Perseids Meteor Shower Watching at Elk Island National Park - Fri, Aug 14 2015, Sat, Aug 15 2015

Perseids Meteor Shower Watching at Elk Island National Park (8/14/2015)

PRE-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. After you sign up at the bottom, you will be presented with information about how to pay. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:

Event Type:

Overnight

Event Location:

Elk Island National Park

Date(s) & Time:

Fri, Aug 14 2015, Sat, Aug 15 2015 6:30 PM

Registration Cut Off:

Tue, Aug 11 2015 6:00:00 AM

Event Duration:

Overnight

Difficulty Rating:

D2: Easy to Moderate

Event Coordinator(s):

Ryan
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Member Cost:

$15.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 18 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

13 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Yes

Itinerary:

On August 12, the Pers eids Meteor Shower will reach its peak. As I'm sure everyone is aware, the Perseids meteor shower can be quite a spectacular show. Even better, there is a new moon this year on August 14th, which will enhance our ability to see meteors (assuming of course that the skies are clear). Elk Island Park, which is a dark sky preserve, is a perfect place for meteor viewing.

The plan for this trip is very simple: Travel out to Elk Island on Friday evening and set up camp at the Sandy Beach campground by Astotin Lake. During the evening we'll socialize around a campfire, and late in the evening we'll wander over to the Astotin Lake beach to watch this awesome celestial show. Make sure to bring something comfortable to lie on (a towel, blanket, perhaps a pillow; there are lots of picnic tables at the beach, which are ideal if you don't want to lie down in the sand).

Expect to be getting back to camp relatively late (possibly after midnight) after stargazing. Make sure that you dress warmly (in layers). Even though this event is planned for late summer, we will be away from our campsite, and the late evening/early morning air could get rather chilly. Flash photography and any other forms of white lights (flashlights with regular white light) should not be used when we are stargazing; red light is preferable, and if you can manage to find some red cellophane, you can convert any flashlight into something appropriate for an evening of stargazing.

Of course, stargazing is weather dependent. Assuming that weather conditions are completely inappropriate, the camping will go ahead (please bear in mind that I am potentially on the hook for a non-refundable $11 fee for any campsites that I have to cancel). So if it just appears that the weather will be too cloudy for stargazing, I expect that we'll still have a really enjoyable evening of sitting around the fire.

I am planning to book 3 campsites at the Sandy Beach campground in Elk Island National Park. Maximum occupancy is 2 tents/6 people per site. Please let me know in advance if you have a tent you can bring and if there is a person that you intend to share a tent with.

Given the proximity of Elk Island Park to the city, my own preference is to drive straight to Elk Island Park right after work on August 14th. If you are interested in carpooling (or if you don't have access to a car), please let me know - I will certainly attempt to make arrangements for those who need them.

Required Items to Bring:
Parks pass or money for park entry ($19.60/car; $7.80 per person per night)
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Food

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Binoculars or Telescope
Star chart (you may be able to find one at www.skymaps.com)
Warm jacket
Toque, gloves/mittens (in case it gets really cold!)
Something to lie on (e.g. thermarest/towel/blanket/pillow)

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Take the Yellowhead Highway east out of Edmonton. Travel east on Highway 16/Yellowhead approximately 20km past Ardrossen. Turn left to enter the park. Follow the main road through the park to the Sandy Beach Campground at Astotin Lake.

Notes:

- Registration is NOT COMPLETE until you've signed up and paid by the registration cut off date. The money must be in the EOC's possession by that date. No exceptions.
- When a minimum group size appears, this is to let you know that the event will be cancelled with refunds to those who have already paid, if the minimum number of registered participants is not met. For any events where EOC needs a minimum number of participants, there will be absolutely no refunds of money if you cancel.
- We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines at all times while participating in EOC events.
- Please scroll through and read the entire online waiver when you sign up.
- Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.

Cost & Payment:

Member Cost:

$15.00/Person

Cost Includes:

Camping fees/fire permit/reservation fees for Sandy Beach Campground

(The actual costs depend on the number of people participating - if we get a full group, the cost is $11.33 per person, while in the worst case scenario the cost is $15.10 per person. If there is a large discrepancy, I may either provide everyone a partial refund, or will contribute the extra funds as a donation to the club).

Payment Cut Off:

Payment must be received by the EOC on Tue, Aug 11 2015.

Make a Payment:

Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!