Young adults fellowship
The Net's Annual Big Bend 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. 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. 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. Big 8-10 man house tents are NOT advisable for this trip. Their ceilings are so high that the heat in the tent will not be on the floor where everyone is sleeping but rather dissapates to/through the ceiling. Summer tents with lots of uncloseable vents are also not advisable. Correspondence and updates: We rely on email to update the group before our departure. Begin watching your email closely from Dec.1st 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.
Rugged Winter campout!!
Jan. 5-8, Thursday - Sunday
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!
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.
ITINERARY:
Pre-Itinerary:
Tuesday Jan. 3rd 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.
Tuesday Jan. 3rd 7:00pm 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.
Thursday: 4:30am Early organizers arrive
Wake up calls begin.
5:00am EVERYONE has arrived.
5:30am. Departure time.
DO NOT arrive at 5:30am
4:00pm Arrive in Big Bend Set up camp.
6:00pm– 8:00pmDinner- in groups
8:30pm Orientation meeting
9:00pm Night hike, navigation - "Mantracker" game!
Friday:6:45amBreakfast preparation
7:30amBreakfast 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
Saturday: 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
Sunday:7:30am Breakfast preparation
8:15amBreakfast served
9:00amset 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-medium back pack (not a single strap)_____Sturdy tennis shoes/hiking boots preferred
(no worn out shoes! - they will fall apart!) _____Thermal socks or thick cotton socks
_____Thermal underwear (optional)
_____hand and foot warmers (cheap @ Academy) _____Camp/tent heater – (optional)
We will bring heaters. They are about $65 at Academy – buy the Coleman 3000 BTU catalytic heater - safe for tents!)
_____Pillow
_____Towel, toiletries etc.
_____Warm winter jacket (layering can work)
_____Winter cap (cover ears)
_____Ski gloves/warm gloves
_____Hiking gloves for rocky areas
(optional -if you go off trail)
_____flashlight
_____raincoat (small packaged)
_____compass/GPS – optional
Trip Fee: $125! Full balance must be paid no later than Tuesday Dec 20th. Late registration is $150 if FULL balance is paid by Dec. 30th. 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. We will be eating out each night and this is not included in the fee. At a minimum you will need an additional $30 for meals out for 4 nights. Pack travel food for the first day of travel! Camper’s survey form: Within about three weeks before the trip you will receive a camper’s survey by email or by website link. 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 want 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! 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. Fee Schedule summary and deadlines:
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 prepared to take 70 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)
To insure harmony we require the following:
Ø Christian music only
ØApproved vehicles only on the trip
ØNo coupling off or public displays of affection
(except for married couples)
ØEveryone shares the work assignments
ØApproved vehicles only on the trip
ØNo earphones when hiking
ØEveryone shares the work assignments
ØOff-trail hiking - no less than threesomes
ØHiking teams must log out
ØEveryone participates in group activities
ØNo tobacco, alcohol, or firearms permitted
(unless CHL please notify PG if intent to carry)
ØDo not be possessive of a particular seat
in the vehicle – move around!
ØAll drivers must have an alternate driver and
switch from time to time
ØParticipants must wear seat belts
Ø No whining
ØHave fun!
Registration is restricted to ages of 17-30 (unless otherwise permitted). Please do not register if you are outside of this age range.
Regular Fee $125 balance due Tues Dec 20th
Late sign up $150 balance due Fri Dec.30th
