Interesting thoughts. They spurred me to survey some of the organizers and I have this information...
1. Since the Sass Peepre junior camp relies on volunteer helpers it is absolutely not the done thing to provide simultaneous events that would reduce the attractiveness of volunteering at the camp ;-) However, I did check with Kitty Jones (the camp's perennial organizer) and she has told me they would very much appreciate help at the camp. Kitty can be reached at kittyjones at
shaw.ca
2. Since the local club is very small it is stretched to the limits with the current schedule and can't possibly put on more events. However I checked with them and they are able to make other maps available for training / events if people would like. Someone would need to step up to organize, but it shouldn't be too much trouble - and in fact it should be pretty fun. I thought it would be cool to do training on the WCOC maps (the competition takes place on the preceding weekend). So if someone is willing to take the lead in organizing some informal training or racing earlier in the week then give me a quick email - adrian at
barebones.ca and I'll help arrange it.
3. Also Kitty suggested that it might be possible to piggy-back some adult training camp with the Sass Peepre camp, using the control sites they will be setting out for the juniors. This would make the work involved in option 2 even less.
4. Those from Manitoba assure me there are some great touristy things to do in the sandhills and around southern Manitoba.
So those are some ideas about how to fill in the days leading up to the conference which hopefully make the week more attractive for travellers. As for modifying the conference schedule, I think the main trouble there again is volunteer levels - even with the current schedule those organizing the conference get pretty wiped out and it takes away from their fun and even their performances. I'm not sure that adding more hours is likely an option.