Live Auction Items

Item Description

This LIVE ONLY auction item will be presented at our picnic on August 2nd for final bidding. To bid on this live auction item, select from the following options:

1 Attend the auction on August 2nd and bid live
2. Register a proxy bid for a proxy bidder at the auction
3. Register for live phone bidding during the auction.

For more information, contact Carolyn Faught by email; cfaught@leelanauconservancy.org or by phone; 1-231-256-9665 ext 17. You must give a credit card number to proxy bid at the time you place your bid.

Weekend Camping Trip to South Manitou with Conservancy Executive Director and Naturalist

This two-night camping trip to majestic South Manitou is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Up to 6 people will experience all the wonders of the island with Leelanau Conservancy Director, Brian Price, and Chip Francke, renowned birder and naturalist. Chip served as the Conservancy’s first Education Director and led highly popular trips to the island when he was here. Brian and Chip will serve as your personal guides along with Mike Grosvenor, owner of the Manitou Island Transit and Island resident, who will also be along for part of your tour. This is bound to be an unforgettable weekend, ideal for everyone from families to outdoor enthusiasts.  All you need do is pack your clothes and a sleeping bag; we’ll take care of bringing all the camping gear. Delicious meals will be prepared by Susan Price (she’s a great cook!). Susan will use mostly local ingredients and fresh produce; meals will be one of the many highlights of the weekend. This will be rustic camping at its best.

This trip will take place during a weekend in June 2013, to be mutually arranged.  We’ve chosen this time of year because it is when the wildflowers are most prolific and spectacular, and the black fly population has not yet hatched. You can choose from June 7-9, June 21-23 or June 28-30, 2013.  Remember that spring wild flowers are likely to be still in bloom earlier in June, summer dune flowers and woodland flowers are coming out later in the month.  You’ll take the Manitou Island Ferry on a Friday morning (10:00am) and camp Friday and Saturday evening at the Weather Station group campground. On Sunday afternoon the ferry will bring you back to the Leland Harbor.

Brian and Chip will give you a unique interpretation and look at attractions on the island including its native plants and wonders such as an old growth white cedar grove dating prior to the time of Columbus. In your free time you can also explore some of the historic structures, such as the Ranger Station that formerly housed the US Life-Saving Service and lighthouse commissioned in 1872, a one-room school house built in 1899 and a historic farmhouse.  Then, of course, there are the shipwrecks – even visible from shore!

While on the island, transportation will be provided in a truck/trailer but be prepared for hikes of several miles, some over some fairly rugged terrain. Even though this is a great opportunity for families, due to the rigorous and in-depth nature of hikes the leaders recommend this trip for children 10 and over. If you have an extreme allergy to poison ivy, this is a trip you probably should not bid on. 

Group size is limited to six (6).  If children under 18 are included, parents must be present.

Special Instructions

Expiration date: June 30 2013

Restrictions:

• May choose weekends June 7-9, June 21-23 or June 28-30
• Group size limited to 6 people
• Parents must be present if participants are under 18
• Recommended for children over 10 years of age
• Most camping gear included: bring your own sleeping bag and personal items
• NOT recommended for people with extreme allergic reactions to poison ivy