P: ¿Puedo comprometerme y ayudar de alguna forma?
R:¡Sí! Avísenos y comente sus habilidades, intereses y disponibilidad. Hay muchas cosas que se necesitan hacer antes, durante y después del CIE. Agregaremos su nombre a nuestra lista de voluntarios y cuando un comité necesite a alguien con sus habilidades le avisaremos.
P: ¿Porqué nosotros no podemos pre-registrarnos para viajes en las mañanas y tardes sino tenemos que esperar hasta que empiece el congreso?
R:: El congreso ofrece opciones de muchos viajes a los que usted se puede unir y pre-registrar. Éstos serán antes y después del congreso y el miércoles 22 de Julio. Estos viajes no interfieren con sesiones o cualquier otro evento del congreso. Sin embargo, los viajes en las mañanas y las tardes entran en conflicto con muchas sesiones y eventos. Es mucho más simple y fácil para usted y el personal del congreso si usted llega, ve cuales son todas sus opciones y entonces informado toma una decisión sobre que viaje seleccionar. Adicionalmente, algunos viajes se afectarán por condiciones (como los niveles de agua en las cuevas) para las que podremos preparar el viaje, pero no estaremos seguros de poder ofertarlo hasta la semana del congreso.
El material siguiente está siendo traducido y aparecerá aquí en español tan pronto como sea posible.
Q: What do we get for the registration fee? It is higher than I'm used to paying for National Speleological Society National Conventions.
A: The 2009 International Congress of Speleology will bring together a large group of speleologists and cavers from dozens of countries and six continents. The variety and number of events offered will reflect this diversity. There are eight days of activities, including presentations, social events, caving trips, family trips, workshops, meetings, competitions, and salons. You will be able to experience all of the familiar NSS Convention activities as well as additional International Congress activities. Some of the expanded features of the Congress included in the registration fee include:
- Hundreds of presentations by the world's leaders in caving and speleology;
- A landmark guidebook on U.S. cave and karst edited by Dr. Arthur and Margaret Palmer;
- Professional-quality audio-visual equipment and facilities for all events;
- Extensive and reliable transportation provided for the participants;
- On-site travel agent and ATM services;
- Assistance with visas and for folks who are not fluent in English;
- Two all-participant parties with meals and drinks as well as a more formal international banquet included with registration.
In addition, registration allows you to participate in even more Congress activities for additional fees, including:
- Pre-Congress camps (8) and excursions (4);
- Daily and evening field trips for ~200 people a day (except Wednesday);
- A choice from 20 all-day field trips on Wednesday, when no sessions or meetings are scheduled;
- Post-Congress camps (5) and excursions (5);
- Camping on-site with housing available on campus and free shuttle service to many local hotels.
Q: Can I get involved and help in any way?
A: Yes! Contact us and tell us your skills, interests, and availability. There are many things that need doing before, during, and after the ICS. We will add your name to our list of volunteers and when a committee needs someone with your skills we will contact you.
Q.Why can't we pre-register for day and evening trips but have to wait until the Congress begins?
A: The Congress offers a choice of many trips that you can pre-register to join. These occur before and after the Congress, and on Wednesday. These trips do not conflict with sessions or any other Congress events. However, the day and evening trips will conflict with many sessions and events. It is much simpler and easier for you and Congress staff if you arrive at the Congress, see what all of your options are, and then make an informed decision about selecting a trip. Additionally, some trips will be affected by conditions (like water levels in caves) where we can prepare for the trip, but cannot be sure we can offer it to you until the week of the Congress.
