WHAT SHOULD I PACK? Comfortable outdoor clothing (there are no dress up events), walking shoes and/or sneakers (2 pair), bathing suit (lake swimming and sauna), light jacket or sweater (evenings & mornings can be cool), rain gear (just in case!), sheets and pillow cases or a sleeping bag (pillows and blankets are provided), flashlight (red lens preferred so as to not destroy night vision), towels, wash cloths, soap, shampoo.
WHAT SHOULDN'T I PACK? Axes, traps, weapons, illegal drugs OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Pets (of any kind) are also not allowed. These are regulations of SUNY New Paltz and/or state laws designed to insure a safe and enjoyable time for all guests of the Ashokan Field Campus. We must and we will enforce them. Please don't make us ask you to leave without a refund.
WHAT MIGHT I WANT TO PACK? Any type of lawn sports equipment (frisbee, horseshoes, croquet, volleyball, etc), fishing equipment (NY State licences can be purchased in the town of Shokan), bug repellant, sun tan lotion, sun glasses, bicycle, aspirin, any type of medicine you might need. Chairs are provided in many outside areas. However, these chairs should not be moved to the campfire area. If you wish to sit comfortably around the campfire, you may wish to bring your own portable chair, or a comfy blanket or towel to place on one of the “sitting logs.”
New in 2007: Wireless (WiFi) support is now available for your laptop in the mess hall and common area of the main building.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT LYME DISEASE: It’s very common in the Hudson Valley and the Catskills. So if you plan to hike, dress appropriately.
HOW CAN PEOPLE GET IN CONTACT WITH ME? Phone number is (845) 657 8935. This is the only number for calls into and out of the Campus. Use it to reach the RG Committee after 4:00 PM Friday and to leave a number with anyone who may need to contact you during your stay. Messages will posted at the Registration Table.
IMPORTANT CELL PHONE INFORMATION: Unfortunately, the Ashokan Field Campus is in a valley with no nearby cell phone towers. Cell phones typically will not work on the grounds. If you wish to use a cell phone, you will probably have to travel back to the main road.
HOW DO I GET THERE? See the attached map
WHERE DO I SIGN IN? Park in the upper lot and follow the signs to go directly to the Lodge for registration. As parking is on top of a hill, you probably want to bring your bags with you when you sign in. REGISTRATION OPENS AT 3:00 PM ON FRIDAY. Note: Please try not to arrive before 2:00 pm. There are often day activities at the campgrounds which run until 2:00. If you do arrive early, please say out of the way of any groups using any of the facilities.
WHERE DO I SLEEP? After registration, drop your gear off in the gender segregated bunk houses - Facilities include large modern bathrooms with plenty of sinks and hot showers. Sites for pitching tents are located nearby with easy access to the facilities. RV's and campers should be parked in the parking area. Please note that there are no RV/Camper hookups or similar facilities.
WHEN IS DINNER? Meals are served family style at designated times (8:30 AM/12:30/5:30 PM) and a bell is rung to let everyone know that the meal is beginning. You should arrive very near that time. Enough food is served for everyone. We don't know if you are late or just don't want to eat, so if you arrive very late your portion may be already someone's seconds. On Friday evening, dinner will start slightly later, about 6:00, to better accommodate late-arriving guests.
IF YOU ANTICIPATE ARRIVING AFTER 7:00 PM FRIDAY, WE SUGGEST YOU STOP FOR A MEAL EN ROUTE. ONLY SNACKS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE CAMPUS FROM THEN UNTIL BREAKFAST SATURDAY MORNING.
WHAT IS FOR DINNER? Meals are designed to be healthful, balanced and made of natural ingredients to the greatest extent possible.
MAY I HAVE A SNACK? For those bored with "politically correct" food and starving for salt, sugar and fats, we will have a hospitality area with soda, seltzer, chips, pretzels and other munchies. In addition, any left over desserts are left out by the kitchen staff and a snack is put out around 9 each evening. As part of the two evening campfires, we can also roast marshmallows. Overnight, we also provide a cheese/cracker area with additional yummies such as rice cakes, crudites and natural peanut butter. You will NOT starve at our RG!
We are now in compliance with Mensa’s recommended food safety guidelines for Regional Gatherings. Since are meals are planned by the staff at Ashokan, this covers only our hospitality. As a result, all hospitality items will now be in single-serving packages: individual packages of candies, cans of soda.
I FOUND THIS. If you found something, please turn it in at the Registration Table. We will announce what was found at the next meal.
WHAT IS GOING ON?: See postings at the registration table, check with any RG committee person, or listen for announcements at meals. We encourage you to also participate in some of the do it yourself activities listed below:
SAFETY: MOST OF THE DO IT YOURSELF ACTIVITIES HAVE AN INHERENT LEVEL OF DANGER (DROWNING FOR INSTANCE) SO WE IMPLORE YOU TO NOT DO ANY OF THEM ALONE. THE OLD BUDDY SYSTEM WORKS WELL EVEN IF THAT PERSON IS ONLY ABLE TO SUMMON HELP.
* HIKING: Your campus map shows the many trails and natural areas for pleasant strolls. * SWIMMING: In the dock area of the lake. * ROWING/CANOEING: Boats are available in the dock area. Oars, paddles and life jackets are available in the oar house. * SAUNA: Wood fired and user stoked. Wood is supplied. * GAMES: The games area in the Lodge is well stocked and you are invited to break out any games you brought along. * SLEEP: An activity rarely seen at RG's, you may want to try it.
I'M TIRED. The bunkhouse and tenting areas are quiet zones so those that want to sleep can do so whenever they want. Please respect their wishes.
I LOST SOMETHING. Ask at the Registration Table. We will announce that the item is missing at the next meal.
I HAVE A QUESTION. Ask any RG Committee member. They are easy to identify, look for the dark circles under their eyes! They may be wearing a moose identification or carrying a chrome whistle.
I'M HURT! While it has rarely happened, we have to be ready. If someone is hurt, let the RG Committee know immediately! If someone is seriously injured, there is a phone at the Counselor's Cabin and one in the kitchen. Dial 911 and you will be connected to the emergency services operator. The location is the Ashokan Field Campus. Tell the emergency personnel to meet you in front of the Lodge and guide them to the injured person.
DO I HAVE TO LEAVE? This year, we are required to remove our gear from the bunkhouses at 10:30 am!! The RG ends with the end of the Noon meal on Sunday (around 1 PM). This year, Ashokan will clean up after us. Please tidy your sleeping area and make sure you packed everything you brought.
Attendance at this and/or participation in this gathering, or any or all events held at or in conjunction with this gathering is entirely voluntary. As such, attendance and/or participation constitutes a complete waiver of any potential legal action for damages to person, property or any other rights by any attendee or participant against Mensa International, American Mensa Ltd., Mid Hudson Mensa and/or any officers, members and/or agents of these entities for any waiverable rights under the laws of the State of New York, forever. This means that your attendance and/or participation waivers all of your rights to bring suit or claim against any of the listed groups and/or persons.
The Wall: Because of the recent work on the dam holding back the reservoir, and the possibility of flooding, a barrier wall was constructed. Access to the areas behind the wall - the back hiking trails and the campfire area are by means of a stairway climbing over the wall.
Computer Support is available: Wireless support for your laptop is available this year in the main building.
Will any other groups be there with us? At this time, other groups will be on the grounds during the daytime and possibly sharing meals in the mess hall. However we are currently the only group on the grounds in the evening.
While we have never had problems sharing the facilities, please make it a point to keep your valuables guarded - this includes our games!!!
Campfires: Campfires may only be built if conditions are permitting. Campfires will not be permitted if it is too dry, and are not reasonable if it is too wet.
Having trouble sleeping? Many people comment that the bunk beds are either lumpy or noisy. If you have problems sleeping in unfamiliar beds, besides the items mentioned earlier, you may want to consider an air mattress to place on the bed, your favorite pillow, or even earplugs. Please note that there is no air-conditioning in the bunkhouses.
7:31 AM 8/31/2007