AtlantaOutdoorClub
sponsor
Print-Friendly Version
Add this event to your calendar (Outlook, iCalendar)
Add REGISTRATION REMINDER to your calendar


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.



Sapelo Island Atlantic Coast Camping & Beachcombing Weekend


The Basics:
Event Type:Adventure
Event Location: 40 Miles South of Savannah, GA
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Jan 29 2010  8:00 am >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 8:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Sat, Jan 16 2010 10:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Jan 15 2010 4:00 pm
Event Duration:3 Days & 2 Nights, thru Sun PM Jan 31
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Charlie Cottingham
Bobby Marie
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:$62.00/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: 18 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

OVERVIEW:  Are you a beach lover who enjoys the wonders of nature and a healthy dose of adventure—plus perhaps occasionally a little luxury when you're camping?  This may be the perfect trip for you!  Sapelo is a beautiful barrier island on the Georgia coast about 40 miles south of Savannah.  Its pristine natural beaches and wilderness areas are enhanced by its protected status as a "National Estuarine Research Reserve."  Midwinter is a great time to camp on Sapelo, with average daily highs in the low 60s, average nightly lows in the mid 40s, and no pesky insects.

CAMPING AMENITIES:  We'll have exclusive use of the GA DNR's oceanside Cabretta Campsite with tons of level shaded tent space.  There are also 3 screened hardwood-floored Adirondack buildings at the site—sleep in one if you like in lieu of bringing your tent.  The huge group campsite has hot showers, flush toilets, safe drinking water, large picnic tables, and a spacious fire ring—and we'll be transported directly from the ferry dock to and from the site.  The trip is highly suitable both for those who prefer taking a minimum of camping 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. 

ABUNDANT THINGS TO SEE AND DO:  Like Cumberland Island to its south, Sapelo is blessed with lovely secluded beaches, sea-oat-capped sand dunes, mossy liveoak forests, abundant seabirds & wildlife, and historic ruins.  We'll visit the island's friendly natives in a quaint village called "Hog Hammock"—also the palatial "Reynolds Mansion," the Marine Research Institute, and the beautifully restored 190-year-old Sapelo lighthouse on the island's south end.  We expect to have use of a rental van to facilitate these excursions.  Also on the agenda will be hiking, dolphin-watching, and birdwatching.  Since it's a FULL MOON weekend, nighttime beachcombing and shell collecting on our huge private beach should be spectacular!

GROUP MEALS PLAN:  Charlie will provide a big Saturday evening "Low-Country Boil" group seafood & veggies dinner at the campsite, included in our trip price.  Our Friday evening dinner and Sat & Sun breakfasts will be informally shared "pot-luck style," with each camper who chooses to participate simply contributing an ingredient or small dish, salad, dessert item, etc. of your choice.  We'll consolidate our picnic tables, coolers and cooking & dining gear beside one of the screened shelters to facilitate this.  Since most of us will be out exploring, beachcombing, etc. during lunchtime on Sat and Sun, we suggest that each person be prepared to pack a few snack items, pieces of fruit, water, etc. in a light daypack. 

TRIP SCHEDULE & LOGISTICS:  We'll meet optionally for carpooling at 8:00 AM 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 coast if you prefer.  It's about a 4.5-hour drive from Atlanta to the mainland ferry dock & Sapelo Visitor Center in Meridian, GA via I-75, I-16, I-95, and GA-99—see detailed directions below.  At 3:00 PM Friday afternoon we'll load our gear onto the ferry after a stop at the Visitor Center.  The ferry will depart for Sapelo at 3:30 PM sharp, arriving at about 3:50.  At the island dock we'll be met by a GA DNR bus driver who will take us and all our gear directly to our beach-side Cabretta Campsite—about 5 miles NE of the island dock.  We'll have two full days and nights to enjoy this beautiful campsite and the other wonderful things the island has to offer.  We'll return to the mainland on the 4:00 PM Sun. ferry and expect to be back in Atlanta by about 10:30 PM Sunday night. 

"PRE-TRIP PLANNING MEETING" prior to JANUARY AOC SOCIAL at "COCKTAIL COVE", TUE JAN 12, 6:30-7:30 PM :  If your schedule permits, please plan to join us for this informal "pre-Social" happy-hour planning meeting at one of the interior booths at "Cocktail Cove" (one block north of the I-285 Roswell Road exit in Sandy Springs).  We'll introduce one another, pre-arrange some of our carpooling groups, discuss directions, gear, meals & activities, and address all of your questions and suggestions about the trip. 

FOR MORE ON SAPELO:  Go to the excellent Wikipedia article at the following link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapelo_Island
Links to great photos from our Aug 2009 AOC Sapelo trip:
Allison Adams' Album:   http://megasuperstar.shutterfly.com/262
Brian Clements' Album: http://picasaweb.google.com/bclements14/200908SapeloIslandGA#


Required Items to Bring:
CHECKLIST OF SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING ON
SAPELO ISLAND CAMPING TRIP
* Asterisk indicates "Optional" item. 

FOR SLEEPING:
 Tent  (or share with a friend, or sleep in screened Adirondack Shelter)
 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, Sweater, Sweatshirt* (per weather)
 Swimsuit* (primarily for Apr.-Oct.)
 RainCoat or Poncho
 Cap or Hat     Sunglasses
 2 or 3 Pair comfortable Shoes (e.g., Hiking Shoes, Sandals, "Crocs")

TOILETRY ITEMS:  (Cabretta Campsite has potable water, hot showers & flush toilets.)
 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 for "Potluck" Group Dinners, etc. + Lunch Items for your Daypack.
 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:
 Large Covered Pot,  Frying Pan,  Griddle (all preferably Non-Stick for easy cleanup),  Spatula, Spoons
 Portable Stove*    Fuel & Lighter*    Lantern*
**IMPORTANT:  Ferry allows only Propane-type Fuel Canisters.  Please NO Pourable-Liquid-fuel Stoves/Lanterns!

Trip Leader will bring the following:
 2-Burner Propane Stove & Fuel
 Low-Country Boil 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*  (Best to stow inside duffel since ferry may not allow.)
 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 HIKING, PHOTOGRAPHY, STARGAZING, BIRDWATCHING, ETC.:
 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:  Box-Beverage, Gorp, Apple, Cheese, Sandwich, Chips, etc.
 Camera,  Extra Film,  Spare Camera Battery,  Tripod*     Binoculars*
 Light-weight inflatable Beach Float* (Apr - Oct)    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 SAPELO ISLAND MAINLAND FERRY DOCK & VISITOR CENTER (Meridian, GA 31304, about 295 miles total):

1. Take I-75 South ~85 miles to 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.  Important:  When approaching Macon AVOID the I-475 bypass by bearing left on I-75 at Mile #177.)
2. At I-75 Exit #165 in Macon, bear Left off I-75 onto I-16 East toward Savannah, and continue ~157 miles to the I-95 Interchange just west of Savannah.
3. Merge Right from I-16 onto I-95 South at Exit #157 (I-95 Exit #99 en route back), and take I-95 South ~41 miles.
4. Get off I-95 at Exit #58, "GA-57, Townsend-Eulonia, GA."
5. Turn Left onto GA-57, cross over the I-95 bridge (eastward) and continue on GA-57 for ~1 mile to a 4-way traffic light (at U.S. Hwy 17).  As you continue straight ahead through this intersection, GA-57 becomes GA-99.
6. From the light at US-17 continue ~8.6 more miles on GA-99 to the small community of Meridian, GA and look on your left for the following large rectangular sign on the same corner as a church: "Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Center."
7. Turn Left just before the sign onto the paved Sapelo Island Dock Road (a.k.a. "Landing Rd"), turn Right over the small bridge, and follow the road to its dead end at the Visitor Center & Ferry Dock (~0.8 mile total).
About an hour prior to the ferry's scheduled departure time we'll rendezvous at the Visitor Center where we can enjoy its free museum displays on the island's natural history and human history and check out the T-shirts and other nice souvenirs.  The trip leader will also purchase ferry tickets for our group here at the Visitor Center.

PARKING:  For unloading your heavier gear you may park temporarily at the end of the road beside the dock and ferry office, but you must park over the weekend either in the marked spaces at the Visitor Center or well away from the dock along the shoulders of the road.
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):590Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 8:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $236.00 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:
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:$62.00/Person
Non-Member Cost:$67.00/Person
Cost Includes:Two nights Oceanside Camping (or sleep in screened Adirondack Building if you prefer).  Also: Hot Showers!  Round-trip Ferry from Mainland, Ground Transportation from Sapelo dock direct to Campsite, Group use of Rental Van, and Sat. evening "Low Country Boil" Seafood Dinner.
Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Fri, Jan 15 2010.
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: *NOTE: It is your responsibility to get the payment in on time. Please allow two days for processing a PayPal transaction and one week for a check. No checks will be accepted after the Jan 15 payment deadline.

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel on or before Jan 15, full payment will be refunded less a $5 administrative fee. No refund after Jan 15 unless someone replaces you and pays in full, and then you will receive a full refund less a $5 administrative fee. No partial payment for partial attendance. If the trip leader cancels the event, full payment will be refunded. If you do not cancel your attendance or fail to show up for the event, you are still responsible for full payment.