Tennessee Chapter Fall Retreat 2021 Cancelled
October 29th - 31st
Booker T Washington State Park
Covid 19 continues to harm our communities. Because we are concerned about the health and safety of our members, and at the recommendation of Sierra Club, we have cancelled the Fall Chapter Retreat at Booker T Washington State Park in Chattanooga. We hope to get together in person next year.for a weekend surrounded by the beauty of nature and fellow Tennessee Sierrans.
Location
The park is located approximately 11 miles northeast of Downtown Chattanooga, along Highway 58.
Address: 5801 Champion Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37416
Booker T. Washington State Park is named in honor of the famous leader, Booker Taliaferro Washington, best known for being the former president of the Tuskegee Institute, an organization for higher education.
Situated on the shores of scenic Chickamauga Lake, not far from the city of Chattanooga, is the 353-acre Booker T. Washington State Park. The Park was built largely by African American units of the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was originally designated under segregation as one of two Tennessee State Parks for use by Black Americans (the other being T. O. Fuller State Park near Memphis) until discrimination in public accommodations in the United States was banned under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Many visitors enjoy the phenomenal scenery through the challenging, yet rewarding, six-mile mountain biking trail. The Park is also equipped with an Olympic size swimming pool that includes a diving board and children’s wading pool. The Park has three large picnic pavilions, each accommodating up to 60 people, as well as the more than 30 individual picnic sites located throughout the park. Each picnic site is equipped with grills and water spigots nearby.
Take a look at the park maps. Those staying with us will be at the Group Camp. Visit the park website to find out more about the location!
Friday Activities
4:00 pm - Check in. See old friends and make new ones. Settle into your lodging.
7:00 pm - Aaron Mair, Sierra Club National Board member and past SC President: African-American units of the Civilian Conservation Corps
Saturday Activities
9:00 am - Hike with Randy Hedgepath
9:00 am - Outdoor Leader Training 101, Part 1. (For Part 2, join the hike on Sunday at 9 am.)
- If you are interested, see OLT 101 info 2021.pdf for an idea about what is involved in becoming a Sierra Club Outings Leader
1:00 pm - Hike with Randy Hedgepath
1:00 pm - Basic First Aid and CPR Training. Important for outdoor leaders! There will be a $25 fee for this training
3:00 pm - Paul Davis, retired Director of TDEC Water Pollution Control: A Coming Storm: New TDEC Stormwater Regulations and Sewage System Issues
7:00 pm - Silent Auction to benefit the Chapter Defender Fund. Get cool stuff and support the Tennessee Chapter’s critical work
7:30 pm - Aaron Mair, Sierra Club National Board member and past SC President: How the Sierra Club is working with the Biden Administration
9:00 pm - Campfire. It’s Halloween weekend! Gather around the campfire for trick-or-treating, story-telling, snacks (think s’mores!), and decorations
Sunday Activities
9:00 am - Hike to TBD. Additional hikes may be included to allow OLT 101 participants to qualify for their “Assistant Leader” requirement.
Davis Mounger - Bad Logging Hike at Prentice Cooper
Rates
Adult registration fee (16 years and older) covers lodging (women’s dorms, men’s dorms), 2 breakfasts, and Saturday dinner. Please pay with cash or check when you check in. (Unfortunately, we have no provision for accepting payment online or with credit card.)
- Early Bird Discount (register by October 22) - $50
- First Chapter retreat attendees (register by October 22) - $25
- Late registration (after October 22) - $60
- Students - $25
- Youth under 16 – No Charge
Essentials
Where
Booker T. Washington State Park is about 11 miles from downtown Chattanooga off of TN Hwy 58. The six Camp sleeping cabins each accommodate 16 people and were renovated in 2014. There is also a dining hall, bathhouse, pavilion, and basketball court. Within the Park is one of the best off-road bicycle trails in the south.
When
October 29, 4:00 pm through October 31, 2:00 pm. Come for a day or for the weekend.
What To Bring
Linens or sleeping bag, pillow, towel
Stuff for hiking: trail lunches, water bottle, daypack, rain gear
Beverages, flashlight
Warm hat, coat, and gloves
Camp chair
Food
Saturday and Sunday breakfasts and a Saturday evening meal will be provided and prepared by volunteers. Vegetarian options are available.
Please bring your own lunches and plan to eat on the way or bring something for dinner Friday evening.
Registration
Register by Friday, October 22, to receive the early bird discount. Register using the online registration form to reserve your place. All Retreat participants will be required to sign the standard Sierra Club outings liability waiver when checking in at the retreat location. You can view the waiver here.
Any attendee under the age of 18 not accompanied by parent or legal guardian must have a signed liability waiver and medical authorization form upon arrival. Review these waivers here.
For more information contact Mac Post by email or phone at (865) 806-0980.