Camp Hancock Star Party
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Camp Hancock is an OMSI sponsored field station, located in a spectacular setting just east of the John Day River in Oregon's Clarno Fossil Beds.
This is a star party for RCA members and their guests only.
As a star party location, the camp's many advantages include:
Hancock cooks the meals Friday night, Saturday and Sunday am.
Actual restrooms and hot showers.
Dry buildings if the weather is not cooperative.
Intermittent internet access.
Two elevated viewing areas with AC power available.
No nearby traffic.
No other groups or parties using the facilities.
You can set up and leave your gear up all weekend, the only people there are other astronomers.
Family friendly.
TBD per night per person, all meals Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning included, accommodations for RVs, camping or cabins.
You must be registered and paid in advance to attend this outing.
New to Star Parties? Read Etiquette for Star Parties
Camp Hancock Information
Hancock Field Station was named for A.W. (Lon) Hancock, an amateur paleontologist who became nationally known in 1942 when he made the first discovery of a vertebrate fossil—a rhinoceros tooth—in the Eocene-age Clarno Formation near the site of the present field station. (OMSI Camp Hancock teacher's guide)
Camp Hancock is within the National Park Service Clarno Fossil beds. Hancock's facility is well-equipped but rustic. Most of the buildings were built in the late 1960s and are wood with cedar shake roofs. It is an outdoor youth camp with bunkhouses, mess hall, bathrooms (hot water and showers), and limited camping area. There are no planned daytime activities, but Camp Hancock is a great place for hiking, birdwatching, and photography, and it’s a short drive to the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil beds. The science buildings are not open to us.
Camp Hancock is family friendly. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and under parental supervision at all times.
The rest rooms have hot and cold running water, showers, heat, and electricity. In addition, there are two outhouses on site, which we are encouraged to use as a way to conserve water.
In the event of an emergency, Hancock's phone number is 541-489-3233, but be aware that it will go to an answering machine and may not be answered promptly.
The last cellphone service is at the top of the hill six miles west of Hancock or as you approach the town of Fossil seventeen miles to the east.
Smoking is allowed only in the campfire ring area, but not in any other place, indoors or outdoors, on the grounds at Hancock.
Camp Guidelines
Camp Hancock is surrounded by the National Monument. Please stay on established trails when hiking. We are forbidden from going off-trail on the monument. Violating this rule jeopardizes our relationship with OMSI and may affect our ability to hold star parties there.
Do not enter Camp Hancock before 4 p.m. on Friday.
If camping, use camp stoves only; no open fires.
No smoking except at the fire pit.
NO PETS.
No bicycles in camp or on trails.
No camping, parking or telescope set up on the surrounding U.S. National Monument or U.S. Park Service lands.
When you arrive, be sure to check yourself in (look for clipboard in mess hall).
Cabins and accommodations are on a first-come, first serve basis.
We do not allow drop-ins or visitors. Only RCA members and their guests and family who are registered and spending at least one night may attend.
Have your emergency contact information with you and on you at all times:
Emergency contact
Name, Address, Phone number, Alternate phone number if availablePhysician information
Insurance information
Weather
The expected temperatures are expected to be around 50-70 in the daytime and 30-40 at night. Bring warm clothing, it will be very cold at night no matter how nice the day is.
We never cancel this event due to weather-related conditions.
Viewing
There are three viewing areas at Camp Hancock. The camp, at 1500 feet, is surrounded by hills as high as 3000 feet, so the horizons are about 20 degrees up.
Astronomy Hill has four AC outlets. You can drive up and unload your equipment, and then park out on the western edge, or down below the hill.
The Ridge has eight AC outlets. Unfortunately we can no longer drive up to unload and must park down below.
The grassy tent lawn area has no AC outlets, but parking is right there. Please stay off the staff's lawn in front of the staff cabins.
What to bring, besides your telescope and accessories:
Red LED flashlights, red covers for computer screens, etc.
Extra warm clothes and sleepwear, sturdy shoes.
Warm sleeping bags.
Towels, soap and shampoo and all personal care items.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
Extra batteries for anything with an app.
Personal snacks, kept in tight, critter-proof containers.
Here are some Star Party Etiquette suggestions.
Meals
Meals are nutritious and homemade. They can accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan meals. We assist the camp staff with setting the tables before meals and the clean-up after.
Friday Dinner - 6 pm
Saturday Breakfast - 9:00 am
Saturday Lunch fixings - 10:00 am
Make your own sack lunch, keep in refrigerator or take with you.
Saturday Dinner - 6:00 pm
Sunday Breakfast - 9:00 am
Sunday Lunch fixings - 10:00 am
Make your own sack lunch to take with you.
A coffee pot and hot water are available all night long, along with tea bags, hot chocolate and coffee. Microwave and refrigerator available, but there are no soda or snack machines.
Lodging
Six Large bunkhouses with 12 bunks each
Two Medium bunkhouses with 8 bunks each
Seven Small bunkhouses that each have only one upper bunk and 2 mattresses on cots
Refund Policy
In order to rent the entire camp for ourselves we need a minimum number of people registered 60 days in advance of the outing.
Until the registration deadline, all monies are refundable.
After the registration deadline, refunds are only available to those whose spots can be filled by the waiting list, or by approval of the VP of Observing.
If you have any further questions, email the VP of Observing.