Saturday, January 11, 2014

Here's the WeMOG info-Join up and get fit... or fitter ..... or at least have some fun!

All about the WeMOG!  -  West Michigan Outdoor Group


So, we hope this helps you know more about us.  To join us, send a message to WeMOG.Central@Gmail.com with your name and  contact information, and come join in our fun!"
"During the winter of 2004-05, several folks of the Muskegon area (many from the old Muskegon Hiking Club) often talked about the need for a meeting place for people interested in participating in outdoor activities.  They needed a place to "meet-up" with like-minded people and to share their love of enjoying the many outdoor activities that are available to us here in our wonderful state.  They wanted to have available a support system and safety in numbers for their outings.

In March of 2005, their dream came true.  The YMCA of Muskegon graciously donated the use of one of their rooms to meet.  Between 15 - 20 people showed up to discuss how to continually connect up with each other... how to keep the word going, how to share information about area events, and how to support each other.

As we are not an official club, having no officers or newsletter, we devised a plan using the wonderful world of "communicating with computers."  We communicate about gatherings, ideas and plans in a "round-robin" system, sending and sharing information to each other through our e-mails.  (We do have some members who do not have computers; they make arrangements to get their information from another member who does.)

Interested people can join us by sending a message to our shared e-mail ID (wemog.central@gmail.com) with their name and contact information.  They are added to the WeMOG Central e-mail list maintained for members' use.  They watch their computer mailings for all the "scoop."  Then it is up to them to become as involved as they want to be.  

Meetings are held every 4th Tuesday of the month, with a notification about the time, place, and other details sent to members by e-mail within a week of the meeting. During the summer we have been meeting at parks so we can have a potluck supper followed by a short meeting. Summer meeting times commonly start at 6:30pm and, often, some come earlier to participate in their activity before the meeting. (around 3:00 or 3:30pm).  Kayaking and hiking are now the most popular meeting activities. During the winter we meet at 6:00 pm at area restaurants for dinner and a meeting to schedule events for the coming month.

The group is a very loose knit group.  No by-laws, no commitments, no fees, and no elected officers.  We are a gathering place to share outdoor interests and activities.  (To be considerate of others participating, we ask that children and pets be left at home.)  Special organized events to include families and their 4-legged friends can be planned.  :)  

We have opted to call ourselves the West Michigan Outdoor Group (WeMOG), with smaller-interest groups within it.

The Bike Group currently meets on Monday mornings.  Each week, they bike between 15 to 35 miles, depending on their selected route. They bike at about 10 mph, often stop to enjoy the sights, and bring lunch/drinks to have along the way. 

The purpose is to "support ride" in case of a break down, etc.  If you want to participate and not go the entire ride, bring a friend who can turn back with you.  It's a buddy system for safety....(the whole purpose of participating in the group)... always two people biking together.  Each week someone sends the details of the next ride around to the e-mail list of friends.

The Kayaking Group currently meets Wednesday mornings.  Each week is different, depending on the location - lake or river and time available. Each week, someone sends the details around about where to meet, time, etc.

Each year we have also organized and held a few two-day to week-long events held at more distant locations in Michigan or other states. Attending members each take the responsibility for researching, planning, and making reservations for the event. The shared planning has made for pleasant and fruitful enjoyment of national parks and other interesting areas of the country.

There are responsibilities to making this a success.  When there is a need, someone "volunteers" to fill that need.  Volunteers are:  making arrangements for our monthly meeting places, taking notes at meetings, and recapping the monthly meetings and happenings.  Volunteers keep everyone informed on these events.  Volunteers put together information sheets, resource lists, and member lists.  Several have helped with organization contacts, meeting arrangements and programs.  If you see a need, please volunteer.

We maintain activity interest lists for bicycling, hiking, kayaking, downhill skiing, cultural events, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing We encourage anyone and everyone to organize or suggest events and outings at a time and place they choose. We can only benefit from the knowledge and experience of folks that might enjoy the outdoors in little-known locations. One can lead the group or just suggest a new place to gather and explore together.  It can be as informal or formal as one wants it to be. 

Just organize an event, place, date, time, directions, equipment list if needed, etc., and list a contact person and number to call.  Type up a short message and send it to the appropriate activity group(s).  And let the fun begin!

When attending an activity, we request that you call ahead to the contact person.  This will give the person heads-up on who to count on and also so they can let you know if the event needs to be canceled.  It will also give you the opportunity to recheck all the important information.

We also encourage folks to suggest and organize monthly meeting programs.  One can invite a business to come and demonstrate, share tales and pictures of one of their own adventures, or bring in a knowledgeable person on a specific topic. This will be especially helpful for those winter months when we're not so busy.  However, winter brings time to ski and snowshoe!

Several in our group are members of Michigan outdoor organizations.  They often will list and share information with others so they can attend their events.  Most notable are:

1)  Sierra Club;  2)  North Country Trail Association;  3)  Ottawa County Parks and Recreation;  4)  WMCKA West Michigan Coastal Kayaking Association;  5)  Adopt a Beach Program - Lake Michigan Federation  

These are great organizations for you to join also.  We make available a resource list with web sites, etc. for these organizations and other places of interests.  

So, we hope this helps you know more about us.  To join us, send a message to WeMOG.Central@Gmail.com with your name and  contact information, and come join in our fun!"

                   (Sorry, we don't have a web site.)

Hope To See You On The Trail!!  


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