Picnic at Lake Lemon
BWF ANNUAL PITCH-IN PICNIC
October 3, 2010
1:00—4:00 P.M.
RIDDLE POINT, SHELTER HOUSE, LAKE LEMON
Here are some photos from our 2009 festivities
ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Do the students know about the picnic if I don’t invite them?
No. We do not notify or invite the students, so unless the BWF member invites them, the students do not know about the event. If you cannot attend, just don’t mention it to your student(s).
2. If I cannot attend, will BWF arrange for someone else to take my students?
No. We are sorry but we do not have a way to bring students whose BWF Friend Families cannot attend. Just don’t mention the event to your student.
3. Can I bring guests who are not BWF members or who are not my international students?
Yes. You can bring guests as long as you bring enough food for your group and some to share.
4. My students cannot attend. Should my family and I come without our students?
YES!! Please come and meet the other members. If you are so inclined, you might want to volunteer to HELP at the picnic! (To volunteer, email bloomingtonworldwidefriendship@gmail.com or call Susan Yeley at 812.331.7959.)
5. How do the students get to the picnic?
You need to pick up and bring your students. There is no bus service to Lake Lemon, and BWF does not van or bus the students to the picnic.
6. What time should we arrive? When do we start eating? How long does the picnic usually last?
Please try to arrive around 1:00 p.m. We start eating around 1:30 p.m. All activities are usually finished by 4:00 p.m. This means you will usually have your student(s) back to the university/dorm around 4:30 p.m.
Please note that we do NOT allow people to “eat early” because they or their students need to “get back quickly.” This is a large (75- to 200- person) social gathering, and an opportunity to take a break from studying– in a beautiful natural setting. Please make sure that your students understand that the earliest they can expect to be back at the university is 2:45 and that assumes they “eat and run” and do not take part in the other activities that might be planned such as boat rides, badminton and other games. Make sure they understand the time commitment involved in accepting your invitation.
7. Is all the food shared?
Yes. Are food groups assigned? No.
What should I bring?
Please bring a MAIN dish or a BIG SALAD, PLUS a side dish. It is a pitch-in, pot-luck event. All the food is shared. In terms of portion size, bring enough food for your group and some to share. Think LOTS of food! It is better to have too much food than to run out of food.
Please note: When you arrive, please place your dish on the appropriate table. There will be signs for BEEF, CHICKEN, FISH, PORK, VEGAN, VEGETARIAN, and DESSERTS.
[Vegan=no dairy, eggs, meat, fish or poultry. Vegetarian=no meat fish or poultry]
A number of our students and members are Muslims, Hindus, Jews or strict vegetarians or vegans and thus have dietary rules which they must follow for religious, ethical or health reasons; they trust us to ensure that the foods we say are pork-free, meat-free, vegetarian or vegan, really are.
8. Should I ask my international students to bring food?
No. The BWF Friendship hosts bring the food. The students do not bring food. The students are the GUESTS.
9. What else should I bring?
Please bring serving utensils for your dishes, and plates for your party (yourselves and your students). Label your dish and utensil with your name, and please remember to take them home with you! There are picnic tables, but if you prefer your own chairs or blankets to sit on, please bring them.
10. What about drinks and cups?
BWF supplies the drinks (ice tea and water) and the cups, but bringing your own reusable cups is always appreciated.
NOTE: This is an alcohol-free and smoke-free event.
11. Can I bring my pet?
No pets please, as many international students are terrified of dogs and cats.
12. What happens if the weather is bad?
The picnic goes on, rain or shine, hot or cold. There is a nice large dry shelter house that has fireplaces which we light if it is cold.
Any other questions? Please email bloomingtonworldwidefriendship@gmail.com.
See you at the PICNIC!!
Riddle Point Park is located at 7599 North Tunnel Road, Bloomington. Take 10th Street (East State Road 45) out of Bloomington and past New Unionville. Turn left (north) on Tunnel Road (look for a large green sign on the right-hand side of SR 45 that says LAKE LEMON). Keep going on Tunnel Road until you reach the lake. If there is an attendant on duty, just say you are with Bloomington Worldwide Friendship. You will not have to pay an entry fee.
