What to Expect/Planning Your Visit to the Adirondacks

"SUNY Cortland's facility at Raquette Lake makes the entire experience. This would not be the same if it took place in a classroom at a university. The chance to stay in a great camp enabled us to immerse ourselves in the subject matter and get to know our colleagues in a more personal way. The cabins were comfortable and the lecture room was great."

–2015 Summer Scholar

What should I bring with me?

Unlike some other NEH programs, Forever Wild has unique requirements given its Adirondack location. Summer Scholars will be living in one of the great Adirondack camps and its rustic character suggests the following:

Clothing: Comfortable and casual. We’ll be wearing t-shirts, shirt-sleeves and shorts, sneakers, hiking boots (hiking trails can get muddy), and water shoes for those wishing to kayak and canoe. Bring swim suits and a beach towel, in addition to one or two bath towels. It is warm in July but evenings at the lake can be chilly. Prepare by bringing clothes to layer, including a jacket and/or fleece pullovers, and pants. Depending on accommodations, some Summer Scholars will be assigned to buildings without bathrooms. Showers and facilities are only a few steps away but you might want a robe or other cover up for the walk between bed and bath. Shower sandals are a good idea.

Incidentals: Summer Scholars should bring personal care items, including shampoo, soap, and toothpaste. Such incidentals typically provided at hotels are not available in camp. (Camp Huntington is accessible only by boat so quick trips to the drug store or pharmacy are not possible. Pack what you need!) Bring suntan lotion and bug spray and allergy medicine, if necessary. Amateur musicians might consider bringing their guitar, ukulele, or other portable instrument for evening downtime around the campfire.

Bedding: We will be contracting with a company to provide Summer Scholars with bed linens. The camp provides pillows but you may want to bring your own. Often guests pack their own sleeping bags or a comfy fleece blanket.

Technology: laptops or tablets are a great idea. (The grant will have several iPads for our use.) You will want to bring a camera because the camp is stunningly beautiful (no one takes a bad photograph!) Cell phones, however, are tricky because reception in camp is hit or miss. 

What about meals?

On Sunday evening we will have a light meal during our evening welcome session.  A continental breakfast is included in your rate at the Country Inn and Suites and it will be expected that you have breakfast before being transported to the workshop on Monday morning.  For lunch that day, we will take a bagged lunch on the charter coaches for our ride up to the Adirondacks.

For the rest of the week, we will eat the majority of our meals at Camp Huntington in the Fuge Dining Room, named after George Fuge director emeritus. These delicious and plentiful meals are served family style at 8 a.m., 12 p.m., and 6 p.m. A fruit bowl and some desserts are available in the dining hall after dinner. Drinks at Camp Huntington are non-alcoholic and do not include sodas. If you would like to bring alcoholic beverages or soda products, you are welcome to coordinate with other Summer Scholars and bring them on your own.

Camp living requires that people from each group help with the Camp kitchen duties, known as the kitchen patrol or KP's. Everyone will take a turn pitching in and helping. The Camp is able to accommodate most dietary concerns, but individuals will be asked to provide this information prior to the workshop.

The two exceptions to our family-style meals include lunch at Camp Sagamore on Wednesday, and lunch Thursday at the Adirondack Museum where you will have a choice of either taking a bagged lunch or purchasing a meal at the museum’s café at your own expense.

What academic resources will be available?

Though we’ll be in the Adirondack Park, Camp Huntington provides cutting edge instructional technology, including “Smart” classrooms and Wi-Fi connectivity. Huntington’s library provides resources in addition to the world-class library and archive at the Adirondack Experience.

Anything else I should know?

The State University of New York, College at Cortland, which owns Camp Huntington, is a non-smoking campus. Therefore, smoking is absolutely prohibited in camp. Be advised that the camp has basic first aid, but the nearest hospital is in Utica, NY, approximately 80 miles away. Pets are prohibited. Unfortunately, families cannot be accommodated.