RASCals Star Party

Camping - a good sized camping area is available on the Cricket Field - camp on the field with your telescope alongside your tent, motor home or camper.

Parking - lots of space available on the main observing field and in adjacent parking lots. Please do not park in the nearby retail parking areas! There will be a special parking area for those of you who plan to leave after dark - our keen observers will thank you for preserving their night vision and not ruining their photographs with your headlights.

Power - available on the field for telescope-related equipment only. No RV plug-ins or full service hook-ups are available.

Water - potable water available on-site from a tap. RVs should bring a full tank of water with them.

Washrooms - both flush toilets and portable washrooms will be available (at least one will offer disabled access)

Food - there is a coffee shop and restaurant within a five minute walk of the field. We encourage you to support our local businesses.

Fast food - Order in or pick up pizza, Chinese, sushi, Tim Horton's or what you wish - we are only 15 minutes` drive away from major shopping & restaurants!

Elevation - the site is approximately 50 metres (165') elevation and is approximately 1 km from the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean. Some coastal marine air or strong winds may be a factor depending on weather conditions.

Horizon - a good 360 degree view of the dark sky. The only visible light dome is from Victoria to the east.

Shopping - Island Telescope will have an on-site sales counter, should you need a new eyepiece or other accessory. Food, drinks and sundries are available from small retail stores within an easy 5 minute walk.  Major big box stores, shopping centres and food markets are located in Langford - a 15 minute drive.

Workshops - we offer useful and topical workshops on Saturday during the day.

Kids activities - craft-related activities for kids will be coordinated on Saturday afternoon, and videos will be shown each night on the big screen for kids & teens to stave off any boredom. Don't forget to take your kids swimming, hiking and biking at nearby regional parks and the Galloping Goose Trail.

Regional Parks & Recreation - no fees, gates generally locked at sunset

	Witty's Lagoon Regional Park - 2 entrances offering gravel & sand beach access and/or lagoon access (hiking, wildlife, swimming) -- 5 minute drive, 15 minute walk
	Devonian Regional Park - hiking, small pond, gravel beach at end of the trail - 10 minute drive
	Matheson Lake Regional Park - hiking, swimming, kayaking, canoes (bring your own equipment) - 10 minute drive
	Galloping Goose Regional Trail - access near Matheson Lake Park or off Happy Valley Road - walking, running, cycling - 10 minute drive to trail head

Astronomy lectures - we always offer interesting lectures featuring professional and amateur astronomers

Door prize raffles - held each night - for the kids and for the adults - thanks go to our corporate sponsors for their generous support:  Island Telescope, Celestron,, Farpoint Astronomical and Sky-Watcher Telescopes.