Fremont Peak Observatory Association

Benefits of Membership

Click here for membership application documents (require Adobe Acrobat Reader):

Observer Supplement and Liability Waiver

About FPOA

The Fremont Peak Observatory Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation associated with the California Department of Parks and Recreation. It is unique in that it is the first concessionaire devoted solely to interpreting astronomy to the public. The main objective of the FPOA is to promote astronomy through public educational and interpretive programs at Fremont Peak State Park.

Your financial support for this objective is, of course, highly valued. Even more important is your active involvement in the various activities of the FPOA. These activities include participating in the public programs, helping to improve and maintain the observatory instruments, offering helpful suggestions to improve the FPOA's outreach, and contributing your ideas to the FPOA Board.

Member Benefits

As a Member, you have the satisfaction of supporting a unique volunteer scientific organization bringing astronomy education to the public. Once you have filed a current liability waiver, you can participate in scheduled public programs by setting up your telescope in the excellent observing area just outside the observatory, or giving interpretive presentations to the public.

As an Observer, you are eligible to receive Observer training in use of the FPOA premises and the 30” Challenger telescope. With training and a current liability waiver on file, you are eligible to operate the Challenger telescope during scheduled public programs. Once you have met your annual service requirement, you may schedule access to the FPOA premises and the Challenger telescope (with advance notice to FPOA and depending on your training) on non-public program nights.

All members receive the quarterly newsletter, the Fremont Peak Observer.

The FPOA conducts an annual meeting and barbeque party called the Star-B-Q in the late summer, and volunteer appreciation day at the observatory in the fall.