Camp Santanoni Mobility Device Reservation Pilot Program

Great Camp Santanoni | Experience Newcomb APP

To facilitate accessibility to Camp Santanoni Historic Area for people with disabilities, DEC is offering a Mobility Device Reservation Pilot Program in Summer 2024 for qualified individuals with disabilities to reserve and use a power wheelchair device free of charge. Qualified individuals for this program are persons with disabilities who cannot otherwise walk or bicycle the 9.5-mile round trip from the parking area at the Gate House Complex to Great Camp Santanoni. See the Camp Santanoni Historic Area web page for more information on this facility and a listing of the wheelchair accessible features. The pilot program in Summer 2024 is being offered to gauge interest and solicit feedback from the public and users in order to guide further development of the program.

The pilot program will run on alternating weekends, Friday through Sunday (and holiday Mondays), starting Friday, July 19 through Monday, October 14. Reservations will be accepted for qualified individuals with disabilities on a first come, first serve basis. Interested individuals should review the Program Specifications, including sections on Eligibility Requirements, Mobility Devices, Available Dates and Times, and Backcountry Preparedness, to determine whether the current program offering meets their needs and interests. Individual who are interested in participating after carefully reviewing all the information below should refer to the Reservation Instructions on how to request a reservation. Availability is limited during this pilot phase, and reservations must be received by 5:00 p.m. the Wednesday prior to the weekend. 

Program Specifications

Mobility Devices

When making a reservation, you will be asked to choose one of the following devices as your preferred device. Please see the descriptions below and Mobility Device Details document to determine which is your preferred device. Because it can be difficult to determine the which device best meets an individual’s needs, DEC will seek to have both devices ready for use so that participants can change to the other device once they are able to try out the device on the day of their reservation.  While neither wheelchair device requires the use of the operator’s legs or feet as they are power wheelchairs designed for people with mobility disabilities; both devices require two hand control to brake and steer and upper torso stability. 

Both devices have the capability to transport a manual wheelchair on a rear utility rack. Please note that users of the “The Rig” must bring their manual wheelchair with them to transfer into to enter the rooms at the Great Camp as its large turning radius makes navigation in the rooms difficult.

Golden Technologies™ ‘Scooter’ 

  • Scooter-style power wheelchair 

  • Higher weight limit (400 lbs.)

  • Motor braking (device will automatically slow to stop when the throttle is released)

  • Higher seat with arm rests and running board (easier to board)

  • Small enough turning radius to be used inside the Great Camp

  • More intuitive controls 

Not a Wheelchair™ ‘The Rig’

  • Quadracycle-style power wheelchair

  • Lower weight limit (225 lbs.)

  • Hand brakes only- brakes function like a bicycle relying on the user’s hand strength to slow the device

  • Lower seat without arm rests or running board (handle drops down allowing transfer into seat)

  • Large turning radius (Wheelchair users will need to bring a manual wheelchair to transfer into to enter the rooms at the Great Camp)

  • More adventurous experience

  • Videos of the ‘The Rig’ in Action on Not a Wheelchair™ Instagram and Not a Wheelchair™ YouTube

Available Dates and Times

The pilot program will run on alternating weekends, Friday through Sunday (and holiday Mondays), starting Friday, July 19 through Monday, October 14. The device must be checked out between 9:30-10:00 a.m. and returned by 2:00 p.m. on the day of your reservation. DEC staff will be available on site to check out and in the device only during the designated hours. When making a reservation, you will be asked to provide your top three preferred dates. The pilot program will be offered on the following dates in 2024. 

July 19, 20, 21 

August 2, 3, 4, 16, 17, 18, 30, 31 

September 1, 2, 13, 14, 15, 27, 28, 29 

October 11, 12, 13,14 

Eligibility Requirements

Reservations are open to qualified individuals with disabilities who cannot otherwise walk or bicycle the 9.5-mile round trip on the Lake Road at Great Camp Santanoni. An individual with a disability is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. When making a reservation, you will be asked to confirm eligibility by submitting one of the following types of evidence of qualification. 

Evidence of Qualification (one required)

  • a signed Self-certification Form; or 

  • a picture or copy of a valid, state-issued disability parking placard; or  

  • other State-issued proof of disability. 

Back Country Preparedness

This program is unique due the remote nature of the site and the opportunity to visit a historic site in a wild forest setting. Participants should be prepared for this back-country experience and be aware that there is not cell phone coverage in the area and the Gate Lodge and Main Camp are the only place that have staff on-site during the day.  When making a reservation, you will be asked to submit a signed Release of Liability and Waiver acknowledging that you are aware of the provisions there within.

Reservation Instructions

To make a reservation, please email Access.Santanoni@dec.ny.gov

with the following required information and attachments. If you have questions about reservations, you can call the DEC Warrensburg Office during office hours at (518) 623-1200. Staff will respond within two days to confirm a requested date or offer an alternate date. Reservations for the upcoming weekend MUST be received by Wednesday 5:00 p.m. 

Required Information

  • Your name and email address

  • Your phone number (note whether cell phone or landline; and whether you can receive texts on cell)

  • Your top three preferred dates

  • Your preferred mobility device

Required Attachments

Cancellation Policy

DEC reserves the right to cancel any reservation. DEC will make best efforts to notify the user as far in advance as possible. DEC will seek to make weather-related cancellations no later than 24 hours in advance of the reservation (i.e., by 10 a.m. the day before). Cancellation notices will be sent via email; any cancellations sent less than 24 hours in advance will be followed by a phone call. 

Weather-related cancellations 

Because neither mobility device is rated for use in wet weather, DEC will cancel reservations if the National Weather Service forecast for the Town of Newcomb on the day of the reservation predicts either: 

  • A 40% or greater chance of thunderstorms; or 

  • A 40% or greater chance of precipitation exceeding 0.1 inches. 

Equipment-related cancellations

If the user’s preferred device is in need of maintenance or repairs on the day of their reservation, DEC will notify the user, but will not cancel the reservation except at the user’s request. If both devices are inoperable, DEC will notify the user and cancel the reservation. 

Feedback

The public is invited to submit comments on the pilot program by emailing Access.Santanoni@dec.ny.gov. Pilot program participants are asked to complete a Participant Survey following their trip as part of their participation in the program.