The College Camp on Wilson Pond

College Camp History

The College Camp on Wilson Pond has a rich history. Purchased by President Wallace E. Mason in 1929, the camp has been an important part of KSC students’ and others’ social activities for many years. A unique feature of the camp is the geographic fireplace, which was built in 1937. Students, faculty, alumni, and friends contributed stones from throughout New England, the United States, and Europe to create the now-famous fireplace. The camp was nearly sold in the late 1960s, but President Leo Redfern and alumni rallied to save it. The College Camp remains a beloved gathering place for members of the KSC and wider community.

The Camp Today

The College Camp underwent a complete renovation in 1999, which increased its appeal as a gathering place. The camp is an excellent spot for student meetings, alumni events, and business retreats. The camp building is equipped with comfortable furniture, an electric fireplace, conference tables, a complete kitchen, and wireless internet. Additional media equipment is the responsibility of the renter. Also, the camp is accessible to anyone with a disability.

The 100-seat outdoor pavilion offers an idyllic setting for weddings, and is the perfect location for class reunions and student picnics. There are 2 BBQ grills for your use. The wooded grounds offer many possibilities for recreation and relaxation.

Scheduling Procedures

General Questions
For more information about renting the College Camp, please please contact the KSC Event Scheduling Office at 603-358-2359 or via e-mail at scheduling@keene.edu.

Reservations
To submit a formal reservation request for the College Camp, please e-mail scheduling@keene.edu with the following information:

• First and last name of renter
• Day of event contact phone number
• Event name (EX - picnic; birthday party, etc)
• Event type - College Camp on Wilson Pond
• Anticipated event attendance
• Requested event date(s)
• Requested event time - PLEASE NOTE: Camp Hours are 8:00am-10:00pm

Our current rate structure is below:

•High Season Rates (May-Oct) Weekday (M-F) $200 Weekend (Sa-Su) $400

•Low Season Rates (Nov-April) Weekday (M-F) $150 Weekend (Sa-Su) $300

Please note that this is the complete rate structure for all groups. For the duration of the global pandemic, cancellation fees will be waived for any events that need to be cancelled due to social distancing requirements.

Space Use Policies

Location
The College Camp is located at 19 Page Court, Swanzey, NH, 03446, just a few miles south of the KSC campus. Take Main Street south from Keene; which becomes Route 12 south. Turn right on Route 32. Follow Route 32 past the airport (on your right) and Wilson Pond (on your left). Approximately 200 yards past the end of the pond turn left onto Safford Drive. Safford Drive leads you to a stop sign intersection. Turn left here and proceed 100 yards. The camp will be on your right.

Building Access
In consideration of the surrounding residential neighborhood all events must end by 10:00 pm, to include emptying trash and vacating the premises. The earliest the camp can be accessed on the day of the reservation is 8:00 am. Please pick up the key in the reception area of the Alumni Center the day of your reservation, or the day prior if your event begins early morning. The Alumni Center is open from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday only. If your event is on a weekend, please retrieve the key on Friday, and return the following Monday.

It is important to note that the KSC College Camp is in use nearly every day. Therefore, groups may visit the camp only on the day of their reservation. Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in the cancellation of your reservation. If you would like to visit the camp for planning purposes on a date prior to your event, please note that an open house is held on the first Monday of every month (barring a holiday) from 6 - 7 PM. Please contact the Scheduling Office if you would like to attend.

Accommodations
The camp building, pavilion, and grounds accommodate up to 200 people. However, there is only enough parking for 50 cars in the lot. Cars can park on the side of Page Court, well off the road, to allow passage of emergency vehicles. The maximum occupancy of the lodge is 50 seated and 70 standing. Tables and chairs for 50 are available for your use. You must supply your own audiovisual equipment. The pavilion has enough picnic-table seating for 100 people, including 2 cut-outs for wheelchairs.

Camp Attributes

• The College does not supply any media equipment at the camp. There is wireless internet available to you. Instructions for use of the Wi-Fi are posted throughout the camp. Acquiring any other necessary media equipment is the responsibility of the renter(s).

• There are ten 6 ft. tables and 30 folding chairs in the utility closet. There are also two 6 ft. wooden tables on the 4 season porch with 10 chairs each. Acquiring any other necessary furniture is the responsibility of the renter(s). Under the outdoor pavilion there are ten 8 ft. picnic tables. They can be moved if necessary; however, they must be returned to their original location at the conclusion of the event.

• There are 2 BBQ grills for your use. Please be sure to empty the coals from the grills into the ash bucket located under the sink area in the pavilion.

• Should you choose to rent a tent, it must be constructed and taken down on the day of your event. Having tents up the day before or after the event will require the rental of an additional day or more. Tents over 400 square feet in size are subject to permitting and inspection through the Office of the State Fire Marshal per Informational Bulletin 2017-02. Most tent rental companies in the area are aware of these new procedures; however, it is recommended the renter confirm the tent rental company can comply with these regulations.

• Pavilion Lights: The switch to the pavilion lights is located inside the camp in the large closet at the bottom of the stairs. The switch is to the left as you enter.

• In the pavilion, there are three 4-outlet electrical boxes; 2 at the far end of the pavilion, and 1 at the sink/bar area.

• Responsibility of the Renter - The renter is responsible for returning all furniture to its original location both inside the camp and the pavilion. All trash barrels both inside and out are to be emptied into the dumpster located in the rear of the parking lot.

Catering
For your catering needs, please visit the website of Keene State’s Catering Department, which is the exclusive catering service for all property owned by Keene State. Their varied menu will please any group! As a NH State liquor licensed business, they will be happy to provide bar service for your event at which they also provide food. For menu selections, please visit our catering page. For further details, or to order service, please contact the Keene State Catering Department at 603-358-2676.

Alcohol

You may not bring your own alcohol to the College Camp. You must hire KSC Catering for bar service.

Please contact the Keene State Catering Department at 603-358-2676 if you would like to contract bar service in addition to your food service.

Prohibited
The use of chalk, paint, glue, glitter, confetti, staples and/or tacks of any kind inside the camp or on the Pavilion is PROHIBITED. Any approved items that you use for your event must be removed at the end of your rental. The use of candles is PROHIBITED both inside and outside of the camp. The use of fireworks is PROHIBITED. Please note - in keeping with Keene State College policy, NO DOGS are allowed on the property, unless a service animal.