NETCamp FAQ
We are in the process of creating and updating this FAQ for 2020.
While everything here is correct for 2020, the FAQ is incomplete.
If you have a question you'd like to see answered here, please send it to us!
While everything here is correct for 2020, the FAQ is incomplete.
If you have a question you'd like to see answered here, please send it to us!
GEAR & FIREWOOD QUESTIONS
Q: Do I need to bring my own camping gear?
A: Yes! No camping or campsite cooking gear will be provided or available to borrow.
A: Yes! No camping or campsite cooking gear will be provided or available to borrow.
Q: Can I use my own camping stove or make a campfire to cook?
A: Camp stoves are allowed as long as the fire danger level and burn ban level says we can use them. Don't plan to be able to build a campfire, though. We expect a burn ban to be in effect at the time of camp, because that's normal for the area in August.
A: Camp stoves are allowed as long as the fire danger level and burn ban level says we can use them. Don't plan to be able to build a campfire, though. We expect a burn ban to be in effect at the time of camp, because that's normal for the area in August.
Q: Is there firewood available at camp?
A: Yes. Firewood will be available at no cost if the fire danger level allows us to build campfires. DO NOTE that we do NOT expect to be able to build campfires, though, based on historical burn ban patterns for our area in August.
A: Yes. Firewood will be available at no cost if the fire danger level allows us to build campfires. DO NOTE that we do NOT expect to be able to build campfires, though, based on historical burn ban patterns for our area in August.
FOOD & WATER QUESTIONS
Q: Do I need to bring my own food?
A: Yes, unless you purchase meals from the NETCamp meal plan. You may purchase all your meals, just a few, or none.
A: Yes, unless you purchase meals from the NETCamp meal plan. You may purchase all your meals, just a few, or none.
Q: If I'm bringing my own food, do I need to bring my own dishes and flatware? What about cookware?
A: If you are bringing your own food, please bring your own dishes, flatware, and cookware. We suggest you bring easy and pre-made meals that require little preparation. If you need a kitchen, two small kitchens will be available - one in Rafters and one in Pavy's. The Lodge kitchen will be used by our team to prepare the meal plan meals and won't be available to attendees this year.
A: If you are bringing your own food, please bring your own dishes, flatware, and cookware. We suggest you bring easy and pre-made meals that require little preparation. If you need a kitchen, two small kitchens will be available - one in Rafters and one in Pavy's. The Lodge kitchen will be used by our team to prepare the meal plan meals and won't be available to attendees this year.
Q: Is there potable water?
A: Yes! The Lodge (aka Marilyn's Place), Pavy's, and Rafters all have potable water. There is non-potable water available up near the Adirondacks and the hike-in campsites for washing dishes, but we don't suggest you drink it or cook with it. Old old pipes.
A: Yes! The Lodge (aka Marilyn's Place), Pavy's, and Rafters all have potable water. There is non-potable water available up near the Adirondacks and the hike-in campsites for washing dishes, but we don't suggest you drink it or cook with it. Old old pipes.
Q: Is there a kitchen available?
A: Yes! There are two kitchens available: One in Pavy's and one in Rafters. The commercial kitchen in the Lodge will not be available this year due to meal plan prep. If you're primitive camping, consider bringing a camp stove.
Pavy's has one stove, a refrigerator, and a microwave.
Rafters has one stove and a fridge.
A: Yes! There are two kitchens available: One in Pavy's and one in Rafters. The commercial kitchen in the Lodge will not be available this year due to meal plan prep. If you're primitive camping, consider bringing a camp stove.
Pavy's has one stove, a refrigerator, and a microwave.
Rafters has one stove and a fridge.
Q: Are there refrigerators available?
A: Yes! There are two kitchens and 2 fridges available to attendees: one in Pavy's and one in Rafters. The commercial kitchen in the Lodge will not be available this year. There is limited space, so pack light, please, and maybe even prepare your food before you come, so everyone's stuff fits!
A: Yes! There are two kitchens and 2 fridges available to attendees: one in Pavy's and one in Rafters. The commercial kitchen in the Lodge will not be available this year. There is limited space, so pack light, please, and maybe even prepare your food before you come, so everyone's stuff fits!
PARKING QUESTIONS
Q: Can I park my car near my campsite?
A: No, but if you have a primitive site, you can drive up and park closer long enough to unload and load your gear at the beginning and end of your stay. Meadow sites are less than 1 minute from the parking lot, so you can unload from the parking lot. If you choose a primitive site, you may need to haul your gear between 1 and at most 8 minutes to get to your campsite. Pack light, and we'll do what we can to help you! Note that the upper, hike-in primitive sites are uphill from the unloading area and be prepared for that.
A: No, but if you have a primitive site, you can drive up and park closer long enough to unload and load your gear at the beginning and end of your stay. Meadow sites are less than 1 minute from the parking lot, so you can unload from the parking lot. If you choose a primitive site, you may need to haul your gear between 1 and at most 8 minutes to get to your campsite. Pack light, and we'll do what we can to help you! Note that the upper, hike-in primitive sites are uphill from the unloading area and be prepared for that.
CONFIDENCE ISSUES
Q: I haven't been active in NET for some time. Will I be able to keep up with more experienced NETs in the skills sessions?
A: No worries. We're structuring the sessions for all NETs - from new or less experienced NETs to NET veterans. AND you'll have a choice of sessions to suit your interests and needs. Toward this end we are calling our classes "Beyond Basic" rather than "Advanced."
A: No worries. We're structuring the sessions for all NETs - from new or less experienced NETs to NET veterans. AND you'll have a choice of sessions to suit your interests and needs. Toward this end we are calling our classes "Beyond Basic" rather than "Advanced."
ACCOMMODATION QUESTIONS
Q: What is an Adirondack?
A: An Adirondack is a single-room cabin with most of one side missing and no door. There are four bunks in each of our two Adirondacks: 2 on the back wall and 1 on each side, if you're peeking in the door. So each one sleeps 8. Our Adirondacks will be split - female identifying campers in one and male identifying campers in the other. The Adirondacks are up at the back of camp, but there is cell service up there, whereas there isn't from Rafters on down to and including the Lodge.
A: An Adirondack is a single-room cabin with most of one side missing and no door. There are four bunks in each of our two Adirondacks: 2 on the back wall and 1 on each side, if you're peeking in the door. So each one sleeps 8. Our Adirondacks will be split - female identifying campers in one and male identifying campers in the other. The Adirondacks are up at the back of camp, but there is cell service up there, whereas there isn't from Rafters on down to and including the Lodge.
Q: Are there showers and flush toilets available?
A: Yes, if you're in the Lodge or meadow camping, or if your campsite is near Pavy's. Note that this is a Girl Scout property, and therefore the women's facilities are large and the men's not so much. The Lodge has a large women's bathroom on the first floor, with several showers. The men's bathroom on the 1st floor has one shower. The bathroom upstairs in the Lodge mezzanine will be designated a men's bathroom also, but has no shower. Pavy's bathrooms have 2 showers and will be designated men's as well. There are also outhouses scattered generously about the entire camp; these have no running water.
A: Yes, if you're in the Lodge or meadow camping, or if your campsite is near Pavy's. Note that this is a Girl Scout property, and therefore the women's facilities are large and the men's not so much. The Lodge has a large women's bathroom on the first floor, with several showers. The men's bathroom on the 1st floor has one shower. The bathroom upstairs in the Lodge mezzanine will be designated a men's bathroom also, but has no shower. Pavy's bathrooms have 2 showers and will be designated men's as well. There are also outhouses scattered generously about the entire camp; these have no running water.
Q: I can't use stairs. Is there lift to the mezzanine of the Lodge, so I can stay overnight?
A: Yes! There is a wheelchair lift available for anyone who is physically unable to manage stairs, or who is in a wheelchair.
A: Yes! There is a wheelchair lift available for anyone who is physically unable to manage stairs, or who is in a wheelchair.
Q: The map doesn't mention a Lodge, and what is Marilyn's Place?
A: Marilyn's Place is the official name of the Lodge. It is the only Lodge on camp, so for simplicity's sake, we're calling it the Lodge.
A: Marilyn's Place is the official name of the Lodge. It is the only Lodge on camp, so for simplicity's sake, we're calling it the Lodge.
COMING AND GOING QUESTIONS
Q: Can I arrive or leave camp at any time?
A: Please plan to arrive and leave during arrival and departure times on the camp schedule. Mountaindale is a closed camp, meaning there's a gate and it's closed and locked from the outside unless the Ranger or Event Coordinator opens it. It opens automatically for people leaving, for safety. Therefore, arrival time for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are scheduled and camp staff will be posted at the gate during those times to let everyone in. Of course, we will not make you stay! If you need to leave, sign out with HQ so we don't send out a search party. And if you want to come back, we'll have a sign on the gate with the staff radio channel, you'll have the phone to the landline at HQ, and you may be able to buzz us from the gate. :)
A: Please plan to arrive and leave during arrival and departure times on the camp schedule. Mountaindale is a closed camp, meaning there's a gate and it's closed and locked from the outside unless the Ranger or Event Coordinator opens it. It opens automatically for people leaving, for safety. Therefore, arrival time for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are scheduled and camp staff will be posted at the gate during those times to let everyone in. Of course, we will not make you stay! If you need to leave, sign out with HQ so we don't send out a search party. And if you want to come back, we'll have a sign on the gate with the staff radio channel, you'll have the phone to the landline at HQ, and you may be able to buzz us from the gate. :)
If your question isn't answered here, please send it to us!
We will answer it and also add it to this FAQ.