Field Trips - What to Expect
For many, the biannual field trips or “study tours” are of primary importance. These events generally take place in the spring and fall and use the model described below.
The tours are three day events, starting on a Friday afternoon and ending early Sunday afternoon. Members receive a tour announcement/program in the mail approximately one month in advance containing all the necessary details including each day’s events and sites to be visited, how much mobility is required, hotel information, total cost, and a registration form. One may register for some events and not others. We also post the program on the CSNYS website and Facebook page. The announcement will also contain crucial information on events such as boat trips that MAY have space limitations and therefore availability is prioritized by the date each participant’s registration is made.
Tour headquarters, is usually at a hotel large enough to have a conference room and banquet facilities. Hotel lodging cost and booking is on your own and other local, “cheaper” hotels may be utilized if so desired. The CSNYS books a block of rooms for best price but the hotel will cancel any rooms not booked by a certain date. [May 5th, this year] This date is stated in the announcement and is important because after that date the conference rate, or even rooms, may no longer be available. When calling to reserve a room be sure to state you are with the CSNYS. [It is not necessary you be a member; we hope the experience will make you want to join].
Friday- Early Bird Tours. Early bird tours of nearby sites are by each individual’s auto, or car-pool- caravan style. Arrival time, maps and directions are provided. Often these tours cover additional canal features that couldn’t be included on the Saturday tour or some significant interesting and/or historic local attraction. The schedule for these early bird tours usually runs from early afternoon to 4 or 5pm.
Registration takes place on Friday afternoon and evening. Friday dinner is on your own and Friday evening (7-9) there is a Powerpoint illustrated overview of the Saturday tour and its significance, stressing the sites to be visited along with historic images and maps of each.
Saturday- Bus tour. The Saturday tour by motor coach is the main event of the weekend and includes lunch and a guidebook that come with registration. The guided tour from 8:00 AM to 5:00PM visits historic and working canal sites. If an attendee deems any site walk to be too long or too strenuous he/she may stay with the bus.
Saturday evening is a banquet, with an after dinner speaker. Although there is no dress code most people are, minimally, attired in business casual wear.
Sunday- If the venue allows we strive to offer a Sunday boat trip. If this is not possible a museum or another canal site may be offered by caravan like the Friday Early Bird Specials
The twice a year study tours are the backbone of our Society and allow participants to socialize, learn, and visit canal sites and curiosities with a knowledgeable guide. Although most tours focus on canal history and technology they should appeal to anyone interested in history, the out-of- doors and nature, and being with friendly affable people one will enjoy.
For the upcoming Spring trip to the Champlain Canal – May 20 - 22 - details are available at:
Program
http://www.newyorkcanals.org/explore_Champlain.htm
Application Form
Click on link at the bottom of the Program page.
No comments:
Post a Comment