SLUM CREW 19

From Friday night June 9th, 2006 through Sunday afternoon, June 11th, 2006 you will escape from the routine to join us for a leisurely weekend of canoeing, camping and partying. This is always a great time as we celebrate the greatest outdoor weekend party we started back in 1988. See below how it all works and directions. (Please read this entire e-mail.)

Cost: $75 per person (includes a spot in a canoe, use of the campsite, and a custom-made T-Shirt)

You may still invite others, but please confirm your attendance and better yet, please send me the $ so I know you're definitely going.

PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE BY REPLYING TO THIS E-MAIL AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED A SPOT IN A TENT. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE SERIOUSLY INTERESTED. I NEED TO KNOW WHO'S GOING ASAP.

This canoe trip is way too much fun. Come along.

Thanks everyone,

Karsten "Milk" Kinzer

When: Friday night, June 9th, 2006 to Sunday, June 11, 2006 (late afternoon)

Where: South Fork of the Shenandoah River between Luray and Front Royal, Virginia

What: Two days of canoeing (Sat and Sun.)(2 people per canoe) and two nights (Friday and Saturday nights) at the Compton Campground plus an Official Slum Crew T-shirt to commemorate this historic event. We camp next to the cars so there is no hiking and you can bring more stuff.

Cost: $75 PER PERSON. Make checks out to me, Karsten Kinzer. This includes your spot in the canoe, the use of the campsite and the T-shirt. Food and drink are NOT included.

THIS IS A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT!!! (If it does rain, it usually doesn't rain for long.) HOW IT ALL WORKS:

We are assembling at the Compton Campground (a.k.a. Golden Rock Campground) Friday afternoon or night (arrive when you can-directions follow). Carpool as best you can. It takes about an hour and a half to get there from Northern Virginia. This is a rain or shine event, so no matter what the weather conditions, we'll be there (unless you hear from me.) Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains. We'll be prepared at the campsite for any weather.

The campground is located along the banks of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and is equipped with Don's Jons, a fresh water pump, picnic tables and fire pits (no showers). We will set up camp Friday night near the cars. With that in mind, don't worry about compacting your gear for hiking and such. Bring any and all amenities you think you might want. There will be some community tents to sleep in, but make sure you have space in a tent. Those who have room in tents or tents to share, please make them available to those who don't have tent space. Let me know if you need tent space. THERE WILL BE KEGS OF BEER IN CAMP FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO JOIN US IN GETTING OUR DRINK ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

On Saturday morning, we will be outfitted with lifejackets and paddles and then taken by bus up-river about ten miles. All personal gear will be left at the campsite except what is needed on the river such as suntan lotion, food and plenty of beverages, first-aid kit, etc. Depending on the number of canoes we rent, there will be designated bar canoes we will outfit. These bar canoes will hold all beverages, food, trash, and anything you don't want to get wet. Remember which bar canoe has your stuff. There will be NO GLASS containers of any kind on the river. We will canoe about 5-6 hours Saturday depending on the river level. The river is quite tame (except for one class two rapid at the campsite), but it is strong, moving water, so please take that into consideration. Always keep your footwear and your lifejacket on when canoeing or swimming. If it is sunny, please wear suntan lotion as you can burn very quickly. We finish Saturday back at the same campsite we stayed at Friday night.

On Sunday morning, we set off from the campsite and canoe another exciting seven miles to the Low Water Bridge at Bentonville. Sunday canoeing is shorter than Saturday, but is more eventful. The canoe company will then bus us back up to the Golden Rock Campground. We should be finished Sunday in the late afternoon.

WHAT TO BRING:

* First-Aid Kit
* Suntan lotion
* An old pair of sneakers (river rocks are sharp) - AN ABSOLUTE MUST
* Bug repellent
* Swim suit
* Drinking water or drinks both at camp and on the river. (No Glass Containers)
* FOOD!!! NO FOOD OR DRINK (EXCEPT KEGS) WILL BE PROVIDED. THERE IS A CAMPFIRE PIT THERE FOR COOKING AND GRILLING. BRING FOOD FOR THE RIVER AS WELL.

* Toilet paper
* Rain coat or poncho
* Change of clothes for the campsite including a dry pair of shoes
* Tent (if you have one). If you have more than one tent, please bring it. If we don't need it, we won't use it.
* Sleeping bag or blankets (a pillow is a nice addition)
* Large coolers (if you have them)
* Flashlight

DIRECTIONS:

From Washington D.C.:
- Follow Interstate 66 West off the Beltway for 54 miles to the first Front Royal exit (exit 13). Exit here.

- At the stop sign, turn left.

- Go under I66 and turn right on 55 West into Front Royal.

- Keep going straight (past McDonald's on right) to a "T" intersection (3rd traffic light).

- Turn left on to route 340 South and follow it about 14 miles through the town of Bentonville.

- After about 14 miles, at the bottom of a large hill, turn right onto a dirt road just before a small bridge over a river called Compton. Do NOT cross the bridge. There is a very large, 1/4 mile long active train trestle traversing over the campsite here.

- Proceed slowly down the dirt road as this road is rather bumpy.

- At the bottom of the dirt road, turn LEFT and park where you can. Locate us rowdy folk and we'll help you find a place to pitch your tents.

CELL PHONES WILL PROBABLY NOT WORK AT THE CAMPGROUND.