2014 ConventionWestern North Carolina, June 5 - 8

Lodging & Amenities

There are 5 dormitories available with 45 rooms for a maximum of 88 beds. Most rooms have 2 single beds and a sink. Buildings A and B are closest to the dining facility and each have 14 double rooms and 1 single, all with sinks. Building A, which will be our primary gathering place, has separate men and women's restroom/showers. Single women would most likely stay in this building, as well as couples. Our registration and auction can be held here. Building B has the same number of rooms but only one unisex shower/rest room. Both have microwaves, refrigerators, and TV. There is a large burn pit outside these buildings for gatherings. The Mountain Lodge sleeps 11 (1 single) and has a unisex shower/restroom. It also has a full kitchen. The River Lodge is the newest and sleeps 9 - one room has 3 beds. No sinks in these rooms. There are 2 shower/restrooms in this building so couples and single females could stay here also. Large gathering room upstairs. The Helitack Building is about a half mile away and sleeps 10, no sinks in the rooms. It has a full kitchen with 2 bathrooms.

Meals

All meals are included.

Local Attractions

There are a number of campgrounds in the area including the one at Linville Falls operated by the National Park Service, which is only 6 miles away. Two motels are located in Linville Falls and one in Pineola, both about 5 miles away. There are a number of good restaurants in nearby Linville Falls, Crossnore, and Newland. The nearest airport is in Asheville some 70 miles and 90 minutes away.

Schedule

For those arriving sometime on Thursday, we hope to meet the WRC biologists and their electro-fishing boat on the French Broad River for electrofishing and seining. Friday will consist of collecting/snorkleing in nearby watersheds with arrival back at the facility at a reasonable time to enjoy the cook out and auction. Saturday will also be more collecting/snorkeling but there will also be a collecting challenge between 2 teams who will visit the same 4 sites, in reverse order � all catch and release. Numbers will be limited on these teams so when registration opens up, if you wish to compete, be prepared to register. There will an extra fee ($10) for this which will go to the funding of t-shirts for the winning team. Sunday will be more of the same with some groups heading in different directions on their way home or staying in the area.

Additional Details

For those arriving sometime on Thursday, we hope to meet the WRC biologists and their electro-fishing boat on the French Broad River for electrofishing and seining. Friday will consist of collecting/snorkleing in nearby watersheds with arrival back at the facility at a reasonable time to enjoy the cook out and auction. Saturday will also be more collecting/snorkeling but there will also be a collecting challenge between 2 teams who will visit the same 4 sites, in reverse order � all catch and release. Numbers will be limited on these teams so when registration opens up, if you wish to compete, be prepared to register. There will an extra fee ($10) for this which will go to the funding of t-shirts for the winning team. Sunday will be more of the same with some groups heading in different directions on their way home or staying in the area. We will try and get trip leaders under the scientific collecting permit of the host so no other licenses will be needed unless you decide to collect on your own, before or after the convention.