Keweenaw Week 2024

Keweenaw Week 2024 Information

Keweenaw Week 2024 registration is scheduled to begin 12:00 PM Eastern Time April 22 on Eventbrite

Keweenaw Week for 2024

Tickets

You will be issued a ticket when you register for a Keweenaw Week event. You will need to present your event ticket issued by Eventbrite at each event. An electronic version of your ticket on your cell phone is acceptable. If you misplace your ticket we will maintain records of participants to confirm your purchase but this adds to the time to process attendants at the event.

Wrist Bands

You will receive a different colored wrist band for each event you are registered for. These wrist bands will be issued prior to the start of each event.

Fees

Field trip fees are $45 per field trip with the Eventbrite ticket fee added to the total.

Social Event Agenda

There will be a meet and greet on Sunday evening from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Dollar Bay Fire Department Hall. The Live Auction will occur on Tuesday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm at the St Anne Church in Calumet . Pasty’s from the local Mohawk Superette along with snacks will be available. Directions to the social events will be provided to all participants several weeks prior to the events.

There are several additional social events available. On Monday August 5 there will be a presentation by Phil Persson, geologist and mineral dealer at the A E Seaman Museum starting at 7 pm. On Wednesday August 7 there is a mineral sale at the A E Seaman museum from 11 am to 3 pm. Discount coupons will be given to all Keweenaw Week participants. On Thursday August 8 the Quincy Mine Hoist Association will host a special tour for Keweenaw Week attendees . You must register for any social event you want to attend even if the event fee is free. We need to know the number of attendees to properly plan the event.

General Information

Field trip registration is open to the public and all club members who live more than 100 miles from Dollar Bay. Children are allowed if they are 12 or older. Each child below the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and is required to submit a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.

This is an opportunity for those who cannot normally attend our club field trips to experience mineral collecting on a prepared surface. After June 1 any field trips that haven’t sold will be made available to all members.

Club members can register for any or all of the evening social events at any time.

This year we are again offering advise on using metal detectors prior to each field trip. Our guides will arrive to the field trip locations an hour before the event and coach those unfamiliar with using detectors. There are a lot of different detectors on the market but they all use the same principal. We will try to give you a few pointers and have copper specimens available to see exactly how your detector reacts.

Please note that DUE TO ROAD COMMISSION CRUSHING SCHEDULES, ALL FIELD TRIPS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. All registrants will be notified ASAP of any changes.

Field Trips

Please note that accessing the rock piles requires a certain level of physical fitness. Expect to climb shallow grades of loose rocks. A good sense of balance is required to prevent falling. Constantly digging shallow holes to expose your specimens requires a moderate level of strength. There is no food service available near the mine piles so be prepared to pack a lunch. Make sure to take your garbage with you so as not to litter the rock pile.

This year there will be a port o potty stationed at each field trip for your convenience.

Your participation in the Keweenaw Week field trips allows you to access the site for the specified time for the event. This does not give you permission to access the site outside the field trip specified time. Permission from the land owners is required to access the site at any other time.

Keweenaw Week 2024 Fees

The fee for all field trips are $45 per trip plus the Eventbrite ticket fee.

Waiver

All field trip registrations must include a signed waiver for each participant. Due to our insurance requirements, nobody is allowed to participate in any field trip without a signed liability waiver. Only one waiver is required if you have registered for multiple field trips. Waiver forms can be found on the CCRMC web site. Details on how to submit the waiver will be posted on the bottom of the waiver form.

Multiple Registrations

If you purchase multiple tickets for any event, please notify us with the names of the participants that do not make the purchase. We need this info to prepare accurate lists of the attendees for each event. These attendees are all required to submit signed liability waivers. Email the names for multiple ticket purchases with the name of the original purchaser to Kweek@ccrmc.info.

Events

Sunday August 4, 2024 5 pm - 8 pm

Meet and Greet

Location Dollar Bay Fire House

General get together for registered attendees. This is an opportunity to socialize with other attendees and CCRMC members. CCRMC members will be there to answer any questions you have or offer suggestions on collecting techniques. We will have a display with examples of most of the minerals you will find. Snacks will be served.

Registration Fee - $ Free

Monday August 5 2024

Central Mine

Mineral List - Copper, Copper Crystals, Copper/Silver hybrids, Adularia, Analcime, Datolite, Prehnite, Greenstones

Metal Detector Training 9:30 - 10:30. Field Trip Hours 10:30 - 4:30

$45 Registration Fee

A E Seaman Museum Lecture

Phil Persson, geologist and mineral dealer. Starts at 7 pm. Must register to attend

Free Registration

Tuesday August 6

Caledonia Mine (Ontonogon County)

Mineral List - Copper, Datolite Copper Crystals, Silver, Silver Crystals, Copper-Silver Hybrids, Adulara, Quartz Crystals, and excellent micro’s.

Metal Detector Training 9:30 - 10:00 Field Trip Hours 10:00 - 4:00

$45 Registration Fee

Live Auction

St Anne Church Calumet 5:00 - 9:00. Address 25725 Scott St Calumet MI corner of 5th and Scott

Pasties from the Mohawk Superette are provided along with snacks.

All proceeds from the auction go to the Nathan De Cleene Geology Scholarship at Michigan Technological University

$15 Registration Fee

Weds August 7

Cliff Mine

Mineral List - Copper, Copper Crystals, Greenstones, Epidote Crystals, Prehnite, Copper/Silver hybrids, Copper Wires

Metal Detector Training 9:30 - 10:30. Field trip 10:30 - 4:30.

$45 Registration Fee

A E Seaman Museum Mineral Sale 11 am to 3 pm

Discount coupons will be give to Keweenaw Week attendees. You must register to be receive a coupon

Free Registration

Thurs August 8

Wolverine #4

Mineral List - Copper, Copper Crystals, Silver, Copper - Silver Hybrids, Epidote, Copper Agates

Metal Detector Training 9:30 - 10:30. Field trip 10:30 - 4:30

$45 Registration

Quincy Mine Hoist Association Special Tour

Meet at the Quincy Mine gift shop at 7 pm

Free Registration

Friday, August 9

Knowlton Mine (Ontonogon County)

Mineral List - Copper, Copper/Silver Hybrids

Metal Detector Training 9:00 - 10:00. Field Trip Hours 10:00 - 4:00

$45 Registration Fee

Friday August 9 - Sunday August 11 Houghton Elementary School

The Show Theme this year is will include presentations describing the unique geological processes of the Keweenaw by Dr. Nathalie Brandes

Free Admittance

Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club Annual Rock and Mineral show

Show Opens 1 pm Friday and Closes 3 pm Sunday

Friday 1:00 - 8:00

Saturday 10:00 - 6:00

Sunday 10:00 - 3:00

Weather

All events will be held on schedule, rain or shine.

Weather in the Keweenaw is unpredictable and can vary from full sun with temperatures in the 90's to rainy/windy with temperatures in the 50's. Be prepared to dress accordingly. Hats and sunscreen are recommended. Bring plenty of water not only to drink but also to clean treasures you find. We will require evacuation of the rock pile in the event of severe weather conditions.

Protective Gear

Eye protection is a must. Hammering on rocks is common and rock chips can fly at the speed of a bullet. If anyone is hammering on rocks nearby make sure you have eye protection.

Good sturdy boots are highly recommended. The excavated rock piles are great for uncovering hidden specimens but the excavation creates a lot of loose rocks. Footware with good gripping soles and ankle protection reduce the risk of injury. Always test your footing before applying your full weight as you navigate the rock piles. Rain can make the rocks slippery. A sprained or broken ankle will ruin the rest of your week.

Even with warm temperatures, long pants are recommended to help protect your legs from cuts and scratches

Collecting Etiquette

To avoid injury due to falling rocks, always be aware of your surroundings. If you are collecting on a slope always be aware of people below and above. Gas or electric powered equipment is not allowed. If a specimen cannot be moved by three people it must be left on the pile. Hammer drills and feather wedges will be allowed.

Metal Detector Etiquette

Metal detectors greatly increase your chances of finding valuable copper specimens. Unfortunately, the various makes and models can interfere with each other. Always keep your detector antenna pointed down, especially when digging out a specimen. Maintain a reasonable distance (at least 10 ft) from other detectors.

Recommended Equipment

Metal detectors are strongly recommended.

As a result of excavating or bulldozing, the rocks will be covered with dirt and mud. Visually, it’s difficult to identify specimens. Ultimately, you need to take them home and clean them before verifying the identity of the specimen.

Pinpointer

A hand held pinpointer is a great tool to locate a specimen once it’s detected. It fits into a small hole better than your detector coil to “pinpoint” the specimen. This decreases the amount of time to recover a specimen allowing more time to search

Small Shovel or Geo Pick

For digging out your specimens.

5 Gallon Plastic Bucket

These buckets are convenient in storing your finds while you transverse the rock pile.

Rock Hammer

Caution - Do not use a common claw or nail hammer. These hammers will chip off dangerous shards while pounding rocks. Only use hammers that are designed to split rocks. Common hammers are a 22 oz rock hammer 3lb, 4lb or 10lb rock hammers depending on how ambitious you are.

Water

For washing off your finds to help identify the specimen.

Jewelers Loupe

This is especially helpful if you are interested in micro mounting.

Drones

Drones are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN on any field trip. In high winds or a mechanical failure they can cause serious injury.

Information Package

A week or two prior to the events an email will be sent to all registrants with maps to all the events.

Contact

For additional information or questions contact Kweek@ccrmc.info