Annual Gathering Oct. 1-3 at Prince William Forest Park: Most Stimulating To Date
Important Update!
This just in… click here for the complete agenda for our Annual Gathering.
And remember… it’s not too late to register! Click here to do so TODAY!
by Ann Moore
This year’s Sierra Club Annual Gathering promises to be the most exciting, informative, fun and best-fed gathering in many years. It is to be held October 1 – 3 at Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Virginia, and features Michael Brune, incoming Sierra Club Executive Director, as keynote speaker.
This year’s gathering also includes special opportunities for those wishing to participate in outings leader and Red Cross training.
An exciting array of presentations are planned to help us understand what we can do to address global warming and reduce our environmental footprint. Musical entertainment by A Sheep at the Wheel and unforgettable cuisine by Melanie Roborchick complete the program.
The weekend begins with registration on Friday evening. Registrants will be assigned to rustic cabins offering bunk beds with mattresses (bath houses are nearby).
Click here to view/download our Annual Gathering 2010 flyer (pdf). Print, share, post!
The first evening’s informal get-together includes updates on Sierra Club environmental films produced by Ivy Main, along with unforgettable snacks prepared by Melanie. This is our chance to get to know Sierra Club members from all over Virginia.
Hikes, led by Sierra Club volunteers, are scheduled throughout the weekend. Don’t miss a minute of this event.
After one of Melanie’s sumptuous breakfasts on Saturday morning, the program begins with a 9 a.m. welcome and program overview, followed by a full morning of presentations on sustainable green energy alternatives to fossil fuels. Topics include:
• “Fighting Big Coal and Winning” by Kate Pollard
• “Offshore Wind Energy in Virginia by Ivy Main
• “Green Transportation Solutions” by Roger Diedrich and Phillip Ellis.
The featured speaker at lunch will be Nick Donohue of Transportation 4 America.
The afternoon program offers an optional Outings Leader Training Workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. for a fee of $10. Pre-registration is required. For those not in the training session, an exciting array of concurrent sessions include:
• “Endangered Species of the Mid-Atlantic Region” by Susan Jewell
• “The 21st Century House” by Kent Baake
• “A Climate-Friendly Diet” by an organic farmer
• “Contaminated Without Consent” by Barbara and John Cruickshank
• “Zero Waste Update” by Roger Diedrich
An optional hike will be offered during the afternoon for those wanting a break from the sessions.
After dinner, participants will gather at the Pavillion for an address by Michael Brume, followed by an evening of music for listening and dancing presented by A Sheep at the Wheel.
Sunday morning again offers a range of options. Participants who have pre-registered and paid their $50 fee will take a Red Cross class. Others can choose from a variety of other activities. For early risers there will be a 7 a.m. bird walk or an 8 to 9 a.m. Healing Touch workshop with Mary Gorka, RN.
The weekend concludes with presentations about the Virginia Chapter and how to get involved, using what you’ve learned during the weekend.
Cleanup and departure will be at 1 p.m.
Please consult the registration form for the various options available and plan to join us for an exciting weekend.
Make a donation to the Virginia Chapter Sierra Club today!
