Emergency NumbersPhone Book (Must be on-campus or have a valid network account)
Host a Bonfire at Saint John's
PLAN AHEAD!
Requesting firewood and approval for your fire less than 7 days in advance of your event may result in the inability to fulfill your request. Follow this procedure to host a bonfire:
- RESERVE Watab Picnic Grounds for your event by calling Special Events (363-2240). This reservation is considered tentative until you receive final approval from the Arboretum and the Fire Department to host your event.
- REVIEW the bonfire wood request form before proceeding. If you plan to have more than 100 people, if the event includes alcohol, or if you plan on camping overnight, you need to meet with Life Safety for approval BEFORE you complete the form.
- REQUEST an Arboretum program if your group is interested in having Arboretum staff lead educational activities at the fire. See sidebar on this page and email arboretum@csbsju.edu for more information about programs and staff availability.
- ACCOUNT NUMBER: You MUST have the ability to pay up to $325 for your fire. (Cost for delivery of a truckload of firewood to Watab Picnic Grounds is $25. A $300 charge will also be made to that account if the Fire Department is called to control or extinguish the fire.)
- REQUEST firewood from the Arboretum using the bonfire wood request form. Requests recieved less than 7 days prior to your event may not be able to be fulfilled.
- RECEIVE an email confirmation from the Arboretum tentatively approving your request.
- RECEIVE an email confirmation from the Fire Department for final approval of your event and your burning permit. SAVE THIS EMAIL.
- PRINT AND BRING a copy of the email from the Fire Department to your event.
- The Arboretum will deliver the firewood to Watab Island when needed and pick up any extra the next day.
Cancelling your event.
In the event that you need to to cancel or postpone your event, due to inclement weather or otherwise, you MUST do the following to avoid being charged $25 for firewood:
- REPLY TO ALL by 8:15 a.m. on the day of the event on the email you saved from the Fire Department to be sure all interested parties are made aware of the cancellation.
Extinguish your fire!
Please be responsible! You WILL BE CHARGED $300 if the Fire Department is called to control or extinguish your fire. This includes embers and coals of any size that remain after you leave the fire. Follow these guidelines to completely extinguish your fire before you leave.
Saint John's Arboretum is happy to offer outside talks to complement your evening bonfire. Topics include:
- the night sky
- owls on campus
- general Arboretum information
- night senses
- storytelling
- and more!
Contact the Arboretum at (320) 363.3163 or email arboretum@csbsju.edu to learn what programming is currently available and/or to schedule a program. Please contact us at least one week prior to your bonfire.
