Not So Urban Athletics: Group Camping at Vermont's Kettle Pond State Park
Details
*** You must submit your payment to move from the waitlist to a confirmed RSVP ***
What sounds more appealing? Spending the Fourth of July stuck in the steamy asphalt jungle, fighting with several thousand other New Yorkers to maybe get a glimpse of the all too brief East River fireworks. Or celebrating the nation's birthday camping in Vermont's beautiful Groton State Forest? Take a look at that photo above and decide for yourself. Yeah, thought so.
Join me and a couple of dozen of your soon to be good friends as we head up for a holiday weekend of group camping at Kettle Pond State Park; an undeveloped waterside wilderness in the Vermont highlands.
In the park you can swim in the pond or sun yourself on the beach, fish, or if so inclined play a little ball or Frisbee. The park is one of seven in Groton State Forest, the second largest state forest in Vermont with over 26,000 acres to explore. You'll have access to all of them and their 17 miles of hiking trails and other amenities, such as canoe rentals and miles of mountain biking trails. Or perhaps head into the nearby towns of Montpelier or St. John's and explore their quaint downtown areas. It's your weekend to do as little or as much as you like.
The plan...
We'll arrive Thursday afternoon at the campground to set up our tents and other gear. From here we can do as much or as little as we'd like. In the evening we'll cook and have a communal meal over an open fire, and spend the rest of the night doing the usual camping activities -- partaking in adult beverages and stuffing our faces with snacks, playing games, and shooting the breeze.
Friday and Saturday we'll get up and make breakfast, then the days are yours to play as you wish. In the evening more campfire cooking, socializing, and merry making will be had, until we nod off.
Sunday we awake to enjoy our last meal together, break down our campsites, then head home.
Cost...
$29.78 per person for the campsite fee. The cost is for THREE nights of camping. Payment is via Venmo.
Space is limited so until I receive your payment your RSVP is not confirmed and your attendance is not guaranteed. Once I have confirmation of receipt of your payment I will move you to confirmed RSVP status.
Refunds will be given only if the meetup is cancelled or rescheduled.
Food plan...
To keep it simple, everyone is responsible for bringing what they would like to eat and drink. We will be cooking dinner Saturday; breakfast and dinner Sunday; and breakfast Monday and it will be semi-communal, meaning bring what you would like to eat for yourself but perhaps also enough to share with a few other people. Simple to cook but interesting items are best.
What else do I need to know?
• I've reserved five group lean-to campsites. Each lean-to site has a fire ring or fireplace with grill for cooking and a picnic table.
• The campground has port-a-let restroom facilities and clean running water. We are not auditioning for Survivor here.
• Meetup will be cancelled only in the event of a zombie apocalypse or locust swarm of biblical proportions. Possibility of rain or any other precipitation and we still camp.
• By RSVPing for this event, you agree to the following waiver of liability https://bit.ly/3atj0C5
Directions...
From I-91N (Exit 17):
Take a left onto US-302 west, go 8.7 miles. Turn right onto VT-232N. Travel 7.5 miles and Kettle Pond is on the left. The park is about 4.5 hours driving time from Manhattan.
We'll need to carpool to the campground. When you RSVP, please indicate if need a ride. Or if you plan to drive, where you are coming from and how many passengers you can take. We'll then figure out our carpooling options, please be proactive and contact a driver directly rather than just saying where you need a ride from. Gas and tolls will be shared among all the passengers.
Groton State Forest hiking information HERE.