[AZ-Observing] Volunteers requested - please


Hello Members of Saguaro Astronomy Club!

Last year, members of the Prescott Astronomy Club provided an absolutely
wonderful
experience for some 80 underprivileged kids our Camelback Kiwanis Club takes
up to
Camp Wamatochick each fall.  We are doing it again September 25-26, 2004.
We
spoke with Gene of the Prescott Club, and he said they were already booked.

We would be honored if your group could provide the Saturday evening star
and moon
gazing.  Last year it worked great, the kids were fascinated and had fun,
and I
think astronomy members got a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction from
the
experience.  Since the process worked so well last year, we would like to do
the
same type of presentation this year, plus anything else your members would
like
to add - like the computerized presentation that was created by one of their
members.
We look forward to working with you and spending a wonderful evening under
the stars
with you in September.  Please contact me at your earliest convenience to
make the
necessary arrangements.

We would be delighted to offer a 5 minute presentation to the club at your
next meeting
in August.  Additionally, we also would be happy to provide dinner to any of
your members
who come up for the evening.  Also, you are welcome to stay and enjoy the
rest of the
evening for your personal viewing.  This is in an open sports arena area,
dark with plenty
of open sky for viewing.

If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact
us.
Thank you so very much.

Michael E. Loftus
Office Telephone Number: (602) 954-0665
Home Telephone Number: (602) 840-3303
Mobile Telephone Number: (602) 418-4165


LAST YEAR'S E-MAIL INFORMATION TO THE PRESCOTT ASTRONOMY CLUB:

We have a long-standing relationship with Campfire of Arizona, particularly
Camp Wamatochick outside Prescott.  Each fall we take 70-80 underprivileged
kids from Kenilworth School and the Andre House homeless shelter to Camp for
an overnight camp experience.  The kids are always great and we have a lot
of fun.  Last year we attempted a simple astronomy activity on Saturday
night - 1 telescope, several binoculars, and several well-meaning adults who
really did not know what they were doing.  Despite our limitations, the kids
loved it, particularly the telescope.  This year we would like to give them
a much better astronomy experience.  We have lined up several telescopes,
but could use some more.  Most importantly, we would love to have some
members of your club help us with this activity in any way you can.  Having
some people there who actually know what they are talking about and how to
use the telescopes would make the evening event truly special.

Based on how we divide up the kids into cabin groups of about 8 kids each,
and about an hour or so for each 1/2 of the Camp (35 - 40 kids plus adults
each) to enjoy the stars, my initial thought is that it would work well to
have 5 viewing station, where members of your club (with whatever assistance
you want from us) could describe the scopes (I looked at a number of them on
your website and they are impressive, particularly some of the wooden ones),
what we would be looking at through them, and then let the kids take a look
(the adults usually want to participate as well).  That is just a thought;
we are very flexible and will work with your members to make it a most
enjoyable experience for them as well as for the kids.

The kids are usually 3rd - 6th graders, are usually very well behaved, and
we have plenty of adult supervision to deal with any organization,
discipline and moving from place to place issues, so you just get to do the
fun part.

Camp Wamatochick is about a mile outside of Groom Creek on the Old Senator
Highway.  Date: Saturday October 04, and it would run about 7:00 to 9:30
but is flexible (we split the kids into two groups to be better able to
manage them one group is at the campfire while one is at the astronomy
session).  There is an open area that has been utilized as a sports field
which we have used in the past.

I would be glad to give you all kinds of details about our club, the Camp,
the kids involved, whatever you think would be helpful.  I think the key
elements are we have been doing this for a number of years and it "works"
very well; Campfire of Arizona sponsors our activities, as does Kenilworth
School, Andre House and the Marines (they let us use their sleeping bags for
the kids); many of these poor, inner-city kids would not otherwise get the
opportunity to get out in the wilderness and enjoy a camp experience; and we
(the adults) just have a lot of fun.  Finally, our Kiwanis club is a
"hands-on" service club, not just one that raises and gives money.  We are
involved in all aspects of the camp, rollup our sleeves to get done what
needs to be done, and we enjoy the camaraderie of working together.  Our
motto is "We Build" and we do.

Thank you for your interest,

Mike Loftus

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