Update: As of March 14, we have a waiting list. Please follow the information below to add your name, if you would like to be offered a space should one open up.
OFNC Point Pelee Excursion – May 10-14, 2023
The Events Committee is pleased to offer the Point Pelee Excursion to registered OFNC members in 2023! This page will be kept updated with any new information as it becomes available.
The trip will run from Wednesday, May 10th to Sunday, May 14th (5 days/4 nights), and will include two full days in Point Pelee National Park, and a day at Rondeau Provincial Park.
While this trip is primarily focused on birding, Point Pelee and Rondeau are rich areas, and a number of other rare or unusual species may be seen. At the time of the trip, the spring flora will also be excellent.
The cost of the trip will cover transportation, accommodation, continental breakfasts, and some snacks. Participants will enjoy birding in small groups, led by four of OFNC’s sharpest birders, and will enjoy the company of other keen OFNC members, all without having to drive.
This year’s leaders are Jamie Spence, Alex Stone, Derek Dunnett, and Christian Artuso, while Martha Farkas will be acting as the trip coordinator.
Basic Itinerary:
Wednesday May 10: Depart Ottawa (early) for Leamington. If time allows, a stop for birding will be made along the way.
Thursday May 11: Point Pelee National Park
Friday May 12: Point Pelee National Park
Saturday May 13: Rondeau Provincial Park, with a stop at Hillman Marsh
Sunday May 14: Depart Leamington for Ottawa. If time allows, a stop for birding will be made along the way.
A detailed itinerary will be provided to participants – expect early mornings! Some details may change. The leaders may make decisions on the ground depending on conditions (e.g., weather) and events (e.g., rare bird reports) to optimize the schedule and get the most out of the time available.
Accommodations:
Participants will stay at the Quality Inn in Leamington. We have rooms with king beds (for couples, friends who don’t mind sharing, or for single occupancy at a premium) and rooms with two queen beds (for double occupancy by new acquaintances, or friends who do mind sharing). When you reserve, please indicate your preference.
The availability of the room of your choice may depend on how early you reserve.
Price:
Prices are $950 per person for a double occupancy room, and $1700 per person for a single occupancy room.
This price includes accommodation (your room), transportation (a chartered coach bus), breakfast on May 11-14 (at the hotel), and entrance fees to the parks.
Registration and Deposit:
Update: As of March 14, we have a waiting list. Please follow the information below to add your name, if you would like to be offered a space should one open up.
To submit your request for registration, please send an email (subject title: OFNC Pelee Trip 2023 – registration request) to Martha Farkas, trip coordinator, at martha_farkas [at] rogers.com. In your email, please include your name, email address, confirmation of OFNC membership, and cell phone number. If you are sharing the room, please indicate the name, email address and cell phone number of your travelling companion, confirmation of their OFNC membership, and your preference for a room with one king bed or two queens. (Your OFNC membership number can be found at the upper right of your Trail & Landscape mailing label.) Finally, if you are registering as a solo traveller but wish to possibly be paired with a room mate to share costs, please also indicate in your email.
Space is limited. The deadline to submit your registration request is Friday, February 24, but early submission of registration requests is recommended as emails are reviewed in chronological order. In past years, the trip has always sold out, with people on a waiting list unfortunately left behind. Please note that confirmation of either registration success or waiting list status will be sent out no later than mid-March 2023.
A non-refundable deposit of $225 per person for double occupancy, or $425 per person for single occupancy, will be due within one week of confirmation of registration to hold your reservation. (Details regarding payment will be provided by Martha after the February 24 deadline, and only once your registration is confirmed.) The final payment (total cost minus the deposit) will be due by Wednesday, March 29. Deposits and payments are subject to the Payment, Cancellation and Refund policy, below.
Vaccinations and Mask-wearing:
The trip involves several days in close proximity with a tour bus full of other naturalists. We strongly encourage all participants to ensure they have received their full series of COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as the appropriate number of booster doses for each participant’s eligibility and personal medical circumstances.
Note: Copies of vaccination certificates will be required to be shown to the trip coordinator in advance to ensure that everyone on the trip is in compliance and has received two COVID-19 vaccine doses as a minimum. If there is a medical reason as to why someone could not be vaccinated, a certificate to that effect would be accepted in lieu.
Even though advised, the decision as to whether or not to wear masks on the bus will be left to the discretion of each registered participant.
Questions:
If you have any questions, please send them to Martha at the email address above. Please note that your emails will be responded to by mid-March. After your registration has been confirmed, further details regarding the trip will be communicated via email.
Payments, Cancellations, and Refund Policy
Deposits Non-Refundable
Deposits are not refundable one week after they have been paid, unless the trip is cancelled by the OFNC.
Balance Owing
The balance is due six weeks prior to the trip (March 29, 2023). There will be a 5% penalty for each week the balance is late. If the payment in full has not been received 4 weeks prior to the departure date then the reservation may not be held.
Balance Non-Refundable, with Exceptions
If a participant cancels after paying the full amount, then a 50% refund of the amount paid will be given only if they are medically incapacitated, or there has been a death in the immediate family.
If demand warrants, a waiting list will be established. If a replacement from the waiting list can take a cancelling participant’s place, then a full refund will be provided.
Cancellation of the Trip by the OFNC
Participants should be advised that the trip may be cancelled by the OFNC if:
- enough people do not register;
- external circumstances make it unsafe or inadvisable to proceed with the trip.
A decision on cancellation related to the number of participants will be made prior to the balance being due.
In the event that the trip is cancelled by the OFNC, all registered participants will receive a full refund.
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