Regatta Parking

Home
Activities Calendar
About Our Council
How To Join
GK Reports
Photos
Regatta Parking
KOVAR
Council Officers
Council Committees
Resources Available
Fr. Michael McGivney
Related Links
Guide To The Rosary
Newsletter
District 14

The 2010 Spring Season is over.
The Fall Season will be here soon.
Check out the message below from Jim Nierle
Get ready for some action!! Sign up now!!
Be the first on your block to get the best shift!!


Does it feel like Spring yet?    Well, last Monday Punxsutawney Phil rose to nature's call and emerged from his burrow.
                
Regardless of whether Phil saw his shadow, every year he barks out the same ancient command:  "Ready all, Row ! " 
 He thus proclaims the official beginning of the spring crew (rowing) season, and provides a secret signal to us Knights of St John Bosco council to prepare to embark upon our principal fundraising effort of the entire year: Regatta Parking.     
 This spring, as our forefathers have done since time immemorial, we shall once again demonstrate a level of endurance and parking excellence beyond that which scientists, philosophers, and prognosticators (even Phil), had previously thought humanly possible.
 WHY SO EARLY?
This call for volunteers is going out early to give everyone the ability to plan and commit, because I know the springtime is chockablock with many events and demands on your time.   For that reason I have included the entire schedule and all signup sheets at once.
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
Our council's management of parking at the Sandy Run Rowing facility on the Occoquan River accounts for 40% of St John Bosco council's income for the entire year.  These funds allow us to do the many important and generous things we do for the church community and our local community.    If we lost this income without another fundraiser to replace it, our good works would be severely curtailed.
 The event organizers provide us a nice monetary compensation, and we ensure order and safety and comic relief (Brou and Jim B.) and enhance the entire experience for the young athletes and the spectators. 
 WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO ME?
Perhaps most important, this project provides a great opportunity to get outside and work side by side with our fellow Knights (FRATERNITY) in a charitable endeavor (CHARITY)  I don't know about you, but that is one of the main reasons I joined the K of C.    
But none of the good can happen unless each of us steps up and helps out.  
 OKAY, YOU CONVINCED ME!  WHAT CAN DO TO HELP?
We are 300 brothers strong in St John Bosco council.  (remind you of any other group?)  
 Our council has committed to supporting 8 high school and 2 college regattas between 27 March and 15 May.   That is about 180 "shifts" that we must fill. 
 So if each of us who is physical able steps up and fills AT LEAST one shift, we have this covered, can-do-easy.  
 Please take a look at the schedule below and let me know when you would like to fulfill your commitment.    Just shoot me an email and let me know the date and time. 
 
Although the whole season is laid out,  we REALLY need to have those first few regattas filled first.   Especially that first weekend of 27-28 March when we have both a high school and college event on Saturday and Sunday.       
 
I will also have the sign up lists to the monthly business meetings in Feb, Mar, Apr, and May.
 
HEY, THIS SOUNDS COOL.  TELL ME MORE
  • No experience is necessary!  
  • "Cash collection"  =   taking $10s and $20s from the cars.    How easy is that.
  • "Parking"             = showing drivers to a space.  (ever wanted to be one of the guys at the airport waving the plane to the gate?   same thing - I'll provide the mickey mouse earprotectors and orange cones - you supply your own sunglasses  -  and you can fulfill your boyhood fantasy.   )   
  • You get a walkie-talkie to carry around.    What guy doesn't love using a walkie-talkie?
  • Morning crews get coffee and donuts; noon and PM crews get soda and KFC chicken.    
  • It's a chance to show off your  K of C officially licensed hats, shirts, jackets... or your cowboy hat, duster, and boots - not that there's anything wrong with that.
  • And this year we will also be offering addl tangible rewards for those who participate.   More on that coming soon.  
  • Phil will be making unannounced appearances throughout the season, so don't forget to bring your cameras.
Yes,  your teens can come along and help out.   There is so much good that can come from that, I cant even put it into words.   I believe this is a qualifying activity for the "service hours" that teens need for confirmation, etc.  
 
If you have ANY questions about Regatta Parking or Punxsutawney Phil, please do not hesitate to contact me.   
 
Hope to hear from ALL of you soon.   
 
Vivat Jesus!
 
Jim Nierle
nierle@verizon.net
760-712-2050
 

Some answers to FAQs

Ø     Pets are not allowed in the park on regatta days. The only exceptions are animals trained to assist individuals with disabilities. At all other times, pets must be on a leash.

Ø     Be prepared to walk. The parking lots, boathouses and racecourse are spread over a hundred acres. Trails range from 3/10 to ½ mile. No bikes on the trails.

Ø     If you require special accommodations, please contact the park at least 10 days in advance of the event for an American With Disabilities application.

Ø     We do have handicap parking areas for those with DMV tags.

Ø     On most regatta days, a van service will to take you to the grandstand area. There is a fee for riding the van.

Ø     On championship regatta days, you may be assisted to park off site and ride a shuttle bus to the regatta site.

Ø     No one may spend the night in the park.

Ø     No one may cook food in the park. Food vendors must obtain written permission from park management.

Ø     Unless you have a pass, you will be charged an admission fee to enter the park on regatta days.

Ø     If you are dropping off rowers, food or equipment, you must follow the directions of the parking crew. You may not be able to drive into the park and will need to carry what you have.

Ø     On extremely busy days, to pick up someone, you may have to park and walk or ride in to reach them. If you bring a pet, you will not be allowed in the park (see pet rule, regatta days).

Ø     State law prohibits alcoholic beverages.

Ø     The Occoquan Reservoir is a public water supply. There is no swimming or cox tossing allowed. Violators are subject to disqualification, fines and ejection from the park.

 

 


Spring Schedule

Date First Race Name Size
27 March   Polar Bear Regatta Medium
28 March   Occoquan Sprints (College) Medium
3 April   Walter Mess Regatta Large
10 April   Darrell Winslow Regatta Large
17 April   Smokey Jacobs Regatta Medium
24 April   Al Urquia Regatta Large
1 May   Ted Phoenix Regatta Medium
2 May   Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Championships Very Large
8 May   VA State Rowing Championship Very Large
22 May   Occoquan Classic Regatta Small
       

In case of inclement weather, and if you are concerned if a regatta has been cancelled, either you will be contacted, or for High School Regattas, you can go to the NCSRA web site at www.ncasra.org for the most up-to-date information.

For those of you who are new to the Council, or new to the Regatta Parking business, the following pages are designed specifically to enable you, the council member volunteer, to know how to get to Sandy Run, what your duties are, and what your shift times will be.

Specifically, we have a page for Site Captains, a page for Parking Volunteers, and a detailed Watch Bill so you know what times and dates you have volunteered for, or which volunteer slots are open, just waiting for you to volunteer.

And here's something for you all -- a Site Map of the Sandy Run area.  Now you know where everything is. 

Please refer to these pages often -- we'll try to keep them as up to date as possible.

 

    Site Captains

    Parking Volunteers

    Watch Bill

   Site Map

 

                                                     

 

 

                                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                      
       

                 

                      

    

  To Contact Us:                                                          

                 Knights of Columbus
                 St. John Bosco Council #12846
                 P. O. Box 263
                 Springfield,  Virginia 22150
                            Email: St John Bosco Knights of Columbus 


 

Jim Kendall, Grand Knight
St. John Bosco Council #12846
Email: GK12846@VAKofC.org

                                                                                        
                                                  
   
                   Council Disclaimer
                    Web site last updated on August 10, 2010
                      
E mail:
  Webmaster KofC Council #12846