*2012 TSA Spring Convention March 30-April 1st, 2012 Boerne, TX* http://www.cavetexas.org/events/TSASC/tsasc2012.html
Hello Cavers! The Texas Speleological Association's annual Spring Convention is one week away and the party is almost starting! Spring has sprung in the Texas Hill Country and there are wildflowers for as far as the eye can see. I recently visited the Cascade Caverns campground and the place looks great! Rex the dinosaur is fresh and perky and ready for that kodak moment. *We have a huge, flat campground that is remote enough to enjoy clear, stary skies*and campfires are allowed. * The 1-hour cave tour will delight any caver with its unique formations, cathedral room, and lovable critters. *(The passages are smooth gravel and steps lead to cave. There are areas that require squatting or leaning over while walking because of low head clearance.) PLEASE NOTE: The presentations will be held at Geneva School of Boerne (113 Cascade Caverns Rd, Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 78015). Next week I will be sending out final details as well as a program with a detailed schedule for the weekend. Hope everyone is looking forward to a great weekend together in any kind of weather! Printable Location Map: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BzP7GaKdftjDQ2o3dVZ6SVlUZUtoZUVncWFvRk1oZw *THE DETAILS.... * This is an annual, technical meeting with formal presentations from cavers about cave sciences, exploration, project status and displays in the Map/Photo Salon. The TSA, founded in 1956, has been bringing Texas cavers together for over 50 years. Come and meet fellow cavers and project leaders from around the state. This is a great chance to get involved with ongoing projects and create future caving opportunities for all. Presentations will be on Saturday, March 31st at Geneva School of Boerne beginning around 9am (113 Cascade Caverns Rd, Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 78015). Times/Schedule TBD. Thanks to Mallory Mayeux and Roger Moore for lining up a great selection of speakers and to all those who volunteered. Diana Tomchick: Winter Caving in China with the Hong Megui Cave Exploration Society: Entering the Year of the Dragon" Jim Kennedy: “Recent Progress of TSA’s Colorado Bend State Park Project.” Peter Sprouse: “Cartography of Wide-area Cave Systems in Quintana Roo" Edward Patrick: “In-situ Mass Spectrometry of Cave Atmospheres” Julia Germany/Gerry Geletzke: “Longhorn Cavern Restoration and Conservation Projects" Ben Hutchins: “The Edwards Aquifer: A Groundwater Refugium Supported by Allochthonous Production” Steve Webb: “Latest LED and battery technology” Ellie Watson: “Logan’s Cave Survey Project” Logan McNatt: “Finding the Deepest Pit in the World: Discovery and First Descent of El Sotano de El Barro, Mexico" Allan Cobb: “Fun Caving in Thailand!” Travis Scott/Jerry Atkinson: “Update on Porcupine Grotto Projects” Mustafa Saribudak: “Main Barton Springs Geophysics in Austin, TX: Where is all the spring water coming from into the Barton Springs Pool?” Don Arburn, donarb...@mac.com, is facilitating the Photo Salon and Marvin Miller, mlmil...@gvtc.com, is facilitating the Map Salon and I know many are eager to see caver's beautiful talents in the Salons. Deadline for entries is 10:00 am, Saturday, March 31st at Geneva School of Boerne (113 Cascade Caverns Rd, Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 78015). Please show off your photos and maps!! Don't forget to bring those excellent items for the TCMA Auction and your checkbook to take home treasures. *FEES*: *Registration* (Registration fee includes admission to presentations & supper on Saturday) $15.00 Individual Rate per person $10.00 Child Rate per child 12-16 years old $40.00 Family Rate (parents & children) Children 12 and under $free *Camping* $5.00 Camping per person/per night camping (children under 16 camp free) *PRESENTATION FACILITY for Saturday Meeting:* Geneva School of Boerne (113 Cascade Caverns Rd, Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 78015) -Arial view of facility(park anywhere): https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BzP7GaKdftjDY0NhYUxVYTJTNnlQNzFXZGE0azM4QQ -Presentation facility and campground are a little over 1 mile apart and the road good for a nice bicycle ride. Geneva School of Boerne has huge, empty parking lots if the kiddos want to play on their bikes. *CAMPGROUND for Friday-Sunday:* Cascade Caverns (226 Cascade Caverns Road, Boerne, Texas 78015) http://www.cascadecaverns.com/ -Full use of beautiful campground facilities for Sunday meetings, auction, and meals -Renovated showers/bathrooms -No attack dogs permitted on campground and all pets must remain on leash -Current photos of campground facilities: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150602639639506.386786.507449505&type=3&l=f86b9393ca -Free scheduled cave tour for all registered. *TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (this is not finalized):* *Friday, March 30th* 7pm - Registration at Cascade Caverns Campground (early arrival acceptable *Saturday, March 31st* 8am - Registration at Geneva School of Boerne 9am-5pm - Presentations at Geneva School of Boerne 10pm - Deadline for entries into Map & Photo Salon at Geneva School of Boerne 10am-4pm- Regular scheduled tour of Cascade Caverns (Tours at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm) 12pm-1:30pm - Lunch on own, salon viewing in facility, visit vendors outside of facility, Vertical Show & Tell 5pm or directly after talks- TSA meeting at Geneva School of Boerne 7pm - Group Feed at Cascade Caverns Campground catered by Spinelli's Vistro 8:30pm (or after everyone is good and fed) - TCMA Auction in Service Center at Cascade Caverns Campground The rest of the night: fun and hanging out, campfire at Cascade Caverns Campground *Sunday, April 1st* First thing- Easter egg hunt for the kids at Cascade Caverns Campground 8am - TCMA breakfast at Cascade Caverns Campground 9am- TCMA meeting at Cascade Caverns Campground 11am-4pm-regular scheduled tour of Cascade Caverns (Tours at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm) 2pm - Checkout time *PHOTO SALON DETAILS* *Categories* 1. Print 2. Digital *Entry requirements* Each photographer is limited to 2 entries. Entries in excess of 2 will not be displayed but not judged. Prints must measure at least 8 x 10 inches, but not larger than 20 x 24 inches. All entries must be mounted, but not framed. They may be matted at the discretion of the entrant. The prints title should appear either on the matte or on the mount directly below the print. The photographer must not be identified on the front of the matte or mount. The photographers name and the entry number (assigned at time of entry) must be written on or attached to the back of the mount. Digital files may be submitted in .JPG or .TIF format. You can bring your files to convention on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive and reference the filenames on your entry form. Entries must be delivered to the photo salon location by 10 a.m. on the Saturday of convention. If you are unable to bring your photos to convention, please e-mail the TSA Vice-Chair to make arrangements to mail them. Include a prepaid return mailer if you want your photos returned or pick up your entries before you leave the convention on Sunday. A completed entry form must accompany all entries. (The entry form will be available for download on the TSA website.) Judging and prizes 1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes for each category and overall Best of Show, plus ribbons, awarded by a panel of judges. NOTE: If you are entering in the print category, please also bring digital copies of your photos if at all possible, on CD-ROM or USB flash drive. We will be showing a digital slide show of photo salon entries in the Photo Salon during the Saturday presentations.* * *MAP SALON DETAILS* *1)* All maps submitted must be of Texas caves, or drafted by Texas cavers. Texas cavers are those whose primary residence has been Texas at some time during the previous year. Cartographers can enter as many maps as they want. Maps need not be of the entire cave (i.e. detail maps of cave sections are eligible). Caves need not be completely surveyed for a map of the cave to be eligible. *2)* All maps must have been made in the past year (since the last Convention). Significant modifications or additions made to older maps in that time may also be submitted. *3)* Maps that have won past awards at either the TSA or NSS Conventions are *not* eligible for entry. *4)* Final categories depend on the number of entries, but should include: - Caves under 100 m - Caves over 100 m - First-time Cartographer. The first-time cartographer category is to encourage beginning cartographers, and is aimed at those whom have never entered a map salonbefore. It is not for skilled cartographers. Maps may not be entered in multiple categories. *5) *Judging will be objective (based on mandatory elements of good cave maps, and drafting quality) and subjective (quality points awarded for innovative representations, balance and layout, visual impact, etc.). Completed score sheets with comments will be given to the entrants at the end of the Convention. *6)* Prizes will be determined by the number of entrants and categories. There is no fee to enter maps, and the maps remain the property of the entrant. *7) *Ribbons are awarded for First, Second, and Third place maps, as well as Honorable Mention. All ribbons do not have to be awarded in each category if the number of submissions is low and the scoring does not suggest awards. The highest-scored map will also be awarded Best of Show, in addition to the prize in its individual category. Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions. See you soon! Ellie Watson TSA Vice Chair 509-899-0007 ellie.tho...@gmail.com For Facebook users: https://www.facebook.com/events/312213962130706/
