The RP Social has evolved over the years from a core group of people who want to get together with other RPers each year for camaraderie, conviviality and just plain fun.  Each year, new people arrive and benefit from being around others with RP.  Some years the schedule has been slanted toward providing a full day of speakers, and other gatherings have been purely social. This year's social will be geared around having a great time!

This is a smaller (by Las Vegas standards) hotel and casino located right on "the Strip" between the Bellagio and the Monte Carlo.  There are three restaurants located within the hotel/casino, one of which is a buffet that is open 24-hours a day.

Attendance Fee:

• The attendance fee will be $40 for each person. This attendance fee will cover the Saturday night sit down dinner plus drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks for the Hospitality Suite.

• Download the Registration Form and fill it out, then mail to Jacque Olsen.  (If you have a problem accessing the Registration Form, email Megan McHugh for assistance)

Room Rates:

• Sunday through Thursday nights at $44.00 per night (single or double occupancy) plus 9% tax.

• Friday and Saturday nights at $89.00 per night (single or double occupancy) plus 9% tax.

• Children 12 years of age and younger can share the same room with their parent(s) at no extra charge.

• There is a $15.00 charge per person for more than double occupancy in a room, with a maximum of four people per room.

• Rollaway bed charge is an additional $10.00 plus tax per night, limit one rollaway per room. Cribs are provided at no charge, subject to availability.

• Room reservations can be made after March 1, 2003 by calling toll free 1-800-635-4581.

• A credit card or first night's deposit of room and tax is required to confirm room reservations.  Credit card will be charged for one night's room and tax at time of booking.

• You may cancel a room reservation by 12:00 noon two days prior to arrival with no penalty.

• When making reservations, be sure to reference "RP Social" to receive these special rates.

• Reservations should be made by July 1, 2003 or the special rate and/or room space cannot be guaranteed.

• Check-in time is 3:00 p.m.

• Check-out time is 12:00 noon.

• Visit the Boardwalk's web site to check out their first-class accommodations at www.boardwalklv.com

Meals at Boardwalk buffet restaurant:

• Breakfast buffet: $8.55 

• Lunch buffet: $9.99 

• Dinner buffet: $12.21 

• These prices include tax & gratuity

Planned Activities and Things to Do:

Thursday, July 31
Legends in Concert. We haven't decided if we are doing the buffet yet. Click on Shows on left hand side and go down and choose Legends.
http://www.showtickets.com/

Friday, August 1
Colorado River Rafting Trip.  The rafting trip is for Friday August, 1, 2003.  You need to book in advance, so call 1-800-634-6787,  Ext. 5706 and  ask for June. Tell her you're with the Craven Party. Your ticket cost will be $114.95. It's cheaper to order the ticket on the phone.

There will also be a trip downtown to enjoy the Fremont Street Experience on Friday night.  It is a fabulous laser light show and all the downtown casinos turn off their outside lights for it.  It is free of charge, and the only cost would be bus fare.

Also, there will be an official "Happy Hour" every day, Thursday through Sunday, in the Hospitality Suite.  It will probably be 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  And, of course, we can't forget the traditional dinner/dance on Saturday night.

Also, here is some info for transportation from the airport to the Boardwalk:

CLS Transportation
Open 24 hours
To Strip hotels - $4  (this is the one we'll be using)
Downtown hotels - $5
(702) 740-4545
Their shuttles are located at Terminal 2 outside Door 8 and are clearly marked CLS.

This site shows the layout of the airport
Airport Transportation - McCarran International Airport - Las Vegas Airport

Special Information for Guide Dog Users:

Relief Area

The Boardwalk Hotel will be roping off a section of a nice grassy area between the two tall hotel buildings.  It should be shady throughout the entire day and our dogs will not have to walk on any hot pavement to reach the grass.  We have promised to be responsible dog handlers, therefore we must pick up after our dogs at all times.  The hotel is particularly concerned about the dogs’ urine killing/burning the grass in spots, so Jacque Olsen’s sighted husband has volunteered to hose down the grass every two hours or so to minimize this common phenomenon.  Be sure to bring along enough plastic “poop” bags for your entire stay.  

Paw Protection

It will be very warm in Las Vegas in August.  For those who do not live in very warm climates, you will want to purchase some sort of protective booties for your guide dogs.  Petco and PetsMart  both carry the brand “Paw Tectors” and they sell for $22-$25 for a set of four.  Jett Enterprises carries the brand “Cool Paws” and they sell for $22 for a set of four.

If your dog has never worn booties before, it is recommended that you gradually accustom your dog to the booties.  On the first day, just practice putting them on and taking them off.  On the next day, put them on and let your dog walk around in the house for a few minutes.  It is normal for a dog to “high step” like a Clydesdale horse at first.  Each day thereafter, work your dog for increasingly longer periods of time wearing the booties.  Your dog should become accustomed to wearing the booties within a few days.  

Working in Extreme Heat

If you live in a climate with more moderate summertime temperatures, your dog will have to adjust to the summer heat of Las Vegas.  Your dog may seem more lethargic, and don’t expect your dog to walk as fast as it normally does.  Also, you’ll want to carry water with you at all times when you are out and about with your dog.  It is recommended that you don’t expect your dog to do an excessive amount of walking during the daytime.  If you want to take a walk outdoors, try doing it in the early morning or after the sun goes down.  

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the use of a guide dog in the hot desert environment, you can email Jacque Olsen.  Jacque lives in the Phoenix, Arizona area and uses a guide dog herself, so she should be able to answer any questions or concerns you may have on this subject.