Detailed Information

Program Schedule
A program schedule is available for download.

Arrival Time
The conference grounds will open at about 9:00 AM on Friday, May 23. YMCA operations and insurance restrictions require us to stop all cars and pedestrians entering Camp Oakes, and allow only registered staff and Silver or higher-level sponsors into the camp before that time. Vendors arriving before 7:00 AM Friday will be sent to a priority parking area to ease entry before the general public. The safety plan requires RTMC AE monitors to assure that cars are parked to the side of the road and access is clear. If you arrive early, be prepared to camp overnight along the entrance road. No restrooms or other facilities are available outside the camp. In previous years a few "sooners" have attempted to stake out campsites. Signs, tents, bedding, and other items placed in an attempt to reserve space will be removed and may be recovered at the Lost & Found.

You may not set up RVs while waiting on the entrance road to Camp Oakes (no levellers, unhitching, awnings, etc.). Fire regulations will restrict all RV's with sliders to a special area at the entrance to Camp Oakes until Friday after gates open (you will not be allowed to park in line with other early arrivers).

Early Set-Up: Silver and above Sponsors may set up at their assigned vendor spots (at their own risk) starting at noon Thursday. Anyone is welcome to be a sponsor. See the Vendors/Sponsors page for details.

Commercial Exhibitors, Vendors, and Clubs
Space is available to explain and sell your astronomical products. Space for commercial exhibitors, vendors, and clubs will be assigned only upon request. See the Vendors/Sponsors page for details.

Vendor Sales
Vendors will open their booths and begin selling at 12 noon on Friday.

Fire Safety
The Fire Marshal has required additional changes for this year. Because of problems with RV sliders blocking the road before gates open, a special parking area has been set aside for them near the entrance to Camp Oakes. The Fire Marshal also eliminated some roadside parking spaces, reducing parking for Early Arrivers and swap meeters.

As in the past, the Safety Plan includes:
•Monitors to assure roads are kept clear, specific areas are closed to vehicles, and cars are properly parked off the road (especially while awaiting opening). Please cooperate with RTMC Staff.
•Evacuation plans given to all attendees.
•Prohibition of outdoor fires, including charcoal fires and white gas stoves. Propane is acceptable.
•Limitation of smoking to the concrete patio behind the meeting hall, with disposal of cigarette butts in a fireproof container.
•We will again require a specific type of fire extinguisher and safety certification on vendor tents and canopies for all vendors (not swap meeters).
•Regular inspection of the premises by the Fire Marshal, who has the authority to stop the proceedings.

Parking/Driving
All vehicles must be parked, and all equipment set up, off roadways, with adequate room for other vehicles, including large emergency vehicles, to pass. Please drive below the posted speed limit. Faster driving is not only a safety issue, but it raises an inordinate amount of dust. Please be alert to pedestrians walking along the roadways, especially at night. Expo attendees may park along the side of the dirt road that enters Camp Oakes, behind the sign designating where parking begins. Please maintain quiet; the camp’s community neighbors and other early arrivers should not be disturbed. Beginning at 9:00 AM on Saturday, people arriving for day use will be directed to designated parking areas.

Vendor Priority Parking
The Parking Crew will reserve priority parking spaces for vendors who arrive before 7:00 AM Friday. This will allow vendors to enter the grounds and begin setting up at 9:00 AM, ahead of the general public. Vendors arriving after 7:00 AM will park and enter with the general public.

Snack Bar
The snack bar operated by Camp Oakes features a barbecue grill for chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs. Drinks and other snacks including ice cream and chips are also available. The snack bar opens Friday at 1:00 PM and stays open until dusk. It reopens mid-morning on Saturday and Sunday.

Door Prizes
Drawings will be on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Swap Meet
The Swap Meet will be held Saturday morning in front of the meeting hall. Swap meeters do not need sellers permits or vendor registration.

Family Activities
A number of family activities are available at the RTMC AE. In previous years, we have had the swimming pool open, boating and fishing on the lake, horseback riding, and hiking. We have also had guided solar system tours for children. Recently we have offered other activities including archery and climbing.

Merit Awards
All telescopes entered for Merit Awards must be located on the Telescope Field, Telescope Alley, or Meadow. Please contact the telescope registration desk at the Walker Observatory prior to setup. Entries will be numbered for identification. Judging is on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Announcement of Merit Awards will be Saturday evening. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to vote for the Astronomer's Choice Award, which will be presented Sunday evening.

The Holmes, Estes, Tombaugh, and Astronomers' Choice Awards will be presented Sunday evening.

AstroImaging Exhibition and Contest
We will continue to feature your work as part of the AstroImaging Exhibition in the Pavilion. You are encouraged to bring a print of a favorite film or digital image you have produced since last year's conference in any or all of four categories--Solar System, Deep Sky, Eclipses/Transits, and Meteors and Atmospheric Effects. Pictures must be unframed and from 8x10 to 16 x 20 (if matted, do not exceed 16 x 20 mat). Register from Friday at 1:00 PM until Saturday at 1:00 PM in the Pavilion. Attendees will enjoy your work and have an opportunity to name their favorites. Awards will be made on Sunday night. You can download a a file with the entry and contest rules here.

Speakers
In order to give each speaker sufficient time for his/her presentation, the total number of speakers may be limited. An applicant's topic and abstract need to be approved by the RTMC Speakers Committee prior to scheduling the presentation. Presentations should be limited to no more than 40-45 minutes. Applicants will be notified of approval by the May 1st deadline for early registration discounts. Applications and abstracts must be submitted and received no later than April 1st. Send information on presentations to our Program Chairman:

Alson Wong
10787 Laurel Street
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
program@rtmcastronomyexpo.org

The opinions expressed in the talks and workshops are those of the presenters, not of the Riverside Telescope Makers Conference, Inc.

Power for Telescopes and Computers
A limited number of outlets are available for running telescopes or computers ONLY. These outlets are located near the cabins around the camp and at the observatory. You must supply your own 3-conductor extension cord and use the marked outlets ONLY.

Lighting Considerations
Please use red flashlights and be careful to point them only at the ground, so as not to ruin someone's night vision inadvertently. Remember, those doing astroimaging are extremely sensitive to stray light. Bose Hall is a designated "White Light Area" for the non-astronomers and families who want something to do at night while the astronomers are in the telescope field.

Lasers and Laser Pointers
The use of lasers, except for collimation or as a pointer by a speaker in the meeting hall or the Beginner’s Corner sky orientation, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Thank you for your cooperation.

Video and Photography
Many people make photos, video, and audio recordings at RTMC Astronomy Expo. By entering the grounds, you grant permission for taping and photography, including rights to publication and broadcast of images and audio.

Pets
Camp Oakes requests that you please leave your pets home. If you bring a pet, it MUST remain on a leash at all times or the owner will have to take it home.

Smoking
Because of fire dangers, Camp Oakes requires that smoking be limited to the concrete patio behind the meeting hall. Smoking is not allowed inside your vehicle. Cigarette butts are to be disposed of in a fireproof container or inside your vehicle's ashtray. The camp asks for your understanding in this because cigarette butts tend to end up on the ground and the camp staff are picking them up one at a time for months after the conference.