Ahoy ye land lubbers.  Steady at the helm!  There be a whole lot of work to be gettin your self ready b'fer ye set sail to OTR this year.  Keep your weather eyes peeled for news to help you along the way.  Check this web site often for updates.  Now be the time to pack your cutlass and a spare eye patch there be pirate’n a foot.  See the schedule of pirate events to help you make up your mind and don’t forget your ol’ mate when you are packing your spare rum or I’ll have you swabbing the deck.  Now come on if you’re coming and look sharp about it.  We’re about to hoist the anchor and set sail.

It’s OTR’s Year-of-the-Pirate!!!  In keeping with the spirit of piracy, OTR 2008 will feature a new competition called “Anything that Floats” – a race on the high seas, or the river, whichever is closer.  Blackjack Tobias Robertson invites all pirates over the age of 16 to participate in this point-to-point race where acts of piracy are encouraged and booty awaits the winner.  Below are the Articles of Agreement which all pirates must follow in order to participate.

The 2008 Home Brew Competition will be held on the Saturday morning of the event.

The style for this year’s competition will be American IPA.

Entries will be judged according to the 2008 revision of the Beer Judge Certification Program, by our very own BJCP judges.

BATS (Battlefield Area Troglodyte Society) will be selling firewood again this year. Same deal as last--$5 for about 5-6 logs, depending on size and you carry from the BATS Camp. First come, first served. Don't let your grotto campsite go cold!

The Old Timers Reunion, (OTR) will start at noon on Thursday, and close at noon on Monday, at The Robertson Association (TRA) camp. This Year’s Theme is “Pirates of the Carabiner.” Blackjack, our Pirate bat says, “OTRRRRRRRRRRRR is great!”

It just seems like yesterday that we were setting up for OTR 2007 and now here we are preparing for OTR 2008. This year will be an exciting OTR, as once again we kick things up several notches with six great bands and a fun filled Pirate weekend. Also returning will be our Las Vegas style charity, (to benefit your favorite cave conservancy) gaming night at Club Grotto, the 3rd annual benefit Texas Hold-em tournament and an “Anything that Floats” boat race.”

Blackjack Tobias Robertson, the 2006 OTR logo, mascot & bat , will return this year. Blackjack went on a little trip to the Caribbean this past year and has returned with a few exciting activities for your enjoyment. So bring your best pirate outfits and prepare to “surrender the booty.”

Tim Brown, 2008 OTR Chair

Registration is open around the clock from noon Thursday to midnight Saturday. Staff and hours may reduce after midnight Thursday and Friday. Registration closes midnight on Saturday and reopens 8:30 am Sunday. OTR closes completely to new registrants and guests at 6 pm on Sunday. Prior CONFIRMED arrangements must be made with our registration staff if you plan on arriving after 6 pm on Sunday. You must pay the full registration fee for Sunday. Contact Steve McLuckie at scagrotto@hvc.rr.com or Dave Fricke at caverdave1@cox.net It is the responsibility of the person who wants to arrive after Registration closes to ensure confirmation of arrangements with the registration staff. If your name is not on their list, you’re not confirmed. Please get confirmation ahead of time to avoid the hassle of being turned away at the gate.
On Line Registration: On line registration may be available this summer. Please check the Web site for more information. 

Unless you are on either the OTR or TRA list of required workers, you will not be able to enter the site prior to noon Thursday. Coming to one work weekend will not put you on the early-arrival list. Staying after noon on Mon is only permitted for pre-authorized OTR clean-up crews. If you arrive before noon on Thursday, and are not on a workers list, you may be asked to return at noon, or you may you be permitted to enter the site only to park (not to set up or stake out a camp site). If you are permitted to enter before noon persons arriving at or after noon may be given preference in the registration line. Best bet, do not arrive before noon.

Historically an overflow camping area has been located in the SE quadrant. Because of the decrease in attendance the past few years we have decided to open this entire area for camping on Thursday at noon. Please use only the space required for your group. If you want to camp in these areas, plan your arrival times accordingly. Exceptions cannot be made. Camping is not permitted in front of the Lutz Rock Memorial area.

Each Old Timers’ brings a host of new ideas, although the time-honored Doo-Dah Parade, Speleo-Olympics, Yard Sale, Speleo-Auction and other traditional OTR activities are planned as well. Schedule your arrival on Thursday for the ceremonial opening of the OTR at the Lutz Rock Flag raising and plan on staying thru the final big party on Sunday night Put a little Pirate theme in your campsite party decorations this year.

OTR is a caver event Please sponsor only cavers.

A Youth Treasure Hunt is planned for caver children age 15 an under. This will be a three-person team. Each member of the winning team will receive an I-Pod. Sign up at Contest HQ. FMI contact Diane Bozenbury dmthies@hotmail.com

Tiki Bar Contest. Who will officially tend the Best Tiki Bar of OTR?