Benefactor
Off the Grid 2016 - Info Thread!
- Thread starter Michael
- Start date
Benefactor
You didn't miss anything. You should wait for the class list to decide if it's for you. All instructors will be EXTREMELY well-qualified. We only expect 20 folks for this so instructors can give detailed personal instruction.
Benefactor
@Steve @mmnorthdirections I think we should table the conversation until we list the classes and instructors and provide details of the who and what. The OTG Rally Bald Mountain run is totally separate, and on a different day. Was that part clear? We need to keep class size very small for the Boot Camp (20).
Traveler III
Not to me it wasn't. It sounded like if you wanted to go up to Bald Mountain like last your, it was going to cost $500.
I think last year, it was $75 per participant, so with the $210 for the two of us and $500 to drive up the mountain, I was quite taken aback.
Benefactor
No no. The boot camp is totally separate. This year will not be that much more. I think when we provide final details and announce registration, it will be palatable. We can't do what we did last year again, for the same cost, for many reasons you and I can chat about personally. Lots of detail there.
Member II
Sounds like you're well into attack mode with the planning, but being that I'm in the Bay too, if you guys need any help with grunt work both in-person or online, I'd be happy to lend a helping hand!
Benefactor
Noted! Thanks!
Protector II
I'll be blunt. Last years event took me 100s of hours of solo preparation and ultimately, we lost money on it. Not much. But we were in the red. This was 100% our fault: we set a price, crossed our fingers that 25 people would join us in a group campsite for a weekend, and then the whole thing tripled+ in size.
The increase is not a money grab on our part. We've carefully reviewed the raw costs of producing these events so we can expand to other regions, scale in size, and stay in business.
Here's the breakdown for the 2016 OTG Pricing Increase:
1. Create an event that lives up to our quality standards. Full stop.
2. Hire additional help to facilitate check-in, meals, setting up, taking down, coordinating with Camp Edison, creation and distribution of welcome kits etc. We were LUCKY to have so many people jump in last year to help, but we can't run events hoping paid attendees will cover our ass. (Michael and I were cleaning up after the meal at 11PM last year. We love hard work, but we need help.)
3. Cover costs for additional group campsites so people are not dog piled on top of each other like last year, and each person has appropriate space for their set up (RTT owners are not on an incline, tent owners have a flat patch to pitch, special needs/requests, etc.)
4. Expand community based meals to encompass Friday night + Saturday night, and create amenities like a coffee station for the mornings. The Saturday night meal was spectacular in community and spirit. It's the exact energy and experience Michael and I seek to create in the world.
5. Insurance. We're too big to not have it. (Unfortunately, that takes $$$.)
6. Kids are free this year.
Overland Bound Bootcamp - Thursday/Friday:
1. Completely separate from OTG. It is it's own product with its own costs. Someone can just come up for Thursday/Friday and not participate in OTG.
2. Cost covers campsite Thursday night, Thursday night group meal, insurance, cost of educators (time/travel/expertise), lunch at the top of Bald Mountain, small class/cohort size, additional help to facilitate, etc.
3. Everyone will be learning the same material at the same time, and will require the same resources/costs for us to produce the event. This is why there is no difference between a driver and passenger. Each person will receive the same quality educational content.
You are all ground-floor with us as we attempt to make the leap from boot-strapped hobby to full on organization devoted to inspiring adventure and providing the best education.
I'm Rambly McRambleston from Rambletown over here. I want our crew to know that we are not price gouging attendees so we can bathe in your money when we get home.
Please please please shoot me DM's or email me at corrie@overlandbound.com or reply here with questions, feedback, etc.
High fives and hugs - Corrie
The increase is not a money grab on our part. We've carefully reviewed the raw costs of producing these events so we can expand to other regions, scale in size, and stay in business.
Here's the breakdown for the 2016 OTG Pricing Increase:
1. Create an event that lives up to our quality standards. Full stop.
2. Hire additional help to facilitate check-in, meals, setting up, taking down, coordinating with Camp Edison, creation and distribution of welcome kits etc. We were LUCKY to have so many people jump in last year to help, but we can't run events hoping paid attendees will cover our ass. (Michael and I were cleaning up after the meal at 11PM last year. We love hard work, but we need help.)
3. Cover costs for additional group campsites so people are not dog piled on top of each other like last year, and each person has appropriate space for their set up (RTT owners are not on an incline, tent owners have a flat patch to pitch, special needs/requests, etc.)
4. Expand community based meals to encompass Friday night + Saturday night, and create amenities like a coffee station for the mornings. The Saturday night meal was spectacular in community and spirit. It's the exact energy and experience Michael and I seek to create in the world.
5. Insurance. We're too big to not have it. (Unfortunately, that takes $$$.)
6. Kids are free this year.
Overland Bound Bootcamp - Thursday/Friday:
1. Completely separate from OTG. It is it's own product with its own costs. Someone can just come up for Thursday/Friday and not participate in OTG.
2. Cost covers campsite Thursday night, Thursday night group meal, insurance, cost of educators (time/travel/expertise), lunch at the top of Bald Mountain, small class/cohort size, additional help to facilitate, etc.
3. Everyone will be learning the same material at the same time, and will require the same resources/costs for us to produce the event. This is why there is no difference between a driver and passenger. Each person will receive the same quality educational content.
You are all ground-floor with us as we attempt to make the leap from boot-strapped hobby to full on organization devoted to inspiring adventure and providing the best education.
I'm Rambly McRambleston from Rambletown over here. I want our crew to know that we are not price gouging attendees so we can bathe in your money when we get home.
Please please please shoot me DM's or email me at corrie@overlandbound.com or reply here with questions, feedback, etc.
High fives and hugs - Corrie
Protector II
US, TOO!!! :D
Influencer II
Influencer II
So will boot camp be a set list or a select what you want type of deal? When will description of class be available?
Looking forward to this just need to budget for it
Influencer II
Member II
Putnin time off request yesterday...waiting to sign up. Might actually get to know a few more folk.\m/
What he said!!
Influencer II
Yup. I'm in for the rally and most likely the boot camp portion. Can't wait.
Pathfinder I
@Corrie and @Michael. I know how much work it really is. The planning the pain and the pay off. This OB community is forever in your debt. You have opened our eyes to exploration and empowered us to be ambassadors in this community. We set examples and teach other the OB way. Outfit and Explore! Keep up the work and know everyone here has your back!
THANK YOU!!!!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!!
