Illinois Division Goose Workshop
1. GENERAL- As a member of GW it is your responsibility to observe all rules and regulations and keep our grounds and facilities safe and clean. Documented violations may lead to your membership being revoked.
A. GW members must also be a member of an Illinois Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America and must have their membership card available to show upon request.
B. Regular membership includes spouse/partner and all children 17 and under. Children 18 and up must have their own membership.
C. GW is a family facility and excessive drinking will not be tolerated. You may be asked to leave and your membership may be revoked. Law enforcement may be notified.
D. Projectile weapons of any kind are prohibited on the grounds -i.e., rifles, shotguns, handguns, air rifles, BB guns, dart guns, slingshots, crossbows, and bows and arrows, etc. except:
· Bows/arrows and crossbows are allowed on the Archery Range and carp fishing
· Board approval may be given for use at sanctioned group events such as Youth Day
E. Motorized Vehicles are not allowed on any trails. ATV’s, unlicensed motorcycles and vehicles may be on a trailer but may not be operated on GW Property. GW authorized motorized maintenance vehicles are allowed on trails. The GW golf cart is for caretaker/camp host duties, Education Programs, emergency use, or authorized maintenance use. Only those helping with jobs are to ride on the cart. No one under 18 is allowed to drive the golf cart or tractors.
F. Fireworks of any kind are strictly prohibited.
G. Swimming is prohibited in all lakes.
H. Garbage: Members are responsible for their own trash. Please take all worm containers, cans and other trash with you and place in the dumpster in the main campground.
I. Wildlife: Members, their children and guests are asked not to disturb the Giant Geese, their nests or eggs or any other wildlife.
J. New members may not camp, fish or boat until they have received their membership card.
2. Member Camping: There are no reservations-unit must be on site when fees are paid.
a. Campers must check in with the Camp Host upon arrival*. Fees are due at check in. Check out is by 3 pm on your departure date or another day’s fee is due. No refunds.
b. **Single Family Fees are $12.00 per night with electricity. $10.00 per night primitive site. If you place your tent in an electric site, you will be charged the electric rate. If you take up two sites, you must pay for both.
c. Tents, screened rooms with floors and rugs must be moved every 4 days-IF ON GRASS.
d. No unit may be left unattended for more than 48 hours.
e. Camping is limited to 14 continuous days. There must be at least two days between stays. This is not a long-term camping facility. There is no camper storage onsite.
f. Air conditioners may be used when campers are in attendance. Please turn them off if you plan to be away more than 24 hours.
g. All children of members 17 and under wishing to camp must be accompanied by their parent/guardian member.
h. Quite time is 10 pm – 6 am.
3. Guest Camping: Guests must check in with the Camp Host (if available) BEFORE setting up
a. No guest camping on holidays or holiday weekends.
b. Guest 18 and older staying in the same unit with a member will be charged $10.00/per night for camping only.
c. **Guest single families may bring their own unit, if accompanied by a member and members unit for a fee of $22.00 per night includes fishing. Primitive site would be $20.00 per night plus including guest fishing fees.
**A Single Family is one of both of the adults and their unmarried children 17 and under. Minor children (17 and under) may sleep in a tent outside the family unit and are considered occupants of the family unit if not using electricity.
4. Children: (aged 17 and under) May not use the facilities without their parent.
a. Parents are responsible for watching their children.
b. Children are to be at their own campsite by dark unless accompanied by an adult member.
c. All children under the age of 12 must have supervision on docks.
d. Life jackets are recommended while fishing.
5. Fishing:
a. All people fishing must abide by posted limits.
b. No frog hunting is allowed.
c. Catch and release is encouraged for all species except Carp-please remove any carp caught from the lakes.
d. Fishing is allowed by hand-held pole and line only – except:
i. Bow and arrows may be used for carp.
ii. Jug fishing is allowed within GW and state regulations.
6. Guest Fishing:
a. Guest fishing fee is $10.00 and member must accompany guest.
7. Boats, Canoes, Kayaks: GW is not responsible for boats, canoes, kayaks.
a. All boats, canoes, kayaks must comply with State registration and safety regulations.
b. Guest boats, canoes, kayaks will be allowed when accompanied by member boat, canoe or kayak.
c. Member boats, canoes, kayaks are to be kept in designated areas. There is no boat trailer storage. Please keep the area around your boat, canoe, kayak neat and free of weeds. All boats, canoes, kayaks are private property and not for public use.
d. Electric trolling motors only. Gas motors may be used to put boat on trailer only.
8. Archery: Guests fee is $8.00 and must be accompanied by member.
9. Campfires: Burn wood products only.
a. Fires are only allowed in the provided metal fire pits at Pete’s Park and Swan Lake and in the portable metal fire pits available in the main camping area.
b. No campfire is to be left unattended.
c. Only one fire per paying site. Please conserve our firewood.
d. No out of state firewood.
e. Please extinguish fires before departure and leave fire pit where used-the camp host will dispose of the ashes and return the fire pit to storage.
10. Pets: Must be kept on a leash at all times.
a. Pets are NOT allowed inside the Larimore Learning Center.
b. Please clean up after your pets and dispose of feces in the dumpster. Do not leave feces in campgrounds or along trails or roads.
11. Work Days: We have two spring and two fall Saturday Work Days-check our annual calendar for scheduled dates. All members are expected to attend unless physically unable to do so. This is how we maintain our grounds, improve our facilities and keep our costs down. Lunch is provided. Those members unable to attend a scheduled work day may contribute on a day more convenient to them. Check with a member of the Steering Committee for work that needs to be completed.
*IF NO CAMP HOST IS ON SITE, PLEASE PLACE ALL CAMPING, FISHING, ARCHERY AND GUEST FEES AND THE DATE OF YOUR USAGE ALONG WITH YOUR NAME AND ANY GUEST NAMES INTO THE SLOT PROVIDED ON THE SIDE OF THE LARIMORE LEARNING CENTER BUILDING. FEES ARE USED TO KEEP OUR FACILITY OPEN FOR OUR ENJOYMENT BY HELPING WITH ELECTRIC COSTS, ETC. AND TO STOCK OUR LAKES.
IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE ILLINOIS DIVISION STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Karen Brandau, Education Lead: 309-945-5552
Steve Brandau, Steering Committee Member: 309-944-7604
Garrit Struck, IL Division President: 815-245-0120 gary.s.struck@gmail.com
Brian Herron, Geneseo Chapter President: herronbj@hotmail.com
Dan Roberts, Kewanee Chapter President: Roberts_dan@comcast.net
General or program questions: thegooseworkshop@gmail.com
August 19, 2024 for Calendar year 2025
Website: iwla.org/illinoisdivision