Guidelines for planning an activity:

 

Get the following information to the Webmaster and newsletter editor(s) BEFORE THE DEADLINE:

 

(Think of the 5 WÕs and the H--who, what, when, where, why and how--and answer as many of those questions as you can think of!)

 

1)  What it is and why members should come:

            Any exciting copy to drum up interest about how great it will be.

            photos and/or graphics, if possible

 

            Specific information on what activities are planned and

            what opportunities will be available (professional development? community service? recreation? guest speaker?)

 

            What to bring

 

2)  EXACTLY when, not only dates, but times when they can show up on the first day

            (check in time), and how soon they have to leave on the last (check out time)

 

3)  Where it is:  SPECIFIC directions on how to get there

            include a MAP if possible

 

4)  How much it will cost, including AEOE membership, entrance fees,

            transportation costs, camping fees, and the cost of activity

 

            What is included in the cost--meals, camping, activities, etc.

 

5)  Contact information:  not only who to call/e-mail for more info,

            but a website to check out as well is nice

 

 

It should be turned in to the newsletter editor in complete form, ready to publish, not as a collection of notes or a paragraph without all the needed information.

 

 

Robin FrankÕs article on the Catalina trip is an excellent example of what I wanted when I was newsletter editor:

This was e-mailed to me as is, and I changed very little in the final article:

 

Catalina Island Camping Adventure March 23, 24,25

 

Are you dreaming of a peaceful weekend at the beach? Have you seen the California State Marine Fish lately?  Would you like to see the sunset on the back side of Catalina Island?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, please join us March 23-25 for seaside camping at Two Harbors on Catalina Island, where you will enjoy ocean views from all tents.  Campground includes rinse-off showers, fresh water, chemical toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, and BBQ.  The town of Two Harbors has a General Store, snack bar, Harbor Reef Restaurant, and West End Dive Center (for kayak rentals and dive trips). Rangers sell firewood, propane, butane, and charcoal.

 

When:  March 23, 24, 25 (we will be departing from the San Pedro terminal at 7:15 p.m. Friday night, plant to meet at the San Pedro terminal at 6:45 p.m. If you cannot make it until Saturday (3/24), there is one boat departing at 9:15 am. Upon arriving in Two Harbors, walk up the dock and turn left. Follow the path out of town and up the hillside. The first campsite you come to should be ours. The return boat leaves Sunday at 2:30 pm.  Travel time is approximately 2 hours each way.

 

Where: Two Harbors Campground on beautiful Catalina Island. The only boat to Two Harbors is the Catalina Express which departs from San Pedro.  To get to San Pedro, find the intersection of the 110 and 405 freeways.  Take the 110 freeway south, and exit on Harbor Blvd. (the last offramp before the Vincent St. Thomas Bridge) Follow signs to Catalina Express Terminal. The terminal is in spitting range of the bridge.

 

What:  Hiking, snorkeling, swimming, beach volleyball, barbecue, rest and relaxation, beautiful ocean views!  We will be offering a free hike/island talk for anyone interested sometime on Saturday.

 

Cost:  Roundtrip boat fare: $39.00 per person, plus Camping Fee: $20 per person (includes campground Friday and Saturday night, Saturday Breakfast and Dinner.  If you are only staying Saturday night, cost is $12 per person) Kayak rentals, dive trips and snorkel gear rental available (contact Two Harbors Dive and Recreation Center at (310) 510-4272 for more information and reservations.) We will be having a barbecue on Saturday night, vegi burgers (and all the fixins), chips, salad, soft drinks will be provided, if you would like anything else, please bring it along.

 

To Bring: Tent, sleeping bag, swim suit and towel, food for those meals not provided (there is a general store, restaurant and snack shop), something warm (it can get cool at night), drinking water.

 

Contact: If you would like to join us or need more information, please contact Robin Frank at (818) 654-9509 as soon as possible.  If you would like to make boat reservations, please call Robin first and then call the Catalina Express at (800) 481-3470.  Tell them you want to go to Two Harbors Friday night at 7:15 pm and return to San Pedro Sunday on the 2:30 boat.