VMS Annual retreat 2005, Park/ cabin information

[Guest guest]

Hari Sarvothama, Vayu Jeevothama, Sri Krishna parabhramana namaha

 

Dear Krishnabhakthas,

 

This update provides information on items to be brought with you for stay in the Racoon Creek State Park.

The cabins have cots but no mattresses or no beddings or no linens. The cotsare of two types, one with springs and the other with flat surface with nosprings. The cots of these two types are evenly distributed in all the cabins in oursite. We are advised by the camp officials that flattened card board boxesare needed to put on top of the springs in the cots to provide an even surfaceupon which sleeping bags or comforters can be spread for sleeping. Without thisflat surface, the cots with the springs can not be used for sleeping. Hence,please bring with you sufficient flat card-boards to cover typical cot area ofabout 7 feet by 3 feet. Even if the card-boards are of small size, they can betapped together in the cabin to cover the top surface of the cot. Hence, pleasebring the tapes too. Every day, card-board boxes are disposed by grocery stores etc in your townsand it should be easy to collect enough card board boxes and bring with you theflat card-board sheets needed for the cots with springs. You need to bring yourown beddings, pillows, linens, towels etc.Please note that the cabins, and none of the buildings have space heating orceiling fans. Please bring with you electrical space heaters or portableelectrical fans if you need them. All the cabins and the buildings haveelectricity with numerous electrical out-lets. Weather forecasts at the campare available in the internet home-site for this state park, please upraiseyourself of the weather conditions and accordingly bring cloths for warm and coldperiods through out your stay.Hot water is available in the bath rooms for showers.While there are sufficient electrical lamps inside the buildings, there maynot be enough lights in the out side areas and it may be dark after Sun-set.Please bring flash lights with you for moving around the site for your selves andyour children. Please also bring with you any first-aid items you or yourchildren may need, including medicines for bug bites etc. Please bring mosquito repellent.There is plenty of cold storage facility in the kitchen and a refrigeratorin one of the cabins if any of your medicines or items require refrigeration. We are fortunate to have a physician (Dr. Nagaraj Kotekal) with us at the camp. He is also going to carry some emergency / first-aid medicines.Grocery stores are available within easy drive from our camp site, one ortwo even within the park itself.This is the second time, we are organizing our gathering in a naturalsetting in a camping area and hence we ourselves are in a learning mode. Hence, pleaseuse your own commonsense and judgment to prepare yourselves and your familiesfor having a good, safe and fun times together with all of us.We will provide updates regularly as we move closer to our gathering. Yourcooperation is utmost needed in letting us know your approximate arrivaldate/time to plan for food etc and for providing the head-count to the parkofficials. It is mandatory for us to provide the list of the names andaddresses of all participants to the park office on the first day of our camp which isSep 2nd. Hence, please let me know your name, how many adults and children,addresses and tel nos, expected date and time of arrival (mail to srinivasans). Please provide ageof children which will help organizing children's activities.

 

 

Info on Racoon Creek State Park:

 

Info on the park and group cabins are available at: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/raccooncreek.aspx#directions

 

In an Emergency:In an emergency, contact a park employee or call 911.Look for directions to the nearest hospital at the park office or onbulletin boards.Nearest Hospital:Aliquippa Community Hospital2500 Hospital DriveAliquippa, PA 15001724-857-1212For More Information ContactRaccoon Creek State Park3000 State Route 18Hookstown, PA 15050-9416724-899-2200

 

Expenses are covered by Volunteer donations.

 

Please pick up the map & directions to camp # 2 from Ranger's office.

saatiyunte Srinivaasana dhaasa kootadha mElake,

 

G.V. Srinivasan (860-432-2629)

(Bindu Madhavan is on business travel and will be back on Aug. 31st)