Kilt Kamp 2009

[george7]

Florida is the obvious choice... you could make your kilt and wear it too! Disney world, Universal Studios, and beaches on both sides of the state.

[Squeaky McMurdo]

Hmmm.....well, maybe I'm insane, but I would really love to have a Kilt Kamp nearby even if that means having hundreds of people in my front yard...

Ok, I'll raise my hand...but I may need some help with actually flying Barb and other instructors here.Alright, if we held this thing in Afton, Wyoming I would be able to allow everyone that attends to camp on our property (with their tents or campers if they wanted to for a 5 or $10 a night fee (depending on how many commit to coming) which would go towards hotel accommodations for our instructors.This would also go toward blue rooms.

Afton (named after the river in Scotland coughcough) is within reasonable driving distance of most of our Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Colorado rabble.

I can easily secure plenty of 6'x2' tables and lots of chairs from my church and if the rabble doesn't mind refraining from smoking or drinking in the building, we could even hold the seminar there in the very large gym. There's plenty of outlets along the wall and on the floor. My husband is an electrician and has an ample supply of extension chords although we probably wouln't need them. This would be free. There is a kitchen there and I wouldn't mind providing a simple lunch of hamburgers/hotdogs and soda. There's an elementary school next door where small children could play on the swings/slides.

If the gym doesn't work, I could look into what the Civic Center might cost.

There are several food places and attractions nearby as well as hotels for those of you who would prefer not to rough it. Some attractions include the world's largest elkhorn arch, a coldwater gyser, boutique shopping, and the fair will be in town in July. Which includes a rodeo and a demolition derby.

There are several drinking establishments, but Colter's bar would probably be the best/biggest place for a kilt night. I never hear anything about the other bars.


***still wondering if I'm insane***--Chelsea McMurdo--



P.S. Star Valley is very green and mountainous and beautiful in the summer

quote:
"Here are some of the space and ancillary requirements we have found work well in the past.

A hall or large room approx. 15' X 20' or larger. (About the size of a 2 or 3 car garage.

One table for each participant plus two extras for the instructor and samples. The tables need to be able to hold the fabric for one kilt at a minimum.

Enough chairs to seat everyone including guests, visitors, & family that may drop in from time to time.

Electrical outlets and extension cords for the lamps and task lighting for each participant.
Good ceiling lights or windows to keep the room well lighted.

Trash cans as necessary.

Then there are to ancillary things that make to experience enjoyable such as access to a restaurant, coffee shop, or other lunch place. The participants should be able to find lunch without driving an hour each way.

Other food outlets nearby for the participants to have their evening meals.

Some sort of tourist attractions nearby for family and friends to pass the day.

A pub, bar or other gathering place where a dram my be found. A good place for a Kilt Night is a big plus.

Then any other things which would make the experience enjoyable. If a Highland Games, festival, or fair were going on at the same time it would be nice.

Each venue we have found in the past has be different and unique. Each offered a different experience for the participants.

Are you raising your hand?
"

[Barb T]

The demolition derby might just be the tipping point....! I still regret the day that I passed up the combine demolition derby in Rapid City many years ago.

[Howard Clark]

Combine demolition derby are a hoot ! They had one at the Iowa State Fair a few years ago.

I'd sooner go to Wyoming than NYC. Been there, had trouble sleeping.

[Prester John]

Grand Canyon kiltmaking.

Think about it.

AZ
AZ
AZ

[Barb T]

OK. Thinking seriously now, and not dissing Squeaky McMurdo's really generous offer. We need to make definite plans some time soon. I will talk with Steve, Matt, and Kevin and see what their constraints and wishes are.

My big issue at the moment is that I'm supposed to teach a 3 week geology field course in Iceland starting at the end of June. The plans are on hold right now, for obvious reasons, but we haven't decided yet whether we'll postpone for a year or not. It's also possible that I might go to Iceland for a couple weeks to do my own research instead (much lower stakes in terms of the unexpected). But I just don't know yet.

So - let me have a pow-wow with the guys and see what their level of commitment and interest is and what their schedules are.

[Squeaky McMurdo]

No offense taken at all Barb.

I just thought that as people were making all sorts of wishful thinking suggestions as to where something like this might be held, I would make an offer to illustrate something that can be done realistically.

I really am willing to do all those things if need be. But I would need some help with further planning.

There are a lot of good places to hold Kilt Kamp, some probably better for those people that prefer the urban scene. Personally, I would rather see it in Phonix, AZ where there are more Celtic shops. So if anyone else wants to step up to the plate and volunteer their time and effort, it won't hurt my feelings.

And of course, most people will be coming to learn from you....so we have to make sure we can get you there.

--Chelsea McMurdo--

[okiwen]

If we have not decided yet, how about everyone coming to Glacier National Park and we have the class in Kalispell, Mt.??

I suppose that there are more people near Seattle or Salt Lake but not near the clean air to be found in those places.

[Squeaky McMurdo]

My offer still stands. We won't be moving to NZ until November so any time up until then.

And since my in-laws passed away we have inherited 3 houses so we could put Barb and the other instructors up in one of them. (5 bedrooms, it may or may not have carpet at that time...)

What used to be the living/dining room and play room are empty and big enough that we could set up a bunch of long tables (5-7 in the playroom and we could probably get at least 15 in the conjoined living/dining room).

I have 4 heavy duty sewing machines I could loan to people that can't bring one. (bring your own needles though, I can't guarantee the little local ma and pa fabric store will have many heavy duty needles if any)

There will be a Highland Games in Jackson Hole (1 1/2 hrs away) August 14-15.

--Chelsea McMurdo--
who is still crazy

[NorCalPiper]

Please let it be the west coast!!!! Also, will there be any instruction on machine stitched kilts? I didn't read all the threads, so i may have asked a redundant question...