2012 YAG Manresa Roughout

Sierra Expedition - YMCA Adventure Guides

The Sierra Expedition will hold its Spring Roughout at Manresa State Park: http://www.santacruzstateparks.org/parks/manresaup/

We are currently expecting a large turnout for what has become our most popular event of the year: approximately 250 attendees...

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Highway 1, south of Aptos, take San Andreas Road southwest and continue for four miles. You will be traveling through a residential area. Turn right on Sand Dollar Road. You will find this road in three possible ways: the dense forest and houses on your right suddenly give way to several hundred yards of hillside of dirt being prepared for planting. Second, you will see to your right a row of tall and impressive trees on Sand Dollar Road separating the inbound and outbound lanes. Third, there is a very small brown sign about 50 yards before Sand Dollar Road indicating that the Manresa State Park is ahead.

As you reach the top of Sand Dollar Road, you come upon the proverbial fork in the road. Veer left to Manresa Campground. See the large modern house on your left at 11:00 with the rounded roof.

At the Ranger Station, give the Ranger your Circle Name- they will have a list of our sites sorted by circle; and will hand out parking passes based on what circle you're in. They need this information to control access to the Park and to contact you if there is a problem with your car while parked in the parking lot.

DAY-BY-DAY SUMMARY: (Circles will serve themselves all meals this year). We have a great program planned as follows:

Friday: You may claim your campsites as early as 2:00 p.m. Because of traffic congestion you may expect at the "fishhook" on Route 1, we recommend you plan to be through there before 3:30 p.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Circle Dinner on your own.

The Mighty Ponderosa will sponsor a Scavenger Hunt. It will run from the time you check in until Saturday dinner. You must bring your booty to the Ponderosa camp (sites 59/60/61/62) by 6PM Saturday!

Saturday: Circle Meals (including dinner, on your own). THERE IS NO CENTRAL NATION DINNER THIS YEAR in deference to the desire to have local Circle Dinners.

2:00 p.m. The Mighty Tahoe will host Beach Olympics:

-Sandcastle building (bring your equipment and bulldozers): Judging will occur at 4:00 p.m.

-Tug-O-War, sack or 3 legged race, other fun and games on the beach

Dinner (with your Circle): To start per your Circle CCO's (Chief Cooking Officer's) directions and to end by 7:00 p.m.

Suggestion: Use 5:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. to practice your skit.

Also note- a common dessert is NOT being done this year- circles are on their own to supply ample sugar for their princesses!

7:15 p.m. SKITS at the Amphitheater

-We ask all Dads to help clean-up around themselves as you exit the Amphitheater

8:45ish p.m. Hawkeye and his Princess Laughing Bear will lead the Nation to Campsite 49 (where we held the ceremony last year). The drum beat will announce to our Nation Naturalist, Leaping Toad and his Princess Jumping Frog, that the Nation approaches at dusk to begin The Evening Ceremony.

9:00ish p.m. The Evening Ceremony (You ought to get a big bang out of this year's ceremony). There will be:

-the singing of songs

-installation of new Nation Officers

-a coalescence of The Compass

Sunday: Circle Breakfast (on your own)

9:00 a.m. (Sharp!) Final Meeting

-prizes for Sandcastles

-prizes for the Scavenger Hunt

-New Nation Officers' Ceremonial Hat Band Exchange

-Good-Byes for the summer

9:30 a.m. Adjournment

ALLOCATION OF CAMPSITES - TBD

PARKING:

The Twenty Minute Lot: There is a 20 minute parking lot at the bottom of the hill below the Ranger Station. Unload your tents and equipment from there (think abut taking or borrowing a wagon or cart to roll your equipment in approximately 200-400 yards to your campsite).

The Overnight Lot: At the top of the hill above our campsites is an overnight parking lot (it was the left-hand turn-off about 100 yards past the Ranger Station where you drove into the park). You will park there for the weekend. Put the Ranger-supplied parking ticket on your dash. (NB- don't worry about site numbers; just tell the Ranger what circle you're in and he'll handle it).
If your circle runs out of parking spots, you'll have to pay for parking so CARPOOL and show up early!
WARNING: Do not leave valuables in your vehicle or trailer. We had no problems last year because our Dads heeded this warning, but it was the first time we escaped unharmed. Several years ago, we had numerous break-ins and resulting loss and car damage.

FIREWOOD:

Bring what you need.

If you run short, you have two options:

go to Campsite 57 and ask Jeff Smith for some of his extra wood. (Jeff is the "Wood Guy" and a nice guy)
go to the Ranger Station and buy a small netted bag of wood (for about $6 per bag...VERY expensive)

PATCHES:

Your Circle Navigator is supposed to be giving you patches. However, Jeff Smith is also "The Patches Guy", so you may "go direct" and ask him for any patches you may have missed during the year. Jeff is the big guy at Campsites 57/58.

PLANNING FOR THE EVENT:

CARPOOL...CARPOOL...CARPOOL with another expedition member if possible. Nearby parking may be limited.
Circles are encouraged to bring a Circle Banner or other decor to make your camp distinctive.
Plan your meals with others in your circle.
There are no stores or shops at the site
Plan your snacks with your princess
NOTE: There is limited or no cell phone/PDA/laptop connectivity at Manresa. Spotty and intermittent, at best.

WHAT TO BRING:

Main Gear:

Tent
Sleeping Pads or Mattresses
Sleeping Bags
Pillows
Chairs - for campsite and dinner
Tables - for campsite and dinner
Flashlights and Lanterns - the moon is full, but it will be somewhat dark at night
Firewood - every campsite has a fire pit. See below for more info
Snacks and drinks - There are no stores close by for ice

Cooking gear and utensils

Camera(s)

Sandcastle making tools/equipment

Umbrellas for the beach

Clothes:

Your vests.
A jacket - it could be cold in the evening. If it gets foggy, it could be cold all day!
Enough changes of clothes to keep your daughters happy, sand free, and dry for the ceremony.
Shoes - the ground around many of the campsites is pretty rough.
If your daughters are attracted by the ocean, bring swim suit(s). Note - there are no lifeguards at the beach.
Towels

Toiletries:

Sun block
Lots of quarters - there are coin operated showers

Sun block
Toothbrush and toothpaste.

Sun block
First aid kit

More sun block

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE AT MANRESA?

It may be 50 degrees or 90 degrees.
It may be very calm or very windy.
It may be very clear and sunny or foggy with some rain.
Bring several changes of clothes in case your princess gets soaked by a wave.
Bring hats and sunscreen – Your princess can get sunburn, even when it's foggy.
Bring a waterproof jacket.

SENSIBLE PRECAUTIONS:

Manresa is a public camp site and many people pass through the beach area. As in any public area keep track of your Princess and don’t leave valuables unattended.
Bring sunscreen and apply even when the weather seems cloudy or foggy.
Print out a copy of this Website Notice so you can remember your campsite number, find your campsite, and remember the timelines for Saturday and Sunday morning.