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Are bed linens provided?They are not. As is typical with vacation rentals, renters bring their own bed sheets and towels (both bath and beach). Pillows, comforters, blankets, throw blankets, and some electric blankets are provided. The general practice of vacation rentals is for the renters to provide their own linens. If this is an issue for you let me know. Back to TopWhat are the sleeping arrangements?Konewago sleeps 8; a daybed is available in the living room for an extra guest. Kojoko sleeps 6. Kasita sleeps of 5 and has a futon in the living room for 2 extra guests. Kokaski sleeps 6.
Be sure to take a look at the pictures for each of the cabins. Back to TopWhat weeks are available?This is the most common question. It's also the toughest to answer since it's constantly changing. As of December 29, 2003 over half the summer is still available including the rental weeks for 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
If you want to plan a rental, talk to the others in your group and email me with a first and second choice. I will check my bookings and email you back immediately to let you know if your choice is available. Back to TopWhat does rustic mean?The cabins are rustic. If you are looking for a Marriott you came to the wrong place.
However, we have them professionally cleaned between each rental, so they're really quite nice to stay in.
There is, off course, hot and cold running water, a bathroom with shower, and a full kitchen in each cabin. Also, every cabin has a TV, VCR, and DVD player, books, coffee maker, blender, etc.
For the most part, the cabins have hardwood floors, exposed roof rafters, and exposed mellow wood walls. (Although some floors are carpeted, some of the walls are wood paneled, and some of the ceilings are enclosed.) Back to TopIs there a place for large meal gatherings?There are 2 dining areas in the main lodge (Konewago). The first is a nook off the kitchen that seats 8—ideal for the people sleeping in Konewago to eat alone. (It's also good for setting up a buffet.)
The second area is in the main room where the fireplace is. There is an 8 foot table near the south wall that butts up against the window seat. (There are 2 additional 8 foot tables.) You can easily accommodate 14 people for dinner with just 2 of the tables. There are enough chairs in Konewago without bringing any from the other cabins. (If you go over 14 people, however, you'll need to bring out the third 8 foot table and gather more chairs.)
You can also take the 8 foot folding tables outside to the picnic area near the outdoor hearth/grill. (Konewago's patio is easily accessible from the kitchen).
For the little ones, there are 2 high chairs and a pack-n-play. For kids that can sit on there own (2+), the window bench is great because you can pack them in and put an adult on either end to keep them in. Back to TopIs there a telephone?Camp Konewago has one phone line. Currently, it rings in Kojoko and Kasita. I have purchased a commercial 4 extension phone system with voicemail that we will be installing in the Spring. It allows you to call from one cabin to another. Each cabin will have its own voicemail. Outside callers can call the camp and dial the extension for the cabin they want to speak with.
The phone line for the camp restricts long distance calls. You'll need a calling card or to reverse charges to make outgoing calls outside the Waterford/Bridgton area. Back to TopHow much is the cleaning fee?The cleaning fee is $350. A professional cleaning service brings in a team to clean all 4 cabins.
It is renters responsibility to check out by 10AM, leaving the cabins reasonably clean—picked up, trash taken out, dishes washed, etc. The cleaning crew has a challenging time cleaning all four cabins on Saturday in the time between check out (10AM) and check in (3PM); so, please try to leave the cabins as you find them. Weeks are available first come first served. Nothing is held without the deposit. I am sure you can appreciate, it is the only way to do it. Back to TopHow is payment arranged?50% of the rental is due as a deposit. The balance of the rental fee, plus the cleaning fee and a $500 refundable deposit is due 60 days prior to your rental start. I accept PayPal transfers and personal checks. Ten days after your rental, the $500 security deposit, less any damages or missing items, will be returned. Back to TopCan we see the Camp now, before we decide to rent?Absolutely! I strongly encourage it. There is no better way for you to get a good understanding of the family compound than to see if first hand. We have a caretaker who lives 1 mile from the compound and, if we arrange in advance, he can take you around.
The property is very unique and difficult to describe; it's best seen first hand. The main room in the main lodge (Konewago) is simply amazing. Though we have only owned the property a short while, we've already had such great times up there with family and friends. So far, everyone who has gone up to see it has decided to rent it! Back to TopIs smoking permitted?Smoking is not permitted inside any of the cabins.
Konewago, Kasita, and Kokaski (but not Kojoko) all have covered porches where smokers can smoke and be protected from rain or the hot sun. And, of course, smokers can smoke anywhere outside. Back to TopIs there a lower rate for the "low season"?Yes. We the lower rate in June (weeks 23, 24, 25) and September (weeks 37, 38, 39) is $2400.
We spent a lot of time up there this fall doing work and relaxing (the canoe photo is me, my daughter and her friends the last weekend in Sept). It was warm enough to swim up to the 3rd week in Sept. Then, we had a cold snap and the leaves started to turn.
I really liked the camp in the fall, but it is a different experience. We are not renting prior to May 29, 2004 as we have work planned for April and May. Back to TopWhat plans do you have for Camp Konewago?My wife and I bought the compound as an investment from a relative of the original founder of the Konewago Girls Camp (1919). It had been in the same family for 84 years! We are spending $30,000 making improvements prior to opening for the 2004 season. (Some of the photos are dated, so don't let an ugly comforter turn you off!)
When you walk into the giant main room of the main cabin (Konewago) it's like walking onto a movie set for a cabin in Maine. The trim is all birch wood logs and the 2 story stone fireplace towers over the room. The photos we have do not do this room justice!
Our plans are to rent the compound in its entirety for the summers (basically forever). We're very interested in establishing repeat clients that want to re-rent year after year. In the Spring and Fall we plan to use the cabins ourselves for both R&R and to do work improving the facilities year after year. Back to TopWhat is the property like?The property is 4 wooded acres total, about 500 feet on each edge. It slopes significantly from the west down to shoreline on the east. (The west side eventually rises to become Mt. Tire'm.) The east side is bordered by Keoka Lake.
Passing through the property near the water's edge is the road—state route 35, also known as Waterford Road. (It's actually a meandering scenic byway with a speed limit of 35).
So, in the east, is Keoka Lake—450 feet of sandy entry wooded shoreline with our private dock; then, Waterford Road. After that, about 100-150 feet up the hill, is a flat area with the four cabins overlooking the lake. Beyond the cabins is more hill with the property ending at a private road (Pine Tree Drive) that runs along the western edge of the property. The private road intersects with the Waterford Road at an angle, about 1/2 mile down, where the public beach and town boat ramp for Keoka Lake are.
The compound is very private. There is only one neighbor anywhere nearby (but you can't see his house from the camp). Looking east from any of the four cabins, you look out through the trees onto the lake.
You can easily walk into "down town" Waterford (Waterford Flats) from the camp. Downtown Waterford is actually about a dozen 200 year old homes including the Artemus Ward House, a church, a library, the Lake House Inn (with a gourmet restaurant), a B&B, and a real-estate office. It's the perfect New England village and has not really changed in 200 years. Back to TopWhat is the beach/waterfront like?When you rent Camp Konewago, you and your guests get exclusive use of our private dock and 450 feet of wooded lakefront. To access the dock and waterfront, you walk down the hill and cross the road. We keep our 2 canoes at the dock and our sunfish tied to our mooring nearby. These boats are for your exclusive use.
At the end of the dock is a swim ladder. Next to the dock are 3 steps that lead into the water. As the real-estate professionals like to say, it is a "sandy bottom, gradual entry" area of the lake. Here's what it means: when you step in, you can stand there and the water comes up to about your knee, and from there you can wade out into the water. You can dive off the end of the dock too.
However, we do not own a beach. There is no place to make sand castles on our land. For that you need to walk to the town beach, less than a mile from camp. The town beach is a small public beach. On hot summer days there will be other people there. The town beach has a town dock and town boat ramp.
Are powerboats allowed on the lake?
There are no restrictions on Keoka Lake. You can powerboat, water-ski, jet-ski, etc. If you have your own powerboat, you may bring it and keep it on our dock during your stay. If you wish to rent one, you can contact a local marina and make arrangements. Other than the town boat ramp, there are no boating facilities on the lake (marinas, gas, etc.).
Keoka Lake is about 1 mile by 1 mile. It's big enough to water-ski on, but not so big that it draws a lot of powerboaters. It is a relatively quiet lake. Back to Top |
Page last modified: 08/09/05 |
