The ice is out! We have dates!
Saturday, April 14
Saturday, April 21
Saturday, May 19
All students are welcome to the May 19 outing, but it is in Seniors Week so that our graduating River Runners should have minimal scheduling conflicts. On this restoration, we make a special appeal to the parents to come along and see what their young-uns have been up to! Parents do not have to haul stone or logs unless they really want to. I will feed them, so long as they sign-up in advance.
Meet:
We leave at 9 AM from Neils Science Center faculty parking lot (greenhouse side)
What to wear/bring:
rain gear (maybe), warm clothing (maybe), old shoes, long pants, high socks (take your shoes off, tuck your pants legs into your socks, step into your waders provided by Davis), Polaroids*, hat with a brim*, dry towel and change of clothing (The Buddy System: chances are if one person in three has a change of clothing, we will have enough for the few who do fall in.)
*If you have them, bring them; but don’t buy them just for this.
What not to bring:
Boom box, alcohol, pets
Major Hazards:
Poison ivy, sunburn, mosquitoes, dropping your cell phone in the creek.
What Davis provides:
Sun block, insect repellent, water, pop, Ice tea, sandwiches (or the like) for lunch, fruit, snacks, bratwurst (or the like) for dinner, zip lock baggies for cell phones, waders, equipment, supplies, maps, directions & encouragement.
When do we get back?
After dinner, usually before dark.
What if the doctor says I shouldn’t lift anything?
Then for goodness sakes, don’t lift anything! If you just stand and watch and learn about the river, then I count that as a valuable experience. If you can’t walk far, you can usually ride with Joe. He can’t walk far either.
How do I sign up?
Send Davis an e-mail (Grayson.Davis@Valpo.edu) telling him:
A) Your name or names;
B) Whether or not you can drive & how many you can carry
C) Any dietary requirement (Most religious, ethical or physiological dietary requirements can be accommodated. If not, I will let you know beforehand, and ask you to bring your own food. Fussy eaters will be ridiculed, unless I can have your pickles.)
If the list becomes too long, I will stop accepting names.
Waivers:
These activities are not particularly hazardous, but every participant must sign a waiver. Knock on wood – no serious injuries so far.
Can my siblings, roommates, parents attend? They will/will not do river work.
Sure, if they sign a waiver. If they want to be fed, they had better sign up, too.
Drivers
Drivers must be safe drivers who obey all traffic regulations. For every FULL car of signed up STUDENT participants who stay the entire restoration, the Biology Club offers an expenses reimbursement check. Depending on the numbers, we MAY reimburse ONE partially full car. For trips to Cobus Park, the amount will be $35. Send Davis an e-mail telling him who was in your car, and the date of the restoration. The checks will be ready about a week after the restoration and can be picked up in Davis office: Neils Science Center 303C. You have to sign a form saying you’ve been paid.
Can I meet you there?
Sure, if you sign a waiver. If you want to be fed, you need to sign up.
