12th Annual Fire Island Camping (weekend of July 11-14)

Please join us for the Twelfth annual Fire Island Blaze camping at Watch Hill. This centrally situated venue will give members a chance to enjoy a variety of activities, such as just lounging around soaking up the sun, doing some backcountry hiking (and possible backpacking), or indulging in the gay life of Fire Island at Cherry Grove and the Pines.

The trip is limited to ~38 people. Available spots will be preferentially assigned to Blaze members who have been on a Blaze overnight trip before, or have been among the most active members of our group. Please add yourself to the waitlist even if many more people sign up... there are usually spots that open up at the last minute.

Dates:
July 11-14, Confirmed. You are welcome to arrive Thursday, Friday or Saturday. We will be leaving Sunday afternoon. A logistics spreadsheet for carpooling and tents will be created. Campsite Cost is $30 per person (regardless of how many nights you stay).

Where:
Fire Island Watch Hill Camp Grounds:
First and foremost, this is not back country camping. It is more like modified car camping. The Watch Hill Campgrounds are located in the Watch Hill Section of Fire Island about 1/4 mile from the ferry terminal. See the attached map of Fire Island. So basically whatever you can carry, drag, put in a cart, etc. for 1/4 mile is what you can bring. http://www.nps.gov/fiis/planyourvisit/upload/FIIS_Map2_5-2006.pdf

The campsites are only a one minute walk to the beach. The facilities include running water, grills, picnic tables, showers and bathrooms. We will be located minutes from the marina, visitor center, food truck & bar. Friendly dogs are permitted at no extra charge. (But it is up to you to verify about the dogs on beaches.) Other restaurants and bars are within walking distance.

For those interested in hiking (we are a backpacking group after all), the campsites sit at the entrance to Otis Pike Wilderness reserve,where you can explore miles of undeveloped beach, a natural barrier island ecosystem, salt marsh nature trails, back-country hiking, 40-foot high dunes with roaming deer, and many natural seaside artifacts all while savoring the solitude. It is one of the Nation's few federally designated oceanfront wilderness areas.

Mosquito bite prevention:
Some people are bothered by mosquitoes at this site while others are not bothered at all. If you want to be among those who are not bothered by mosquitoes, one combination that works is a cocktail of Permethrin & Picaridin to apply to your clothes and tent and Deet (at least 30%) to apply to your skin. (Also, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus)

Fire Island Pines & Cherry Grove:
Also, for those interested in checking out the gayer side of the island (we are also a gay group after all), the two largest gay resort destinations in the NYC area are a short, enjoyable and fairly inexpensive water taxi ride away, or a long walk along the beach (3-4 miles).

Getting There:
The campground is accessible via the ferry from ferry terminal in Patchogue NY (this is not the same ferry that runs to Cherry Grove). The ferry is accessible by Long Island RR or by car. More on transportation as the time gets closer. http://www.davisparkferry.com

Cost:
There will be $30/person charge to cover the cost of the site, etc. Cost is the same regardless of how many nights you stay.

Should be a fun time. Hope to see you there.