Welcome to the 2018 Jewish Outdoor Escape Appalachian Sensation
At Emma Kaufmann Camp in Morgantown, WV
FIRST INFORMATIONAL EMAIL
We are happy that you will join us for this year's Jewish Outdoor Escape! We've over 130 people attending, both people who have attended many previous Labor Day events and over 25% of people new to Mosaic International Events, so you will be able to renew old friendships and create new ones. Your planning committee has been hard at work to ensure that you'll have an enjoyable experience and we'll continue to do so, but now we also need your attention to give you some essential information as you prepare for your trip. In the next two weeks, we plan to send you lots of information, so you'll be well-informed by the time you arrive. Each email will address different issues, and all should be read to make sure you arrive at camp ready and equipped to have a fantastic time! In this email, we want to give you an overview of what to expect during this extended weekend. Expect three to five emails over the next two weeks, dealing with food, packing lists, transportation, housing, leadership information and other vital details that will help make this weekend a success. We recommend you read them all start to finish. Some of the emails -- packing list and driving directions, for instance -- we suggest you print out and put on top of your "going to camp" pile that you will soon be, no doubt, organizing. You will be able to find copies of these emails listed on the Attendee Info Page of the event website.
Have you finished filling out registration? Are you signed up for all your activities? Did you fill out your transportation plans? Have you signed up for the Mosaic shuttle if you plan to take it? If not send us an e-mail at Event@MosaicOutdoor.org with the information. Please double check that you are registered for what you expected with the links the end of this email. We have found that there are issues with the registration system and peoples activities have been “disappearing” on them. Remember, we have instituted a change fee for registration changes which occur after August 13th! Please see the "Change Fee" on our website details.
A LOT of the information you will be looking for about the logistics of the event is currently listed on our Attendee Info Page. PLEASE look at this webpage BEFORE asking us questions. We will be adding to this page more information as needed. Here is a bullet list of what is information you can find there:
Note: STRONGLY recommend you print out and use the written directions. The area around the camp and areas where the activities are located have roads that you probably not want your car on. TRUST ME! We found out the hard way during scouting for the event. Blindly using your GPS will likely place you on one a dirt path or a road with more potholes the blacktop or maybe a woods trail on the edge of the mountain that you swear you about to fall off the edge which that the GPS interprets as a road.
Are you looking for more details about your activities? Get the information we give our leaders. You will find an in-depth plan of every activity listed on our Attendee Info page. Just scroll down to the bottom and look for Leader Packets. Please note that these documents are a work in progress. Exact plans could change as we progress through the planning of the event. Final copies will be produced just before the event. Be fair to your volunteer organizers and do not ask for a "special request" to send you this information separately. We are extremely busy getting things ready for you. We urge anyone who is going Spelunking or Rafting to spend time reading the leader packets for these events.
Spelunking
Laurel Caverns has VERY SPECIFIC requirements to tour their cave. You MUST read the info packet listed on the Attendee Info page for this activity to be properly prepared for you tour in the cave. Click HERE for the PDF
Rafting
Going Rafting? Please read the Leader/Info packets for these activities. There is A LOT of info within them. Pay special attention to the section about a Paddler’s Wallet. • Click HERE for Friday Lower Yough • Click HERE for Saturday Upper Yough • Click HERE for Sunday at ASCI Mosaic is an all-volunteer group with over 25 years’ experience putting on events like this. While we don't claim to be Club Med, our volunteers are passionate about delivering an event free from drama, difficulties and, with any luck, Sasquatch abductions. If at any point an activity doesn't exactly go as planned, we ask for your patience. Remember: we're all in this together. You can expect tasty meals, great daytime activities, and fun evening programs including speakers and musical guests. Breakfast will include a make-your-own-lunch station so that attendees will have food for their day trips. Remember that no outside food is allowed in the dining hall since the camp does keep Kosher. As always, feel free to ask us questions (but check the website and FAQ first) and consider stepping up to volunteer. We can always use additional committee members. Remember, volunteering is a great way to meet new people and make new friends! Thanks, and we'll be in touch! Brian Horowitz and Mindy Tumarkin Co-Chairs of the Jewish Outdoor Escape 2018 The 2018 Jewish Outdoor Escape Committee