Post by bsimon615 on Nov 27, 2018 7:42:03 GMT -6
Really the title should be "Do we attempt a Deep South Spring Scrimmage in 2019 or do we try to do something at "White Horse" last minute based upon weather forecasts?
Arguments can be made for both (or either) and part of the decision is based upon what the requirements are for our use of "White Horse" or any venue.
Note - at the Feliciana Retreat Center we could never be guaranteed "exclusive use" for the Spring Scrimmage based upon our numbers, but in spite of low numbers (under 30 and often under 20) we typically had exclusive use but not always. At "White Horse" we are supposed to have at least 25 per night in the bunk houses but we were not able to do that during the recent DSSG (on each night our bunk count ranged from 14 to 24). I do not think that is a major issue if no other group wants to use the site. (Rules can be bent.) However we would be restricted to a sleeping arrangement based upon our numbers. Might be the main bunkhouse or even two bunkhouses, all depends on the numbers. Additionally meals may not be available for us (but perhaps we could have the nightly "snack bar" with burgers, etc. No big deal really as the Country Diner is just 4.5 miles away and we could do that for a meal around 11 to 2 pm every day.
If we do either of the above two options the dates that fit based upon the Moon Phase include:
Thursday 4/4 to Sunday 4/7/19 - note that these dates do conflict with the Mid-South Star Gaze at French Camp, MS
or
Thursday 5/2 to Sunday 5/5/19 - note that these dates do conflict with the Texas Star Party at the Prude Ranch in Ft. Davis, TX
For both the Deep South Spring Scrimmage and/or the Deep South Star Gaze to survive (we have now held 36 DSSG's - it is the oldest annual star party in the southeastern United States) we need to attract more attendees and more attendees need to attend for the duration of the event. I do understand completely that we are at the mercy of the weather and that is something that we cannot predict months in advance. Everyone who has seen the potential of "White Horse" either at the Trial Run or at one of several times at the recent DSSG when we had clear skies needs to convey that to others.
One strong selling point that we have for the Spring Scrimmage that I will point out and advertise to others is that the Spring Scrimmage is held at an ideal time for viewing the largest of globular clusters - Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) At White Horse we have low horizons and very little in the way of a light dome to the south. Our event is at the right time of year and we have the sky to see Omega Centauri well. This could be a major incentive for the Spring Scrimmage.
In any event, think about the potential ways we can handle this - please post opinions on whether we should lock in dates now and gamble on the weather or whether we should just watch the weather and try to book in last minute based upon the weather. The second option may find us without a venue and it may exclude some that have to put in for vacation time weeks if not months in advance.
Barry
Arguments can be made for both (or either) and part of the decision is based upon what the requirements are for our use of "White Horse" or any venue.
Note - at the Feliciana Retreat Center we could never be guaranteed "exclusive use" for the Spring Scrimmage based upon our numbers, but in spite of low numbers (under 30 and often under 20) we typically had exclusive use but not always. At "White Horse" we are supposed to have at least 25 per night in the bunk houses but we were not able to do that during the recent DSSG (on each night our bunk count ranged from 14 to 24). I do not think that is a major issue if no other group wants to use the site. (Rules can be bent.) However we would be restricted to a sleeping arrangement based upon our numbers. Might be the main bunkhouse or even two bunkhouses, all depends on the numbers. Additionally meals may not be available for us (but perhaps we could have the nightly "snack bar" with burgers, etc. No big deal really as the Country Diner is just 4.5 miles away and we could do that for a meal around 11 to 2 pm every day.
If we do either of the above two options the dates that fit based upon the Moon Phase include:
Thursday 4/4 to Sunday 4/7/19 - note that these dates do conflict with the Mid-South Star Gaze at French Camp, MS
or
Thursday 5/2 to Sunday 5/5/19 - note that these dates do conflict with the Texas Star Party at the Prude Ranch in Ft. Davis, TX
For both the Deep South Spring Scrimmage and/or the Deep South Star Gaze to survive (we have now held 36 DSSG's - it is the oldest annual star party in the southeastern United States) we need to attract more attendees and more attendees need to attend for the duration of the event. I do understand completely that we are at the mercy of the weather and that is something that we cannot predict months in advance. Everyone who has seen the potential of "White Horse" either at the Trial Run or at one of several times at the recent DSSG when we had clear skies needs to convey that to others.
One strong selling point that we have for the Spring Scrimmage that I will point out and advertise to others is that the Spring Scrimmage is held at an ideal time for viewing the largest of globular clusters - Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) At White Horse we have low horizons and very little in the way of a light dome to the south. Our event is at the right time of year and we have the sky to see Omega Centauri well. This could be a major incentive for the Spring Scrimmage.
In any event, think about the potential ways we can handle this - please post opinions on whether we should lock in dates now and gamble on the weather or whether we should just watch the weather and try to book in last minute based upon the weather. The second option may find us without a venue and it may exclude some that have to put in for vacation time weeks if not months in advance.
Barry