The conference will be held at R-C Scout Ranch on Christopher Creek in . The address is 19887 E. AZ Highway 260, , AZ 85541. 

After reaching Payson, take Highway 260 approximately 19.6 miles east of the intersection of 260 and Highway 87 in Payson, Arizona. The entrance is between mile marker 271 and 272 on the South side of the road. Drive time from Phoenix, Flagstaff, or Prescott is about 2 - 2.5 hours. If you get to the small township of Christopher Creek you’ve gone too far—it's approximately two miles past R-C Ranch. 

Coordinates: 34.310236, -111.051858.

The conference is three days and each employee will be there for two days with one overnight stay at a minimum. Employees may stay for the entire conference with a supervisor's approval.

The conference will cover a variety of topics that relate to the mission and vision of Arizona State Parks and Trails. An agenda with more details will be sent out to everyone closer to the conference dates.

The purpose of the conference is to build our internal network, team, trust and relationships across the agency, provide high-quality, engaging learning opportunities that empower employees and inspire commitment to excellence, and to recognize employees' contributions and talents.

Never! Always feel free to send your idea to  Jannika Pitner at jpitner@azstateparks.gov or anyone on the planning committee. Even if it is too late to implement this year, it may be helpful for planning for future years.

Cabins - There are cabins with twin beds that will be assigned by gender that sleep from 8 up to 16

Tent Camping - You may be sharing your campsite with other units or families. Campers are required to provide their own tents and gear.  Each campsite has clean water for drinking and washing. 

Trailer/RV - There are not any hookups and trailers/small RVs will reside in the parking area.

There are restrooms and washstands throughout the property with a shower house.

Each campsite features access to a latrine (vault toilet), washstand, and running water. Trash disposal is available at the camp dumpster. 

Bring your own linens, blankets, or sleeping bag, as well as pillow. For tent camping, we recommend you bring a sleeping bag with air mattress, pad, or cot.

There are campsites available for tent camping only. If you would like to bring a trailer or small RV, this will need to be parking in the available parking spaces with no hookups.

Meals will be provided, starting with lunch and dinner on day one. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided on day two, and breakfast and lunch on day three. Additional snacks, treats, and drinks will be available throughout each day.

If you choose to bring your own snacks or food items, they must be secured in a cooler or covered plastic bin at all times. Leaving food items exposed encourages wildlife to visit, rummage and even chew through tents/bags.

We ask that everyone attending the conference dress casually and not wear uniforms. The focus of this conference is to highlight interpersonal relationships over jobs and titles.

You do not need to bring a laptop. Wi-fi and cell service is available at the property.

Yes! Please expect about five hours a day of formal conference agenda plus three hours for meals. Outside of that, you can spend your time as you choose. Optional opportunities will be provided, like recreation and games, but those will be completely optional.

Yes! Cabin rooms will be first-come, first served.

You can bring your own to enjoy after the formal daily schedule is over.

• Clothing for the conference (casual dress code), including a jacket for cooler weather.
• Hiking boots and tennis shoes
• A tent, if not staying in a cabin.
• Sleeping bag with air mattress or pad, or a cot
• Camp pillow
• Camp chair
• Water bottle
• Small first aid kit
• Camera
• Hygiene supplies
• Towel and washcloth
• Day pack
• Flashlight/headlamp (and extra batteries)
• Compass
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant
• Pens/pencil and notebook

DO NOT bring: drugs, fireworks, open-toed shoes, firearms, ammunition, bows or arrows, or sheath knives.

Each park manager will work with their regional manager to ensure that business operations at each park continue. This may include modified hours of operation.

If you have special dietary needs, including allergies, this needs to be noted during the online registration process. If you already registered and need to alert us to a special need, please reach out to Jannika Pitner at jpitner@azstateparks.gov.

Employees that are paid hourly will code two work days of a total of five hours each day at the conference. Employees are eligible to record their travel time as work time from their duty post. If travel time is more than three hours each way, to the conference and back to duty post, please work with your park manager to flex your time for the week. We are not approved to pay overtime. Please refer to the State Travel Policy and the Travel Time and Compensation Policy for more information.

Staff will be in travel status unless your work station is within 50 miles from the conference. Visit General Travel Principles and Policiesand the Travel Time and Compensation Policy for more information.

Staff who live nearby or would like to stay off site may not be eligible for reimbursement, since we are offering various arrangements. If there are special circumstances or needs that prevent you from staying onsite, please speak to your supervisor for further assistance. Staff are encouraged to stay or partake in the evening engagement and networking opportunities when feasible. Please see the Hotels, Meals and Lodging Policy.

You are encouraged to carpool and use state vehicles, when feasible. If that option is not available to you, you can use your own vehicle and be eligible for mileage reimbursement, with authorization from your supervisor. Please see the Personal Vehicle Authorization Form and Mileage Reimbursement Form for more information.

If you have a special need, including physical or dietary needs (including food allergies), this needs to be noted during the online registration process so the proper accommodation can be made. If you already registered and need to alert us of a need, please reach out to Jannika Pitner at jpitner@azstateparks.gov. 

Arrival times will be included in the finalized agenda, but plan to arrive in the morning for a full day of fun! If you'd like to come earlier to get settled and explore the property, you may.

Alcohol should not be transported in state vehicles.

Please reach out to Jannika Pitner at jpitner@azstateparks.gov with any additional questions. Likely someone else has the same question, so we can definitely add it to this page! You can also reach out to Michelle Thompson at mthompson@azstateparks.gov.