Cedar Rapids Brewing Society

Start thinking about beer camp. Last year attendance was low as many people had other things going on. Check you summer schedule before the next meeting so we can discuss when people would be available. Sounds like last years location was a good one, but if you have other alternatives feel free to share them with the group.

Is this just a beer nuts group camp-out with that we can bring friends and family along?

I'm good to make plans most of the summer except weekends of June 5th and July 10. The rest of the summer is pretty open other than the holiday weekends.

I'll throw this out there as another off-the-wall idea...

I might be willing to host this at our place. We have plenty of room (3+ acres) to set up tents and we have a fire pit. We're as easy to get to from CR/Marion as the group camp at Pinicoln, and have power and running water available.

It might be more convenient for those who just want to come out for the day, and we could do group brews or tech demos on site pretty easily. The downside is that it's not as woodsy or remote feeling. Depends on what kind of experience people want out of it.

A potential downside is that if we got a larger turnout than last year we would probably want to rent a port-o-johnny so as not to overload my septic system. I think you can get those for around $75 for a weekend though, maybe less if someone has connections. I think the group camp charges $8 to reserve a site, plus around $13/tent. So that could quickly add up to the same amount.

If you want to see where we're located, the address is 10502 246th Ave, Anamosa, IA 52205. We're close to Matsell Bridge park if you know where that is.

I would like people to get their calendar together and be ready to discuss beer camp at the next meeting. We need to get some ideas of weekends that work and possibly set up a vote at the meeting or on the website. Also need to decide where. Pinicon Ridge works well and Randy has offered his place too. Don't want this event to die out as I think we can improve turnout and have lots of fun. I am also open to people bringing friend/family which we also need to discuss at the next meeting. Considering we are starting June, I think a camp out in July to September is best. Too late to squeeze in June.

Matt, Beer Camp did come up in the last meeting that you missed. Although we didn't quite discuss dates I did want to keep everyone thinging about planning on going, anything they want to add to this, for example do we try and brew a batch, beer comp or some other group event.

Also i think from the discussion that we felt that it should be opened up to spouses/friends but young children should be brought at the parents discression as this is an adult outing based on beer. I know from last year I wounded myself as an intoxicatd adult, I'd hate to see any kids fall into the fire or pick up some new phrases for the classroom.

As with many of these events, I think the date needs to be set sooner than later and were obviously an active group, there is now way were all going to get there, so at date should be posted and plan on that date unless we find too many folks can't make it. The gamble you have to take.

Also keep in mind for those on a tight least or busy schedule it could mean folks simply stop by for the day or camp one night. I really think we grab a date and we do the best we can.

With that said, unless anyone has any objections I'd suggest Franklin picks a date, and we start getting a show of hands how many can and are willing to go that weekend. Even if there are four people there, it will stil be better than last year!! well maybe.. If I bring my cider and BA brings the pork burgers

Cheers,




From: Matt F [mailto:brew-events@crbeernuts.org]
Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2010 4:59 PM
To: brew-events@crbeernuts.org
Subject: Re: 2010 Beer Camp



I would like people to get their calendar together and be ready to discuss beer camp at the next meeting. We need to get some ideas of weekends that work and possibly set up a vote at the meeting or on the website. Also need to decide where. Pinicon Ridge works well and Randy has offered his place too. Don't want this event to die out as I think we can improve turnout and have lots of fun. I am also open to people bringing friend/family which we also need to discuss at the next meeting. Considering we are starting June, I think a camp out in July to September is best. Too late to squeeze in June.



Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North

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Matt,

We are already at the beginning of June, You may want to go ahead and poll for the date, so that we can announce a firm date at the next meeting. If we wait until the next meeting to start discussing. We won't be able to establish a firm date until the end of July. I think notice was the aspect that was lacking last year that prevent it from being as successful as it could have been.

Already on it J. I just need to gather a little information before I post the poll. Also, were any decisions made on location? I know Pinicon Ridge works well and also Randy offered his place.

As much as we aopreciate randys offer it might be a bit much to offer depending on the size of the group. Of course this is randy's call but im leaning towards penicon ridge. It worked great last year.

There was mention of both places but matt but I didn't hear any firm arguments for either

From: Matt F <brew-events@crbeernuts.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 11:03 AM
To: brew-events@crbeernuts.org
Subject: Re: 2010 Beer Camp

Already on it J. I just need to gather a little information before I post the poll. Also, were any decisions made on location? I know Pinicon Ridge works well and also Randy offered his place.



Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North

Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)

Yes, my offer is still available. If anyone wants to come out to look it over before a decision is made just let me know.

It doesn't matter to me either way we do it, so I won't be offended if people would rather do it a Pinicoln. Here's a start of pro's and con's of each:

Pinicoln pro's: more secluded, adjacent to a river, more picnic tables, urinals behind every tree.
Pincoln con's: harder to get to (IMHO), no electricity, limited water, teenagers trying to crash the party.

My place pro's: easy access, electricity, clean water, ability to do brew demos on site, gas grill available for use, more shade, dogs welcome.
My place cons: no river, fewer tables provided, only 1 fire pit, not as flat.

It kind of comes down to how many people want to come. If it's a small group like last year then my place would be less expensive and offer more amenities. If it turns out to be 20+ people camping, we might be better off at pinicon. We can still potentially do a large group here, but I'd prefer we rent a porta jonny, which is about $75 for the weekend. It's less of an issue if most people are just stopping by for a few hours too.

As for the family entertainment: Wapsi State Park is only 15 minutes from here and offers all kinds of outdoor activities including a golf course. That's about the same amount of time it takes just to wind around inside of pinicon to get to the group site from the rest of the park.

If people have other concerns or questions let me know.

Just FYI, I looked at availability for site #7 at pincon, and the only weekend open in July is the 16th-18th. August is wide open as of today. Group camp #6 has more openings in July, but I'd recommend against it since who knows what kind of group will be there and the facilities are shared.

Matt,
I have the sign up sheet for the beer camp, I'll swing by and drop it off tonight if that would work for you.

If you want to drop it off that is cool. We will be around tonight as some friends are coming over for dinner. If it is too much out of the way I can always stop by too. I looked at the list several times sitting on the table and said to myself, "Self, you should probably get that list before you forget it."

I got a birthday party to go to tonight in your area so i'll drop it off tonight

Group camp site #7 has been reserved for Saturday, August 21. There was primarily interest in just Saturday night and this year they do let you reserve for just one night. The site is ours at 3:00 PM and check-out time is 1:00 PM on Sunday. There was also a lot of interest in the canoe trip. I will post more information prior to the next meeting. The nice thing is we can do a canoe trip and we get back around 3 to "check-in." If you are not staying the night, guests are supposed to leave the campground by 10:30 PM.

Thanks Matt, if there is enough interest to show up earlier on Saturday or Friday night as well, can we still get Friday night?



From: Matt F [mailto:brew-events@crbeernuts.org]
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 9:30 PM
To: brew-events@crbeernuts.org
Subject: Re: 2010 Beer Camp



Group camp site #7 has been reserved for Saturday, August 21. There was primarily interest in just Saturday night and this year they do let you reserve for just one night. The site is ours at 3:00 PM and check-out time is 1:00 PM on Sunday. There was also a lot of interest in the canoe trip. I will post more information prior to the next meeting. The nice thing is we can do a canoe trip and we get back around 3 to "check-in." If you are not staying the night, guests are supposed to leave the campground by 10:30 PM.



Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North

Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)