Post by fernwood on Jun 14, 2019 6:50:56 GMT -5
Recently found out I will have 50 minutes for the workshop, which includes set up/take down.
I had to laugh, inside, when the info received was just for sessions geared towards adults. Very detailed on Power Point capabilities and hints for a good Power Point presentation. A list of the number of chairs/tables in each of the main session tents. Nothing related to sessions in the Children's tent.
I have been at sessions in the Children's tent before and it is not like the other tents. In an area away from those. No electric. Minimal chairs, which I was not planning on using anyways. It is a hands on area. Most of the other sessions involve arts/crafts activities, music and drama.
So, have to alter my plans, based on the time available.
Will bring fewer display/hands on items than I was going to. Still will have examples of rough rocks, tumbled rocks, cabochons, pins, magnets and pendants. Since there is so much Granite around here, a piece of counter scrap. A duel barrel Thumbler in box with an unopened grit pack.
Each discussion topic will be shortened to about 3-5 minutes. They will be: Overview, where to find (including places you should not look for rocks), identification, safety, how to transform finds and resources. Will have a resource hand-out, which will include RTH.
The identification time will be passing around examples of local rocks and some not so local. This section will be about 10 minutes, depending on number of attendees.
It might be raining that day. If so, will just have the rock hunt in bins in the tent. If not raining, a 10 minute rock hunt on the grounds.
That leaves about 3-5 minutes for set-up and take down. Am hoping the person who transports my supplies from car in parking lot to tent will have time to help unload and place items on table. It will take about 45 minutes to load items from car in the cart (pulled by ATV), transport to tent and unload. Hope to arrive fairly early in the day to get a close parking spot, or speak nicely to the parking lot attendants. Know that by Noon on Friday, there are usually between 500-750 cars in the parking lot. The lot is a hilly, field type area of about 15 acres. I wish they had special parking for Session Presenters and vendors, but they do not. Last year I arrived at 10:00 AM on Friday. Had to park about 3/4 mile away. So, hopefully, I can get my butt in gear, do chores early and arrive at 8:00 AM this year.
Will have one, 8' table for display/resource items.
I work the day before, night shift, so will need to load car with almost everything prior. Do not want to load car in a thunderstorm, so planning on loading everything the first day with no rain (when I am not working) next week.
So being obsessive-compulsive to ensure I have planned for everything.
Side note, is that I will be donating some jewelry, specimen rocks and lapidary items for the silent auction. Have done that the past 3 years. My way of helping the cause of the MREA. Thinking this year, I will donate more smaller items that would appeal to children (and their parents).
Some items that would appeal to rock collectors/healers. A few necklaces. A few rock slabs/slabettes. I will print off 5 x 7 cards describing the rocks and slabs.
So, hoping I have everything figured out for this year. That the session is successful and I am invited back next year. A plus is that I only need to drive 15 miles on mostly country roads to get there.
Have selected the sessions I want to attend already. Also the music performances and keynote speakers. I really need this time away from everything in my life. A chance to be with like minded peoples in a beautiful setting. A chance to learn and share my passions with others.
So, anything I missed?
I had to laugh, inside, when the info received was just for sessions geared towards adults. Very detailed on Power Point capabilities and hints for a good Power Point presentation. A list of the number of chairs/tables in each of the main session tents. Nothing related to sessions in the Children's tent.
I have been at sessions in the Children's tent before and it is not like the other tents. In an area away from those. No electric. Minimal chairs, which I was not planning on using anyways. It is a hands on area. Most of the other sessions involve arts/crafts activities, music and drama.
So, have to alter my plans, based on the time available.
Will bring fewer display/hands on items than I was going to. Still will have examples of rough rocks, tumbled rocks, cabochons, pins, magnets and pendants. Since there is so much Granite around here, a piece of counter scrap. A duel barrel Thumbler in box with an unopened grit pack.
Each discussion topic will be shortened to about 3-5 minutes. They will be: Overview, where to find (including places you should not look for rocks), identification, safety, how to transform finds and resources. Will have a resource hand-out, which will include RTH.
The identification time will be passing around examples of local rocks and some not so local. This section will be about 10 minutes, depending on number of attendees.
It might be raining that day. If so, will just have the rock hunt in bins in the tent. If not raining, a 10 minute rock hunt on the grounds.
That leaves about 3-5 minutes for set-up and take down. Am hoping the person who transports my supplies from car in parking lot to tent will have time to help unload and place items on table. It will take about 45 minutes to load items from car in the cart (pulled by ATV), transport to tent and unload. Hope to arrive fairly early in the day to get a close parking spot, or speak nicely to the parking lot attendants. Know that by Noon on Friday, there are usually between 500-750 cars in the parking lot. The lot is a hilly, field type area of about 15 acres. I wish they had special parking for Session Presenters and vendors, but they do not. Last year I arrived at 10:00 AM on Friday. Had to park about 3/4 mile away. So, hopefully, I can get my butt in gear, do chores early and arrive at 8:00 AM this year.
Will have one, 8' table for display/resource items.
I work the day before, night shift, so will need to load car with almost everything prior. Do not want to load car in a thunderstorm, so planning on loading everything the first day with no rain (when I am not working) next week.
So being obsessive-compulsive to ensure I have planned for everything.
Side note, is that I will be donating some jewelry, specimen rocks and lapidary items for the silent auction. Have done that the past 3 years. My way of helping the cause of the MREA. Thinking this year, I will donate more smaller items that would appeal to children (and their parents).
Some items that would appeal to rock collectors/healers. A few necklaces. A few rock slabs/slabettes. I will print off 5 x 7 cards describing the rocks and slabs.
So, hoping I have everything figured out for this year. That the session is successful and I am invited back next year. A plus is that I only need to drive 15 miles on mostly country roads to get there.
Have selected the sessions I want to attend already. Also the music performances and keynote speakers. I really need this time away from everything in my life. A chance to be with like minded peoples in a beautiful setting. A chance to learn and share my passions with others.
So, anything I missed?
