Dear parents and scouts,
As a reminder, on Saturday, September 20, 2014, we will have our first scheduled day trip to Emerald Hollow Mine (Hiddenite Gems), in Hiddenite NC.
Sign up will continue Tuesday September 16th before and after Den meetings. The cost per person is $12 and siblings are welcome to attend.
Here is the information from Stefano Marsella, the pack coordinator for this trip.
Trip Destination:
· Emerald Hollow Mine – 484 Emerald Hollow Mine Dr., Hiddenite, NC 28636
(828) 632 3394
Visit Website: www.hiddenitegems.com
Trip Date and Time:
· September 20, 2014
· Departure: Mt. Tabor Methodist Church Parking lot on Saturday, September 20, 2014 @ 8:30 a.m.
· Return: You may leave at any time before closing time (4:30 pm.)
About Emerald Hollow Mine
· The Educational Program and Field Trip lasts about 2-½ to 3-½ hours. Please plan to spend as much of the day, from 8:30 to 4:30, as possible – the more time, the more fun. The Educational Program includes the following:
o Hear about the different kinds of rock and soil.
o Surface Collection – finding gemstones on the soil’s surface. You will get to look for your own Gemstones
o The Creekin’ activity is everyone’s favorite. Here you will learn about Density Weight and Gravity and what each has to do with why and where Gemstones and Gold are found in the creek bed.
- At the Sluiceway, you will hear the history of the area and why they learned to wash the ore to find the Gems. Each participant will receive one bucket of ore to sluice.
- Free Time! After the educational program, the scout/parent may enjoy the remaining time (until 4:30 pm) by returning to an activity that they enjoyed. The Creekin’ and Surface Collecting are free. An extra bucket of ore is $5.00; Ruby and Sapphire bucket ore is $5.00; and Super bucket ore is $15.00.
o Emerald Hollow Mine staff will identify your Gemstones and answer your questions.
What to bring for your Gem mining adventure:
· Bring a picnic lunch. They have five beautiful picnic areas.
· The cost of our Educational Field Trip is $12.00 per person (child or adult). We will collect money at arrival. All parents pay same price as child. Bring the exact change to avoid holding up the starting time (we need all the time available for field trip activities).
· Bring a large margarine container or the like with the scout’s name on it for Gemstone collection. This way, if misplaced, we can return those precious finds.
· Wear old play clothes – plan on getting soil on you!
· Bring a change of clothes and shoes, and maybe a hand towel to dry your feet after Creekin’. The Emerald Hollow Mine new large changing facilities are great.
· Please dress appropriately for the weather, remembering that we will be outdoors and it can get chilly in early Spring, late Fall and when it rains. So bring that jacket – you can always take it off.
· If the weather warrants it, sunscreen and bug spray are also good to bring along.
How to get there: