This page has everything you need to get ready for this year's camping trip to Acadia National Park in Maine. It's a work in progress so feedback is welcome. Send questions, comments, and suggestions to Betty (brian@passingfocus.net). Stay updated with the latest information by subscribing to the Camping Crew mailing list (camping-crew@passingfocus.net). Simply send an empty email to camping-crew-subscribe@passingfocus.net. All important messages regarding the trip will/should be sent to this list.

Quick Links

• Roster
• Logistics (dates, money, transportation, directions)
• Menu
• Personal Gear
• Group Gear

We have eight campers going on the trip. Everyone needs a "tent buddy" since our three sites are for two 2-person tents. Here's the breakdown:

• Betty and Megan
• Brian and Allison
• Greg and Jason
• Mike and Cindi

Dates/Times

The trip will be August 25 to August 27. This year is a bit different as Betty and Megan will already be camping in Acadia the week prior to these dates. The rest of the crew will be leaving on Friday morning at 10:30 AM from Greg's house in Amesbury (see below). We will all return on Sunday around 7:00 PM.

Address:

111 Highland Street
Amesbury, MA 01913

Click here for a map

Directions:

1. Take I-95 North to exit 58B onto Route 110 West towards Amesbury
2. Continue on Route 110 West through 3 stoplights
3. After the 3rd stoplight bear right onto Highland Street
4. Come to a yield sign - number 111 is straight ahead (look for with Bubbles in the driveway)

Note from Greg: "Google Maps often places Boston drivers onto I-495; while an acceptable route, it's a little bit longer, and I don't recommend it."

Money

The costs for the trip will be based on campground fees, transportation, and food. All money will be due on August 25 upon arrival in Acadia. The chart below lists the various costs and the grand total per person for the trip.

¹ Based on one vehicle per campsite
² Based on one vehicle per campsite and an estimated 20 MPG and a price of $3.50/gallon
³ Estimated based on receipts from last year's trip and this year's menu
⁴ Estimated based on last year's trip

Transportation

Who's driving who? Sign-up if you can drive or contact a driver if you need a ride (each driver's name links to his/her email address).

• The Meganmobile (leaving August 20)
  1. Megan
  2. Betty
• Bubbles
  1. Greg
  2. Jason
• X
  1. Mike
  2. Cindi
  3. Brian
  4. Allison

Directions

We have two options according to the Acadia web site:

• I-95 north to Augusta, Maine; from Augusta take Route 3 east to Ellsworth and on to Mount Desert Island.
• I-95 north to Bangor, Maine; from Bangor take Route 1A east to Ellsworth; from Ellsworth take Route 3 to Mount Desert Island.

Last year we took the first option but Google Maps seems to prefer the second (click here for detailed directions). It might be another "gameday decision" this year! :)

Here is the suggested menu. The plans for food shopping and preparation have not been finalized. Betty and Megan may be able to do some of the shopping in Bar Harbor while the rest of the crew is traveling north on Friday. Email Betty if you can help or have suggestions.

• Friday
  • Breakfast - a quick stop along the drive north
  • Lunch - stop along the drive north
  • Dinner - marinated chicken strips, garden salad, potato and/or macaroni salad
• Saturday
  • Breakfast - bagels & cream cheese, fruit salad, yogurt
  • Lunch - sandwiches - peanut butter & jelly, fruit, trail mix
  • Dinner - restaurant in Bar Harbor
• Sunday
  • Breakfast - French toast (with real and pseudo maple syrup), sausages
  • Lunch - sandwich shop in Bar Harbor
  • Dinner - stop along the drive south
• Snacks
  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Oranges
  • Assorted melons (watermelon, honeydew, cantalope) and berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
  • Trail mix
  • S'mores ingredients
  • Orange juice
  • Milk
  • Water
  • Iced-tea and fruit punch drink mix (hot and cold)
• Kitchen Items/Other
  • Plastic forks and knives
  • Paper plates
  • Paper towels
  • Non-stick cooking spray
  • Aluminum foil
  • Gladware
  • Ice
  • Sandwich bags
  • Trash bags
  • Hand sanitizer

This is a recommended list of personal gear for everyone to bring. Two things to notice:

1. Swimsuit was intentionally left off the list since the water temperature will probably be around 55°F!
2. Tents are now considered personal gear so coordinate with your tent buddy to make sure you have a roof over your heads!

Email the group if you are missing a particular piece of equipment. Several campers have extra gear that they are willing to share.

Extra clothes Sweatshirt/pants (it will get cool at night) Towel (for showers) Rain gear (a poncho is your best bet - it takes up very little space and costs only a couple dollars) Sunscreen Hat/sunglasses Flashlight (headlamps work great) Tent Air mattress or sleeping pad (the ground in the campsite is now very hard) Sleeping bag Pillow Toiletries (soap optional for showers - there might be some already in the stalls) Plastic mug/cup (for meals) Large water bottle (for hiking) Small backpack (for hiking) Insect repellant Pocketknife Folding chair Camera Games, cards, etc.

This is the list of equipment we'll need for the whole group. Please sign-up if you can bring a particular item.