Spring Car Camping at Sandbanks (June 10-12) (6/10/2016)

INTRODUCTION
The tradition of TOC's annual spring camping trip returns! For the past five years we've brought around 50 people to Sandbanks Provincial Park in beautiful Prince Edward County: let's try it again. This trip provides a chance for a sizable crew of us to get together for a bit of adventure. The dynamics of that many people provides a great opportunity for a boisterous and fun time.

Just like last year, we've the large group site at Sandbanks booked. This will allow us to park as many cars, set up as many tents as we need, and have less restriction on noise ;) The usual negative is that we are slightly farther from the beaches and showers, and we might sleep less!

SANDBANKS & PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
Sandbanks itself is most famous for its three excellent beaches. But it's much more, offering kayak and canoe rentals as well as short hiking trails on site; the county at large is an amazing area for cycling too (and likewise Bicycle rentals are available, though not directly in the park).
Pretty much my favourite bakery in the world is in Bloomfield, and I'll be visiting once or twice during the weekend (if I tell you my favourite thing, I'm afraid there will be none left for me...!) Near that bakery is also an amazing local ice cream producer. Similarly, the entire region is dotted with wineries, a cidery, a brewery, a distillery, and a cheese factory (those are certainly a bike or car trip away though).

For a little more information on the park and area see the PE C site and the Parks Ontario site for Sandbanks.

Expect us to organize at least one or two pick- up games of Ultimate or Soccer during the weekend. Largely because we want to play :)

FOOD
With a group this large, meals will be 'every camper for themselves'. However:

• we'll encourage you to team up with your carpool mates for food, or with other friends in the group
• for anyone interested, we always host an enormous potluck on Saturday night which is a highlight

EQUIPMENT
If you lack the right equipment, don't worry! Many people have spare equipment or tent space. We'll work out the specifics in subsequent emails. In the mean time, have a look at the checklists here on the TOC site.

COST
This site has a base cost of $155.38 with an additional "$4.80 per person per night" and "$3.96 per car per night". Carpool costs will be tallied as usual. Additionally, I'll be collecting a small levy for communal firewood amongst the group. Expect $2. This is likely to mean approximately $15/person for the communal camping costs + $35 for carpool and parking costs (if you choose to participate in the carpool).

Money will be collected at the site.

IMPORTANT: This year I'm not collecting any costs up front. I'll be sending a survey out around two weeks before the event, and you filling out the survey and returning it to me is how I'll gauge your commitment to coming. Because this is a large group, organizing it is more difficult - please take choosing to sign-up seriously. Five years ago when the forecast called for rain a lot of people suddenly had sick grandmothers with orphan puppies to look after in the final 2-3 days leading up to the event -- reorganizing carpools is tough. This event continues rain or shine. Please be kind, I'll try to reciprocate :)

OTHER QUESTIONS
Email and ask ;)

• If we are short carpool drivers, those on the waiting list indicating they are willing to drive may be given priority.