Specifics for Whistler BC 2012
Click here AugustCampSpecifics2012.pdf to download a pdf file with this information for printing
In 2012 August Camp is celebrating 125 years of creating community in the great outdoors. Join us and become a part of the AMC's oldest tradition!
IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE NOT A CANADIAN CITIZEN YOU MUST HAVE A VALID PASSPORT TO TRAVEL TO THIS YEAR'S AUGUST CAMP.
TRANSPORTATION
Campers flying to Camp will be met at the Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (YVR) airport. We will use our rental vehicles to take campers to and from the airport on arrival and departure Saturdays only. The vans will depart the airport on your arrival Saturday as they fill, beginning at 11 a.m. If possible, please do not plan to arrive at the meeting place prior to 11 a.m. on your arrival day as departing campers need to disembark before we can load up and leave. After retrieving your luggage please proceed to the Enterprise waiting area.
(NOTE: The car rental company could change before Camp begins – please check back at Home Page before you leave for Camp.)
Look for someone with an AMC sign. Camp is about a 2.5-hour drive from the airport with no stops. We normally make a QUICK stop somewhere en route for lunch and for people to buy whatever few supplies (e.g., happy hour provisions) they may want for Camp.
MONEY
Many campers in 2011 chose to use American money because the exchange rates were close to par. If you wish to get Canadian currency, ATMs are probably the most convenient way to do so. Check in the airport upon arrival for ATMs. Remember that many ATMs and credit cards now add a fee for foreign use. Be sure to notify your credit card companies and banks that you will be traveling outside the US to avoid an inconvenient refusal of your card. Some US ATM PIN formats are incompatible with foreign ATMs. Check with your bank.
If you plan to use our August Camp van transportation to get from the airport to Camp:
- RETURN the TRANSPORTATION SHEET directly to the TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR. Please include your COMPLETE FLIGHT SCHEDULE, including the record locator. Please do not send incomplete forms. If you are notified of changes in your schedule, please notify the Transportation Coordinator (Virginia Campbell, (917-495-2084) immediately, not the Registrar. Leave a phone message if no answer.
- Come to the rental car area any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on your arrival day so we can load vans and get you to Camp as soon as possible. We try to accommodate unanticipated flight delays or schedule changes. If arriving by 3 p.m. is a problem, you may need to consider arriving a day early and spending the night near the airport in Vancouver (also expedient in this day of lost/delayed luggage).
- ON YOUR ARRIVAL SATURDAY ONLY, please call the number given below if your flight has been delayed, changed, rerouted and for other travel Saturday emergencies. This is NOT the emergency number for Camp. Have the appropriate number handy on your travel day. If you call before 10 a.m. and get no answer, keep trying as the phone may be en route to the airport and in a no-coverage area.
**On July 14 and 21 call 203-641-9128
**On July 28 and August 4 call 917-495-2084
- On your DEPARTURE Saturday we strongly encourage you to book a flight departing late morning. If you choose to book an early morning flight you might consider booking it for Sunday morning and spending Saturday night in Vancouver.
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS AT CAMP
In order to run our full program of hikes and activities each day, August Camp depends on having a large number of campers qualified as volunteer drivers. However you plan ultimately to arrive at our Whistler Campsite, please consider applying to be an approved van driver. To do so you MUST fill out the Authorization to Drive August Camp Vans form. This form authorizes the AMC's insurance carrier to review your driving record. These forms must be returned to the TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR no later than May 1st.
DIRECTIONS FOR THOSE TRAVELING TO CAMP ON THEIR OWN
| The 2012 August Camp will be held north of Vancouver, B.C., and south of Whistler, B.C., near the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics on the Callaghan Valley Road. From the Vancouver International Airport, drive north on route BC99 (Sea to Sky Highway) 122 kilometers (76 miles), making a left onto the Callaghan Valley Road – see sign pictured at right. The Callaghan Valley Road is located approximately 14 kilometers (9 miles) south of Whistler, B.C. |
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Drive up this road for 7 kilometers (4.3 miles). Make a
right on the Callaghan Creek Road – see sign pictured at right. Drive
approximately 1 kilometer (0.6 mi), watching for signs for August Camp on
the right. Allow 2.5 hours driving time from the Vancouver Airport. Part of
this drive is through downtown Vancouver (unavoidable).
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CAMP MAILING ADDRESS There will be no mail service at Camp this year.
MEDICAL FACILITIES There are hospitals in nearby Squamish and in Vancouver; urgent care facilities are found in both Squamish and Whistler.
CELL PHONES Check with your provider about coverage in Canada. It may entail an extra charge. There may be coverage at our actual camp site.
CAMP PHONE NUMBER
If calling from the US, the emergency number as listed in the “All You Need to Know” document is the one to use (1-800-706-1333). The number to use when calling from within Canada, even when using US-registered cell phones, is 1-800-808-5773.
- Dial the appropriate number, above.
- Listen to the recording and then press *
- Press 2 to leave a voice mail
- Enter August Camp code number 10 1887 1887
- Follow directions (hash key = pound key #)
A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT OUTINGS AT THIS YEAR’S CAMP
Although August Camp is primarily a hiking camp, we will also schedule some non-hiking excursions to scenic areas, and, if possible, some rafting activities. Visits to Winter Olympic sites may be also be offered. These extra activities may involve some extra charges, such as admission fees, or costs of an outfitter. In addition, it is perfectly ok to stay in camp for the day and relax with a book or your camera.
CAMP AND HIKE ELEVATIONS
Our Camp is located at about 2500’ and our hikes will be in the 4000’ to 8000’ range. You may wish to select easier hikes until you feel acclimatized.
GUIDEBOOKS AND MAPS
The best guidebook: “Whistler Hiking Guide" by Finestone & Hodder.
The best map: "Green Trails Maps - Whistler & Garibaldi Area Trails" by Green Trails Maps
Check the website in the spring for a list of planned hikes.
IMPORTANT: Below find check lists for all forms that must be returned, to whom they must be returned, and when they must be returned. Failure to send these forms to the appropriate persons by the required date may result in the loss of your space at Camp or may eliminate you from being able to serve as a driver while at Camp.
Please complete and return to the REGISTRAR no later than May 1, 2012:
1._____ August Camp Camper Information Form (PDF)
2._____ Confidential Medical Health Form (PDF) one for each member of your party
3._____
AMC Volunteer Managed Facilities Release Form (PDF) can contain multiple signatures. Adults must sign for minors
4._____ Payment (check) for your final payment made out to "AMC August Camp
Registrar":
Send these to:
August Camp Registrar
Trish Niece
810 N. Farms Rd.
Wallingford, CT 06492
Please complete and return to the TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR
no later than May 1, 2012:
1.____ Transportation Form (PDF) with your COMPLETE FLIGHT SCHEDULE and FLIGHT CONFIRMATION NUMBER (record locator)
2.____
Authorization to Drive August Camp Vans Form (PDF) if you want to be an approved driver.
Send these to:
August Camp Transportation Coordinator
Virginia Campbell
20 Witherell Street
Bronxville, NY 10708