Post by bsimon615 on Nov 6, 2023 13:58:32 GMT -6
The Weather and Star Gaze Attendance
We hold the Deep South at this time of year because statistically it gives us the best chance of good weather when it is not too hot or too cold and with less issue with mosquitoes and other insects. We cannot forecast the weather or change any weather events that we get. That’s one reason why the Deep South Star Gaze stretches over 5 nights.
Invariably almost every year someone who has registered for the Deep South Star Gaze or the Deep South Spring Scrimmage writes or calls and asks about “refunds” for the event. Additionally from my reading and conversations with other event organizers the same is true at other star parties. The organizers of all other star parties that I have had conversations with have said that the policy regarding refunds is virtually universal. The policy is basically - “No refunds after our “early registration” deadline. In our case that was October 27th. This is why we encourage people to plan ahead and to be flexible. For a 5 night event, register and pay lodging for just two or three nights and be open to shifting your attendance dates chasing the better weather dates. If your dates shift to the early part of the star gaze and the weather is still good later in the week you can always extend your stay and pay for the extra days.
Keep in mind too that our Deep South Star Gaze, like other organized star parties, is more than just observing under clear skies at night. We have programs during the day, typically on Friday and Saturday. We do have some flexibility to add more programs and/or DVD presentations and some movies. A lot of the star gaze is about reconnecting with friends that you have not seen for a year, working on projects, taking day trips to see the sights in the area, etc., etc.
Registration fees go toward expenses related to the star gaze, primarily our door prize costs, and that money is already spent for some very nice prizes that will be awarded.
Accommodation costs are for the time and effort put into the event by Carol Nicaud and other White Horse staff to include cost of food, grass cutting, and the price of utilities and bunk house supplies as well as clean up costs.
Refunds are only issued if the Deep South Star Gaze is cancelled via mutual decision by the venue and the Deep South Star Gaze itself.
Note – for those that included fees for an evening meal at White Horse – the evening meal will now be “more or less” stadium type food (burgers, hot dogs, chili, fries or chips, a dessert, and lemonade or tea.) This will be served at about 5 pm. This willl give all a bit more time to get back out under the darkening sky before it is completely dark. I intend to give cash refunds to those that paid for meals. You can then pay for the evening meals that you want when you get it. (A hamburger meal will cost $12 and a two hot dog meal will cost $10)
We hold the Deep South at this time of year because statistically it gives us the best chance of good weather when it is not too hot or too cold and with less issue with mosquitoes and other insects. We cannot forecast the weather or change any weather events that we get. That’s one reason why the Deep South Star Gaze stretches over 5 nights.
Invariably almost every year someone who has registered for the Deep South Star Gaze or the Deep South Spring Scrimmage writes or calls and asks about “refunds” for the event. Additionally from my reading and conversations with other event organizers the same is true at other star parties. The organizers of all other star parties that I have had conversations with have said that the policy regarding refunds is virtually universal. The policy is basically - “No refunds after our “early registration” deadline. In our case that was October 27th. This is why we encourage people to plan ahead and to be flexible. For a 5 night event, register and pay lodging for just two or three nights and be open to shifting your attendance dates chasing the better weather dates. If your dates shift to the early part of the star gaze and the weather is still good later in the week you can always extend your stay and pay for the extra days.
Keep in mind too that our Deep South Star Gaze, like other organized star parties, is more than just observing under clear skies at night. We have programs during the day, typically on Friday and Saturday. We do have some flexibility to add more programs and/or DVD presentations and some movies. A lot of the star gaze is about reconnecting with friends that you have not seen for a year, working on projects, taking day trips to see the sights in the area, etc., etc.
Registration fees go toward expenses related to the star gaze, primarily our door prize costs, and that money is already spent for some very nice prizes that will be awarded.
Accommodation costs are for the time and effort put into the event by Carol Nicaud and other White Horse staff to include cost of food, grass cutting, and the price of utilities and bunk house supplies as well as clean up costs.
Refunds are only issued if the Deep South Star Gaze is cancelled via mutual decision by the venue and the Deep South Star Gaze itself.
Note – for those that included fees for an evening meal at White Horse – the evening meal will now be “more or less” stadium type food (burgers, hot dogs, chili, fries or chips, a dessert, and lemonade or tea.) This will be served at about 5 pm. This willl give all a bit more time to get back out under the darkening sky before it is completely dark. I intend to give cash refunds to those that paid for meals. You can then pay for the evening meals that you want when you get it. (A hamburger meal will cost $12 and a two hot dog meal will cost $10)
