Hi Paul: Here's a link to the LDMA Camp Digs for the rest of the year. http://www.goldprospector...nts?category=LDMADIG Currently we only take phone reservations. To reserve your spot, please call 800-GOLD-717.

I thought I might be interested in the LDMA. I'm NOT now. After doing the Burnt River outing this May I found it to be just a poorly run fund raiser for LDMA. We were told that the gold from each high banker would kept so we would know how each machine was doing. This never happened. Then at the auction they kept auctioning off gold, that I suspect, was gold that was to be dispersed to the members. The amount of gold given out, even if you got number 1, was minimal. I could of better spent the cost of the function by buying gold. Let alone the antics of the management was embarrassing when it came to the bailing out of people from their "jail"....

Larry - It is unfortunate that you did not enjoy your experience at the LDMA Camp Dig. I can assure you that all of the gold recovered from the dig, as well as gold purchased by the camp for the outing are dispersed in the gold split. Along with the gold received, the social events, and the lectures provided, Travis Brown from Kicking Donkey came to the camp to provide professional instruction on use of the cascade high-bankers, the mini-cascade for clean up, and the gold magic for fine gold recovery.

 

Material is provided at the dig to keep the instruction centered on set up and use of the equipment. I hope that your experience was beneficial from that point of view. I also hope you were able to meet some new friends from the camp as every time I am there I meet some great people. Our focus will continue to be on providing a beneficial experience centered around education of prospecting techniques. Hopefully you will find interest in taking part of a future outing that will be more to your liking. If not we, as an organization, appreciate your commitment to our industry and our prospecting heritage.

 

Kindest regards,

Brandon Johnson

President

Gold Prospectors Association of America

Lost Dutchman's Mining Association

So GPAA members can sign up for a LDMA Dig? I really would like to go to the Vein Mountain Dig in October. I enjoy the hunt, and the company of other people that have the same hobby.

Tim - We are currently working opening up registration for camp digs online. Look for this functionality to be available within the next week. We are also editing video taken at the camps to explain more about the equipment and atmosphere at the LDMA Camp Digs for those who may not be familiar.

 

GPAA members will be able to register and attend if they are interested and considering joining LDMA. You will only be eligible to attend 1 camp dig per year at the moment as LDMA members provide the financial support to maintain the camps for their benefit, and take on additional cost to host camp digs to introduce potential new members. I sincerely hope you enjoy your experience at the October Outing if you chose to attend. We offer a free 5 day outing if you are able to upgrade your annual membership to GPAA Lifetime. We also can apply all money and credit received for GPAA Lifetime memberships to an LDMA membership if you chose to sign up!

 

Look forward to seeing you out there. I am planning to attend this Fall.

 

Brandon

Hey Brandon is there going to be a outing at the Athens Michigan claim on Aug. 20, 2014??? We was told that the camp caretakers put in for it earlier this year and was told to watch for it in the Pic and Shovel. We have not seen anything and I have to get signed up for vacation time from work real soon if I have any chance to lock it in!!!!!!!! We have only missed 1 outing every since we joined GPAA & LDMA years ago at Athens. Whats Up!!!!! 

Brandon I thought you did a good job at the burnt river outing and there are some people that only want to see color and not try to learn how to find it as a new member of LDMA both sponge and I learned a lot at the outing also nice/great article in mag.

James - At the moment we do not have an outing planned for Athens. The camp is open and I know members are probably looking to get out to the camp before the end of the season. Kevin is active on the web and would be the man to talk to about getting one on the schedule for 2015. Sorry we weren't able to make it out there this year.

 

Brandon

I had a great time at the Burnt River outing too. Good people, good gold, and good weather. Can't wait for the next one. Hope to see you and sponge out there again. She made the trip for me! 

Brandon

My family always has a good time at the Burnt River outings. It is our favorite outing. David and I meet my parents there and it is always a part of our vacation. We have made many new friends there and the caretakers, Pam and Jim, always have many activities for everyone to do. The scavenger hunt is our favorite. It's good to see Brandon there. As long as we can make it, we will always participate at this outing.  Kathy Anderson

Got a really random question I live in Fairbanks Alaska and I am wondering if "local claim wise" it is even worth me upgrading to an LDMA membership? I don't exactly want to shell out all the money if there aren't any claims near me!