The Facilities and Our Set-up:

• Our Shelter is for up to 60 people and is located with wind protection and potential shade on three sides.
• We are located within feet of the parking lot were we have a clear view of our vehicles.
• The bathrooms are not portalets. They are a permanent well structured building. Someone amongst the 'early bird' crew will hit them with a broom in the morning.
• The grill area contains a permanent, standard outdoor grill, but we will not be using it to cook on. We will fire it up with charcoal and use chaffing dishes and water to create a warming table. We will be bringing a large and medium grill to do our cooking on. If any of your 'pitch-in' dishes are to be cooked on site you can use these grills. But let us know so we can schedule you on the grill. We will fire them up at about 10am and already have them scheduled for brats, dogs and burgers. Of course you can bring your own grill if you prefer.
• We will have a medium sized, butane, 2 burner camping stove available.
• We will set up an area using chafing dishes, ice and water for keeping some dishes cold.
• The map below shows our shelter as being “Pa”, Cherry Tree Shelter. (Same as last year.)   

 

Hot Table=We will be using the park’s grill to set up a table for keeping food warm [not to cook on]. We will be using large chaffing pans with water over coals to keep food warm. If you are bringing dishes that you want kept warm then we suggest smaller chafing style dishes or bowls and pan at least 3 inches deep. The Hot Table should be ready no later than 11:30.

Cold Table=Similar to the Hot Table. We will fill large chaffing dishes with water and ice. If you are bringing dishes that you want kept cool then we suggest smaller chafing style dishes or bowls and pan at least 3 inches deep. The Cold Table should be ready between no later than 11:30.

Grilling Area=see above

Sanitation=We are required to ‘take out’ our own trash and there will be plenty of it. I [Glenn] will take care of hauling out our trash and ashes.  This area should be ready to go about noon.

Tips:

What everyone should consider bringing=Ice will be a premium, if everyone will bring at least one bag of ice and block ice for community use that will be great. By block ice* we are suggesting everyone take a disposable plastic jug and freeze it solid. We will use it to maintain the Cold Table baths by breaking it up and putting chunks in the water. Only bag ice will be used for drinks. We will have a cooler with a ladel designated for drinking ice.
Extra chairs: The picnic tables can be hard and in case our group grows they may become crowded so you might want to bring extra chairs [lawn or foldable]. If you have coolers or canopies please bring them. You can leave them in your vehicle until it becomes apparent they are needed if you want to.
Shoes: If you think you might want to go on the trails, hayride, horseback riding, etc. you may want to bring extra shoes [closed toe].
Sunscreen.
If your dish is going into the hot or cold baths it should be at least 3 inches deep. We suggest medium or small aluminum chafing style pans. GFS has various size inexpensive disposable Chaffin dishes/pans with fitted lids. We recommend you visit GFS for these items, disposable serving spoons, paper plates, etc.
Remember there is an admission fee to the park [7 dollars], it is per car, get a map at the gate and be sure to keep your receipt. You can use it for re-entry.
Please provide some cover for your dish, something that won’t blow away.

Ice and more Ice.

Deserts: If you bring ice cream be sure to bring plenty of ice and a cooler to pack it in. Most parents aren’t going to want kids starting the day off with desserts. On the other hand because of the heat we may want to make the popsicles and watermelon available throughout the day.

 

Shelter Prep (Early Bird) Crew=Those volunteering need to arrive early [about 9am] to sweep out the shelter, clear cobwebs and such from under the picnic tables, arrange and cover the picnic tables, set up the canopies, tables, games table, badminton area, clear debris from the area, remove old ash from the park’s grill, and inspect the public restrooms.

 

Shelter: Depending on the weather we may need some fans so please consider bringing a fan (20 inches). You can keep it in your car if it isn’t needed. We have only two outlets. If we need more fans or outlets then we will need a generator, if someone has a generator it would help if they would have it ready in case its needed.

 

Remember, there is a $7 per VEHICLE entrance fee to the park. Keep your receipt and get a map.