Wye Camp 2005
A total of 81 people took part in some or all of the weekend. 56 paddlers on the water Saturday and high numbers for both other days.
The camp was well natured throughout with lots of co-oporation and assistance with the various activities.
The showers at Ross worked well. Setting off from Even Pits without waiting for a shuttle also worked well. The Monday paddle was changed from a long paddle finishing in Monmouth to parking at Yat West and spending the day on the rock and down through the rapids for lunch and back which was very relaxing and suited the warm sunny day.
Transport to Even Pits was overloaded and should be avoided in future years. A second 15 seater to be explored although this will require a second driver with a Mini Bus Certificate.

Other sugestions for next year included:

Taking Archery equipment for an on-site activity
(the club has two qualified archery coaches)
A river trip from Monmouth to Tintern Abbey (approx. 10m)
would need to be checked first.

Around the camp site the following improvements have been sugessted:
Rope off a wood pile (one bad fall in the dark occured and it would provide a safer place to chop and cut).
Mark a semi-circle from the river bank to encourage people to camp facing a central communial area.
Two BBQ’s were needed this year and probable the same again next year, take some tressell tables and more gazebos.
Enquire about the cost of portaloos being hired for the weekend (£188.00 for two!!)
or at least having a disinfectant wash stand located with the toilets (worked well having them away from the river).

Dial-a-Pitza on Monday night was very social and worth repeating
(Tel: 01989 562288 Gloucester Road).

The Camp returned a surpluse over expenditure although an additional minibus next year would have to be costed in along with portaloos etc.

Greatful Thanks to the following for this year’s camp:
Colin Broadway for the loan of the open boats and trailer
Grayham Cornish and the CYP for the loan of the minibus
Ross Cricket Club/Ross Leuisre for the showers
LOPC for the loan of the Bell Boat trailer and equipment
Verious club members for towing, shutteling and providing coach cover on the water
The Met Office - or whoever is responsible for the weather

WYE CAMP FEEDBACK & IMPROVEMENTS
Following 2006 camp
This year's camp was enjoyed by all (as far as I know) but as with all things, it can be improved on next year! The large number of people (77) camping chalenged the logistical organisation. The following is a list of sugestions for improving next year's camp. Please e-mail any other ideas for discussion.

BOATS
On the two occasions we launched away from the camp site we had extra boats and there is always the worry that someone will be boatless through double booking the same boat. The sugestion is to number each boat (in chinagraph) and have a printed list detailing the type & number of each boat which people sign up to for each paddle. For this to work we would need a volunteer to co-ordinate boats and trailers.SIGNAGE
We all know where the camp site is - but some didn't, so some direction signs deployed by one of the early arrivers from the Ross roundabout would be a welcome improvement

COMMUNITY MEALS
Splitting the chip order did not work very well, if only because people did not gather together to socialise on Sunday evening. How about the pizza meal on Sunday? We could order enough large pizzas for three slices each (mixed fillings) make up a salad or two and charge a fixed amount. Then do the fish & chips on Monday when there are less people on site.
Just so we have it Pan Pizza, Gloucester Road 01989 562288.

CENTRAL SHELTER
The gazebo was a good idea but it blew down too often! We almost took a tank tent that Desparate Measures had kindly offered. If we are setting up a pizza kitchen a central meeting tent would be worthwhile, it would also provide a home for the hot water point. We could take the DM tent or the two marquees from the Centre.

BRIDGE ABSEIL
David who has been working at LOPC and joined us this year, is qualified for the rope work required to run an abseil from the bridge. It would be great to build that back into the weekend programme.

SHOWERS
The possibility of a mobile shower unit has been raised if this were available and we had a spare tow hook to bring it down it would be a welcome addition.

OVER TO YOU
Have I forgotten anything that has already been sugested? Is there anything else you would like to proffer? Please get in touch.