I would like to take a moment and explain how this camping offer came about.
Yes. I am a TES member. When this camping idea first started there were a few of us who thought we might go camping (some TES members and some not) to save on hotel expenses and also to try and have a little fun at the same time. I thought I would rather be by a little fire roasting marshmallows at night than sitting in a hotel lobby or trying to socialize in someones hotel room. One of our campers also has a cadaver dog and she also thought this was a better idea than a hotel room. I asked the rest of our small group and they felt the same way.
In the beginning there were 7 of us. I called and asked Sandy at KOA for prices on tent sites. When I called back the second time she asked what it was we were trying to accomplish and how many campers we expected. I explained there were 7 of us confirmed but that I would like to be able to add a few more who were not certain yet.
Sandy explained to me that instead of renting single tent sites we might be better off in a group site. She explained the pricing guidelines and I was just amazed at the difference in price. OK, so now my brain is clicking. "Hey, I can get more people to help search this way!" I told Sandy I would reserve the group site.
In the beginning (yesterday) we were a group of seven. After I made the reservation I thought "Well, we will do good if we get 20". Now we are determined to try our hardest to fill all 50 slots. What started out as a searching/camping trip for seven has mushroomed and blossomed.
We have never done anything like this before (honestly) but it all just seemed to fall into place. We couldn't turn it down. We are willing to do whatever it takes to help TES!
We realize in todays economy not everyone can afford a hotel for the weekend plus the cost of eating out. We were afraid if we did not reserve the site then it might not be available when we needed it. Besides, Sandy at KOA made us an offer we just could not refuse.
I called TES this morning and explained the situation, that we were sending out posts and emails about our camping offer. I talked to Erin Bridwell and she thought it was a great idea!
Please realize that due to how quickly this all transpired none of us were prepared for this. There is no way TES can say this is a TES sanctioned event because there might be liability on their part. I would not want them to assume that laibility. The first notices we sent out yesterday actually avoided stating that some of us are TES members for precisely this reason. Then we started receiving emails that people were concerned we were going to search on our own and disturb evidence. That is when I decided I better talk to Erin and tell her how this was growing.
I hope this answers some of the questions. Feel free to ask as many more as you like.
Please feel free to copy and share the notice and help us spread the word!
We are looking forward to making this endeavor a success and to helping TES in any way we can.