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GCA hosting special members' gathering

Grand Canyon Association hosts its 12th annual Members' Gathering this weekend with a slate of activities and events, concluding with a forum open to the entire community.

"This is a way for our members to come together as a group and learn more about the resource," said GCA Marketing Director Helen Thompson. "We do have a lot of Arizona people coming, but the list includes people from all over."

She said that spots are still available in many of the programs for existing members and those who join the association between now and Friday.

Along with educational programs, members will gather at Shoshone Point on Saturday and Sunday for a box lunch and social time.

According to GCA Executive Director Brad Wallis, the association has nearly doubled in size over the past several years, while attendance at the membership weekend has grown from less than 12 the first year to nearly 200 this year.

"This gathering reflects the highest number we've ever had," he said.

The focus will be on both the past and the future at Sunday's forum at 2 p.m. at the Community Building, as panelists discuss the Association's history and activities for its 75th anniversary next year.

GCA was started as the Natural History Association in 1931 by park naturalist Ed McKee, who wanted to establish an organization that would keep the park's nature notes in print.

Today's GCA continues in that tradition, publishing both popular and scholarly titles on Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau themes and operating bookstores within the park and on the North Kaibab Ranger District.

In McKee's day, the group also reached out with a community fund-raiser.

"Based on reports, they had hosted a dance in 1932 and raised $24," said Thompson. "What we want to do in the spirit of the early years of GCA is, instead of giving a gift to the park, we're going to give a gift to the community."

In that tradition, she said that the association will host a free dance on Feb. 20. Donations will be accepted and given to the community's food basket program.

"It's the spirit of giving back to the community and offering the community something to do in the cold, dark days of winter," Thompson said.

Also on tap for the Association's 75th year is the second-annual Grand Canyon History Symposium.

Individual membership with GCA is $35, with higher levels of support available. Members get a subscription to the quarterly newsletter Canyon Views, the monthly e-newsletter The Call of the Canyon, a choice of members-only water bottle or tote bag, a 15 percent discount in GCA bookstores, discounts on most Grand Canyon Field Institute courses, invitations to members-only events such as the one this weekend, 10 percent discount at hundreds of non-profit educational association book stores in national parks and public lands nationwide and free adult admission to Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott with a 10 percent discount at the gift shop.

For more information on GCA membership, to join, to register for events or order lunch, contact the association at 638-7022 or 638-7036.


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