Event Description

2010 Planner's Sierra Retreat

We’re happy to announce that Central Section again will host the Sierra Retreat. This year’s Retreat - the 18^th– is scheduled for August 27-29 at YMCA’s Lake Sequoia in Fresno County. The Retreat offers planners, their families, and fellow professionals an opportunity to relax and enjoy a beautiful mountain environment, while engaging in a meaningful professional development program. Sequoia Lake, located at 5,000 feet just outside the entrance to Kings Canyon National Park, is a perfect location for Central Valley planners, and has proven to be easily accessible from major cities in California.

This is your personal invitation to join us at the Retreat. As always, we try to keep costs as low as possible, and there is noincrease in fees from last year’s retreat! Check-in will begin at 4:00 pm Friday, August 27. Meals will be provided Friday evening,three times on Saturday, with breakfast on Sunday. Feel free to contact Bruce O'Neal, AICP with any questions or to receive a registration form at (559) 256-4250, or e-mail me at b.oneal@comcast.net.

If you know folks who might want to attend the Retreat, let them know that registration closes Friday, August 20, 2010,or when all cabins are assigned. I look forward to seeing you at the lake!

Contact Bruce O'Neal, AICP for the Registration form.

Cost: Adults & Children (13 and over) $95 each.

Children (ages 3-12) $65 each.

Make checks payable to "CCAPA Central Section."

Comments

The professional development program has been the centerpiece of the retreat since the beginning in 1991. Contemporary planning and environmental topics have been presented by professionals in the field, including consultants, elected officials, land use attorneys, city managers, and staff-level planners.

Topics have included air quality, planning in our national parks, water use and conservation, urban design, and humor in planning.

This year’s program will focus on the SB 375/Blueprint planning process and how to measure your general plan’s consistency with these regional planning efforts. Up to 2.5 CM self-reported credits are available.

Sequoia Lake is located 50 miles east of Fresno on Highway 180. The lake covers 80 acres and offers boating and swimming with a 2-mile trail circling the lake. You can also fish for rainbow trout, bass, and sunfish. A lifeguard is on duty at the swimming area during the day; rowboats and kayaks are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

As a “Y” camp, lodging is rustic but includes private cabins assigned to individuals or families. Dining is “family style” with meals prepared by the staff and served on the outdoor deck of the cafeteria.

A variety of self-guided hikes are available at the Retreat. For example, Grant Grove within Kings Canyon National Park, containing the General Grant tree and other giant Sequoias, is an approximate 8-mile roundtrip hike from the Retreat headquarters. Other activities include Friday and Saturday night campfires, bingo, crafts, “planners unplugged”, and quality time on your own.

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