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General Chat: Camp Nerdly 2010

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    I'm considering driving to Virginia next month with Garrett for Camp Nerdly. It's not a sure thing at this point. Would anyone else want to go and share expenses? I expect to leave early on the 20th and get back late on the 24th.

    SG thread

    sign-up page

    blog

    wiki

    rough travel plan

    • CommentAuthorMule
    • CommentTimeApr 22nd 2010
     
    I remember reading about that last year. It's the kind of thing I have a vague interest in, but won't be able to get the time off this year for it.
    • CommentAuthorLarry
    • CommentTimeApr 29th 2010 edited
     
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    Yeah, they actually alerted those of us who were travelling from far away last Friday -- since they thought we'd have plane tickets, etc. It's sad, but maybe next year. Also, I wonder how hard it would be to organize such an event up here. One significant problem would be timing.

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    Well, there are camps in the vicinity that rent fall, winter and spring. How do you see timing as an issue?

    The biggest issue I see is collecting enough attendees to make it worth it (break even-wise). (or is that how you mean timing is an issue?)

    I did note your comments on the SG thread about the drive and the short weekend though; the opportunity to solve those problems has presented itself ;)
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    Regarding timing: such an event wouldn't want to compete with any of: GenCon, Origins, ForgeMidwest -- at the very least, and if the event were supposed to attract out-of-towners, avoiding the potentially-snowy five months would be necessary. So things are tight.

    Shane, do you know of local camps with facilities like what Nerdly uses? I scoured the MN state parks and found some stuff at Itasca, but that's fairly distant.

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    Ah, I get it. And treading on Camp Nerdly 5 is also not desirable I suppose. Private camps that rent out seem to have their own regular seasons that start in June, and are more pricey. I do not know of any myself.

    What about Wisconsin or Iowa?


    (YMCA camps seem to be ~ $90 per person for the weekend with meals (have no idea if kitchen is available for the more DIY types) That includes one conference room. No idea about how much more space would be needed that way.)
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    This would do for a small event.

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    Might be tight on gaming room?

    Collecting 12 people in October would be fairly easy, plus anyone with RVs in the vicinity. Some weekday blocks including a Sunday are available in September.

    Would expanding the gaming area with tents (or something) work?
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    I've emailed the ranger to see how much indoor table space there is. Tents might be fine for RPGs, but probably not for other kinds of games.

    I wonder what other kinds of unconventional venues are worth exploring for this kind of get-together.

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    I gotta say, the MN DNR website is driving me nuts.
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    Iowa has quite a few meeting halls (designated as lodges on their website). They have no sleeping accommodations, but since they are located at campgrounds, attendees can camp there. Some sites even have cabins, for people without camping equipment, or for people to share if they want to cut down on costs.

    The places I checked have many openings through the summer and fall, including weekends.

    How many people do you think could be gathered? A hall that accommodates 60 might be appropriate for a group of 20 or so gamers, since I bet they have pretty good acoustics.

    Pluses --
    Plenty of space.
    Kitchen
    Attendees responsible for their own lodging, less $ risk for no-shows.

    Minuses --
    Not as private as a cabin.
    Very different setting. More of a con than a camp.'

    I have not worked out any price per person estimate.

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