IceInSpace Star Camp 2005, Ballarat Victoria

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi guys.

This thread is to become the "official" thread for the Oct/Nov Star Camp at Ballarat, Victoria.. kindly being organised by Ken (BallaratDragons) and John (xstream).

I've created a page on the website with relevant information, as well as a button on the side bar. Here's the page.

The star camp is being advertised in the Activities section of the next issue of AS&T, so it's bound to get more people interested. If you're keen to attend, book your place now!

Ken, it might be a good idea to reply to this thread with:
a) Who is coming
b) On-site accomodation places still available
c) Events, talks, activities, competitions that are organised for the camp

It can then be updated as people book in and activites are confirmed.

I think i'm right in saying that it's free entry if you stay off-site, the cost is for onsite accomodation only.

I'll be there with my family, for at least 2 of the days. We'll be staying off-site.

Hope to see some more people making the interstate trek!

[iceman (Mike)]

I'm booking in for 4 nights at the Pimpernell http://www.ballarat.com/peppinella.htm

So I'm planning to be there Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon nights.

Who's going, and what nights is everyone planning on going/staying?

Trying to plan a Great Ocean Road trip for the time we're there, too.

[iceman (Mike)]

Un-stickying to make it more visible, too.

[dhumpie]

Hey Mike,

Where can I get some Ice In Space stickers?

Darren

[xstream (John)]

Anna and I are staying the 4 nights.
Mike I'll PM you about your trip down.

[Striker (Tony)]

This looks fantastic......

Their is no way I can commit to something like this that is so far away in time and distance.....but their's nothing stopping me turning up at the last moment is their.?????

I could always suggest to work that I am needed in Melbourne.

Anyway I will get in for free......you said it in the post...under 4 years old are free....lol.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Tony,

It would be great to have you down here. Keep us informed.

[davidpretorius]

How is the site for young ones. I have a two year old and 5.5 year old. Family will probabley get bored for the whole time, but I mught stay the lot and the rest of the family may shoot to gisbourne to see family. I know Mike has young kids, but is staying off site.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Dave, There will be other young'ens there. The youngest so far, other than your nippers, is 5. Would be good if you could stay the whole 4 nights. Great viewing here!!

[davidpretorius]

I am 60% certain for the 4 days on site, I may have my 5 year old come and stay for say 2 nights. Wife and youngest will be in gisbourne and would probabley get involved with family events ie bbq lunches and gold digging etc.

[iceman (Mike)]

Yeh I have 3 youngens (6, 4 and 1) and I'll be there the 4 nights, but not staying on site.. We'll be there for some daytime stuff, but we're also using it as our annual holiday so we'll be doing touristy things during the days, including day trips to Melbourne, and of course the sight-seeing around Ballarat (sovereign hill etc).

Looking forward to it.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

So far those that have booked 'on-site' are:

*Ken: (ballaratdragons) x 4 nights - Paid
*John and Anna: (xstream) x 4 nights - Paid
*Dave: (Dave47Tuc) x 4 nights
*Dave's friends x 4 nights
*Darren & Family: (wombat_in_space) x 4 nights
*Trevor: (OneOfOne) and group x 4 nights
*Dave P: (davidpretorius) and daughter x 4 nights - Paid
*Geoff: (starkler) x 3 nights
*Peter: (toetoe) x 3 nights
*Peters friends x 3 nights
*Gazza and Family: (cahullian) x 2 nights - Paid

TOTAL SO FAR - approx 23 on-site

Those attending but staying off-site:

Mike and Family (iceman) x 4 nights
Tony (Striker) possibly 1 night



The onsite Accommodation Still available:

1 x 4 bed bunkhouse
3 x 8 bed bunkhouses
and lots of camping space for tents and caravans.

For off-site accommodation only 20 minutes away from the Camp try here: http://www.ballarat.com/peppinella.htm

EVENTS: (Itinarary is yet to be set)

*Saturday evening visit to Historic Ballarat Observatory
*Ruins of Gold digging and Processing site
*Visit to Historic Wooden Trestle Bridge
*Beginners Workshop (collimating, mirror-cleaning, Star-map reading, easy-find objects)
*Speaker on 3 Astronomy subjects
*Competitions for best Astrophoto, best home-made Astro accessory etc.
*Raffles for Astro Prizes
*Buy/Swap/Sell late Saturday afternoon


Lake on-site, so bring your canoes, fishing gear etc.

A fully equipped kitchen, Meeting Room, Recreation Room (billiards & table tennis).
The Meeting room is available for DVD/Videos (bring some along to show).

Entry is free for on-site and off-site guests.


ACCOMMODATION FEES ON-SITE (bunkhouse or camp-site per person)

2 nights - $26.40
3 nights - $39.60
4 nights - $52.80
Children Under 4 - Free

If you are staying for 2 or 3 nights but decide to stay longer just let us know at the Camp.

A 'Gold Coin' donation box will be available for donations towards the running of the IceInSpace website.

*This information will be updated regularly.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

NEWS:We have our first Tasmanian Booking! Dave (davidpretorius) will be staying 4 nights and his daughter on some of the nights. Thanks Dave for coming over to the BIG Island.

New member Trevor (OneOfOne) has booked a bunkhouse for 4 nights with a group of 4-6. Well done Trevor, welcome aboard.

A 4 night booking has been made by Darren (wombat_in_space) and Family. Thanks Darren.

The Star Camp has now been advertised in the August 'Australian Sky & Telescope' which is available now, and soon to be in 'Sky & Space'.

Australian Sky & Telescope will be assisting with raffle prizes (thanks to Greg Bryant) and I have just recieved an email from Jonathan West from 'York Optical' in Melbourne requesting further info.

Only 3 months to go. BOOK NOW!

For availability of accommodation please refer to the post above which will be updated regularly.

NOTE: Please keep this thread free of Chit-Chat. Thank You.

Below there are some pics of the Camp.

Pic 1.Front of Camp & Camp Lake. Pic 2.Bunkouses & Amenities. Pic 3.Viewing Area

[davidpretorius]

fairly certain i will be there, but with a five year old daughter staying for a couple of nights, I reckon it will best to do the tent option.

when does daylight saving start on the north island for viewing times etc

[Crash Nebula]

I wish I could go but I haven't enough money! We need to have one in QLD...

[cahullian]

Im getting excited
I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas lol
Gazz
Ken can you pm me with details of how I can pay for the accommodation
Thanks Gazz

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

fairly certain i will be there, but with a five year old daughter staying for a couple of nights, I reckon it will best to do the tent option.

when does daylight saving start on the north island for viewing times etc

OK Dave! If you are tenting it that leaves another Bunkhouse available if anyone else wants it.

I haven't checked when daylight saving starts. I will look it up and post it in here as an edit.

EDIT: Found it. Believe it or not it starts during the Camp!! This is off the Victorian Daylight Saving site:

Daylight Saving Dates
2005/2006
Starts: 2 am EST (Eastern Standard Time) on 30 October 2005
Ends: 2 am EST (Eastern Standard Time) on 26 March 2006

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Start organizing then Charlie

[Crash Nebula]

Yoiu'll have to help me... Andrew too...

[davidpretorius]

Ken, when you say bunk house, are there are 4 bunks in there? And we are all sharing ie me and 3 others. The main reason I went tent is that not sure how comfortable people would feel with a kid staying in the same room. If there is room, I would prefer bunk house, so that my daughter can come and stay any night. Is this possible. At the same time, don't want to take beds from people that may be wanting to come.

thanks