April 30, 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen:

After last year’s successful reunion you expressed a desire to be part of the next Denver BBC reunion.   I realize that although the Lord’s coming or more mundane life events could alter future plans, we definitely must prepare now to make the next reunion the best.  Please prayerfully consider how you can assist. 

I’d like your input in a couple of areas and based on your responses, the committee will nail down details to include in this summer’s Denver BBC Alumni mailing.  Schedule and program related suggestions will be addressed after we select a location.

I researched several alternate venues, and spoke with several Colorado Christian camps but the only one that meets our criteria and is available: the Navigators’ Glen Eyrie Castle here in Colorado Springs (http://www.navigators.org/us/ministries/gleneyrie/).  For those unfamiliar with it, the property was originally built by General Palmer who established Colorado Springs.  He’s an interesting guy who not only gave land for a park downtown but gave four corners on the park to four churches.  He didn’t allow bars or selling alcohol inside city limits.  He built the castle on an isolated area bordering to Garden of the Gods so the property looks like that famous park.  After General Palmer’s death, several organizations owned the property but in the 1950’s, the Navigators purchased it and turned Glen Eyrie into a Christian conference center.

Most of the sleeping rooms are comparable to a Radisson’s and even though it’s only five minutes from town, it is a true retreat.  I think the most appealing thing is that we would be in a Christian (albeit professionally managed) locale.  Although there aren’t televisions, swimming pools or hot tubs, you won’t even miss those amenities because the grounds are so beautiful and facilities will keep you busy.  A variety of recreational activities are available on property and tourist locations are close-by (Air Force Academy, Cave of the Winds, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Compassion Intl., Flying W Ranch, Focus on Family, Pikes Peak, Royal Gorge, Seven Falls, US Olympic Center Headquarters, etc.).  The lower elevation may make acclimation easier than Frisco’s 9700’. (It’s at 6500’ – Pilots pressurize plane cabins at this level, so your ears don’t “pop” when you land in Colorado Springs and people who can fly should be able to attend.)

Glen Eyrie is available July 9-11, 2010 with a 30% discount off 2008 room rates if we contract now!  These rates are higher than the Holiday Inn in Frisco last year but I think the facilities make the additional cost well worth it.  It will be more expensive, but we have two years to save!  Here’s the breakdown:

>> Food costs are slightly higher than the Holiday Inn’s because more meals will be provided.  The 2010 charges per adult will be between $55 and $60/per person for all five meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch) and meetings.  (Children will be half: $27-$30.) Also, we’re not assuming Faith BBC’s participation in paying for the banquet as last time.  Their involvement might decrease individual costs.  We will function on a break-even budget again in 2010.

>> Glen Eyrie charges $20 daily for those who don’t stay at the facility but come to activities.  Therefore, our rates will have to reflect this fee for “drive-ins.”

>> The dorm-style rooms are $56.70/per person per night plus tax for those who want to relive your college experience.  Four bunks to a room, so up to eight people could share a room.

>> Regular hotel-style rooms with two queen beds and private bath are $110-$149 plus tax per night based on double occupancy. (Children under 18 stay free.)

>> Castle suites are available from $249 plus tax per night.

>> If we select Glen Eyrie, we will need to collect all payments up front because we will be required to pay the conference center prior to the reunion.

Second, DVDs of the 2007 reunion will soon be available.  Wayne Wolf (’74) videotaped it and made one DVD of the banquet and another of Sunday morning.  He will offer them as a fundraiser for the 2010 Denver BBC Reunion.  The cost is not been set yet but, I believe, it will be something like $15 for one and $20 including shipping.

 

Please respond to the following:

____ I/we would most likely attend the Denver BBC reunion if it were held at Glen Eyrie, July 9-11, 2010.

____ Total number of people who would most likely attend with me (including me).

____ I/we will not attend a Denver BBC reunion at Glen Eyrie because

 ___________________________________________________________________________

____ I would most likely order copies of the DVDs:

____ copy(ies) of the Saturday evening banquet

____ copy(ies) of the Sunday morning praise and worship time

I welcome additional comments and additional volunteers.  Sorry this is so long but I want you to have enough information for an educated response.

God bless you,

--LoniJ (Kemper) Moore (send message)