[MR] suggestion for helping daytrip fees

[Craig]

I'd just like to chime in here, if I may.

In general, for me to take my family (wife, 2 kids, myself) to an SCA 
event as a day-tripper AND eating feast, is typically anywhere from 
50-60 dollars for all of us.

We can't go to a nice restaurant for 1 meal for all of us for that price.

What are we getting for that $50-60?  We're away from home for the day, 
away from the phone and the computer, we're out in the fresh air, we're 
among friends, we're laughing and having fun, we're often learning 
something interesting.  Yes, there's gas costs to include, and the 
occasional hotel if we go up the night before.  But honestly, the 
activities and lack of stress are WELL worth it.

I see where you're coming from, but think about it.  It's going to run 
you $11 for a 2 hour movie.  Not including food, which will double or 
triple that cost.  For that same amount, you're getting a full day of 
enjoyment and relaxation.

Money is tight for everyone, but we have to look at the value that we 
get for the money.  And the value for an SCA event is well worth it. 
Just getting away outside with friends, without the phone or the 
computer bugging me...it's well worth it.

And keep in mind...we usually eat feast.  As I mentioned before, the 
cost of an event PLUS feast is usually about the same as a meal at 
Longhorn or Macaroni Grill.  And I've had feasts that were comparable in 
taste to those 2 restaurants, and the quantity of food blows them out of 
the water.

Your points are certainly valid, but I think that what needs to be 
looked at is the value, not the actual cost.  The enjoyment I get out of 
the events makes the cost well worth it.

- Cian mac Cellacháin hUí Dublaich
  Pursuivant herald, Canton of Cyddlain Downs

(mka Craig)



Becky McEllistrem wrote:
>  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
> 
> ========================================================================
>                    The Merry Rose Tavern at Cheapside
>     List Info: http://merryrose.atlantia.sca.org/
>   Submissions: Atlantia at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
> Subscriptions: http://seahorse.atlantia.sca.org/listinfo.cgi/atlantia-atlantia.sca.org
>