Reef Camp, July 12, 2014

Any ideas for themes, topics, demos, DIYs or someone to share their expertise for Reef Camp?  I'm leaning toward having it July 19th.  It will be warm enough to swim by then (hopefully) and it's an open weekend so far for me.  

Last year we did a Classic Rock theme which was really fun.  We did DIY rock with cool caves, shapes etc. (which is still in our lake awaiting the big reveal) and acid bathed rock.  We had an awesome potluck and caught some fish off the dock.  Sue, Seaponygirl, brought her silk scarf dying stuff and we got to dye our own scarves which was the icing on the cake.    I want to stick with the laid back nature as it really made the day great in my opinion.  

Anyone from this club is welcome and I may toss out a personal invite to a handful of reefers from outside clubs as well.  I need to limit attendance or my hubby may lose patience with me doing these kinds of things!  LOL

I had planned to do some aquascape stuff last time but there just wasn't a big enough turn out for what I had in mind.  We could do that this year.  I've also considered a Water Chemistry theme.  The sky is the limit and someone else may have way better ideas than me.  Hopefully, we come up with something that makes this year as much fun or more than last!  

Also, I'm still calling it "camp" but I imagine it's easiest for most if they plan to come for the day.  We'll make sure to plan the day's activities so that is possible.  I'm open to some staying here as well.

Reef camp? I love it. We did have a great time last year. What about something to do with Stepping out of comfort zone? Some new products, husbandry practices, lighting, animals etc. We could make stepping stones. More concrete. Or we could do a seahorse discussion and I'll bring the horses. Maybe not.

I like the comfort zone theme. New products and unique tanks or different setups than the norm would be fun to discuss.

Any other thoughts?

What about setting up a Pico tank and raffle it off. Maybe we could gather enough club donations for the materials. I would like to have a discussion. On tricks we've learned like kitty litter near water can increase ammonia and such.

July 19th is off.  What works better for most?  July 12th or Aug 16th?

July 12 works for me.

Reef Camp is officially going to be July 12th . Jason is giong to be gone then so we won't drive him nuts with our fish talk and staying up late, etc. etc.

I'm still working on a topic although tank dosing has come up several times.

Tank dosing would be great. Is Matt coming? Can we get him to bring a case of coffee. Heh Heh.

I've not heard from Matt although I know the next weekend is the MBI Workshop and I am guessing with a new baby and young family, two weekends in a row might be too much. However....the family can come to Reef Camp so..... If he comes, we'll beg for coffee!

I am waiting to see if Lyle can come to Reef Camp. Jim is going to try to as well. If that works out, we can still bring our plumbing questions and can plan it around that somewhat. I have a fun plumbing activity in mind and Jim can still do his demo he was going to do at the last meeting. I hope it works for some of you out there.

1:00 potluck picnic
2:00 plumbing (if Jim and Lyle can't make it, then we'll switch it up to Chemistry)
3:00ish swimming, fishing, hanging out, talking fish
We can cook over the fire later if anyone stays over. (hobo dinners and tonkas)

The official topic for reef camp is plumbing. Lyle and Jim are coming to share their expertise. If anyone has an idea for a fun activity that is plumbing related, let me know. If we can't come up with anything, we can always do the aquascape contest. We will have prizes so it would be good to have activities that would allow someone to win something.

Updated agenda:

1:00 - potluck picnic
2:00 - plumbing demo and talk
3:00 - fun activity and prizes
After the fish stuff - swimming, fishing, paddleboating, canoeing.....
Dinnertime - Hobo dinner and Tonka cooking

FYI - I'm making homemade buns and meatballs for the potluck and will have lemon tea and iced coffee as well as water to drink. I will also have paper plates, cups, etc. In case guests stay till evening, I will have hobo dinners to cook over the fire and tonkas or s'mores for dessert.

What you should bring:
a potluck dish to pass
plumbing questions
swim suits, towels if you plan to swim
fishing pole if you want to fish off the dock

Family is welcome as long as they can tolerate our fishy business.

so any right ups or pics on the reef camp?

I should have taken pics. It was fun, if I do say so myself. Quiet again like it was last year but relaxing and fun. The nice thing about it being quiet, for me anyway, is I am more able to relax and visit with those that do come. Lyle did a great job talking about plumbing! We appreciated him making the drive and sharing with us!

Yeah Lyle knows his Plumbing and carpentry and if at all possible will go any where with in reason to help out a Reefer.
I just wish I could of been there with all the old reefers.....