NEWSTAR is the Astronomy Club serving Northeast Wisconsin.
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NEWSTAR is the Astronomy Club serving Northeast Wisconsin. |
Wisconsin Observers Weekend (WOW)
June 5 - 8, 2008
One of the biggest highlights of the year for area amateur astronomers and their families is the Wisconsin Observers Weekend (WOW) hosted by NEWSTAR. Three days of summer camping and observing at Hartman Creek State Park just west of Waupaca Wisconsin. Amateur astronomers from all over the mid-west bring along their telescopes for a weekend filled with the fun of helping some find objects for the first time, as well as the enjoyment of pursuing the challenge of finding new objects for their own enrichment. Whether or not you own a telescope or are a seasoned observer you will enjoy what WOW has to offer.
Hartman Creek State Park is 1,500 acres of post-glacial beauty located about 30 miles northwest of Oshkosh on the upper Waupaca Chain-O-Lakes. Visitors can enjoy camping swimming, hiking, biking, picnicking, and fishing, amidst the gently rolling woodlands, prairies, lakes and wetlands. Ten miles of hiking trails, including a segment of the National Scenic Ice Age Trail, offer plenty of opportunity to stretch your legs while enjoying numerous wildflowers and abundant bird life. The park also has designated off-road bicycling trails and low-traffic roads surrounding the area provide safe routes for the touring cyclist as well. Hartman Lake has a 300-foot sandy beach and swimming area for a cool dip after a hot day.
WOW reserves all five-group campsites at Hartman Creek State Park so that your evening observing environment is white light free and as dark as possible for your enjoyment. This is primitive camping – pit toilets and hand water pump only – but hot showers and “flushes” are available in the family campground a short distance down the road. Tent camping sites are plentiful, however there is no parking on the grassy areas, so recreational vehicles or campers may find space tight in the limited parking areas.
Saturday afternoon NEWSTAR hosts an ice cream social for WOW attendees free of charge. Drawing for door prizes will be held at the same time.
Just down the road, the town of Waupaca has all the conveniences and amenities you might need, and hotels are nearby if you do not wish to camp. Although it’s only approximately 5 miles away, light pollution from Waupaca has very little impact on Hartman Creek State Park.
Registration for members is $10 per adult and $3 per child if received on or before February 19, 2008. This fee includes your WOW registration and camping fee.
Open Registration for the general public and members on or after February 20, 2008 is $12 per adult and $4 per child. This fee includes your WOW registration and camping fee. Registration is limited to 130 attendees this year. All registration closes May 23, 2008.
You must purchase a state park sticker or daily pass to enter the park (Resident/non-resident, $25/$35 annual sticker, $7/$10 daily pass).
Hope to see you under the stars at WOW 2008.
You can download a WOW registration form from this website. If you have any problems please send an email to Bob Peterson and a form can be e-mailed to you.
More information about the park can be found at
the park website. Download and print our
2-page member registration form. (PDF document). Download and print our
2-page open registration form. (PDF document).
This form for members only. Pre-registration for members opened November
21, 2007 and ends February 19, 2008.
This form for anybody, members and non-members, effective February 20, 2008.
Some pictures from WOW.
Other useful links:
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Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce:
www.waupacaareachamber.com. Waupaca County:
www.wisconline.com/counties/waupaca. Waupaca Events:
www.WaupacaEvents.com. (Calendar of events in the area) |