Membership in the Comox Valley Camera Club has many advantages especially for members who take the opportunity to actively participate in club-planned field trips. 

 These advantages include:

Meeting and getting to know others who share your passion for photography an active learning environment where one can learn from their own experience and the experience of others apply new photographic techniques in challenging circumstances visit interesting and picturesque  locations in and around the Comox Valley, Vancouver island and the west coast share the results of your work in a safe and positive environment and most important of all having fun. 

Field trips focus on meeting the needs and interests of the widest number of club members.  Trips are scheduled for their timeliness (seasonal settings, events, celebrations etc.) challenge, natural beauty and uniqueness.  Trips are scheduled on different days of the week, mornings and evenings only, day long trips and a few overnighters (i.e. Victoria).  Typically there are a more events scheduled during the warmer months than the colder ones.

Some events may include time being set aside for meals (participants responsible for their own costs), which may involve restaurants or pubs and at times members maybe asked to bring a brown bag lunch. While coordinators may plan the location of the meal, members are responsible for their own dietary needs.

Some events may involve the use of a rented van in order to reduce the overall travel costs of the experience for the participants.

Participants for popular events may be either split into two groups or participation may be restricted to a set number.

Out of town day trips normally involve pre-registration and on the event day participants gathering early in the morning (i.e. Zellers parking lot) to coordinate those who plan on taking their vehicles and those who would prefer to ride along as passengers. Typically those who ride as passengers share the driver’s expenses i.e. fuel, ferry etc., where appropriate.  Coordinators ensure that all registered participants have arrived before the group heads off for the days photo shoot.

Field trip schedules are published monthly and shared with members at meetings and via e-mail.

Unscheduled opportunities do occur from time to time and when practical members are notified by e-mail.

The role of the Field Trip Coordinators

Field Trip Coordinators not only plan the trips, but strive to make them relevant to the learning experience.  Coordinators often offer ideas and suggestions in advance on how to prepare for and to make the best from the experience.  Of course those attending  may choose alternate photographic techniques and approaches and are welcome to do so.

Suggestions are often coordinated with Rick Reeve (Member Education), and Michelle Rankin (Competitions).  Rick provides educational tutorials both prior to and following various field trips and Michelle Rankin coordinates the clubs monthly and other photo competition themes.

Your Coordinators for 2008 are:

Dave Young  waterstar@shaw.ca

Rick Baldwin rick@homeoffice.bc.ca

Bob Ell bobell@shaw.ca

 If you haven’t attended a field event in the past why not plan to attend one this year.  You won’t regret it.