IISAC2011: IceInSpace AstroCamp 2011 - 27th to 30th October 2011
Hi all
IISAC2011 is getting closer, just over 4 months away now and the event is starting to come together.
The booking form is not yet live, but more information is available on the IISAC2011 Info Page so you can start to plan your journey and time at the camp.
The list of guest speakers is included, as well as a daytime kids and beginners workshop. The full programme will be available soon.
Costs are also now on the info page. Unfortunately it has been necessary to raise costs this year due to increasing costs of organising and running the camp. I have left the child registration price unchanged to encourage people to bring their families.
I'm sure you'll find the camp is still very affordable - as an example:
If you come alone, camp for 3 nights, you'll pay $111.00
If you come with your family (2 adults and 1 or more kids), and camp for 3 nights, you'll pay $196
If you come alone, stay in a bunkbed for 3 nights, you'll pay $96.00
If you bring your family (2 adults and 1 or more kids), and stay in the bunkhouse, you'll pay $253.00
Those prices exclude dinner and t-shirts of course, which can be purchased as additional add-ons. T-shirts remain at the low price of $20.00 each and Dinner remains at the low price of $15.00 per head for adults (kids eat free!).
Note: Bunkbed accommodation isn't for everyone and of course there's limited spots available.
I'm sure you'll agree that's still very affordable for 3 nights away, listening to guest speakers and enjoying the great company at a star party. Especially considering how much we spend on equipment in this hobby!
Don't forget also that there's the early-bird registration discount, which is $15 off the total price if you register before 20th September 2011.
The booking form will be online in the next few weeks.
Hi Mike. Have already booked the time off with the boss. Will definitely be there. Very excited too as spsp was my first star party earlier this year. Had a thoroughly good time even though I was sans telescope. Just a pair of 7 by 50 binos. I admit I was a little too embarrassed to take along the dodgy old 114mm newt I've been making do with. this time i will have something a little more substantial to work with. I look forward too booking it in and meeting some of the IIS guys in person. They have been very helpfully in my hunt for dark sky locations
Don't forget that there won't be an IISAC2012 due to the Total Solar Eclipse, so come along this year!
Good lord Mike, when I read this I thought.. OMG, cancelled due to the end of the world, but then I realized, "WAIT!, that's not until December" ...
On a more serious note... is the AstroCamp always in NSW? I was curious if you ever "mix it up" with respect to sites/states or do you just stick to one particular site?
Good lord Mike, when I read this I thought.. OMG, cancelled due to the end of the world, but then I realized, "WAIT!, that's not until December" ...
On a more serious note... is the AstroCamp always in NSW? I was curious if you ever "mix it up" with respect to sites/states or do you just stick to one particular site?
OIC!
Yes, it's always in NSW because that's where I'm based. It needs to be close for me, because of all the stuff I need to transport there!
In the early days (2005/2006), we thought about having "state based" IISAC's around the country, and we even tried to start organising one in QLD, but because I couldn't control it and couldn't commit my time to it, I couldn't use the IIS brand on it.
As you most likely know, IISAC is intentionally kept simple and we don't offer a plethora of lucky door prizes. People don't go to star parties for door prizes, and the process of drawing them can sometimes get long and drawn out.
So for the past few years, we've offered 3 prizes only - and the whole process is over in a few minutes.