Agenda Overview – August 21–24, 2026

All event programming and meals will take place at the Gothic Campus.

Primary Arrival Day/Forum Commencement- Friday, August 21

Departure Day/Forum Adjourns- Monday, August 24

Detailed Printable Agenda

Friday, August 21

1 – 6 pm: Check in at the billy barr community center (bbcc); pick up name tags, printed copies of the Reunion Agenda, t-shirts, and lists for the Scavenger Hunt, settle in to cabins

4:30 – 6 pm – Happy hour at the tent area outside bbcc

6 – 7 pm: Dinner (bbcc) Slide show of contributed photos will be projectedl during all meals

7:30 PM – Free time to reconnect, organize No Talent Show acts

Saturday, August 22

7 – 8 am: Breakfast (bbcc)

8:30 am – noon – Story-Telling activities including Icebreaker Circle, Affinity Group Breakouts, Outdoor Coffee Break, Rotating Story Stations, Open-ended Full Group Sharing, and Closing Reflections– organized by Margot Buckelew (bbcc and outside)

Noon – 1 pm – lunch (bbcc)

1:30 pm – billy barr slide show: “Gothic in Winter” (bbcc)

2:30 – 4:30 PM – Optional outdoor activities:
● Scavenger hunt
● Kiddos of all ages do stream bug assessment at the East River with Bobbi
● Explore on your own (go hiking or explore Crested Butte)
● Rehearse for the No Talent Show (always optional!)

4:30 – 6 pm: Happy Hour (bbcc and tent area) While enjoying libations and catching up with other Benthettes, on designated areas/white boards in the bbcc and conference room, revisit the Rotating Story Stations from the morning session and add your reflections.
Note – you can revisit these Rotating Story Stations during any free time over the weekend

6 – 7 pm: Dinner (bbcc)

7:30 – 9:00 pm: “Benthettes’ Greatest Hits” – No Talent Show. Organized by Marge Penton and Tracy Smith (bbcc)

Sunday, August 23

7 – 8 am: Breakfast (bbcc)

8:30 am – Bobbi – “Stream of Consciousness – The Ecology of Place” How have 50 years of Stream Ecology at RMBL contributed to the Foundations of Stream Ecology? (Recognizing the contributions of all Benthettes) (bbcc)

9:15 am – Break out session – Six small groups by topic (outside the bbcc at picnic tables):
● Wormy Baetis group
● Team Egg/dispersal group
● Grazer-algae/ Didymo aka Rock Snot group
● Water rights/biomonitoring group
● Predator-prey/ non-consumptive effects group
● Climate change/disturbance group
Brainstorm your research questions, how you came up with your questions, what you discovered, and ideas for future questions.

Alternative activities will be provided for non-scientist family members, including kids of all ages (arts and crafts, games, skits, treasure hunt to build stream critter puzzles, family hikes)

10:00 am – Coffee Break (outside)

10:30 am – Kara Cromwell – Introducing Rocky Mountain Rivers, our new non-profit. What are our aspirations for the next 50 years?

11:00 am – Discussion of ideas for guiding the future of Rocky Mountain Rivers

11:30 am – Science breakout groups transcribe discoveries onto sticky notes to arrange on a white board in the bbcc; how did one discovery lead to the next? Write how you came up with your questions and ideas for future questions on designated whiteboards in the bbcc
Note – you can revisit the white board stations during any free time over the weekend

Noon – 1 pm – lunch (bbcc)

1 pm – 4:30 pm – Optional outdoor activities:
● Hike to a stream site to sample bugs with Bobbi (who can still identify them?)
● 1 – 2:30 pm – Tour of Gothic (Jeni Blacklock – RMBL Executive Director)
● RMBL365 open house from 1 – 3 pm in Crested Butte
● Explore on your own (Individual hikes, explore Crested Butte)
● Scavenger Hunt, continued – winners to be announced at dinner

4:30 – 6 pm: Happy hour (bbcc tent area) – Turn in Scavenger Hunt sheets. While enjoying libations and catching up with other Benthettes, record your thoughts from the storytelling session and the science brainstorm session on designated areas in the bbcc

6 – 7 pm: Dinner (bbcc)

7:30 – 9 pm – Music – Benthette jam session. Everyone bring instruments! (Location tbd) Continue adding your reflections at designated areas in the bbcc

Monday, August 24

7 – 8 am: Breakfast (bbcc)

9 AM–11 AM – Benthettes pack up and prepare to travel home. All cabins must be vacated by 11 AM.

Registration is now open for the August 21–24, 2026

Freshwater Forum 50 & Benthette Reunion 2026!

Click the above blue “How to Register” button for step-by-step instructions.

After creating your portal account, log in to the RMBL Community Portal and click the red “Register for Your Event” button

RMBL Housing

The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) offers housing for event guests at two locations: Gothic Campus (Main Campus) and RMBL 365 Building (Approximately 25–30 minutes from Gothic; car required) in the town of Crested Butte.

Families Welcome!

Kids stay free

Those under 18 will not be charged for lodging or event attendance.

Adult Families

Adult Families have the option during registration to choose the family cabin rate of $175/night. Each family member will still need to register and pay the registration fee of $301. One invoice will be sent to the group leader. Cabin assignments are at the Admin Offices discretion; although, family preferences for certain cabins and amenities will be strongly considered.

Gothic Campus Housing

8000 County Road 317, Crested Butte, CO 81224

Gothic Campus is RMBL’s historic field station, primary research site, and the main location for the Freshwater Forum 50 event. Facilities include the dining hall (where all meals are served) and community spaces.

For more information about the cabins at RMBL, please visit this page: Event Housing 

Please Note:

• Staying at Gothic Campus is like staying at a summer camp.
• Most cabins are rustic, and amenities vary depending on the selected housing option. Some cabins are more rustic and may not have indoor plumbing, with outhouses nearby, while others offer indoor plumbing. A brand-new shower house with flush toilets will be available to all guests staying at Gothic, including those in cabins without indoor plumbing — at no additional charge.
• Accommodations are shared and roommates should be expected.
• Guests will need to bring their own bedding, towels, and toiletries. A recommended packing list can be found Here.
• Cabins levels are assigned on a first requested basis.
• Pets are not allowed anywhere on the RMBL campus.

RMBL 365 Building Housing

615 Teocalli Avenue, Crested Butte, CO 81224 (~25–30 min from Gothic; car required)

RMBL 365 provides modern, hostel-style lodging with shared kitchens and bathrooms. It is ideal for families or guests seeking more amenities. Guests staying here must have a personal vehicle. Meals for all participants are served at Gothic Campus. Bedding, towels, and toiletries are provided.

Non-RMBL Housing — No Lodging

Attendees who live locally (including those already residing in Gothic), plan to camp at nearby designated sites, or prefer to arrange accommodations in Crested Butte or Mt. Crested Butte should select “Base Registration – No Lodging” when completing their registration.

Families Welcome!

Meal costs for children

• Children 2 & under eat for free. Highchairs are available at the bbcc.
• Children 3 -17 pay half-price for meals. Breakfast = $6.00, Lunch = $8.25, Dinner = $10.50

Travel to Gothic & CB

Carpooling

Sign up to join or create a carpool here: https://groupcarpool.com/t/gtb784 

Driving

Gothic Campus Physical Address:
8000 County Road 317
Crested Butte, CO 81224

RMBL 365 Building Physical Address:
615 Teocalli Avenue
Crested Butte, CO 81224
(~25–30 minutes from Gothic main Campus, car required)

Car Rentals
Denver – Car Rentals | Denver International Airport (flydenver.com)
The Gunnison Airport has three rental companies, Hertz, Avis, and Budget.

Flying

The closest airport is Gunnison, CO (GUC) – 34 miles/50 minutes from Gothic

Shuttles from the Gunnison Airport to Gothic:

• Alpine Express
• Black Canyon Limo
• Dolly’s Mountain Shuttle
• Rocky Rides

Other Airports:

• Montrose, CO (MTJ) – 70 miles/2 hours*
• Grand Junction, CO – (GJT) – 163 miles/3 hours
• Denver, CO – (DIA) – 251 miles/ 4.5 hours

Bus from Denver

By Bus
There is now bus service between Crested Butte and Denver, CO. The service is operated by Bustang. Tickets can be purchased on the Bustang Outrider m-Tix mobile App. The trip takes 5 hr 35 minutes. The bus arrives/departs from Union Station (1701 Wynkoop St. Denver, CO) and arrives/departs the Crested Butte 4-Way Stop (North of 6th and Elk Avenue, Crested Butte, CO 81224)

Traveling between Denver Union Station and Denver International Airport (DIA): Every 15 minutes the University of Colorado A-line bus travels between Denver International Airport (DIA) and Denver Union Station.  The trip takes 37 minutes. Go to the Denver RTD for more information. Tickets can be purchased on the RTD MyRide mobile app. Please plan accordingly.

RMBL Shuttle

The cost to book shuttle transportation through RMBL is $25 per person, each way. Shuttle service is available to and from Gunnison Airport and the Bustang bus stop in Crested Butte.

Gothic Campus Map

Printable Gothic Map

Housing Locations

The drive from RMBL 365 to Gothic campus (main RMBL campus) is approximately 25–30 minutes in the summer.

Benthette Reunion T-shirt Design Contest

As a Benthette, you know just how iconic Bobbi’s T-shirt collection is; and how legendary Benthette T-shirts have been over the decades. From the “Waiting with Baetis Breath” tee, the classic “Benthos” tee, the “Mayfly Chorus Line”, “Dead Mayfly Society”, and “Team Egg”

These designs have become part of our shared history.

As we celebrate 50 years of community, we want to revive this tradition with a Benthette T-shirt created for the reunion and beyond. Have a design, slogan, or idea? We want to see it! You don’t have to be attending the Reunion to submit a T-shirt design.  Upload your designs here.

Share Your Benthette Stories:

From field days to lifelong friendships, Benthette stories span generations. As part of the reunion, we would love it if you shared your most iconic stories and memorable moments from over the years!

We’ll host a story-sharing session at the reunion and are also compiling these reflections into a written collection that captures the people, moments, and experiences that have shaped this community. How did you first connect with RMBL?  What memories of being a Benthette stay with you?  How has being a Benthette shaped your career and life paths? What do you hope future generations of Benthettes experience at RMBL?

That’s where this form comes in!

Use it to start reminiscing and share one or more moments; silly, serious, wild, or meaningful. We’ll use your responses to begin writing down Benthette stories from across the years in a collection. You don’t need to be attending the reunion to share! Upload your stories here.

Share Your Photos:

Do you have photos from your Benthette days or time at RMBL? We would love to see them!

Please use this form to upload your favorite photos! They will be shared at the reunion and added to our growing story collection and Benthette record, helping preserve the history and spirit of this remarkable community.

Upload photos from your time as a Benthette here.

Margot Buckelew

Margot spent summers 2016 – 2020 as a Benthette throughout her academic career at the University of Wisconsin Madison (undergrad), and Yale School of the Environment (MEM), where she completed her capstone project on the history and significance of in-stream (non-consumptive) water rights in Colorado. She is currently working for the EPA in Washington, DC on water quality grant programs for Tribes.

Kara Cromwell

Kara is a stream ecologist and science communicator who finds inspiration at the intersection of ecology with everyday life. In 2012 she came to RMBL as a PhD student from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and became a Benthette, completing her PhD in 2018. She is currently a Faculty Affiliate at the University of Montana. She founded and is the Executive Director of the non-profit Rocky Mountain Rivers.

Andrea Encalada

Andrea became a Benthette at RMBL in 1999 as a PhD student at Cornell University. After completing her dissertation research in 2004 she moved back home to her native Ecuador where she has been a faculty member and a rock star of international acclaim at the University of San Francisco, in Quito. She recently finished a 5-year term as the Provost of USF and is now settled back into her preferred role as teacher, researcher and mentor.

Matt Fuller

Matt was first introduced to stream ecology as an undergraduate at Cornell University, after which he followed Bobbi to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and RMBL where he became a Benthette and completed his Masters research (2006-2008). He received his PhD at Duke University (2017) and is currently a research scientist with the US Forest Service and adjunct faculty at UMass-Amherst in Amherst, MA.

Havalin Haskell

Havalin is a native of Crested Butte and was introduced to RMBL as a junior scientist in the youth education programs. She became smitten with streams during the RMBL high school class summer 2020, and completed an independent project in summer 2021 to become a full-fledged Benthette. She is a recent graduate of Colorado College pursuing a career communicating science, and is currently the Communications Director of the non-profit Rocky Mountain Rivers.

Bobbi Peckarsky

Bobbi first came to RMBL as a high school teacher in 1974 to take classes.  That summer transformed her life and she has come back every summer since, as a PhD student, coursework instructor, mentor and researcher. She “retired” from Cornell University in 2005 and moved back home to Wisconsin where she has continued research and mentoring both at UW and at RMBL.  She is the founder and matriarch of the Benthettes and President of the Board of Directors for the non-profit Rocky Mountain Rivers.

Marge Penton

Became a life-long Benthette at RMBL in 1981 as a research assistant for Bobbi at Cornell University after receiving her BS degree at Northern Arizona University as a freshwater biologist and an MS at the University of Arkansas studying diatoms.  After leaving Cornell in the late 1980’s, she moved back to her native Arizona to teach high school science.  But she has continued spending time in the summers as a Benthette.  She is the secretary of the non-profit Rocky Mountain Rivers.

Tracy Smith

Tracy first came to RMBL in 1982 as an undergraduate coursework student.  Due to her exuberant personality, tireless work ethic and extraordinary softball acumen, Bobbi hired her in 1983 as a research assistant, which began her illustrious career as a Benthette.  After a 9-year hiatus, in 1992 she came back to spend 9 more years as a Benthette.  Tracy helped us discover many wonders of stream invertebrate life at RMBL.  She recently retired as the Director of Retention through Academic Mentoring at Humboldt State University. She will be organizing the Benthettes’ Greatest Hits at the 2026 Reunion.