[MR] suggestion for helping daytrip fees

[Maymunah al Siqilliyah]

It's not just the cost borne by the site owner or passed on to us in 
rent.  There's also the question: do day trippers really cost less than 
campers?  This will depend upon the site. Many sites price by head count 
or by number of campers, but most (in my experience) charge flat fees 
for the use over time.

Let's consider the costs of Sapphire Joust, with which I am quite 
familiar.  We have to maintain list field fence, tents for A&S space, 
shower and water heaters, etc.  There is mowing, parking space, golf 
carts and radios for staff, porta-potties, cleaning supplies and trash 
bags, rental truck to get the equipment there, prizes for tourneys and 
A&S.  That is all the same whether you camp or you day trip; we have to 
be prepared for a max number of people during peak hours.  Fighters come 
and fight, then take a shower, and then leave.  The propane costs us the 
same whether they go out to a restaurant and drive home, or stay and 
have dinner and a bardic on site.

In short, I think it's a mistake to assume that day trippers cost less 
than campers.  The difference may not be significant.  Each budget is 
different.  I don't think any of the baronies are getting rich.


On 6/21/2010 7:13 PM, Alexandria Stratton wrote:
> It's not just 'the economy', it's life. The cost of living has been going up since time began. No matter where an event is held, the site owner is going to have expenses. It is unreasonable to expect not  to pay a little more. Besides, I don't think folks that put the bids together are looking for expensive sites...quite the opposite. But some events are not really suited for primitive sites. Kingdom 12th night in the snow and mud? I don't think so. That, and not every site is available when we'd like it to be.
>
> The last couple of times this issue came up, Duke Logan compared the SCA event experience to attending a sci-fi convention. That, I think, is a bit more appropriate than comparing it to a movie...and to this day, you still get way more bang for your buck at an SCA event (my opinion).
>
> Consider that 12 years ago in Meridies the average event cost was $25-30. I have no idea what it is now, but here in Atlantia we are still below that average...and I think it's fabulous. It's still the best entertainment deal out there, aside from sitting at home and watching your cats fight with each other (which is also entertaining).
>
>   -- Ceara ní Néill
> http://www.HouseBarra.com
> Experience is what you get, when things go awry.
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Becky McEllistrem<bmcellis at yahoo.com>
> To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
> Sent: Mon, June 21, 2010 6:37:19 PM
> Subject: [MR] suggestion for helping daytrip fees
>
>
>    
>>      
> I understand all about expenses. needs and site variation but maybe we should make a concerted effort to start dumping the expensive sites and go to those sites where our fees can be reasonable.
>    
>>      
> If you look at the event listings for the past two months you see a huge range in day trip fees going anywhere from $5.00 to $12.00 per person for off-board day trip fees.  If I'm bringing all the equipment, setting it up then why are we paying more than $10.00?  I understand movies are $11.00 but most of my friends don't go to those three times a month either.  In fact most of my friends use Hulu.com which is free or Netflix which is $10.00/month, or play Facebook games.
>
> We do want event attendance to continue to be strong as an organization. At a time when our economy is crazy and probably will be for a while, it seems equally crazy to stick with those sites that don't work with us on costs, etc.  Might as well go back to totally primitive sites if that helps or at least just stick with those sites that are willing to work with us.  We have created our own showers and traveled in with our own kitchens many times in the past and done very well.
>
> Anything more than $8.00 for a tenting off board day trip in this economy seems a little steep to me.  I'm single with minimal expenses. I can afford it.  For most of my friends that guarantees only one event/month if that much.
>
> Maybe until the economy is better we should trend back towards the primitive site.
>
>
> Rebecca
>
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