First Time Questions

[John Sand]

I'm interested in attending the assembly this year.
Can we grill onsite? I can bring my own grill. I have some dietary issues and might not be able to eat some of the cafeteria food.
Is there a separate charge for demonstrations?
How close is the nearest town? If my wife joins me she's going to want to do more than canoe all weekend. Is there wifi and good cell reception? That's for my wife too.

 

[Benson Gray]

I've forwarded your grilling question to Annie since I don't know if that has come up before. The answer is probably yes since students do things like that occasionally. I believe that there is a flat daily rate for most demonstrations. Some activities have a separate additional fee for supplies. The town of Saranac Lake is about 12 miles or 15 minutes away according to Google Maps. Lake Placid is bigger and over 21 miles or around 30 minutes. The dorms and most of the green have reasonable WiFi reception. The cellular coverage is generally good but there can be a few dead spots depending on your carrier. I think that you both will enjoy it.

Benson

 

[Todd F]

John, due to family things I will not be able to attend this years Assembly. While I of course highly anticipated a great time I am disappointed and will look forward to any recommendations post Assembly. I had planned to sleep in the bed of my truck under a modified camping arrangement, no power or plumbing requirements, and enjoy the fresh air and pleasing sounds. I have friends in the area but hoped to be in the mix of the WCHA full time. I look forward to hearing how your camping turns out.

 

[John Sand]

John, due to family things I will not be able to attend this years Assembly. While I of course highly anticipated a great time I am disappointed and will look forward to any recommendations post Assembly. I had planned to sleep in the bed of my truck under a modified camping arrangement, no power or plumbing requirements, and enjoy the fresh air and pleasing sounds. I have friends in the area but hoped to be in the mix of the WCHA full time. I look forward to hearing how your camping turns out.

Thanks Todd. I think camping would be too much for Jane, and I haven't done any in years. I just want to cook outside.

 

[MGC]

Tupper Lake has been up and coming in recent years. The Wild Center is a very popular attraction. That's about half an hour away from PS.
Saranac does not have as much to offer but it's easy to spend a day in LP. The Olympic Centre is open year-round and there are beaux coupes shops in town.
Probably not on most assembly folks radar, but Ottawa and Montreal are only a few hours away. Montreal is a bit closer but a day trip to Ottawa can be fun. There are quite a few outstanding museums there including the Canadian Museum of Nature.
A bit closer and quite interesting if you are into the Seaway Valley history is Upper Canada Village.
Or, the Seaway is also pretty interesting. There is a visitor center. It's fun to watch the ships in the locks. The Robert Moses power dam tours are also a good way to spend a few hours. That's about an hour away from PS.
And for the real paddling adventurer, there is nothing else quite like running the section of the St. Lawrence through the Iroquois Dam. Put in at Lisbon beach and run down to Waddington. Bring your fishing pole.

 

[Annie Burke]

I'm interested in attending the assembly this year.
Can we grill onsite? I can bring my own grill. I have some dietary issues and might not be able to eat some of the cafeteria food.
Is there a separate charge for demonstrations?
How close is the nearest town? If my wife joins me she's going to want to do more than canoe all weekend. Is there wifi and good cell reception? That's for my wife too.

Hi John,
Benson has answered most of your questions. I'm sure we can find a spot for your portable grill. If nothing else, you can park your vehicle in the "RV area" and grill there. Most of the dorms have kitchens as well.
Feel free to email me at annie@wcha.org if you have any more questions.

 

[John Sand]

Thank you all!

 

[JClearwater]

John, My wife Jean and I will be "camping" in the parking lot with our trailer for the full Assembly so if you and your wife want to bring your grill around maybe we could eat together one night.
See you there.
Jim & Jean

 

[Rob Stevens]

Sorry, I have been away, up north, so not checking this Forum daily.

LOCAL INTERESTS, ATTRACTIONS & EVENTS:

Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation;
https://www.adkloon.org/

Adirondack Experience (formerly Adirondack Museum);
ADKX preserves and interprets the diverse stories of Adirondak history, culture and people
https://www.theadkx.org/
NOTE: 60 miles / 1.25 hrs drive from PSC

Paul Smith’s College Visitor’s Interpretive Centre (VIC);
https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/
Trails, natural history programs & displays.
Check the VIC Events calendar; https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/events/
NOTE: 3 minutes drive / 1.1 miles from Paul Smith’s College

Six Nations Iroquois Cultural Centre;
3,000+ Native American artifacts with an emphasis on Six Nations/Haudenosaunee culture, including informational displays and storytelling lectures
https://www.6nicc.com/
NOTE: 12 minute / 9.1 mile drive from PSC

White Pine Camp;
http://www.whitepinecamp.com/
Restored ADK Great Camp, once the summer White House of President Calvin Coolidge.
(Tour video; https://whitepinecamp.com/videotour.html )

St. Regis Canoe Area;
http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/70572.html

Hike Mt. St. Regis;
http://www.saranaclake.com/recreation/hiking/st-regis-mountain
http://www.summitpost.org/saint-regis-mountain/155121
Note; Challenging terrain, strenuous activity. Consider your physical condition, check the weather, bring water and wear appropriate footwear.

Northern Forest Canoe Trail;
http://www.northernforestcanoetrail.org/

Town of Saranac Lake;
https://www.saranaclake.com/

Town of Tupper Lake; https://www.tupperlake.com/

The Wild Center (Tupper Lake); http://wildcenter.org/
115 acres of outdoor experiences

Town of Lake Placid; https://www.lakeplacid.com/