Should the BOD consider swapping the Picnic & Campout?
- #1 Yes
- #2 No
This topic contains 19 replies, has 14 voices, and was last updated by 
HamFam 5 years, 8 months ago.
-
Posts
-
Do you think the WGA BOD should consider swapping the Picnic & the Campout?
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
-Henry David Thoreau
Makes no difference to me…can’t usually make the May event anyway. The fall event usually has nicer weather for camping though as long as it’s not too late in September. Go for it:)
Oconto...the birthplace of western civilization:)
Personally, I do not care a lot about this issue, but I do think that the weather is likely to be better in the fall, so it does make sense. Ido think it is great that the BOD is involving the members in the decision making process.
zuma
The WGA has traditionally hosted four annual events:
• A WINTER bonfire/chili feed get together
• A SUMMER pancake breakfast at the West Bend mega event
• A SPRING campout (May)
• A FALL picnic (late August/September)In addition to those four staple events, the WGA has hosted GIFF events, CITOs, and random gatherings on occasion.
The campout and picnic often have attendance of around 100, sometimes more (depends on location). Although I think the campout would do well in either May or September, I think the picnic is best suited for that late summer/early September time frame. Scheduling a picnic in May just doesn’t have the same appeal as a picnic taking in the Fall colors. If I had to drive for example 200 miles for a picnic in May I’m not sure if I’d go. However, if it was a picnic in Fall I’d likely go anywhere in the state. Except Cudahy. 🙂
I’ve always liked Fall better than any other season. Whatever we schedule in Fall will do just fine, not only because of the weather and the colors, but also because a lot of new caches are hidden for the campout. I’m not sure if the picnic will do as well if it is held in May, especially since not as many caches are placed for the picnic compared to the campout.
If the two respective events are switched, I would suggest that instead of switching to May for the picnic, perhaps schedule it in the first week or two of June. Better weather will hopefully produce better attendance for a four or five hour picnic. I’m not nuts about it, but I like it better than switching dates for events.
We have had good and not so good westher for both events. I would prefer it remain the same. CampoutmSpring, Picnic Fall.
Following the signals from space.
Obviously the decision should be made based on many factors. But for me, keep it the same. I can’t usually attend the fall event due to a prior commitment on the same date. And I get to the picnic, not every year, but many. I prefer the campout to the picnic, so that has been better for me personally. As for what is better for the WGA as a whole, I don’t know all the factors that have to be considered. I trust that the BOD will make an informed decision.
I don’t think it’s been discussed yet, why this was brought up. Here’s my thoughts. I’ve always thought the Spring Campout was more of an adventure. Sometimes, we have crappy weather, sometimes we don’t. I think this conversation stemmed from the thought that maybe the crappy weather was too crappy, too many times. I will always remember the year that Kelly King and I threw on rain gear, and went hiking for some caches while at a Spring Campout. Now fast forward to the fall picnic. I don’t remember a bad weather picnic. Later in the year, the weather is just better. Personally I enjoy the adventure of the crappy weather. It makes for great stories. It’s like finding a T5 cache, it’s probably going to be story-worthy. I think the thought was that swapping around would make it more appealing. Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn’t. But one thing I am really excited about is that we seemed to have started a conversation on here. In my opinion, it’s really difficult to get our members to speak their mind about these things. Whether we change it or we don’t, it’s nice to see a conversation started. Too, often the board doesn’t get enough feedback and it’s tough to make sure we are doing what our members want. Remember this is your Association.
The views expressed here are that of myself only and do not necessarily represent that of the WGA board.
One other point that I noticed while on the BODs (as well as on media) is that many attendees of both Events want to CAMP at both Events. This limits the choice of venues for the Picnic, although it shouldn’t. Almost every year, a member is asking ‘who is camping for the picnic?’. Perhaps a spring Campout and a fall Picnic/Campout is in order, with the poll running at 50/50.
We have made the campout the last few years but never the pic nic, mostly because its hard to justify the travel time if we’re not staying the whole weekend. We prefer fall camping over spring as typically its dryer in the fall and then we dont have to worry about wet babies, dogs, and gear. And in the last few years it has ben wet for the campout and beautiful for the picnic. If im going to tough out bad weather I would rather it be for one day than a whole weekend of sleeping in a tent, trying to cook around a fire in the rain, trying to chase a todler in the mud, bringing wet dogs to sleep in the tent. Though having the group shelter at the campout has been a life saver!
The spring campout has been fun, but the weather has not been fun. We go almost every year and we do not enjoy camping in a tent in the rain. The weather in the fall is more amenable to tent camping. I would prefer switching the events. They do not have to be on the exact same weekends every year, but the most important thing for me is a long advance notice. I have already booked campsites/cabins for my main trips for 2020. When I don’t hear about the locations until a month or two in advance it is pretty certain that I won’t be able to make it.
The wording on the poll is a bit questionable. “Should the BOD consider swapping…”
Should they consider it? Sure! It’s always good to evaluate. But the better question is “Should the BOD swap the picnic and the campout.” I would say yes to the 1st question but no to the 2nd question. But the way the question is currently worded is not as helpful.
We haven’t been able to make either event the past few years for various reasons. Sometimes we camp, sometimes we don’t. At both of them. We are hardy camping stock, however, since the bulk of our camping is primitive and often 1750s period correct….sometimes in winter under a heavy snowfall.
So we probably aren’t the best people to ask. [;)]
I prefer spring camping to fall camping. The WGA campout is usually my first outing of the year… I do have a pop up so it does make it easier but I prefer leaving history as our founding BODS have set it up. Either way its either mosquitos in the fall or ticks in the spring. We are going to find them or they are going to find us. Weather in WI changes drastically per season… the last fest campouts have been wet and cold, but September is definitely hotter and busier. WI tourist season is at peak in August or September, while in May most people are just starting to make plans while the snow is still melting.
My opinion, leave it as it is, I enjoy the peaceful camping before tourist season in WI kicks in. Not only tourists, in August and September, you are looking at more hunting seasons that are open. Safety of the cachers go into different WI dnr properties when hunting puts more people at risk if they are out searching for caches for a weekend versus one day.
The wording on the poll is a bit questionable. “Should the BOD consider swapping…” Should they consider it? Sure! It’s always good to evaluate. But the better question is “Should the BOD swap the picnic and the campout.” I would say yes to the 1st question but no to the 2nd question. But the way the question is currently worded is not as helpful.
More of an agenda item to consider at the annual BOD meeting in two months based on responses here and social media.
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
-Henry David Thoreau
The wording on the poll is a bit questionable. “Should the BOD consider swapping…” Should they consider it? Sure! It’s always good to evaluate. But the better question is “Should the BOD swap the picnic and the campout.” I would say yes to the 1st question but no to the 2nd question. But the way the question is currently worded is not as helpful.
In that case, please look at the intent of the poll question and don’t overthink the wording. I think that it is abundantly clear what the intent of the poll is.
All opinions, comments, and useless drivel I post are mine alone and do not reflect the opinions of the WGA BOD.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.