Forwarded from the R7 Yahoo Group:

Hello everyone,

Wayne has asked that I extend the Awards deadline until April 7. So please forward you entries by that time. Thanks!

Doris Hutley
Awards Director

Forwarded from the R7 Yahoo Group:

As we’re just under two months out from the 2014 Trek Olympics (and USS Richthofen 15th Anniversary celebration), I thought it was time to put out my annual infodump.

What: Trek Olympics 2014
Where: Patapsco State Park Hollofield Area, Site 301
When: Saturday, May 17th, 10:30AM until dusk

For those of you who are new to the Trek Olympics concept… it was started years ago by the (now decommissioned) USS Triton as a day of fun and frivolity. Teams from different regional ships would compete in goofy field games for fortune and glory. Or maybe pride and honor. Or really, just fun.

Several years ago, I thought it would be fun if my chapter and the USS Pride of Baltimore (risen out of the ashes of the old Triton) could revive the party. And we did, and it was fun!

We’re not sure what games we’ll be playing yet this year, but in general the games are things that most anyone can participate in, such as shooting nerf guns and egg tosses (two of our favorite games!)

So… with that in mind… we’d love to break our record of 6 chapters represented this year! Don’t worry if you don’t have enough people to form a team of three or four, there are usually plenty of extra folks around to help out.

Also, I’ll be coordinating the potluck picnic aspect of the games in another few weeks. If you’re traveling a distance, there are definitely options you can sign up for that aren’t gloppy food or require a cooler. We also happily accept money to help offset the costs of buying the meats/buns/grill stuff.

PLEASE DO RSVP, so we have an accurate headcount of how many burgers and dogs to purchase. Even if you’re just a maybe. We won’t need a firm headcount until the week of the event.

If you have special dietary needs, please consider bringing your own food. If that’s inconvenient, then let me know and we’ll work something out. I don’t mind buying a box of veggie burgers if need-be for someone driving down from Jersey.

If you have a food allergy that I’m unaware of, please let me know. I don’t want anyone digging into the crab dip (if I decide to make it) that has a shellfish allergy and thinks it’s regular chip dip!

Also, please remember that there is a FEE for entering the park, even though the event itself is free. It’s $3/person, out-of-state residents $5/person, and that’s set by the park service. That’s an all-day fee, so if you need to leave and return for whatever reason, just hold on to your receipt.

Now for the info bomb. If you’ve attended in years prior, you’ll probably know all this already and may just want to stop here.

– Trek Olympics is an alcohol-free event. We have to pay extra to the park to get a beer permit, and anyway, the day is for having fun and playing the games, not getting drunk. If you smuggle in beer and get caught by the rangers, I’ve never seen you before in my life.

– This is a family-friendly event. If we get enough kids, we’ll run some separate kid games. If not, there’s a playground nearby, ballfields, and we can always look into putting together a scavenger hunt or trivia contest for the kids. Please supervise your own children at all times, it’s a big park and it’s easy for someone to just wander off.

– Leashed dogs are welcome in the park. Please provide your own food/water/bowls/poo bags. There are sinks in the rest rooms with running water to fill bowls.

– There is a brick-and-mortar bathroom with flushing toilets and running water a very short walk from our site. There is also ample parking next to the site and access ramps to both the site and the restrooms for the disabled.

– Our pavilion holds 100 people and is massive. The event is rain or shine, unless we’re getting a hurricane. A weather call, if one needs to happen, will happen 24 hours or so before the event.

– Please dress for the weather. We do have electric hookups for fans. Bring your own folding chairs if you don’t like to sit at picnic tables.

– If you do bring anything electric that needs to be plugged in (fans, crockpots, etc), please bring a labeled extension cord. I’ll have a couple power strips.

– Some of our games are messy, so you may want to bring a change of clothes as well.

– Don’t forget your sunblock, bug spray, hats, and any medication you need to take during the day. If you have allergies that require you to carry an epipen, please let me know (and let me know what you’re allergic to) so I can pass that info along to my medical staff.

– If you’re driving in from out of town and need a hotel recommendation, please let me know. Hotels in the BWI airport region are within a comfortable driving distance from the park.

And I think that’s it. If you have any other questions/comments/concerns that I haven’t addressed, feel free to drop me an email at co@ussredbaron.org or trekkieturtle@gmail.com, as that’s really the best way to get ahold of me. Make sure you put “Trek Olympics” in the subject line so it’s easy for me to find.

Hoping to see many of you there!
Karen

Just a friendly reminder that award entries are due by March 31st, which is a week away. Good Luck to everyone!! There’s lots of deserving chapters and members out there!

Doris Hutley
Awards Coordinator
Region 7, STARFLEET