Joint
Fall Conference:
Partners in Ocean Sciences
October 20-22, 2006 |
 |
Saint Christopher Conference Center on Seabrook
Island
GENERAL INFORMATION
The 18th annual conference of
the South Carolina Marine Educators Association, “Partners in Ocean
Sciences”, will be held jointly with the 18th annual
conference of the Georgia Association of Marine Education on October 20-22, 2006, at the Saint
Christopher Conference Center on Seabrook Island (www.stchristopher.org).
Join marine educators and scientists from throughout Georgia
and South Carolina as we focus on the commonalities
between neighboring states and partnerships among marine scientists
and educators. Highlights include a keynote address, the annual auction,
inspiring and educational concurrent sessions (including field trips
and spontaneous midnight seining), as well as hands-on workshops featuring
our own scientists, researchers, educators, artists and special invitees.
A Marine Meringue and extraordinary field trips complete the weekend!
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration
includes all conference activities, accommodations and meals listed
in the Schedule Overview. The registration fee for the Conference depends
on your choice of accommodations (lodge room or cabin; see LODGING
AND LOCATION, below, for important details).
Registration fees are as follows, PER
PERSON:
Lodge
Room Single Occupancy: $300
Lodge
Room Double (or higher) Occupancy: $200
Cabin
Room: $140
The above rates
include all meals. A late fee of $20.00 will be added to all registrations
postmarked after September
15, 2006. We must have your registration by October 1, 2006 as we have
to have a count by then for the Conference Center. Please help us plan
by getting in your registration early.
For those who
do not wish to participate in the overnight fun, the non-stayover rate
is $100 for the Conference, paid in advance by October 1, 2006. This covers all conference costs except
lodging. Advance registration for the day rate will insure you get
all meals served that day (dinner on Friday, three meals on Saturday,
two on Sunday). Walk-ins may register at the rate of $60.00 per day,
but will we will not be able to provide meals for walk-ins. Because
of advance meal and room planning, we need to have registration in advance.
Please try to register as early as you can to help us with planning.
Non-Conference attendees (guests of Conference participants) will have
to register at the above rates to receive accommodations and/or meals.
There will be no planned activities for families, and due to the nature
of the facilities and its limited occupancy, we suggest that this be
a professional and adult Conference. Due to costs and limited occupancy,
persons not registering for the Conference should not attend. Only
conference registrants will be allowed to attend conference functions.
In order to plan a successful Conference, we need to receive your
registration by October 1, 2006. If you have questions regarding registration,
please contact Nelle Stephenson at 843-237-9899 or email her at nstephenson@wh.gcsd.k12.sc.us.
Because of
the limited number of lodge rooms (see below), they will be reserved
on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are reserving the room
as a double, triple or quad occupancy, please list the names of your
roommates. We must have the registration form of all roommates before
the room reservation can be confirmed. IF YOU PAY FOR AND
REGISTER FOR A LODGE ROOM AND NONE ARE AVAILABLE, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED
IMMEDIATELY VIA EMAIL AND
BE GIVEN THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS. Refunds will be made at the registration
desk at the Conference, or by mail if requested.
LODGING & LOCATION
Our joint Conference
will take place at the Saint Christopher Conference Center on Seabrook Island (address: 2810 Seabrook Island Road, Johns Island SC
29455). The Conference Center has a limited
number of Lodge Rooms that include two double beds and private bath,
and are available for single, double or more (up to four) occupancy.
Lodge Rooms are limited and will be assigned on first-come, first-served
basis. If you are sharing a lodge room, please list the names of your
roommate(s) and insure that they submit their registration at the same
time. A multiple-occupancy Lodge Room will not be reserved until registration
has been received for all occupants. Please adhere to this policy so
that we can make most efficient use of limited Lodge Rooms and that
our costs are covered. If all lodge rooms are gone by the time
we receive your registration, you will be notified that you have been
assigned to a cabin and you will get a refund of the difference in registration
costs. Late registrants (after September 15th) should assume
they have been assigned to a cabin. Check the Conference web site for
updates on room availability (http://oceanica.cofc.edu/scmea/conf2006fall.htm).
Additional
accommodations are available in single-sex beachfront cabins that have
10 beds per room (with shared bathrooms), are air-conditioned, quite
comfortable and will allow us to relive the fun and camaraderie of summer
camp. For the beds in cabin rooms, you will need to bring your own
linens, pillows and towels. For additional information on the Conference Center, accommodations, and meeting
rooms, visit the conference location web site at www.stchristopher.org.
SEABROOK/KIAWAH/ACE BASIN
Beautiful Seabrook Island and
the Saint Christopher Conference
Center are located 25 miles south of Charleston
with accommodations and meeting facilities found among 300 acres of
ocean and inlet beach, Spartina saltmarsh, and maritime forest.
The Conference Center is located at the mouth of
the North Edisto River, just north of the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge and National
Estuarine Research Reserve. In addition to the Conference facilities,
the site is the home of the Barrier Island Environmental Education Program,
a not-for-profit educational service for public and private school youth.
Barrier Island facilities include classrooms, numerous outdoor teaching
sites, an arts and crafts building, a climate controlled multi-purpose
activity building, a low ropes course, a beach front recreation hall,
an activity field, climate controlled beach front cabins with bathrooms,
a health center, offices, a full service dining hall, a lighted outdoor
recreation field, and acres of outdoor classroom areas. The site offers
exceptional natural beauty and the facilities to enjoy it, as well as
access to nearby nature reserves and marine education facilities on
Kiawah Island
and in the ACE Basin NEER.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Friday
· Conference Field
Trips
Field trips will occur on Friday and Saturday. See field
trip descriptions below.
· “Welcome
New Friends” Reception for first-timers
and new members
This will take
place adjacent to the Wine and Cheese Social and is designed for first-time
attendees to meet one another, become familiar with the conference layout,
and ask questions about the upcoming events. So, if this is your first
time attending a SCMEA or GAME conference, grab a glass of wine and
some cheese and join us for the Welcome New Friends Reception! If you
have questions, please contact Jennifer Jolly
Clair at jollyclairj@comcast.net.
· Wine and Cheese Social
and Poster Session
Join us after registration for the Conference icebreaker.
This is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new
ones. Enjoy a poster session on fascinating marine science, education
and outreach.
· Keynote Address:
"The Inside Story of Sex in the Sea Turtles"
We are excited to have David Owens as our
Friday night keynote speaker. Dr. Owens is Director of the Graduate
Program in Marine Biology at the College
of Charleston, and is an internationally-known
expert on sea turtles. For additional information on his research and
interests, visit http://www.cofc.edu/~facfocus/Faculty_Articles/OwensArticle.htm
Saturday
· Concurrent Sessions
Check out the GAME-SCMEA joint conference web site to
get up-to-date information on presentation topics and times (http://oceanica.cofc.edu/scmea/conf2006fall.htm)
· Exhibits
Arts, crafts,
books, teaching materials, ecotourism and other exhibits will be on
display. Exhibitors are required to pay a $25.00 exhibitor fee if they
are a “for profit” entity.
· Lunch/Business Meeting
We will enjoy some great food together and then conduct
separate GAME and SCMEA annual business meetings. We will also elect
our new board members.
· Additional Field
Trips
Additional
field trips are planned to local sites (see below).
· Marine Meringue Swap
Session
Swap artwork for activities or bring a fossil and leave
with an unusual shell! Join our fun marine-theme swap session to trade
with your colleagues. Anyone can participate. Typical items include
posters, books, shells, fossils, sand, bones, skins, skulls, etc.
· Annual Auction
This annual fundraiser for our scholarships and
awards promises good buys and great fun. Please bring donated items
to the Conference registration desk or give them to any GAME or SCMEA
Board member prior to the conference. Please attach a business card
from the donor to the auction item. If you have questions, contact
Connie Leverett at connie.leverett@comcast.net.
· Cookout & Live
Music
We will have a cookout in the picnic area, followed
by live acoustic music, provided by the Blue Plantation Band (http://www.blueplantation.com/)
for listening and dancing into the night.
Sunday
· Concurrent Sessions
Check out the Conference website to get up-to-date information
on presentation topics and times (http://oceanica.cofc.edu/scmea/conf2006fall.htm).
· Farewell Lunch and
Awards
We will enjoy a lunch together before departing. GAME
and SCMEA awards will be given and the Auction Card Finalist will be
announced!
SPONSORS
‘Partners in Ocean Sciences’ is sponsored by
GAME and SCMEA and made possible by its members' generous donation of
time and support. Sincere appreciation also goes to the University of South Carolina’s Center for
Science Education and the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium for their
contributions to this conference. Field trips are provided with support
from Charleston County
Parks and Recreation, Kiawah Island Group Recreation,
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Swimming Rockfish
& Shrimp Farm.
CONFERENCE FIELD
TRIPS
Please register in
advance of the conference on the attached form so that we can plan adequately.
You may list an alternative
in case your preferred trip is filled by the time you register. Registering
in advance increases your chance of getting a space on the field trip
you want and helps us obtain quality, low cost field trips.
Friday,
October 20
Carolina
Coastal Discovery Marine Education Program - (http://www.dnr.sc.gov/ccd/index.html)
- This program utilizes a 45’ catamaran, the Educational
Vessel (E/V) Discovery, to reach hundreds of teachers and students
from a variety of backgrounds and locations. SCDNR staff provide hands-on
educational activities to teach students and teachers about the inherent
value of South Carolina’s
marine ecosystem and resources. The Discovery will be on hand
to sample habitats in the North
Edisto River with trawls, grabs and other
gear. Limit 40. Cost $25.00.
Saturday,
October 21
Kiawah
Island Nature Tours - http://recreation.kiawahresort.com/nature_program.html (see details of
tours)
PADDLING
TOURS
Glide
at a dolphin’s pace while navigating the shifting currents of the Kiawah River and its maze of tidal creeks.
View wildlife and learn about Kiawah’s pristine salt marshes while experiencing
the silent tranquility of paddling. Led by knowledgeable Kiawah Island
Naturalists, paddling adventures are an enjoyable and unique look at
this incredible island. Duration 2.5 hours; cost $40 per person.
BICYCLE
TOURS
All
bike tours are done on “Beach Cruisers” and for the most part stay on
the Island’s 30 miles of paved bicycle trails.
Duration 2.5 hours (4-7 miles); cost $20.
LAND
TOURS
The
nature of Kiawah’s five major ecosystems provide an ideal setting for
outdoor walks, bike rides, and van excursions. Enjoy the natural beauty
and discover amazing wildlife while exploring remote areas of the island.
From sand dunes to salt marshes and maritime forests, observe firsthand
why this barrier island continues to flourish and to protect native
species. Duration 1-2.5 hours; cost $15.
Caw
Caw Interpretive Center
Canoe Excursion, Ravenel SC - http://www.ccprc.com/index.asp?NID=53
Trails
and creeks wind through nine different habitats including hundreds of
acres of swamps and brackish wetlands, and remnants of colonial and
antebellum rice fields. Learn more about this history while observing
wildlife currently living Caw Caw. Duration 2 hours (including drive);
cost $15
Kiawah
Beachwalker County Park
- http://www.ccprc.com/index.asp?NID=59
An
expertly-guided beach walk at Kiawah
Beachwalker Park,
located on Kiawah Island,
offers a wide sandy front beach, maritime forest and saltmarsh in a
small area with parking and restrooms! Learn traditional uses of native
plants, haul a seine in the shallows and classify shells. Duration
1.5 hours; cost $15; limited to 25 persons.
Swimming Rockfish
& Shrimp Farm -
http://www.usmsfp.org/farm-websites/farms/swimmingrockfish.htm
Tour
of a working aquaculture facility that includes a 10-acre farm with
a 21,000 square foot greenhouse-enclosed pond. Duration 2 hours; cost
$15.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
The St. Christopher
Conference Center physical address is 2810
Seabrook Island Road, Johns Island SC
29455. Directions can
be obtained from http://www.stchristopher.org/directions_to_saint_christopher.htm.
The
simplest directions are to find your way to U.S. 17 just south of Charleston. From Georgia,
take I-95 north to Exit 33 (Charleston)
onto US17 North. Go north for about 50 miles to Main
Road (first light after Ravenel). Turn right on Main
Road.
From
I-26 and points west, travel east towards Charleston
and take the I-526 exit, heading toward Savannah
(Exit 212B). Take Hwy 7/US 17 exit. Turn right at the light and another
right again onto US17 south. Proceed approximately 4.5 miles to Main
Road stop light (Burger King on left and two gas station /stores).
Turn left onto Main Road.
Follow
Main Road to Seabrook security gate - approximately 19 miles (bear off
to right at the Kiawah/Seabrook/Freshfields circle).
At
Seabrook security gate, use the inner lane. Check in, telling them
you are a guest at Saint Christopher, your last name, and that you
are with South Carolina Marine Educators. Saint Christopher is approximately
2.5 miles from the gate house, on your right. Once you arrive on campus,
come to the WELCOME CENTER for assistance.
PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE
AGENDA
Friday,
October 20
9:30 - 11:00 SCMEA
Board meeting
2:00 - 4:00 Field
Trip
1:00 - 7:00 Registration
5:30 - 6:00 “Welcome New Friends” reception for first-timers
and new members
5:30 - 6:30 Wine & Cheese Reception, Posters
6:30 - 7:30 Dinner
in the Dining Room
7:30 - until Welcome/Keynote
in the Multipurpose Building: David Owens, Director, Graduate Program
in Marine Biology, College of Charleston:
“The Inside Story of Sex in the Sea Turtles”
Saturday, October
21
8:00 - 8:45 Breakfast
7:30 - 11:00 Registration
8:00 - 4:00 Exhibits
9:00 - 11:45 Concurrent
Sessions
12:00 - 2:00 Lunch/Business
Meetings
2:00 - 4:15 Concurrent
Sessions and Field Trips
5:00 - 5:30 Marine
Meringue
6:30 - 8:00 Cookout
and Silent Auction
8:00 - 9:00 Live
Auction
9:00 - 11:00 Live Music
and Dance
Sunday, October 22
8:00 - 8:45 Breakfast
9:00 - 11:45 Concurrent
Sessions
10:00
Checkout of rooms and cabins
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
in Dining Room
1:00 - 2:00 Awards/Auction
Card Finalists in Multipurpose Room
GAME-SCMEA 2006 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM (click
for PDF; click
for Word doc; please type or print clearly)
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Membership
(check all that apply):
GAME SCMEA _____
Title/Occupation: _________________________________________________
Mailing Address:
Organization: ______________________________________________________
Street/PO Box: ____________________________________________________
City, State, Zip:
____________________________________________________
Phone: ( )
_________________________________________________
Email: ___________________________________________________________
Check if you:
_____ Prefer vegetarian
meals
_____ Will participate
in Marine Meringue
Is this your first GAME or SCMEA Conference? _____Yes_____No
_____________________________________________________
SCMEA Membership - Join or Renew now!
_____ 1 Yr $15 _____ 3 Yrs $40 _____ 5 Yrs $60
Conference Registration
Early registration (postmarked by September 15, 2006):
| Lodge Room Single Occupancy: $300 |
$
|
| Lodge Room Double (or higher) Occupancy:
$200 |
$
|
|
Roommates:
|
|
| Cabin Room: $140 |
$
|
| Late
registration (postmarked after September 15, 2006): $20 |
$
|
| Non-stayover registration: $100 |
$
|
| For-profit
exhibitors fee: $25: |
$
|
Registration Fee
Submitted: $
Field Trips
First Choice:_______________________________
$
Second Choice:_____________________________
$
Total Enclosed
(Dues, registration, exhibitor fee, field trips):
$_____________
Pay by check, Visa
or MasterCard only.
Card #:_______________________________________________
Expiration Date:________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________
Please send completed form and check (payable
to SCMEA) for all fees to:
Nelle Stephenson
9683 Eaddy Lane,
Murrells Inlet SC 29576 |