2024 Fall SMR Family Campout

Family Campout Guidelines

• Family Size and Attendance : For the purposes of this program, a family is defined as one or two adults, with the principal adult over the age of 21, and up to four children. One registered adult over the age of 21 must be with his/her children throughout the event, including the overnight hours.
• Custom Campout sweatshirts and tee-shirts. You can ORDER SWEATSHIRTS AND TEE-SHIRTS with the 2024 Family Campout logo. These come in multiple sizes for children and adults and must be ordered by September 11th. (If we don’t get 20 orders, we will refund your money.)
• Summit Field Facilities: The Campout uses all three field areas at Summit Field in the reservation. (See the campout map for details.)
• Checking In: Families must check in before unloading their cars. The check-in table will be at the front of the Dog Park, near the dog statue. We request that you check in between 12:00 and 2:00 on Saturday. (If you cannot come during this time, please contact familycampout@somocon.org to make alternative arrangements.) There will be a few temporary spots to park while checking in.
  After checking in, you will need to move your car to the overnight parking area at North Summit Field, the Dog Park parking or Bramhall Terrace (see campout map for parking areas). From there, you can move your equipment to Middle Summit Field to set up your tent. For the safety of children, we do not allow cars to circulate around Summit Field.
• Covid-19 Guidelines: Even though the event is outside, which usually has a minimum transmission rate, local community spread has increased significantly this summer so precautions are being taken (see below).
• Volunteer Requirement: In the spirit of community and to allow us to operate the campout with just a few volunteers, each family will be required to sign up for one volunteer slot for the event. Sign-ups will be emailed once registration is completed.
• Equipment and Supplies: Families are required to bring their own food for Saturday dinner and snacks (we provide Sunday breakfast) and camping equipment, which includes tents and sleeping bags. (See the detailed list below.) While the average overnight low temperature in early October is around 61 degrees, it has been cooler. If you do not have this equipment, there are a limited number of sleeping bags, tents and other gear that can be borrowed from the SMC. Contact familycampout@somocon.org to request this equipment. (Note: Sleeping bags must be washed before returning.) There are also volunteers to help you set up if you are new to camping.

Cost

• Participation for each family, as defined above, costs $90.
• This fee does not include an SMC membership, which we strongly encourage. (If you join at the special Campout rate of $15 at this time, you will receive the new 2023 SMR map, which is normally only provided with $50 memberships.)
• If you are limited financially, we offer subsidized registrations for $25. If you are interested in this reduced fee contact familycampout@somocon.org.

Enrollment, Cancellations and Refunds

• Enrollment: The event is designed for a maximum of about 55 families or 200 participants. Registration is first come, first served. If we reach our maximum, which often occurs, we will create a waiting list in case of cancellations.
• If you are on the waiting list and an opening becomes available, you will be notified as soon as possible before the event to determine if you are still interested. If you have paid and don’t get off the waiting list, the campout fee will be refunded in full.
• Refunds: The SMR Family Campout is one of two fundraising events the South Mountain Conservancy organizes each year. Once accepted into the program, if you cancel no later than the Tuesday before the event, you will receive a refund of half, or $45. If you cancel later or just don’t show up, there is no refund. The only exceptions to this rule are:
  * If both weekends are cancelled due to inclement weather, you will be refunded $60; the remainder goes to support the Conservancy and you will be become a member.
  * If we do not get a minimum of 30 families, or there is a need to cancel for another reason, a full refund will be provided, unless you opt to donate it to support the Conservancy’s programs.
  * If you cancel because of testing positive for Covid-19 a full refund will be provided. (To get a refund, send a time-stamped photo to familycampout@somocon.org of the positive test results.)
• Notifications: If the program needs to be cancelled, or moved to the rain date (which has occurred), you will be notified by email and a notice will be posted no later than 11:00 a.m. on the Friday before the start at www.somocon.org.

Questions

• If there are questions, please contact Penni Malakates and Dennis Percher at familycampout@somocon.org, or leave a message at 844-SOMOCON, (844-766-6266).