The Net - young adults ministry

The Net - young adults ministry - Upcoming Trips

Big Bend Rugged Winter Campout
January 2-5, 2009 Saturday - Tuesday

READ THIS FIRST: If you are interested in this trip, please read the following information very carefully before you contact Pastor Glenn with your questions! Most of your questions are answered right here! “When are we leaving?” “What time do I arrive?” “What do I need to bring?” “How much does it cost?” This deadline and that deadline etc. Imagine what it is like to have 60 people asking you the same redundant questions, when all they had to do is read this information. Also, please do not expect us to “save” you a place on the trip without a deposit.

Our most popular trip: The Net young adults are headed for Big Bend National Park for the annual rugged winter campout! This is the most popular trip that the Net takes each year! This is for those that like challenging adventure. The trip will be relationship-rich, inspirational and fun. It involves lots of hiking. The trip is for young adults who are 17 to 30 years old. The minimum age is 17. We will be gone 4 days and 3 nights. We will live a week of life in 4 days!

Big Bend National Park is a very large regional and mountainous park. It combines a desert landscape and canyons with pine forests in the higher mountains. It is very beautiful and gnarly and exiting all at the same time. The size and scope and the risks associated with this park are vast compared to Enchanted Rock. There are no hospitals within 70 miles! To insure everyone's safety we have done extensive planning and preparation for the trip. Big Bend National Park is located about 540 miles West of Corpus Christi.

Rugged conditions! PLEASE read carefully. The weather in Big Bend can be very cold and it can change suddenly. We will be camping at an altitude of a mile high (the same altitude as Denver!) It is very important that you prepare adequately for this trip so that you do not end up being miserable. We might be fortunate and get unseasonably mild and clear weather (as we often seem to get!). Please don’t count on it - don't count on snow either! Properly prepared, you can be reasonably comfortable in temperatures in the teens! We are going on the trip no matter what the forecast. So be prepared. The group campsites have heated bathrooms (YAY!). There are no showers (bummer). We will have one shower stop on the last night. (save up your quarters). There is no cell phone reception and no Wi-Fi! There is a pay phone nearby.

The trip this year is not as rugged as it has been in previous years. We will be eating in staggered groups in the Park Restaurant each night. Also, going without showers for a couple of nights is really not so bad. You will be able to wash up in the heated bathroom. Because of the higher altitude and because it is so cold and dry you will simply not perspire the same as you do in Corpus.

Team hiking and camper’s survey: The trip is organized around designated teams. Each team is made up of usually 6-7 people. Small groups, dinner meals, and hiking are all done by teams. We will make every effort to place you with a group that is suitable for you and with someone that you know. We want everyone to have an enjoyable trip! For safety reasons and to insure a great experience for you, it is important that you fill out the form thoroughly and honestly. On the third day the teams can be re-combined.

Equipment: If you don’t have some of the essentials on the list below and cannot afford to buy them or you cannot find someone to borrow from then please let us know. We can help you! Some of us (NOT EVERYONE) will need to bring tents and vehicles. You will note your capabilities and limitations on the survey form. We will monitor the inventory as noted on the form you fill out.

Correspondence and updates: We rely on email to update the group before our departure. Begin watching your email closely from Dec.1^st until the day we leave. Surveys will be sent out around the beginning of December.

When you sign up, you are agreeing to abide by the trip rules. DO NOT plan to bring your vehicle unless it is approved for this trip.

ITINERARY:
Pre-Itinerary: Monday Dec 28^th 7:30pm brief orientation, pre-loading, everyone bring bulky stuff, sleeping bag, pads etc. to the Net. This orientation is required for people that are not experienced camping in the winter.

Tuesday Dec. 29^th 4:30pm Sam’s Club. Major shopping event for the trip. Eight – ten volunteers needed! After shopping we will organize groceries at The Net building.

Saturday: 4:30am Early organizers arrive
Wake up calls as a backup.

                 5:00am   EVERYONE arrives.
                 5:30am. Departure time.
                 DO NOT arrive at 5:30am
                 4:00pm   Arrive in Big Bend Set up camp.

6:00pm – 8:00pm Dinner - in groups

8:30pm Orientation meeting
9:00pm Night hike, navigation game

Sunday: 6:45am Breakfast preparation

7:30am Breakfast served

                 8:30am Set up lunch table
                 9:00am Hit the trail
                 9:30 small groups devotional
             full hiking day for everyone
                 5:30 – 8:00pm Dinner out - in groups
                 9:00pm group meeting

Monday: 6:45am Breakfast preparation

7:30am Breakfast served

                 8:30am Set up lunch table
                 9:00am – 4:00pm Hit the trail
                 9:30 small groups - morning devotion
                  (shortened hiking day)
   Option: 2 hour day hike and pm scenic canyon tour

                                    and hot springs
                 4:30pm   depart for showers
                 5:30 -6:00pm one group to Canyon, one
                             group to showers
                 700 – 9:00(?) Staggered groups to dinner
                    (as showers are completed)
                 9:30pm group meeting

Tuesday: 7:30am Breakfast preparation

8:15am Breakfast served

                 9:00am set up lunch table for the road
                    Pack up and clean camp
                 10:00am Group meeting
                 11:00am group photo
                 11:30am leave Big Bend
                  Arrive CC late Sunday night

What to bring: (please use this checklist!)

_____any outstanding balance

_____travel food for the road – no meal stop
(avoid caffeine!)

_____Cash – $30-$50 for 4 dinners and misc.

_____Sleeping pad – insulates from cold ground
(extremely important)

_____0-20 deg rated sleeping bag

_____Extra blanket

_____Small back pack (not a single strap)

_____canteen (optional)

_____Sturdy tennis shoes/hiking boots preferred

(no worn out shoes! - they will fall apart!)

_____Thermal socks or thick cotton socks

_____Thermal underwear

_____hand and foot warmers (cheap @ Academy)

_____Camp/tent heater – (optional)
(about $50 at Academy)

_____Pillow

_____Towel, toiletries etc.

_____Warm winter jacket

_____Winter cap (cover ears)

_____Ski gloves/warm gloves

_____flashlight

_____raincoat (small packaged)

_____compass/GPS – optional

_____papers/passport (if not US Citizen)

_____ jeans/long pants – do not expect to wear shorts

_____camera

_____compact Bible
_____a friend

_____good attitude

REGISTRATION

Trip Fee: $120 if FULL balance paid on or before Friday Dec. 18^th. Late registration is $140 if FULL balance is paid after Dec. 18^th. Everyone must bring additional spending money for four dinners out, for road food, and other misc. needs. We recommend no less than $30 but ideally $45.

Trip fees include: Transportation costs, park entry fees, campsite fees, breakfast and lunch and snacks for three days. Not included: We will be eating out each night and this is not included in fees. At a minimum you will need an additional $30 for meals out for 4 nights. Pack travel food for the first day of travel!

Cancellations: Any cancellations or no-shows the day of or the day before the trip will forfeit their entire trip fee. Otherwise, if we are notified in advance of your cancellation, your money can be refunded minus your $40 deposit if you request it.

Sign-up: Everyone will be reserving there place on a first come first serve basis. You are registered and your place on the trip is reserved ONLY when you pay the non-refundable $40 deposit. This deposit is applied toward your total cost. We are planning to take 60 people and we expect this trip to fill up – space is limited! NO ONE is reserved without a deposit. What if you change your mind and loose your deposit? Consider it a donation to a great ministry! (Deposits are non-transferrable – you can’t give it or designate it to a friend)

Camper’s survey form: Within about three weeks before the trip you will receive a camper’s survey by email. It is required. Fill it out completely and return by email. Please be honest when filling it out. DO NOT tell us what you hope to be athletically or where you were 6 months ago! Tell us where you are now. You do NOT want to be on a team that is not suitable for you just because you think it might be cool. The realities will catch up to you!

Sponsorships: If you are wanting to go on this trip but are not going purely because of the finances then talk to Pastor Glenn. It is possible that some of your trip could be paid for by special donations!

In registering you agree to the following:

To insure harmony we require the following:
Ø       No coupling off or public displays of affection
               (except for married couples)
Ø       Christian music only
Ø       Approved vehicles only on the trip
Ø       Everyone shares the work assignments
Ø       Off-trail hiking - no less than threesome
Ø       Everyone participates in group activities
Ø          No tobacco, alcohol, or firearms permitted
        (unless CHL please notify PG if intent to carry)
Ø          Do not be possessive of a particular seat
          in the vehicle – move around!
Ø         All drivers must have an alternate driver and
          switch from time to time
Ø       No whining
Ø       Have fun!

For budgeting you will need
to add at least $30 to the true
cost of the trip for meals out.
Registration is restricted to
ages of 17-30. Please do not
register if you are outside
of this age range.

       Make your payment here
            (link to donations page)

Fee Schedule summary and deadlines:
Regular Fee  $120 full balance due by Friday Dec.18^thLate sign up  $140 full balance due by Thurs. Dec. 31st