This year, The Great MN Sniff-Over is dedicated to three of the most unique dogs to have raised their noses to the wind. Heidi Thorson's doodle, Gromit; Joy Schneider's GBGV, Emma; and Sheila Walker's German Shepherd, Bella. In past years, we have named the Sniff-Over after a dog (or two) we lost that year, never wanting to contemplate losing more than one or two dogs in a year. With the loss of three great dogs this past year, we're shifting gears just a bit and plan to honor and remember all three dogs by name under the banner of The Great MN Sniff-Over. And our T-shirt and gear will feature The Great MN Sniff-Over logo along with the names of Gromit, Emma and Bella.
Please join us for a sniffin' good time at Camp Warren in Eveleth, Mn. The camp is about a 3 hour drive from the Twin Cities. Located on the shores of Half Moon Lake, near Eveleth, Minnesota; it is a YMCA camp and it encompasses 480 acres of surrounding pine trees and lake shore. It was founded in 1927, and many of the cabins have been renovated in the past eight years or so. Click on the word "map" to go to Google Maps and see the precise location and to get directions. The weekend will be a fun, and relaxing time for you and your canine companion, where you can enjoy nose work searches on the picturesque grounds of Camp Warren.
The Instructors
Three Nose Work experts will share their knowledge in a combination of full working sessions, along with some informal sessions. This year we will have Kristina Leipzig and Jon Sarabia joining Jeff McMahon, to share their knowledge of dogs and nose work with you. Jon combines an impressive background in K9 scent detection, including as a handler and trainer of K9s and K9 teams for Air Force and TSA, with a genuine love for the sport of nose work. His keen insights and sense of humor will inspire every nose work team to reach new heights in their training. Kristina has years of experience as a nose work handler, instructor and CO. Her handling experience has led her all the way to the Summit level with her dog, Kuma. Kristina's approach to instructing nose work is fueled by a genuine curiosity in the relationship between the visible behavior of our dogs and the invisible "behavior" of the odor. Drawing from hands on experience coaching dogs, as well as years of videoing searches at countless trials, Kristina will help you think about and experience nose work in fresh, exciting, and helpful ways!
Accommodations
Both on-site and off-site accommodations are available for the camp. On-Site accommodations will be available in the various cabins throughout the camp. There will be 2 to 3 people and their dogs in each cabin. The camp style cabins each have 5-9 bunk beds that accommodate 8-18 summer campers, along with a bathroom and shower. Each cabin also has a fireplace, and room enough for dog crates. Some of the cabins are not winterized, but all have electricity so if the fireplace is not sufficient, you can bring an electric heater for supplemental heat. Cabins will be assigned by random draw based on considerations such as handler mobility, dog dynamics and room-mate preferences. Participants will need to provide their own bedding, sleeping bags, towels and linens. Dogs are to be crated in the cabins when unsupervised, or they can hang out in your car. (if you are ride sharing up to the camp, please indicate this on the registration form under comments) Meals are served family style at the Cub Lodge.
Weekend's SCHEDULE
(may be adjusted as needed)
FRIDAY:
2:30-6pm - - check-in
3-5pm - - ice breaker search
5:30-6:30pm - - dinner
7:30pm - - optional informal search session
SATURDAY
8am - - breakfast
9:30-12pm - - morning working session searches
12:30-1:30pm - - lunch break
2-5:00pm - - afternoon working session searches
5:30-6:30pm - - dinner break
7-8pm - - optional informal search session
8pm - - group conversations, discussion
SUNDAY
8am - - breakfast
9:00-12:00pm - - morning working session searches
12:30pm - - lunch break
1:30-3:00pm - - optional informal team search games
Cost
WORKING SPOTS:
ON-SITE LODGING, TRAINING & MEALS: $550/person
LODGING for 2 nights and 3 days including taxes, insurance and service fees. Two to three people and their dogs will be assigned to each cabin. MEALS will be served family style in the main lodge. Menu modifications can be made for lactose intolerance, gluten free, vegan and vegetarian diets. Six meals are included in the meal packet price.
OFF-SITE LODGING, TRAINING & MEALS: $450/person**
LODGING is also available at Super 8 Motel - ask for The K9 Nose /Camp Warren rate. The motel is 4.5 miles away from the camp, and we have a reserved block of rooms available through August 23, 2019. An On-site Meal and Day-Use Plan is included for off-site Lodgers. MEALS will be served family style in the main lodge. Menu modifications can be made for lactose intolerance, gluten free, vegan and vegetarian diets. Six meals are included in the meal packet price.
AUDITING SPOTS:
ON-SITE LODGING, AUDITING & MEALS: $350/person
OFF-SITE LODGING, AUDITING & MEALS: $250/person**
**This price does not include lodging. Please coordinate your lodging reservations directly with the Super 8 Motel or a hotel of your choice.
OPTIONAL CHARGES:
Second Dog, same handler: $300.00 (There is NO extra charge if you bring two dogs and split the searches in which they participate. So that you are only taking up one working spot.)
Registration is now OPEN!
PLEASE NOTE: Currently, all spots have been filled. If you would like to be on the wait list, please fill out this form. If a spot opens up, you will be contacted ASAP. Please note that once you are informed of an open spot, you will have 48 hours to pay to secure your spot.
Payment for both Step 1 & Step 2 must be received by August 2, 2019 to confirm and secure your spot. You may add both Step 1 & Step 2 to your cart and complete your registration in one transaction. Off-site Lodging will need to be directly paid to Super 8 Motel or the hotel of your choice.
Don't forget to click on the orange box with the word "cart" in the upper right corner of your browser to complete your check out process. You will receive a confirmation email shortly after completing your check out process.
PLEASE NOTE: BOTH Auditors & Spouses/Significant Others, should choose "0" for number of Dog working spots when registering.
ELIGIBILITY
This event is open to dog & handler teams who are on all 3 odors of Birch, Anise & Clove or by approval of Jeff McMahon.
One dog per handler.
In the event there are remaining spots, this event will be opened up to additional qualified teams who may be on Birch odor only.
Cancellations: Any cancellations made before August 1, 2019 will receive a refund minus a $50 cancellation fee as long as your spot can be filled from the wait list. If your spot cannot be filled, then you will NOT receive a refund. Cancellations made after August 1, 2019 and before August 22, 2019, will receive a refund minus $150.00 cancellation fee, AS LONG AS YOUR SPOT CAN BE FILLED FROM THE WAIT LIST. IF YOUR SPOT CANNOT BE FILLED, THEN YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE YOUR MONEY BACK. Cancellations made after August 22, 2019 and before September 1, 2019, will receive a refund minus a $250.00 cancellation fee, AS LONG AS YOUR SPOT CAN BE FILLED FROM THE WAIT LIST. IF YOUR SPOT CANNOT BE FILLED, THEN YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE YOUR MONEY BACK. For cancellations after September 1, 2019 – NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED. No part of the fee will be refunded if this event cannot take place or be completed by reason of fire, civil disturbances, an Act of God, public emergency, or any other cause beyond the control of the event organizers.