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Florida Trail Association’s Florida Trail Days & 2010 Annual Conference
March 26-28, 2010 Florida FFA Leadership Training Center 5000 Firetower Road Haines City, FL 33844 Pathway to the Future
 You won’t want to miss this special annual event! Come to the heartland this spring and join us for an exciting weekend of activities and presentations. The Florida FFA Leadership Training Center is nestled among the trees at the end of a winding path overlooking Central Florida’s Lake Pierce. It’s centrally located between Tampa and Orlando and approximately 40 miles east of Lakeland, accessible from I-4 and US 27. (See map at the bottom of this page.) Nearby attractions include Bok Tower, Cypress Gardens, Lake Kissimmee State Park, the famous Spook Hill in Lake Wales, and other Florida favorites. Plan to join us for the weekend for the best annual event ever--bring your family, friends, and neighbors, too. Plan to camp and enjoy the great outdoors….or take advantage of the opportunity to relax and stay in one of the comfortable and attractive Villas on site. Sorry, no pets allowed on the Center’s property. On-site registration begins and the campground opens at 1 PM on Friday, March 26; programming starts at 3 PM.
Registration— 0N-LINE REGISTRATION ENDS SUNDAY, MARCH 21st Register for this exciting weekend in March by going to our on-line registration site. If you wish to pay by check, contact the FTA office at 877-HIKE-FLA and a registration form will be provided. Registration fees for weekend: Adults (18 and over)--$30; Teens (13 to 17 years)--$20; Children (6 to 12 years)--$10; 5 years & under--free! Cancellation fee: $30 by March 12th. Sorry, no refunds after March 12. Download special registration packages for scout troops and young adults/college students: Scout Troop Registration Flyer College Student Registration Flyer
Meals— DEADLINE FOR ORDERING MEALS IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17!
A full meal plan is offered that includes Friday dinner, all three meals on Saturday, and Sunday breakfast. Meals are served buffet style and the food is hearty and plentiful. The menu includes: Friday night italian dinner of lasagna, green beans, garlic bread, salad, and dessert with assorted drinks; Saturday continental breakfast of juice, bagels, cream cheese and jellies, fruited danish, muffins, fresh seasonal fruit, and cold cereal & milk. Complimentary coffee available to everyone from 6:30-8:00 AM both mornings; Saturday's lunch will be grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, corn on the cob, cole slaw, mac 'n cheese, dessert & drinks; Saturday night BBQ chicken dinner will include baked beans, potato salad, tossed salad, corn bread, dessert & drinks; Sunday pancake breakfast also includes choices of bagels, danish, fresh fruit, cereal & milk, juice & coffee. All meals will be tempting and nutritious, chef’s promise! You’ll dine in the comfort of the Center’s large dining hall with huge picture windows overlooking Lake Pierce and the ancient oaks, palms, and pines that line the shore. Dinners are $18 ($14 for children 4-10 years); Breakfast $10.50 ($7.50 children); Lunch $13 ($10 children).
Villas— Rooms are going quickly, reserve now! Stay overnight in the comfort of one of the Center’s Villas. Each of the Villas has a common living area in addition to the dormitory rooms. Sorry, no kitchen facilities available in the Villas. Shared dormitory rooms with two double beds come with bedding allowing you to travel light for the weekend. Two of the buildings are upscale bunkhouses with a central communal area. These are not your usual youth camp bunkhouses! The bunks come with bedding and have a privacy sectional in between each two sets of bunks making this option a comfortable alternative. Each Villa and bunk room has its own bath. Dormitory room options include female, male, co-ed couples, & families with children. Contact the FTA office with the names of your roommates. Villas will open at 1 PM on Friday, March 26th. · Double occupancy dorm room—$45 per person/per night (2 people per room)
· Family dorm room—$30 per person/per night (minimum of 3 persons sharing the room). Includes families of up to 2 adults w/children sharing beds; or 2 couples sharing a room. · Bunkhouse--$30 per person/per night Camping— In addition to its modest primitive camping area, the Center has opened up additional open grassy areas to accommodate our camping needs. Because there are no developed campsites or hook-ups, campers must be self-contained and self-sufficient, including RVs and motor homes. Upscale portable bathroom and shower facilities will be brought in for campers’ use. Because of their size and weight, RVs and motor homes in excess of 20 feet in length will be assigned to an area that can accommodate them best. Please keep this in mind as you make plans to camp with your friends and fellow chapter members. Most of the area set aside for camping is not usually used for this function and space is limited so you are encouraged to register early as space may fill up quickly. Some picnic tables are available but you are encouraged to bring your camping comforts that can be compact and used within a limited space. No ground fires allowed, so bring your camp stove for your cooking needs. Campground opens at 1 PM on Friday, March 26.
· Primitive tent camping—$10 per person/per night. No vehicles in tenting area. Drop off camping gear, then park your vehicle in a selected area. · Vehicle camping (car camping, small, light campers, pop-ups, vans)—$15 per person/per night. Length of camper must be 24 feet or less. (Note: if your camper length is more than 24 ft. you will be required to pay for and camp in the RV area). · RVs, motor homes, or large campers—$20 per person/per night Length of RV must be 40 feet or less. (Note: if over 40 ft. in length, you will need to find off-site accommodations). No hook ups ($20 dump fee at Port Hatchineha County Park).
Offsite Accommodations— Camping facilities: Port Hatchineha County Park Contact: Jennie Glenn 15050 Lake Hatchineha Road Haines City, FL 33844 863-438-0228 16 RVsites with full hookups ($22.50 per night Polk County residents; $30 per night non-residents) Reserve and pay in advance beginning March 1, 2010 Jennings RV Resort, Inc. (limited availability due to “snowbird” season in March. Contact them soon if you want a full hook-up for your RV) 4325 Jennings Fish Camp Road Lake Wales, FL 33898 863-439-3811 jenningsresort@verizon.net Sun Air Golf & Country Club 50 Sun Air Blvd. Haines City, FL 863-439-4958 ask for Vera or Julie (Located off Lake Hatchineha Road) Very limited number of motel rooms available—call early for reservations Nearby motels: Best Western Admiral’s Inn
5665 Cypress Gardens Blvd
Winter Haven, FL 33884-2273
863-324-5950
www.bestwestern.com/admiralsinn Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Orlando South
44019 U.S. Hwy. 27
Davenport, FL 33897
863-420-6611
www.hiexpress.com Quality Inn, Maingate-Four Corners
43824 Highway 27, south
Davenport, FL 33837
863-424-2120
www.topvaluehotel.com Super 8 Motel
44199 Highway 27
Davenport, FL 33897
863-420-8888
www.aavkar.com
Program Highlights— Exciting events and activities are planned for you! Programming begins at 3 PM on Friday, March 26. Our featured speakers and guests include:  Keynote Speaker Clyde Butcher, widely known for his photographic images of the Everglades, is our Keynote Speaker this weekend. The exquisite beauty and depth of his black & white landscape photography draws the viewer into a relationship with nature. He will speak about his photography on Saturday at 4 PM.
Johnny Molloy, an outdoor writer specializing in hiking, camping, paddling, and other true outdoor adventures, will regale us with his experiences while Exploring the Everglades Back Country, Friday at 5 PM.  Special Guest Speaker Bill Belleville, a non-fiction writer specializing in nature and conservation, is the Friday night Special Guest Speaker. He will provide an entertaining and eye-opening account of Florida’s relentless development woes, Losing It All To Sprawl, Friday night at 7 PM.
Sandra Friend, travel and outdoor writer and a familiar presenter to the Florida Trail family, introduces her new book on Exploring Florida’s Botanical Wonders on Saturday at 9 AM.  Young adults, older teens, and children: a very special education program and entertainment is planned just for YOU--our trail maintainers and advocates of tomorrow. Take this opportunity to learn about volunteerism and its role in today’s environmental and conservation community, nature in schools and the outdoor classroom, Leave No Trace principles and learning games, make your own trailmix, learn about proper nutritian & hydration for good hiking, know your critters, folk tales storytelling, and more. Activities and fun are enjoyable to all ages. Bring your parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors to share a special weekend with us.
Many more interesting and expert outdoors speakers are included in the program. Some examples include a night critter walk with Jim Duby, Seminole County Natural Lands; flyfishing demo and how to outfit your kayak for fishing; hiking stick carving demonstration by artisan, Barbara Mann; presentation by the Polk County Circle B Bar Reserve; identifying native fauna; birds of prey, first aid on the trail; backpacking basics; Cracker Chef Roland Alderman demonstration on fine dining at your campsite; state of the Florida Trail, and much more. Enter our Photo Contest or T-Shirt Contest prior to the conference. Click here for rules. Don’t miss this spectacular weekend of activities, campground camaraderie, silent auction and raffle, exhibitors and vendors, and special presentations. Traditional Sunday activities to enjoy on your way home include a Bok Tower guided tour, a hike at Tenoroc Fish Management Area, a hike at Polk County Circle B Bar Reserve, and a paddle on Catfish Creek. Sign up at registration—space limited. Special Educational Opportunity Offered at Florida Trail Days— CPR Recertification and Refresher Course is offered on Friday, March 26 from 3-5 PM for FTA activity leaders, trail maintainers, and others who have a current American Red Cross CPR card.You'll have the opportunity to review skills, demonstrate them for an instructor, and receive a new card valid for one year. Contact Megan Eno (meno@fs.fed.us) before March 24 to indicate your interest.
Support the Florida Trail— Be there for the Wine Garden Friday and Saturday at 5 PM to enjoy a glass of wine and support the organization. If you have remembered the Florida Trail Association in your estate plans, contact us so that you may receive an invitation to a special Legacy Circle Reception. We want to honor you and thank you for your support. Bring your wallet or credit card to bid on some fabulous prizes at our exciting live auction Saturday night—a fun time for everyone. Return home with a trail treasure knowing that you are helping to support the Florida Trail. See you March in Florida’s Heartland! We appreciate our sponsors! Download a Florida Trail Days Sponsor Registration form Visit our exhibitors: - American Hiking Society
- Big Cypress National Preserve
- Florida Bicycle Association
- Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Florida National Scenic Trail
- Byron Kerns Wilderness Survival School
- Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Office of Greenways & Trails
- Seminole County Convention & Visitors Bureau
- South Florida Water Management District
- Travel Country Outdoors
- University of Oregon, Dept. of Landscape Architecture
Download a Florida Trail Days Exhibitor Registration form Preliminary Schedule (subject to change): Friday, March 26:
1 PM Registration Table opens
Villas and Campground open
2 PM Gathering Place opens -- FTA Store, Silent Raffle & Auction, Photo Contest
3 PM Circle B Bar Reserve presentation; Gaye Sharpe, Natural Areas Mgr.
Interpretive Walk at Allan David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve; Erik Egensteiner
CPR Recertification; Megan Eno, FTA Staff
4 PM First Aid on the Trail; Greg Kirby, Safety Coordinator, Seminole County
5 PM Exploring the Everglades Backcountry; Johnny Molloy, Author
Wine Garden opens--have a glass of Redwood Creek wine and support the FTA
6 PM Evening events begin
Dinner
Welcome & Orientation
Program: Bill Belleville's Losing it all to Sprawl
9 PM Critters Night Hike; Jim Duby, Seminole County Natural Lands Saturday, March 27:
7 AM Hospitality Coffee and Breakfast
8 AM Registration Table opens
8 AM to Noon Trail Program
9 AM Gathering Place opens (FTA Store, Silent Raffle & Auction, Photo Contest)
9 AM to Noon Next Generation of Trail Maintainers & Protectors for teens & young adults
--Fostering Volunteerism in the Next Generation
--Nature in Schools and the Idea of the Outdoor Classroom
--Leave No Trace Principles and learning games
--Nutrition & hydration for good hiking
--Lots more!
9 AM Exploring Florida's Botanical Wonders; Sandra Friend, author
10 AM Lakeside Flyfishing Demo & How to Outfit Your Kayak for Fishing; Andy Thornal Co
10 AM Backpacking Essentials; Wayne "Krispy Kritter" Petrovich, Travel Country
11 AM Exploring Native Florida Fauna; Jim Duby, Seminole County
Noon - 2 PM Lunch Break
Dixie Bluegrass Express
1 PM Membership and Chapter discussions
2-2:45 PM Meet Florida Trail's 2010 Thru Hikers
2-3:45 PM Lakeside Kayak Demo; Travel Country Outdoors
2-3:45 PM Campfire Cooking; Roland Alderman, Cracker Chef
4 PM Clyde Butcher Photography; Clyde Butcher
5 PM Wine Garden opens--have a glass of Redwood Creek wine & support the FTA
6 PM Evening Program begins
--Awards Ceremony
--Dinner
--Live Auction and Raffle
--Big Cypress Swamp: The Western Everglades Documentary; Elam Stoltfus
9:00 PM Campfire Stories, Joan Jarvis, Facilitating Sunday, March 28:
7 AM Hospitality Coffee
Breakfast
8 AM Sunday Morning Program begins
--Meet your Officers and Staff
--Business Meeting & Financial Report
--Elections of Officers & Directors
Closing Ceremony & Group Photo immediately following business meeting
11 AM Activities & Field Trips Depart (sign up at registration)
--Bok Tower Tour & Walk (fee required)
--Tenoroc SRA Hike
--Catfish Creek Paddle
--Circle B Bar Preserve Hike
Noon Everyone departs Florida FFA Leadership Training Center Find your way to Florida Trail Days: Download a map here. Directions to Florida FFA Leadership Training Center (consult a Florida road map for further information): From the Northeast (Orlando):
I-4 West to US Hwy 27, go south on Hwy. 27 approximately 12 miles to SR544 (Haines City), turn East or Left, continue for approximately 2 miles to SR 17, turn South or Right on SR 17, continue for 3 miles to CR 542 a.k.a. Lake hatchineha Road (Lake Hamilton), turn East or Left, continue for 8 miles to Firetower Road, turn South or Right onto Firetower Road and continue for 4.5 miles to the entrance. From the Northwest (Ocala):
I-75 South to Florida Turnpike in Wildwood, Exit Turnpike at Clermont to US Hwy. 27, go South on Hwy 27 approximately 32 miles to SR 544 (south end of Haines City), turn East or Left, continue for approximately 2 miles to SR 17, turn South or Right on SR 17, continue for 3 miles to CR 542 a.k.a. Lake Hatchineha Road (Lake Hamilton), turn East or Left, continue for 8 miles to Firetower Road, turn South or Right onto Firetower Road and continue for 4.5 miles to the entrance. From the Southeast (Miami):
I-95 or Florida Turnpike North to SR 60 and go West toward Lake Wales, stay on SR 60 to Hwy. 27, go North on Hwy. 27 approximately 9 miles to SR 542 (Dundee), turn East or Right, continue for approximately 1.5 miles to traffic signal (Main & Center Streets) turn North or Left on SR 17, continue for approximately 2.5 miles to CR 542 a.k.a. Lake Hatchineha Road (Lake Hamilton), turn East or Right, continue for 8 miles to Firetower Road, turn South or Right, continue for 4.5 miles to the entrance. From the Southwest (Ft. Myers):
I-75 to SR 60 (or alternate route to Hwy. 27 North), go North on Hwy. 27 to Lake Wales and continue on Hwy. 27 approximately 9 miles to SR 542 (Dundee), turn East or Right, continue for approximately 1.5 miles to traffic signal (Main & Center Streets) turn North or Left on SR 17, continue for approximately 2.5 miles to CR 542 a.k.a. Lake Hatchineha Road (Lake Hamilton), turn East or Right, continue for 8 miles to Firetower Road, turn South or Right, continue for 4.5 miles to the entrance. 
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