UU's
have been enjoying the Camp Thunderbird experience since 1963! Much has changed
in that time, but the important things still remain largely
the same. While the hundred-year-old pines still provide
ample shade and soothing sounds of wind and birds, it’s
not just the cool breezes and sounds of nature that keep
bringing us back. We are drawn by the opportunity to relax, enjoy the
company of good friends, old and new, and forget about city
life.
Activities
There
is NO obligatory program of activities, but there
are extended UU style discussions on just about everything
and informally organized activities for everyone. Take a
look at the Activities Schedule posted at the Lodge when you arrive!
This
year's scheduled activities will include:
-
Sack Lunch Day
(Tuesday July 4), often with expeditions
to outlying points such as Lake Roberts, the Gila Cliff Dwellings, the
Cat Walk and historic Silver City,
-
The
38th Annual
Firecracker Fun Run (Sunday, July 2, 2 miles - walking allowed).
-
The No
Talent Required Talent Show (evening of Monday July 3), always one of the highlights of the
year!
-
Book
discussions...if you want to participate, please try to read
the book before camp:
Hillbilly Elegy, J. D. Vance
-
There will
also be an Adult Cocktail Hour from 5 to 6pm daily
under the parachute and simultaneous supervised children's
activities will be provided by the camp babysitters. Wine and
cheese (or other goodies) pairing one evening during cocktail
hour.
Other activities usually include
horseshoes, poker, bridge and games in the Lodge, arts and crafts, story telling, campfire sing-along
and jam sessions (recorders, harmonicas, guitars, etc.) Bring
your musical instrument and join the fun! You may
also find impromptu softball, basketball and water balloon volleyball games and sunset
strolls along the continental divide. Bird watchers and hikers
will find plenty to do in the Gila National Forest. We are always open
to ideas for new activities so bring your imagination and
participatory spirit!
Accommodations
The
lodge and dormitory style cabins are rustic, solid and more
than adequate to shelter us from the elements.
They accommodate families, couples, teenagers and
single adults. There
are bunk beds with pretty good mattresses and a table but NO
closets. You are
welcome to bring your own tent, trailer or camper (your fee
will be the same). A
few electrical hookups are available. There are
separate restroom buildings. High quality, nutritious meals are served in the lodge
three times a day: breakfast at 7am, lunch at noon, and
supper at 6 pm. If
you have special dietary considerations, refrigeration is
available and some help from the kitchen may be obtained. Ice is sold
at
camp.
Other
information
Campers
12 and over are asked to share in minor housekeeping duties
such as setting tables, mopping, etc.
Quiet time is observed from 10 pm to 6:30 am. A wake-up bell rings at 6:30
am. PLEASE disarm your car
alarm if you have one. They
are neither needed nor appreciated at camp.
Location
and Climate
The
camp is located in the Gila National Forest near Mimbres, NM.
The elevation is 6,400 feet. The temperature
will dip into the 40’s overnight and may reach 90 some
afternoons. An occasional thundershower is almost inevitable.
How to get there
Go north out of Deming, NM on US
Highway 180. After 24 miles
turn right on NM Highway 61 (at CITY OF ROCKS sign). About 25 miles later go left on
NM 152 for half a mile, then right on NM 35. Follow the signs for Lake Roberts
or “Inner Loop” at each intersection.
The camp will be on your left between
mile markers 13 and 14.
Guys
Talking
For More Information
Pat White
(co-chair) 915-591-3562
pat_white@hotmail.com
Joe Knapka
(registrar)
915-549-5098 jaknapka@gmail.com
Telephone number at camp
(FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY)
575-536-9560
Cliff
Dwellings
|
Hiking
What
to bring
-
Bedding
or sleeping bags, pillows, towels, rain gear, clothing for both
warm and cool weather, walking shoes, sunscreen, flashlight,
folding chair, and insect repellant.
-
Ice chest, swimsuit, canteen,
musical instruments, games, arts & crafts supplies,
camera, and munchies and beverages to share for the cocktail
hour.
Please
don’t bring:
-
Firearms,
BB guns or fireworks.
-
Radios
or music systems (unless you plan to use headphones).
-
Do
NOT bring any animals.
-
Please
don’t bring electronic devices unless you are willing to
play them very softly and away from other persons.
Spirit
Canyon
Registration and fees
Camp begins with
dinner on Friday, June 30, and ends after breakfast on Wednesday,
July 5. (Note: no lunch will be served on Tuesday, July 4, but
materials for making your own sack lunch will be available
immediately after breakfast.)
You may attend the entire time or any part, but the
Registrar must know your arrival and departure times. The camp
staff purchases supplies based on the daily attendance expected
based on registrations received. If you find that you cannot
attend for the exact period for which you register, you must notify
the registrar on or before June 15 in order to receive
a refund. Registration fees must be returned
with your registration form by June 15, 2017. The
registrar can be reached via email at tbird@uuelpaso.org .The
registration fee is $25 for each person 16 or older, if that person
spends at least one night at camp. If you are not going to be
at camp for at least one night, then you can drop in and pay
according to the "arrival time" chart (See registration
and fees form.)
Remember:
1.
When you send in your registration for camp (assuming you do
not pay on-line), you will send in 2
(two) checks, one for the registration fee and the other for your
camp fee. The first will pay for UUCEP's overhead costs of
running the camp, and the second for your room and board while you
are at camp.
2.
The check for the registration fee will be deposited as soon as it
is received by the registrar. This small fee is non-refundable.
3.
The check for your camp fee will not be deposited earlier than
June 15, and may be post dated to June 15.. The check MUST
accompany your registration packet Registrations received
without camp fee payments will be discarded..
See
the Registrations and Fees form for more information about changes in
your planned days at camp.
Registration fee per each adult
(16 yr+)
|
$25
|
Registration fee per each child not accompanied
by family member (max $50 per family)
|
$25
|
Camper fee (ages
11 & up)
|
$48
per day
|
(ages
0 through 10)
|
$24
per day
|
|
|
|
|
Camp
fees are not only for your meals but for the use of the
facilities. You will be charged whether or not you eat.
|
There
are 14 possible meals.
|
Late
fee (Payments postmarked after June 15)
|
$20/form
|
Registration
and Late Fees are refundable prior to June 15, non refundable
after.
Your
camp fee will be the same whether or not you eat meals in the lodge
and whether or not you bring your own sleeping
accommodations.
Please note that we can no longer accept
late registrations without charging the stated late fee.
Anyone under
18 attending Camp Thunderbird without their parents must be
sponsored by an adult who is at least 21 years of age. This
Sponsor is responsible for them at all times during camp.
See policy for minors attending Camp Thunderbird without
their parents. Adults must be fully capable of self care or bring
their own helpers. While
improvements are continually being made, the facilities cannot
be considered handicapped accessible.
Financial aid: Limited
camperships are available for dishwashing and child care.
If you are interested in any kind of
financial aid, you must fill out the financial aid form and return
it to Joe Knapka by June 1.
Read about
Mimbres Valley, Lake Roberts, Gila Hot
Springs — trail of the mountain spirits
|