MINNESOTA BIRDING WEEKS & WEEKENDS

REGISTRATION

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...

• Please note that some MBWs can become filled months in advance. (Some MBWeeks become filled on the opening day of registrations; it is possible that additional MBWs might be scheduled to accommodate those on waiting lists.)    

• All MBW registrations are acknowledged ASAP, stating if you are confirmed or on the waiting list. The maximum number of registrations for MBWeekends varies and is stated in that MBW's listing. The maximum for most MBWeeks is 7 participants.

• Before registering for any MBW, see the  MBWeekends  or  MBWeeks  page for its status to see if it is already filled or close to it, or has several vacancies. Note that registering for a MBW after it is filled should still be considered since cancellations sometimes occur, or an additional leader or extra MBW might be possible to accommodate those on the waiting list.

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• A MBWeekend meeting time and place, lodging options, the participants list, car-pooling information, etc, are sent by e-mail to those registered, usually about one month before the MBW. Unless stated otherwise, most MBWeekends begin at dawn on Saturday (or Thursday), end early afternoon on Sunday (or Friday), or end Monday for 3-day MBWs. Most are based in the same city each night (unless stated otherwise).

• Transportation, meals, and lodging are not included in the MBWeekend fees. Participants make their own lodging reservations, and can make their own arrangements to car pool to the base city or to share lodging. Birding on all MBWeekends is by car-pooled caravans, is arranged in advance, and normally limited to three or five vehicles (unless stated otherwise). Participants will be able to bring their own food along for meals and/or to eat at restaurants.

• A pre-MBWeekend may either be taken alone or jointly with its associated MBWeekend.

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• MBWeeks are out-of-state trips by one or two rented vehicles, and are usually about a week long. The leader makes all lodging and vehicle reservations for the group, and the participants make their own travel arrangements to/from the base city.

• The MBWeek fee generally includes the participant's share of lodging, vehicle rentals and gasoline, entry fees/permits, the leader's fee and expenses, and other trip expenses. Individual air fares (or other travel expenses to/from the base city) and meals are not included.

(Please note that the cost of a MBWeek depends on the number of participants. Those who cancel out of a MBWeek for which they were confirmed may still be obligated to cover certain expenses: e.g., if non-refundable payments had been made on their behalf, or if cancellations result in higher per-person costs for shared trip expenses.)

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Minnesota Birding Weekends / Weeks (MBW) is covered by general liability insurance, and I am confident that our new season will again be without incident or accident, just as our first 35+ years have been. (And note that our policy includes coverage for false advertising: so, if we fail to see some bird included in a MBW's description, you can now sue me for up to a million dollars!) In addition, though, MBW participants are asked to agree to the following – unfortunately, legal formalities such as this have become one of life’s simple pleasures…

MBW PARTICIPANTS' ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISK AND RELEASE:

All those who register for a Minnesota Birding Weekend / Week (MBW) recognize that there is a small risk associated with MBWs, certify that they are capable of participating in them, and assume full responsibility in the event of personal injury, loss, or damage to personal property during a MBW. In consideration of having their registrations confirmed for a MBW, all those attending will hold Minnesota Birding Weekends / Weeks and its leaders harmless for any injury, loss, or damage involving any of the participants during the MBW. Further, those volunteering to drive a vehicle during a MBW recognize and agree that they are covered by their personal automobile insurance.

ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED FOR COVID

(OR HAVE RECENTLY TESTED NEGATIVE)

BEFORE THE TIME OF THE MBW ARE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER.

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THE PROCEDURE FOR 2023-24 MBW REGISTRATIONS FOLLOWS:

• ALL MBW REGISTRATIONS ARE BY E-MAIL

   No registrations will be accepted by U.S. mail, text, or telephone. MBW registrations must

   be e-mailed to  eckertkr@gmail.com  and need to include:

                         • The name of the MBW

                         • Your Name

                         • Your E-mail address.

• ONLY ONE REGISTRATION MAY BE SENT PER DAY

   If you wish to register for multiple MBWs, your next registration must wait until the next

   day or thereafter: e.g., if you register for a MBW on January 12, your next registration

   cannot be until Jan. 13, a third registration not until Jan. 14, etc. (Exception: a pre-MBW

   may be included with its associated MBWeekend.)

• A REGISTRATION E-MAIL MAY INCLUDE ONLY ONE PERSON

   Exception: more than one person (e.g., a spouse) can register in the same e-mail if they live

   at the same residence.

• MBW PAYMENTS ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH REGISTRATIONS

   Payments will be made according to the following:

   • MBWeekend fees can either made at any time, starting about a month before the MBW

      (when the information on that MBW is sent to those registered); payments can also be

      made in person when the MBW meets.

   • MBWeekend fees are $20/day: i.e., one-day pre-MBWs are $20, standard Saturday-

      Sunday MBWs are $40, and three-day MBWs are $60. The fee will be the same whether or

      not it is pre-paid.

   • The preliminary information for a MBWeek is usually sent to those registered 2 - 3 months

     before the trip – this e-mail includes the flight options to the base city, lodging options, the

     itinerary, etc.). Final details about a MBWeek are sent about 6 weeks in advance, with final

     payments for MBWeeks due about 3 weeks before the MBW.

   • Payments for MBWs can be made with Zelle: www.zellepay.com; these are electronic

     bank transfers which go directly from your account to MBW and confirmed via e-mail. Or,

     as always, it is still OK to mail checks for MBWeek fees.

Judy Chucker photo