Rental Policies & Camp Rules

Payments, Deposits, and Cancellation

Deposit

A $50 non-refundable deposit per unit reserved (or full rental fee if less than $100) is due immediately upon confirming your reservation. If we do not receive your deposit within 1 week (7 calendar days) we reserve the right to cancel your reservation and give your unit to another group.

A non-refundable $500 deposit for events reserving the entire campground and weddings.

Payment

We accept cash and checks payable to “Friends of Golden Pond” for rentals. A $45 processing fee may be charged for checks returned by the bank for non-sufficient funds (NSF checks).

Full payment for your rental is due no later than 4 weeks prior to your rental. Failure to submit full payment may result in the cancellation of your rental.

We ask that you notify us no less than 48 hours before your check-in time for any additional items. Payment for additional items will be due 24 hours before your stay.

Cancellations

Cancellation notices submitted no later than 4 weeks prior to the event start forfeit their deposit and any paid rental fees.

Cancellation notices submitted no later than 8 weeks prior to the event start forfeit their deposit. 

We do not take rain checks except for extreme weather – all sites have shelters available.

Should we cancel your event due to severe weather that would render your site unsafe or other events outside our control, we will either reschedule your event or offer a refund. 

Standard Reservation Times

Our standard reservation times are check-in happens at 3:00 PM and check-out time is Noon. Earlier check-in times or later check-out times can be arranged for a fee of $100.

Wedding Reservations

We welcome your wedding reservations. As of September 1, 2022, our wedding reservations are now only whole camp rentals for $3000. This will ensure the privacy you will need for your event. The price includes trash fee, use of the commercial kitchen, summer lodging for up to 213 beds and winter lodging for 120 beds. Wedding check-in times are Noon for the day prior to your event and check-out will be 3:00 PM on the day following your event. See the section below on what is required for alcohol consumption. A $500 non-refundable deposit is due immediately upon confirming your reservation. If we do not receive your deposit within 1 week (7 calendar days) we reserve the right to cancel your reservation and give your unit to another group.

Check out

Our standard rental agreements state that you shall leave the camp in the condition in which you found it. This means that prior to check out you need to:

  • Wash all dishes, pots, pans, etc. and put away where you found them

  • Clean bathrooms (toilets, sinks, counters, etc.)

  • Sweep floors and porches

  • Legacy and Palmer: mop if needed

  • Serendipity: Close and secure all tent flaps

  • Unit II: Open all window shades

  • Stack all mattresses in the manner in which you found them:

    • Legacy: mattresses get stacked neatly in the lofts

    • Palmer and Serendipity: mattresses get stood on end in the bunks

    • Unit II and Wald: mattresses get stacked neatly on the tables (do NOT leave in bunks)

We are an all-volunteer organization. Your assistance in keeping our camp clean helps keep our rental fees low.

What You Should Bring

Unless your rental agreement specifies otherwise, you can use the following guidance when packing for your trip:

You will FIND your unit stocked with the following items:

  • Toilet paper (large groups should bring extra)

  • Trash bag in each can

  • Mattresses for each bed

  • Miscellaneous pots, pans, and kitchen tools. For a detailed list of what is in your unit or to request specific items, you may contact us. Chances are we have whatever you want, but we won’t make sure it is in your unit unless you ask.

Groups should BRING the following items with them:

  • All bedding materials – sleeping bags, pillows, sheets, blankets.

  • Trash bags (please replace what you use)

  • Toilet paper (please replace what you use)

  • Cleaning supplies

  • Hand towels

  • Bath towels

  • Food, snacks, and ice

  • Dish/hand soap

  • Any kitchen supplies you consider critical. We guarantee at least one pot/pan and a kitchen utensil unless you make a specific arrangement in advance.

  • Flashlights / lanterns

  • Matches

Do NOT bring the following items to camp:

  • Styrofoam

  • Fireworks or other explosives

  • Hazardous materials

  • Accelerants such as gasoline, kerosene, or lighter fluid

  • Firewood from home (we can supply firewood for a fee or feel free to use any downed wood)

  • Watercrafts from home

We strongly encourage groups to be zero waste.

Camp Rules

Fishing

Fishing is permitted at Camp Golden Pond. Fish may be harvested and kept.

Groups should have a competent facilitator to provide proper instruction to their members.

Youth groups looking for fishing facilitators can contact either Trout Unlimited or the PA Fish and Boat Commission. The State College YMCA will also let groups borrow fishing equipment.

Wildlife

Do not harass the wildlife. This includes the salamanders, deer, osprey, opossums, bear, foxes, geese, and other creatures that inhabit the camp property and surrounding woods. If you wish to examine the salamanders up-close, you may catch them in a bucket or other container, and then release them back into the lake. Do NOT handle them with your bare hands as this can hurt them. We have VERY active wildlife in camp, please do not prop open doors to the buildings, you may find friends visiting your food or your lodging.  It’s important to remember that you are visiting their home.  Please respect the wildlife and they will respect you during your visit.

Food

All food must be secured in locked containers in the kitchen areas. Please keep all food (including chewing gum) outside of the individual unit cabins. If any evidence of food (crumbs, wrappers, etc) is found inside a cabin after you depart, a $75 cleaning and repair fee per unit will be charged to your group. Thank you for helping us keep nature outside!

Waste

Store all waste in the provided trash receptacles at your unit pavilion until your group checks out of camp. At that point, you will take all your trash with you. You may use our dumpster in the parking lot to properly dispose of your trash. Recyclables do not need to be separated.

Fires

Campfires are only permitted inside established fire pits.

Firewood

You are also welcome to burn any downed wood you find. We can supply you with a bow saw for a fee of $5/saw. We are willing to supply you with firewood upon request at your site. This firewood is available by the wheelbarrow full for a cost of $20 each. Do NOT bring wood in from outside the camp.

Pets

Pets must be under the control of their owner at all times. This means that if your pet does NOT come on first call EVERY time, it must be on a leash. The owner is responsible for removing (and taking with them) all waste from their pet. The outdoor spaces are shared by a wide variety of groups and wildlife. If your pet is ill-behaved or otherwise disturbs or harasses other groups or wildlife, you will be asked to remove it from the camp property. Pets are NOT permitted inside ANY buildings on the camp property. A $75 cleaning fee will be charged if evidence of pets is found inside any buildings. Friends of Golden Pond is not responsible if your pet encounters wildlife while on the camp property or harms other guests. If you intend on bringing a pet, please let us know,

Alcohol

Unless your rental agreement specifically allows alcohol for your event, alcohol is not permitted at Camp Golden Pond. Groups with liquor liability insurance may request an alcohol waiver for their event. Groups serving alcohol must abide by all state laws and regulations and have a RAMP-certified bartender. Please notify us of your intent to serve alcohol when making your reservation.

Hunting

Unless your rental agreement specifically states otherwise, hunting is prohibited at Camp Golden Pond. ATVs and other recreational motorized vehicles are prohibited.

Swimming

We do not allow swimming, wading or swamping of canoes.

Watercraft

Canoes and kayaks are available for rental for a fee. Watercraft activities are available April 1-October 15.

Groups may use our equipment at their own risk with the agreement of a waiver. Friends of Golden Pond can provide a facilitator for a fee of $20/hour for youth group rentals and $30/hour for non-youth rentals.

Archery Range

Archery range and equipment is available for rental for a fee. The archery range is available April 1-October 15.

Groups must have a certified facilitator to provide proper instruction to their members. Friends of Golden Pond can provide a facilitator for a fee of $20/hour for youth group rentals and $30/hour for non-youth rentals.

Shared Spaces

Unless you have rented the entire camp, you may find yourself sharing space with other groups. Please be courteous and respectful of other guests. Groups renting a specific unit have exclusive right to that unit including all cabins, the fire pit, and the kitchen pavilion. Camp quiet hours are between 10 PM each evening until 7 AM the following morning. Camp activities such as the gaga pit, canoeing and archery may be utilized between the hours of 8 AM – 8 PM.

Parking and Vehicles

Groups may keep ONE car at each unit. All other cars should be parked in the main parking lot. Having multiple vehicles parked at a unit will block access by emergency services. Parking along the camp road or on the grass is strictly prohibited. Driving on the camp road should be limited to group leaders during check-in and check-out. While we would prefer to keep the back of the camp vehicle-free, we recognize that some groups have accessibility needs. We appreciate your cooperation. We reserve the right to close the camp road to all vehicles during high occupancy periods.