The main sleeping facilities are two handicap accessible bunk halls with a total of 110 bunk beds. Each hall is temperature controlled, with public restrooms (toilet stalls separate from showering areas). It's worth noting that the bathrooms are super clean (we checked). There is a lounge in each building with a large screen television (to give you an idea of how "roughing it" things will get).
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| The main sleeping cabins |
Sleeping arrangements will be communal, but there should be more than enough space for everyone and if you RSVP your intention to spend the night, we'll make sure to carve out a slumber party corner for you and your friends.
We're not promising four-star, luxury accommodations, but if you would like someplace free and fun to stay, you’re more than welcome to join us! Check out the Suggested Attire page for some additional suggestions for overnight stay.
For those of us who prefer room service to roughing it, there are several hotels in the area. We’ve listed only a few.
Hotels
To the south/west
Hampton Inn & Suites ($$)
(860) 644-1732
1432 Pleasant Valley Rd
Manchester, CT 06042
Miles from camp: 16.7
Visit the website
Americas Best Value Inn ($)
(860) 643-1555
400 Tolland Turnpike
Manchester, CT 06042
Miles from camp: 10
Visit the website
To the east
Nathan Hale Inn & Conference Center ($$$)
(860) 427-7888 855
Bolton Rd Storrs, CT 06268
Miles from camp: 12.8
Visit the website
Best Western Regent Inn ($$)
(800) 568-8520
123 Storrs Road
Mansfield Center, Mansfield, CT 06250
Miles from camp: 12.7
Visit the website
Sights, Attractions, Things To Do
For more things to do in and around the Coventry area, check out this Pinterest board some interesting and fun person created:
https://www.pinterest.com/toongirl81/connecticut/
If you spend the night, then you will be in the area on a Sunday. If you are in the area on a Sunday, then there are only two things you should really be planning on doing:
1) Going to the Coventry Farmers Market
2) Going to the Mansfield Flea Market
The Coventry Farmers Market (CRFM) is held 11am - 2pm on the grounds of the historic Nathan Hale Homestead ("I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country," that guy) and it is a food lovers carnival. I mean, just look at it.
The freshest, most beautiful produce, locally made cheeses, lush flowers, jars brimming with honey, baskets brimming with soaps, racks full of felted bags, locally made pizza, grilled cheese, bbq, vegetable samosas, wine tastings, photography exhibits, live bands, and more knowledge about food preparation in one concentrated area than you can shake a stick at. Although you can try if you want. There are plenty of sticks laying around.
If you are a history buff, they offer tours of the Hale Homestead (and if you are a jewelry admirer, they sell jewelry made by local metalsmiths in the gift shop) and the Strong-Porter House next door. Or, if you are more interested in the trees, there are a network of trails that start at the Homestead and lead off into Nathan Hale Forest.
Really, the point is you can't go wrong here.
The Mansfield Flea Market is held 8:30am - 3pm on the grounds of the Mansfield Drive-In Movie Theater, and where the CRFM is a place to go to oogle beautiful, ephemeral foodstuffs, the Flea Market is where you go to oogle the bizarre and bizarrely tantalizing junk that just keeps getting second, and third, and forth lives.
If you like antiques, you can find them here. If you like a mishmash of yard sale items and vintage store clearance stock, you can find it all here. What you won't find for the most part are those booths selling brand new knockoff designer labels. Nothing in labeled boxes, very few things with price tags, but row after row after row of joyful bedlam. You want cheap vinyl? They've got it. You want used books? Vintage jewelry? Antique telescopes? They've got all of that. You want a blue wicker nightstand in the shape of an elephant? They don't have that anymore, my dad bought it.
Because its located in the back corner of Connecticut, prices usually range from reasonable to a total steal. Bring cash and a willingness to bargain and I guarantee you will go home with a score.
