Star Gaze Registration

This page contains information on lodging, meals, etc. You may want to print this page and keep it for your records.

Star Gaze Online Registration Form

Pre-register online and reserve meals and lodging.

Travel Information

Includes a map and the latest information on how to get here.

Mid-South Star Gaze 2009 Registration Information

This includes all observing sessions and the talks Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

• Cabins at the Lake: There are 16 of these cabins which will sleep up to 14 people each. These cost $5.00 per person per night. These cabins share a common shower house (with sides for men and women). Bring your own bedding. Lights and electricity, but no heat. Clubs may wish to reserve a cabin for their members to stay together. Indicate this on the registration form. One or more cabins will be reserved for ladies only. Indicate "ladies only cabin" on your registration form.
• RVs and tent campers:  .There are showers, electricity, and toilet facilities available at the observatory. Showers are also available at the lake. $5 per person per night.
• Bunk Room: There are 14 beds in an upstairs room above the shower room. Bring your own bedding. $5 per person per night.
• Hall Lodge: Four motel type rooms at the lake, two miles from the observatory. $50.00 for one or two people per night. Connecting baths. The same building where meals are served.
• Memphis Guest House: 8 motel type rooms with queen sized bed and two single bunk beds. This site is also near the lake, two miles from the observatory, but near meals. $55.00 per night for 2 to 4.
• Bed & Breakfast Inn: Restored log cabin lodges. Includes breakfast. 1 mile from observatory. Room rates vary, per night for 1 or more people. The B & B is in the historical area at the Natchez Trace. You must make your own reservations - (662) 547-6835. 6 rooms or cabins are available.
• Other Lodging: Off-site lodging is available at the following places near by. You must make your own reservations.
  • Jeff Busby Campground: Located 10 miles north on the Natchez Trace Pkwy. National Park Service campground and scenic area. Free - first come, first serve. No reservations needed.
  • Candlewick Bed & Breakfast: Located 15 miles east in Ackerman. (662) 285-4466.
  • Peeler House Bed & Breakfast: Located 20 miles south in Kosciusko. (662) 289-5086.
  • Super 8 of Kosciusko Located 20 miles south at Kosciusko (MS 35, 1/2 mile north of Trace). (800) 800-8000.
  • Best Western - Trace Inn: Located 20 miles south at Kosciusko (MS 35 & Trace). (662) 289-6252.
  • Day's Inn of Kosciusko: Located 20 miles south at Kosciusko (MS 35 & Trace). (662) 289-2271.
  • Western Inns & Suites of Winona: Located 30 miles northwest at Winona (US 82 & I-55). (662) 283-3900.
  • Magnolia Lodge of Winona: Located behind Western Inns. (662) 283-3338
  • Best Western: Red Hills Inn, 30 miles south east on hwy 15 bypass in Louisville, (662) 773-9090

We are planning four group meals:

• Breakfast: Saturday* at Lodge, $6.00 per person.
• Lunches: Fri. & Sat., at Lodge, $8.00 per person.
• Suppers: Thurs.*, Fri. & Sat., at Lodge, $10.00 per person.

Other places in French Camp where you can get a meal or snack:

• Council House Cafe, lunch, in historical area, open 'till 2:00, Mon. - Sat.
• Leonard's 3-Way Quick Stop, MS 413 & MS 407 (Across the Trace).
• Pap's, Downtown Ackerman (15 miles from French Camp).
• Weir Country Cafe, Weir, across from the Sunflower Grocery

• Canoeing (for $1.00 per person per day) and hiking at the lake is available.
• The French Camp Visitors Center and Historical Area on the Trace with sorghum mill, local crafts, log cabins, and the antebellum Drane Home.
• Zula Blucher Center for the Arts next to the Academy's Administration Bldg. is open daily with various exhibits on display.
• Additional talks will be scheduled in the case of cloudy weather.

Please Note: As at all star parties, please be courteous to your neighbors. Don't use a telescope unless its owner is there and invites you. All flashlights should be covered with red tape or tissue paper. (A supply will be available.) No car lights should be used after dark in the observing area. After dark, please leave the observing area with your car only during specified windows, and wait until past the trees to turn on your headlights. Please stop at the Planetarium to register as soon as you arrive.

Facility Policy: No smoking is permitted in the buildings and no alcohol or drugs are allowed at the observatory or at any of French Camp Academy's facilities, which includes the cabins, Guest House, and Lodge.

Cancellation: Please contact up A.S.A.P. if you will be unable to attend. The deadline for refunds is April 10 2009

For More Information:

Contact:
James G. Hill, Director
Rainwater Observatory & Planetarium
French Camp, MS 39745
(662) 547-6377 (observatory), or 547-6970 (home)
E-Mail: info@rainwaterobservatory.org
Web Site: http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org
Emergency: Emergency phone messages during Star Gaze may be left at (662) 547-6377.