What to Bring to Camp
You’ll be living in the redwood forest for eight nights, and there are things you’ll want to bring. For example, it is imperative that you have a flashlight and replacement batteries – either a headlamp or small pocket-sized version – to walk safely at night in the many unlit areas of camp. But there are many other things you’ll want to consider, so check out Dana’s List! Thoughtfully compiled over the years by one of our regular campers, Dana Dubinsky, it’s comprehensive!
Getting Around
- You may bring a bicycle to ride between camps on the main road (but bikes MUST be walked on paths). It is roughly one mile from Camp One to Camp Three, and another quarter mile to Camp Two.
- To prevent dust and shuttle bus encounters, no driving is permitted once you’re settled in camp. When you arrive, you’ll drive to where you need to unload your gear, and then move to park in central parking areas for the duration of camp. The road is a well-managed, single lane with small passing areas.
- There are free shuttles! There are shuttle stops throughout the park, and they run from 8:00 am till 3:00 am, so you won’t miss all the late night fun and find yourself walking in the dark. If you have large instruments to haul to workshops, you’ll love the shuttles.
Resources
AT CAMP: We have one or more instrument stores at camp for you to buy instruments, strings, picks, etc. Lark in the Morning music store will be in Camp One. Jason Cool will have his Musical Instrument Library in Camp Three. Often you can find instruments and tune books at both Swap Meets – see Events.
Restorative massage is always available at Lark Camp thanks to several Licensed or Certified Massage Therapists who come each year. You’ll find sign-up sheets for appointments at the dining halls. By the way – while at camp we all operate on “Lark Time”, but please be considerate of the therapists – honor your appointments, or offer to pay if you miss yours!
There is no WiFi at Camp. It’s frustrating…and kind of wonderful. Phone reception is VERY limited. If you know you need to phone home, you can search online for “domestic calling cards for pay phones” to purchase phone cards and use the pay phones in Camps One and Two.
BEFORE AND AFTER CAMP: In the town of Mendocino, there are several restaurants, but Larkies are awfully fond of getting coffee and treats before camp, and breakfast the morning we leave camp at the GoodLife Bakery & Cafe. If you realize you forgot your toothbrush or other grocery/sundry item, Harvest Market at Mendosa’s will have what you need, and they own Mendocino Hardware right next door for anything else you might need on the spur of the moment!
Lark Camp Music Library
You can find music notation and links to audio recordings for tunes that have been taught at Lark Camp in the past. It may not contain every instructor’s material, but if they’ve told you you’ll be able to find it on the website, dis is da place!
Pesky Pests
Lark Camp regularly has these pesky things:
- Mosquitoes are numerous – we cannot lie. The product that works most reliably is DEET, but many people have good luck with other repellents. Covering up with clothing helps, too.
- Poison oak – Not everyone has a reaction, but poison oak plants have an irritating oil that can produce swelling and blisters where it has made contact with your skin. You’ll want to educate yourself and your kids about its appearance; groups of three leaves can be shiny or dull, and green or red. The most important thing to do if you’ve gotten oil on your skin from contact with the plant, is to wash – use soap (which dissolves the oil) AND friction ASAP. Carefully remove clothing that has contacted the plants and save it to wash when you get home. For some folks, poison oak reactions can be severe enough to warrant a visit to a doctor for a steroid prescription. The best medicine: avoidance!
- Dust – well, you’re outdoors. Dust is unavoidable! The Mendocino Woodlands does its best to minimize airborne dust, but if you’re particularly sensitive, proactively following your regular allergy protocols will keep you comfortable.
“Vashon Poison Oak” by DavidDennisPhotos.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
