and Sat & Sun breakfasts, with each camper who chooses to participate simply contributing a small quantity of a "sharable" breakfast or dinner ingredient/item of your own choice. At about 7:30 Friday Charlie plans to provide a hot charcoal grill for any of you who have arrived by then—feel free to grill a small portion of chicken, steak, brats, etc. as your personal entree item for that optional Friday dinner.  Also if you like, feel free to contribute for either evening meal a small hors d'oeuvre plate, salad, fruit plate, dessert item, etc. of your choice.  (See checklist suggestions below about what gear, food, etc. to bring for these shared group meals at the pavilion.)
Since most of us will be out on our canoeing safari during lunchtime on Sat, we suggest that you be prepared to pack a few snack items, pieces of fruit, water, etc. in a small cooler or daypack to take with you in your boat—also if you stay for lunch on Sunday, be prepared with a few items perhaps from your cooler.

TRIP SCHEDULE & LOGISTICS:  We'll meet optionally for carpooling at 1:00 PM Friday in the shaded rear parking lot of the Clarion Hotel at I-75 Exit #235—see directions to that lot below, or drive down independently to the Park if you prefer, but WARNING!!: the State Park entrance gates are LOCKED between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM each night, so plan to arrive before 10:00!  It's normally about a 5-hour drive from Atlanta (via I-75 and its connecting GA State highways eastward into the Park—see detailed directions below).  Allow more than 5 hrs if departing Atlanta mid-to late afternoon on Friday!  Our main paddling adventure into the heart of the swamp and back will be on Saturday between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.  Individual carpool groups are free to depart at your convenience for your return home.

LAST YEAR'S AOC SWAMP SAFARI:  For our archival writeup and some of our hundreds of great photos!—use this link:

http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=2361

FOR MORE ON THE OKEFENOKEE:  Go to the following websites:
STEPHEN C. FOSTER STATE PARK—has good detailed map of Park, discussion of facilities, activities, etc.:
http://www.gastateparks.org/SCFoster

OKEFENOKEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE:
http://www.fws.gov/okefenokee/ 

WIKIPEDIA'S EXCELLENT OKEFENOKEE ARTICLE:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okefenokee_Swamp


Required Items to Bring:
CHECKLIST OF SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING ON
OKEFENOKEE CAMPING & PADDLING TRIP
* Asterisk indicates "Optional" item.
   Most important items in RED. 

FOR SLEEPING:
 Tent  (or share with a friend)
 Foam Pad,  Blow-Up Pad/ AirMattress, or Hammock
 Sleeping Bag, or Sheets & Blankets, appropriate for weather
 Compact Pillow*

 CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES:  Adjust seasonally, and according to weather forecast.
 2 Pair of Hiking or Running Shorts + 1 Pair light Long Pants
 2 T-Shirts or Synthetic Undershirts + 1 Long-Sleeve Shirt
 2 Pair Each:  Socks & Underwear    Bandanna*
 Light Jacket (per weather)
 Swimsuit* (primarily for Apr.-Oct.)
 RainCoat or Poncho
 Cap or Hat     Sunglasses
 1 or 2 Pair comfortable Shoes (e.g., Hiking Shoes, River Sandals, or "Crocs")

TOILETRY ITEMS:  (Pioneer Campsite has potable water, toilets, and nearby hot showers.)
 High-"DEET" Bug Repellant (esp. April-Oct.)     SunScreen & Lip Balm
 Biodegradable Soap/ Shampoo     Towel & WashCloth
 Toothbrush & Paste
 WaterBag* or "Solar Shower*" for Campsite
 Headlamp or Flashlight + Extra Batteries

FOR COOKING & MEALS:
 Misc. Breakfast Items to Share  + Items to share for "Potluck" Group Dinners, etc. + Lunch Items for your Daypack or Canoe Cooler.
 Washable Hard Plate, Insulated Cup (ideally "spill-proof" with lid), and steel Dining Utensils
 Large Cooler with plenty of ice, perishable foods, and your favorite beverages. (Suggestion:  Pre-freeze plastic jugs of water or wine-box bladders for long-lasting ice + bonus ice water!.)

If you have, bring the following, otherwise your fellow campers will likely have enough for everyone:
Portable Stove  Fuel & Lighter  Lantern
Large Covered Pot,  Large Frying Pan,  Griddle (all preferably Non-Stick for easy cleanup),  Spatula, Spoons

Trip Leaders will bring the following:

 2-Burner Propane Stove & Fuel
 Saturday Dinner Ingredients, Burner, Propane, Pots & Supplies,
 Coffee, Sweeteners & Creamers for Group + large Percolator,
 Matches & "Strikers," Napkins, Paper Towels, Aluminum Foil, Garbage Bags, a few ZipLoc Bags, Plastic Dishwashing Tubs, Dish Detergent & Scouring Pads, Salt, Pepper, Misc. Spices, Margarine, Sharp Knives,
 Binoculars & Star Charts for Stargazing,

FOR CAMPFIRES,  COMFORT & LEISURE, ETC:
 1 or 2 Packaged "FireLogs"*     Kindling & Newspapers*   Saw, Hatchet, etc.*
 Compact Fold-up Chair*  About 50 Feet of Light Nylon Cord* (for clothesline, etc.)
 "Action Packer"-type Covered Box* w/latches for keeping items protected from critters & rain.
 Cards & Games*             Reading Materials*
 Any lightweight Musical Instrument* that you play   Frisbee*, Ball, etc.
 Small Radio, IPOD, or CD Player* (We usually volunteer to bring)  plus CDs 

FOR PADDLING, HIKING, PHOTOGRAPHY, STARGAZING, BIRDWATCHING, ETC.:
 Kayak or Canoe + Lifejackets & Paddles if you have one and it's convenient to bring.  State Park canoe rentals are just $25 for 8 hrs. 
 DayPack  (e.g: with Compass, Maps, InkPen, Knife, Matches, Mini-Flashlight, Tissues, SunScreen, LipBalm, Bug Repellant, Mini-1st-Aid Kit, Plastic Survival Blanket--also for picnic)
 Suggested Lunch Items for Pack and/or small Cooler:  Box-Beverage, Gorp, Apple, Cheese, Sandwich, Chips, etc.
 Camera with plenty of memory,  spare camera Battery,  Tripod*
 Binoculars*
 Nature Guides* to Birds, Trees, Stars, etc.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:
FROM ATLANTA to STEPHEN C. FOSTER STATE PARK (About 300 miles total, or about 5 hours if I-75 traffic isn't too bad):

1) Take I-75 South ~85 miles toward Macon. (If your point of departure is the East or NE side of Atlanta you may wish to connect to I-75 via I-285 and I-675.)
2) At I-75 Exit #177 bear Right to take the I-475 Bypass southward around Macon.  In about 20 miles I-475 will merge back into I-75 South, just south of Macon.
3) Continue southward on I-75 South for another 150 miles and get off at Exit #5, "GA-376, Lakes Blvd" (just 5 miles N of the GA/FL state line).
4) Turn Left (eastward) onto GA-376 and follow it about 10 miles to its end at GA-135. (En route, a portion of GA-376 will be concurrent with US-41—at the end of this stretch you'll bear left to stay on GA-135.)
5) Turn Left onto GA-135 and make an almost immediate Right turn onto GA-94.
6) Follow GA-94 eastward about 31 miles to Fargo, GA (passing thru Statenville and two other small communities en route).
7) In Fargo turn Right onto US-441, and go just 1 mile, crossing the Suwannee River bridge.
8) Turn Left onto GA-177 and go about 17 miles to Stephen C. Foster State Park (passing through the first Park gate about 6 miles before you reach the Park).
9) The Pioneer Campsite entrance will be on your Left, just inside the second State Park gate.  If you reach the main RV campground or cottages you've gone too far.  WARNING: Both Park Entrance Gates (separated by 6 miles) are locked automatically at 10:00 PM each night so by all means plan to arrive by then.  (They're not reopened until about 7:00 AM)
PARKING:  Park in the designated parking lot just outside near the Pioneer Campsite entrance gate and be sure to allow plenty of room for all other vehicles to get in and out.  By Saturday morning the driver of each vehicle will need to purchase and display on your rearview mirror a National Wildlife Refuge parking pass ($5).  As "pioneer campers" it will be OK for us to wait to get these at the Park Marina/Office when we rent our canoes Sat AM.  These parking/entry passes are good for up to one week after they're issued, both in Stephen C. Foster State Park and the entire surrounding Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge.

NOTE ADDED 4/6/2011: For GPS purposes (or Google.com/maps) the following Latitude-Longitude coordinates should be pretty accurate for the Stephen C. Foster Pioneer Campsite:
30.818258, -82.367655
  If you wish to enter an address for your GPS, the following is just as precise as the more lengthy "17515" address on the State Park's website:
   Ga-177, Fargo, GA 31631
With Google.com/maps either address results in a "stickpin" on GA-177 that is about 10 miles toward Fargo from the State Park.  (The State Park is actually at the north-easternmost end of GA-177.)



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Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):580Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 1:00 pm
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $232.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:
For this trip ideally be prepared to depart from Atlanta no later than about 3:00 or 4:00 PM so you can safely arrive before the Park's entrance gates are locked (locked each night between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM).
...Another option would be to spend Friday night in a motel off I-75 in S. GA (e.g., in Fargo at the "Gator Motel": Reserve by calling Mgr Kevin Hart on his cell phone, 229-251-0274) and plan to join us at the Pioneer Group Campsite early Saturday AM.
Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

     - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

     - Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.

     - Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.

     - No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

     - Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$16.00/Person
Cost Includes:Two nights "Carside Camping" in the State Park Pioneer Campsite, Sat evening Group Cookout Dinner, and Hot Shower pass for Sat or Sun.  (For our big Saturday "Swamp Safari" bring your own kayak or canoe, or partner up with another AOCer to rent a canoe from the State Park Marina: $25 for 8 hours—the Park is holding up to 14 canoes for our tentative rental.)

Payment

1) MAR 25 PAYMENT DEADLINE: Full payment of your $16 trip fee (for AOC Members who are confirmed on the trip, or $21 for non-member Guests) is due no later than 4:00 PM on Friday March 25 (2 weeks prior to the event).  If you become confirmed from our event wait list after March 25 your payment is due within 2 days after you accept that offered open spot. Confirmed participants who miss their payment-due date are subject to replacement by other members or guests from the wait list.

2) PAYMENT OPTIONS & GUIDELINES: Payment may be made via PayPal, an online Bank Draft, or a mailed Check. Allow two days for processing a PayPal transaction or for PC Banking and one week for mailing a check.

Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Fri, Mar 25 2011.
Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

Cancellation Policy

1) If you find it impossible to do the event after becoming confirmed, you can cancel your registration by clicking on "Delete your registration," etc. near the base of this online event announcement article.  Also please send an e-message about your cancellation to the trip leader(s), and note whether you desire a refund if you have already arranged payment.

2) If you cancel on or before March 25, your full payment is refundable less a $5 AOC administrative fee.  NO refund will be granted for cancellations after March 25 unless someone from the wait list replaces you and pays in full, in which case you are eligible for a full refund less the $5 administrative fee.

3) This trip is considered a "rain or shine" event, esp. since the pioneer campsite and state park have excellent shelter and our vehicles are close at hand.  If the trip leader(s) are forced to cancel it (e.g., due to very dangerous or extreme weather conditions) every effort will be made to notify everyone on a timely basis, secure refunds for everyone, and to reschedule the event.

3) Partial payment is not allowed for partial attendance.