TRIP LIMIT: 32 people
Total trip cost: $65
Deposit Required: $45
Deposit is due upon RSVP
# of Meals included: 3 (breakfast Sat & Sun, dinner Sat.); BYOB (of all kinds!)
Approximate driving time from the city: 1 hr (more with traffic!)
Approximate hiking distance: TBD
Approximate hiking difficulty: moderate

NEW RSVP & PAYMENT METHOD: We've done this a couple of times now and it's worked well! To RSVP follow these simple steps.

1) Click the paypal link and make your $45 deposit.
2) RSVP as a no and enter a comment of "Deposit paid MM/DD/YY"
3) Email me (mike) and let me know that you've paid.

I'll change your RSVP to yes and you're all set. If the event fills up we'll form a waiting list and fil any open spots on a first come first served basis.

NOW ABOUT THE TRIP! We'll be spending the weekend at the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center in Chesterton, IN. Let me be honest when I say that this is not, in my opinion, camping. But since I can't think of another word to describe the trip we'll call this cabin "camping." We will be staying in heated 8 bunk cabins. Each cabin has it's own bathroom with flush toilet and shower. So put your regular camping gear aside - all you need for the weekend are clothes and your regular hiking gear! I will divide everyone up into the cabins, if you have special requests let me know. I'll do my best! (A private cabin is not an option)

The trip includes 2 breakfasts catered by the Learning Center and a pizza dinner on Saturday night. Saturday night will definitely not be our normal camping night! We'll have a night hike and we'll try and do a movie night inside Cowles Lodge. And there is also the classic night around the campfire - they have quite a firepit there!

Our day itinerary isn't set yet but options abound, particularly hiking and we'll most likely hike the Little Calumet River Trail, Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm Trail and quite possibly Cowles Bog. Our weekend will include at least one interpretative program conducted by the Learning Center (it's a requirement!). With luck perhaps we can work out a guided tour of Pinhook Bog. Have a bike? Bring it along and bike the Calumet Trail! ? or take the afternoon off and visit Mt Baldy (no relation to my bald head!)

Carl Sandburg said "The Dunes are to the Midwest what the Grand Canyon is to Arizona and the Yosemite is to California. They constitute a signature of time and eternity." If you are new to the area and you haven't seen the Dunes then now is your chance! Don't miss it. If you've been to the dunes and have been dying to get back then this is a great chance to become reacquainted. After all, we'll have the beaches to ourselves but I don't think we'll do much swimming.

Your trip fee includes cabin rental, 2 breakfasts, pizza dinner, IDELC fees and a small donation to WCH.