PACKING for KETTLE POND

 

GENERAL THOUGHTS

 

Kettle Pond aims to provide everything that our writers will need during their week with us, other than basic personal items (clothing, toiletries, and writing supplies). We strongly encourage anyone attending the conference to at least take a look at the list below. We've heard from some that it's overkill, but we have also lent coats (and socks, and pants...) to many of those critics.

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All writers, but especially those with limited packing space, are also encouraged to keep in mind that laundry is included in tuition, and easily accessible in campus housing. Whenever possible, Kettle Pond staff will connect writers sharing apartments in advance of conference week so they may coordinate on packing for their shared kitchens & common spaces, if they wish. Past attendees have brought along coffee makers, tea kettles, guitars, twinkle lights, fishing equipment, and more. While nothing outside the essentials is necessary to join, enjoy, and take part in our community, we encourage attendees to bring along whatever they need to be comfortable.

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CLOTHING TIPS

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The most important thing to keep in mind when packing for Kettle Pond is the weather in the Adirondacks, which can be quite erratic in June. We advise our writers to pack as we do: plan for three seasons of weather, hope for fewer. 

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• lightweight layer -- sweater, sweatshirt, fleece, etc

• jacket(s) -- light &/or mid-weight

• long pants 

• raincoat &/or umbrella

• sturdy, water-resistant shoes

• comfortable walking shoes or sandals

• summer clothing -- lightweight pants, shirts, skirts, shorts, skorts, dresses, etc

  • we don’t mean to scare anyone with the weather warnings; it will probably feel like summer most of the week, but we shall see

• shower sandals and/or slippers 

• pajamas/sweats 

• robe (see bedding & housewares)

• hiking and/or gym clothes 

  • writers have access to Paul Smith’s campus gym & recreation facilities, as well as all the trails at the VIC

• swimsuit or paddling clothing

  • for kayak/canoe use, swimming, or just sitting by the lake

• yoga mat​

  • a limited number of campus yoga mats will be available for writers to borrow during the week if they wish

  • we aim to offer yoga classes each summer, but cannot guarantee this yet (historically some form of yoga or something yoga-adjacent has always worked out, and we feel relatively confident that will be the case again in 2025)

• hat(s) – sun hat, knit hat, favored hat

• sunglasses​

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LIFE in CAMPUS HOUSING

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While we aim to provide all that our writers will need, we are the first to admit the linens and towels provided in campus housing are quite basic, and the shared kitchens are not stocked with anything at all – no dishes, or other equipment (though they all contain a refrigerator, stove, and oven). 

 

• personal toiletries & any medications

  • some very basic staples are available in the campus bookstore, though it is not open on weekends/during the first two days of the conference (there is a small market ~5 miles away) 

  • the closest pharmacy is in Saranac Lake (~13 miles away)

• allergy medication, sunscreen, bug spray &/or anti-bite ​

  • it's June in the North Country

• backpack, satchel, or tote bag

  • a waterproof option or rain fly could be helpful if you plan on hiking or paddling

• headlamp, flashlight, or lantern

  • walkways on campus are lit, but there are beautiful hiking trails around campus where a flashlight might be useful at night​​

• warm blanket/sleeping bag

  • the college provides thin blankets, and dorms are heated, though the system is designed to heat up very slowly and isn’t suited to quick changes in settings should the weather shift

• one fitted sheet/twin xl sheet set 

  • the college provides biodegradable sheets; they are perfectly comfortable though certainly not luxurious

• extra pillow & pillowcase 

  • the college provides one waterproof (read: comfortable enough, but weird) pillow & one biodegradable pillowcase per resident

• bath/beach towel

  • one bath towel and one hand towel are provided to all writers, however they are very basic, and quite small; this is probably the luxury you’ll enjoy the most (and can double as a picnic blanket!)

• hangers

  • we actually have a bunch of these we've collected over the years, but first come = first served

• laundry detergent/supplies

  • laundry is free and available in campus housing, no coins or cards needed

  • writers working with limited packing space, in particular, are encouraged to keep this perk in mind

• handsoap 

  • we also have some of these, but again first come = first served

• dish soap & sponge

  • and/or dishwasher soap/pods; dishwashers are available in all dormitory housing​

• some kind of cup (e.g. a mug, water bottle, camp cup, etc)

• misc. kitchen items

  • spork, silverware, cooking implements

  • straw, bottle/can opener, corkscrew

  • small pot or pan

  • electric kettle or coffee maker

  • food storage container/s (takeout containers are sometimes available in the campus dining hall, though they have a tendency to disappear by midweek)

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WRITING & MISCELLANY

 

• printed or downloaded directions to Paul Smith's College

  • cell service is spotty (or worse, depending on how much time you spend in Vermont) along the way; writers driving to Kettle Pond are almost assured to lose their GPS connections for some period of time

• driver license, passport, or other ID

  • Paul Smith’s is within 100 miles of the Canadian border, which means it is under the jurisdiction of Border Patrol – this means it’s possible drivers & passengers traveling by car to the conference will encounter a checkpoint on their journey as they approach campus

  • we haven’t encountered any checkpoints on this journey since 2018, but we urge writers to be prepared for that possibility (and to let staff know upon registration so we may be better able to assist others as they make their way toward us)​

• cash

  • an ATM is available on campus; the evening bar is cash only

• phone & charger

  • again, cell service is sometimes spotty, but wifi is free and available throughout the main campus and in campus housing; writers without service may find it their best option to make calls & stay in touch while at Kettle Pond

• laptop & charger

  • computers are available in the library during limited hours

• analog writing supplies: pens, pencils, paper, notebook, etc

• recreational gear

  • woodsy: kayak, canoe, fishing rod, binoculars, etc​

  • artsy: camera, musical instrument, watercolors, divination tools, etc

• headphones​

• extension cord/plug strip

• printer & data cable

  • writers who wish to bring a printer are more than welcome to do so, but should be advised they will not be able to network it on Paul Smith's wifi and must bring an appropriate cable​/dongle/etc

  • printing is available on campus though library hours are limited in summer; Kettle Pond staff can help with printing in creative emergencies​

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A printable version of this list, with any updates, and formatted as a checklist, will be distributed to registered writers prior to conference week.