Bus trip to the Shedd

[cmpenney]

MASM is looking into organizing a little field trip to the Shedd Aquarium probably in mid August. We are plannning to charter a nice bus for the trip ( party style ) and would leave out of Ann Arbor area in the morning and head over to Chicago. We would spend the day there and then return around 9pm that same night. We have spoken with the Shedd and up to 24 people would be able to get a behind the scenes tour for an additional fee . Note: you must be at least 55" tall to go behind the scenes.

At this point we have enough information that can share what the pricing would be for the trip and would like to know how many people would be interested.

........................ Deposit ......... w/o Tour ......... w/Tour
Members: ............. $40 .............. $60 ................ $75
Non-Members: ...... $50 ............. $70 ................. $85


Because of the need to book the bus ahead of time and get the right size bus for our group the deposit would be non-refundable. The remaining payment would be due at the time of boarding the bus.

If you are interested please post here and share your thoughts.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Sounds like fun - Depending on the date/prior commitments, I would be interested.

[Sir Patrick]

If its on a sunday- I would likely be interested also.

[cmpenney]

The date that we had been discussing is August 13th which is on a Saturday. Because of the long day and leaving early in the morning we figured that Saturday would work better with church and School/Work on Monday.

[jolson10450]

i am very interested. does that price of "with tour" include: the bus ride, admission to the aquarium, and the tour?

Just curious if there will be any other costs involved other than food/drinks for the day.

[cmpenney]

Yes the cost does cover the bus, admission, and the tour. There will be some refreshments and snacks on the bus but for the most part you will be responsible for your own meals.

[cmpenney]

We need to get at least 40 people to make this happen.. So if you are interested in coming please speak up!

[CalmSeasQuest]

We need to get at least 40 people to make this happen.. So if you are interested in coming please speak up!

8/13 works, Put me down for 2 (Cindi and Myself) - Member w/tour

[Viva'sReef]

I will be in Chicago that weekend for a wedding....What's the chances/price of meeting up at the Shedd for the tour only?

[cmpenney]

8/13 works, Put me down for 2 (Cindi and Myself) - Member w/tour

Once we have determined that we have enough people the tour spots will be first come first serve since we can only get in 24 people in the alotted time.


I will be in Chicago that weekend for a wedding....What's the chances/price of meeting up at the Shedd for the tour only?
We have not determined that yet as we need to get enough people to nearly fill the bus to put the trip together at all. We probably won't even offer an option for just the tour until the bus is nearly full.

I should be clear that the club is not making any money on this trip. We are not tacking on any additional fees to what the charter company and the Shedd is charging the club.

[2pairs]

Put me down for two non-member w/Tour.
Sounds like a really great time.
Let me know when and who to send payment to.

[FlynnFish]

I went a few years ago and it was a really great experience. I am imterested in going but I won't know for sure if I can until a date is picked out. Is this most likely going to be on the weekend?

[Tankster]

kids welcome? Any chance you would make a stop along 94 somewhere (Jackson/Battlecreek area) to pickup others?

[cmpenney]

They date we are looking at is August 13th right now.

We had considered a stop in BC if there are going to be some people over that way to pick up. Timing is going to be tight though so we wouldn't be able to wait long. Kids of any age will be able to come on the trip but the must be 55" tall to go behind the scenes..Shedd's rules not ours :)

[FlynnFish]

Just making sure I'm understanding correctly, for 1 non-member wishing to go on the tour it would cost $135?

[cmpenney]

Just making sure I'm understanding correctly, for 1 non-member wishing to go on the tour it would cost $135?
No,

1 non-member on the trip with the tour would be $85.

[MUCHO REEF]

I lived in Chicago many years ago and actual spent an entire day there at the Shedd once. I'm sure it is even better now then it was back then. This is a great deal and I would jump on this if I were you guys/gals. Their reef displays back then were spectacular, the whales and dolphins were a sight to see. The back room tour was very educational. Trust me, you will truly enjoy this trip.

Mucho Reef

[cmpenney]

We have spoken with the Shedd and worked out a schedule so that we can now get up to 36 people on the behind the scenes tour. We just need to iron out a few small details and we are ready to start taking deposits.
Does anyone know a good park and ride type location along 94 in Battle Creek that we can set as the pickup point on the western side of the state??

[cmpenney]

OK Everyone. We have decided to go forward with the Bus Trip to the Shedd on August 13th. We have been able to extend the number of people that can take the behind the scenes tour to 36 people and there is a limit of 56 that we can fit on the bus. Spaces will be first come first serve so please don't delay if you want to get in on this.
Prices for members are as follows:
MASM Members
with Tour: $55 Deposit + $20 due between July 1st & July 23rd
No Tour: $40 Deposit + $20 due between July 1st & July 23rd
Non-Members
with Tour: $65 Deposit + $20 due between July 1st & July 23rd
No Tour: $50 Deposit + $20 due between July 1st & July 23rd

All tickets include the following:
Bus transportation from Ann Arbor or Battle Creek to the Shedd and back
General Aquarium admittance
Oceanarium Show and Exhibits
Wild Reef
Jellyfish Exhibit

You can book your seat at: http://www.masm.org/Events/Event.aspx?ID=125

[CalmSeasQuest]

Cindi and I are in - Looking forward to the trip.

So many great restaurants...So little time :)

[2pairs]

If you have to sign in to the MASM web sight how do non members book a seat?

[cmpenney]

We've already sold a bunch of tickets. Please don't wait on this if you want to go.

---------- Post added at 06:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:07 PM ----------


If you have to sign in to the MASM web sight how do non members book a seat?

You don't have to be a member to create a username on the MASM site. Our site is in no way restricted to our members. It's just a forum like any other. You can register a username at MASM Forums (http://www.masm.org/mForums/register.aspx)

[2pairs]

We've already sold a bunch of tickets. Please don't wait on this if you want to go.

---------- Post added at 06:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:07 PM ----------



You don't have to be a member to create a username on the MASM site. Our site is in no way restricted to our members. It's just a forum like any other. You can register a username at MASM Forums (http://www.masm.org/mForums/register.aspx)

I set up a user name and i still can't pay all I get are error messages.
Can you check it out and let me know.

[cmpenney]

Give it a try now. If it doesn't work please copy the error and send it to chad@masm.org

[2pairs]

Got it worked out.
We will be going.

[cmpenney]

We do still have some tour and non tour spots open if people are interested in going!

Field Trip to the Shedd Aquarium (http://www.masm.org/Events/Event.aspx?ID=125)

[cmpenney]

There are still a few seats open for the trip. Here is an update itinerary for the day:

MASM-Shedd Trip Itinerary
August 13th, 2011

6:30 am: Bus arrives at the Park and Ride at the intersection of M14 and Miller Rd in Ann Arbor.
7:00 am: Bus leaves Ann Arbor
8:15 am: Stop and pickup another group at the Walmart at Beckley Rd and 66 in Battle Creek

12:00 pm: ( Chicago Time ) Arrival at the Shedd.
1:00 pm: First Behind the scenes Tour
2:00 pm: Second behind the scenes Tour
3:00 pm: Third behind the scenes Tour.
4:30 pm: Depart from the Shedd.

8:40 pm: (Michigan Time)Arrive at Drop off point in Battle Creek
10:00 pm: Arrive at drop off point in Ann Arbor

Full Details at: Field Trip to the Shedd Aquarium (http://www.masm.org/Events/Event.aspx?ID=125)

[jimsflies]

Busy reefing weekend...bus trip Saturday and swap on Sunday. :)

[cmpenney]

Hey we were first :)

[jimsflies]

No problems on this end...glad we aren't on the same day. Might want to add the bus trip to the CR calendar (http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/calendar.php)...I just added it to the site sidebar so we can keep track of what all is coming up.

[cmpenney]

Just posted it on the Calendar. Thanks Jim !

[jimsflies]

You meant August, right? I should be able to fix it.

[cmpenney]

I thought I changed it to August, Yes it should be August 13th.

[cmpenney]

We still do have a couple seats open for anyone that is up for a trip and behind the scenes at the Shedd in Chicago on August 13th..Just under 2 weeks away:
Field Trip to the Shedd Aquarium (http://www.masm.org/Events/Event.aspx?ID=125)

[Rook]

Man, I sooooooooooo want to go. If I get back on Friday, and you have room. I'm in.

[fishtal]

So, who all is going?

[cmpenney]

WE do still have some seats on the bus and spots open for the behind the scenes

Field Trip to the Shedd Aquarium (http://www.masm.org/Events/Event.aspx?ID=125)