30th Anniversary Reunion
July 21-25, 2004
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30th Anniversary Reunion |
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Welcome to OA's 30th Anniversary Reunion in the White Mountains. We have put together a tremendous program for you to come and enjoy the outdoors, reconnect with friends, and learn some new skills. We've got everything from easy day hikes to more challenging peak climbs to cover all age groups. The Highland Center is a great place for kids and we welcome families.
We are excited to be able to host our 30th Anniversary at the Appalachian Mountain Club's Highland Center in Crawford Notch. Surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest, the Highland Center offers an exciting array of daily outdoor excursions and activities geared for all ages and ability levels. We will be the only guests at the lodge so like any OA trip it's a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones since everyone there will be an OA alum. The Highland Center is a brand new facility that opened in September 2003 and offers a unique gateway to the natural history and outdoor adventure of the Whites.
We have put together a great "unscheduled" schedule for your stay. Each day we've got a range of organized activities planned and you're also free to head out on your own hikes with friends or just hang out in the lodge enjoying a quiet morning on the porch. Tere are more than twenty great hikes into the White Mountains right from Crawford Notch. Here is a list of just some of the options we'll have for you.
Friday is exploration day. In addition to the regular options outlined above, we've contracted with some great local outfitters for some exciting optional activities exploring the beautiful White Mountains. There is an extra fee for these activities and spaces are limited. Sign up on the registration form.
Mountain Biking (Beginner - Advanced)Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center is the backdrop for our optional mountain biking adventure. Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center is the perfect place for a day of easy riding on twenty miles of scenic trails. It's definitely family-friendly. The complex features an easy to use, well-maintained and well-marked, packed gravel bike trail system that crosses beautiful fields, North Country woodlands, parallels scenic rivers, beaver bogs, and rewards you with spectacular views of Mt. Washington and the Northern Presidential Range.
There are both guided and unguided options. For those who want some instruction, experienced guides will lead you on a fun-filled morning ride that will teach you basic mountain bike handling skills. After a relaxing lunch, you'll spend the remainder of the day exploring local trails. Bring your own bikes or rent from Great Glen. (Full-day Guided fee $55 with bike/helmet rental. Full day Unguided is $35/adult $25/child with bike/helmet rental). Helmets are required for all riders.
Great Glen also offers a variety of trails for advanced riders. You can find single track riding scattered all around our carriage road style trails. Ranging from .2 kilometers to 5 kilometers long, we have trails that will keep you busy for hours. The skills park was designed for riders to test their skills that they would use out on the trail, but in a more friendly and reusable environment. Located less than a kilometer from the base lodge, the skills park will test your riding on double fall line corners, riding rocks, sand, logs, and other man made elements. Try it for time, or ride the toughest line as smooth as possible. Bring your own bike and pay a $7 trail fee or rent a bike and helmet.
Canoeing or Kayaking (Beginner to Intermediate)Enjoy a relaxing flatwater paddle on the Androscoggin River. This half-day adventure is designed to show you a beautiful piece of the Androscoggin River east of Gorham, New Hampshire. Choose a canoe or a single or double kayak. The backdrop for most of the trip is the Mahoosic Mountain Range, some of the most challenging hiking of the Appalachian Trail. This stretch of river is underused making for great wildlife viewing opportunities. It's not unusual to see deer, moose, river otters, blue herons, ducks, bald eagles, and owls on this stunning stretch of river. (Fee $55.00). Children 8 and up.
Rock Climbing (Beginner to Intermediate)We've partnered with the International Mountain Climbing School (IMCS) one of America's top climbing guide services, for a day of top rope climbing. We've selected two day trips; one is a full day trip at White Horse and Cathedral Ledge in North Conway and the other is a full or partial day trip at the Elephant's Head within walking distance of the Highland Center. Both trips are suitable for beginner to intermediate climbers and all equipment and instruction is provided. Elephant's Head is a particularly good area for kids from 5-10 years old, and families can chose to spend all or part of the day there. (Fee $75.00/person). Children 5 and up.
As a special event for OA's 30th we have scheduled a summit
hike to Mt. Eisenhower. At 4,780 feet, Mt. Eisenhower is one of the
most spectacular summits in the White Mountains with 360 degree
views across the Presidential Range. The full hike on the Crawford Path
to Mt. Eisenhower is 8.6 miles round trip and has an elevation gain
of 2,650 feet from the Highland Center. There are several other
shorter hikes for those who want a more relaxing day or for families
with younger children. Since this is the White Mountains weather can
be unpredictable so everyone should bring proper clothing for the
hike. Details will be provided in the equipment list. Following the
hike we'll have a reception back at the Highland Center followed by
dinner and a fun evening reliving OA's history.
As part of our time in the White Mountains we want to give something back to the environment. We'll be working with the AMC and the White Mountain National Forest on a local trail project that will be scheduled some time during our stay.
The fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down. After a great dinner we'll have evening activities including speakers on nature and the environment, a talk about the history of the Appalachian Mountains and the AMC, music and singing and a very special slide show on Saturday night 30 Years of OA Adventures.
The AMC Highland CenterThe Highland Center sits in Crawford Notch in the White Mountain National Forest outside of Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. With its magnificent mountain views and all-inclusive accommodations, the Highland Center makes it easy to explore nature first hand as you relax in comfort. There are two lodging options, comfortable shared bunkrooms with shared bathrooms or semi-private guestrooms with private baths. Due to the incredible popularity of this program and the space limitations we will be using every bed, If you don't need the full complement of beds in your space we'll assign other people to your room. Couples will be placed in rooms with another couple. Solo participants will be assigned bunkmates with people of similar age (just like freshman year). Lodging options will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and if one type of lodging option is filled we will direct you to the other available types. Every effort will be made to honor roommate requests. There are no phones or televisions in the rooms. The Highland Center is a non-smoking facility.
The OA 30th Anniversary package is all inclusive and includes a four-night stay, all meals and activities from Wednesday, July 21 to Sunday, July 25. The Registration fee is $95 per person and the lodging fee is dependant on the type of lodging you request. There is an additional fee for the optional activities on Friday, July 23. Reservation forms and full payment are due by May 15, 2004. Full refunds will be given for cancellations made by June 15. After May 31, 50% refunds will be given. We will be keeping a waiting list if the program is full when you sign up.
Families are encouraged to participate since many of the activities are suitable for children. The Highland Center has easy day hikes right out the front door and their onsite naturalists offer a range of programs for children. Children under 4 must be accompanied by a parent on all Highland Center programs.
All meals are provided by the Highland Center. Plan to eat heartily each day to keep your energy up for an active weekend. Breakfast is served buffet style and includes eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, ham, home fries, home baked items, and the Base Camp Cold Bar with yogurt, fruits and cereals. Organic coffee, tea, and juices are provided. Lunches each day will be a hearty trail lunch to eat indoors or take along wherever the day takes you. Lunches include pre-made deli or vegetarian sandwiches, homemade desert and a drink. Chef Matt prepares two entrées each night for dinner, a vegetarian option and a non-vegetarian along with fresh-baked bread. Vegetable platters and homemade desserts round out the evening meal.
You'll need to provide your own transportation to the Highland Center. Activities during the weekend are mostly based form the Highland Center or are a short drive away. The Highland Center is closer than you think:
Please complete the registration form and return it with your check for the full amount to Outdoor Action. Each guest is required to complete and sign the waiver and health form. A portion of your fee goes to support Outdoor Action activities on campus. Spaces at the Highland Center are limited so we strongly encourage you to register right away. A detailed information packet with equipment list, transportation directions and other information will be mailed to you in early May and will also be available at:
The Friends of OA Board
Peter Bregman ’89
Andy Brown ’69
Katherine Byers ’00
Rick Curtis
’79
John Danielson ’58
Philo Elmer ’69
Keith Ely ’79
John Gager Faculty
Jim Garrett ’'65
Jason Gold ’81
Dave Irving ’58
Bill Katen-Narvell ’76
Glenn Morris ’72
Grace Offutt ’91
Alex Rawson ’01
Laura Scott Caputo ’98
Ed Seliga ’75
Sue Suh ’96
Chris VanBuren ’84
Dave Wilson ’53 *68
Joe Woods ’57