Blodgett Forest can also support catering needs for groups larger than five. We require advance notice and cannot guarantee the availability of our caterer. If you are a day group we can discuss meal or catering needs directly. If you are an overnight group please indicate your catering needs in the housing request form and we will follow up to gather more information if our caterer is available for those dates.  We can accommodate different schedules, but our base catering costs are per person, per day and include breakfast, lunch and dinner. For UC groups catering fees are $61 per person and for non-UC they are $82 per person. Our caterer (who is also a forester!) regularly receives rave reviews for their home-cooked meals.

Any groups or individuals visiting for just a day or overnight are required to complete our Liability Waiver. We have printed copies available on site as well. Any formal organizations or institutions hosting members at Blodgett are required to complete our Facility Use Permit prior to arrival and provide proof of insurace. This permit meets all liability requirements and the individual waivers are not required.

Blodgett has no service around the housing and very limited service throughout the area. There is wifi connectivity at the office and houses, but bandwidth is limited and thus primarily available for research purposes. We recommend downloading any maps needed before visiting Blodgett. A pdf map of the headquarters and housing area can be viewed and downloaded here.

FACILITY RATES

Our rates for overnight accommodations vary by housing type and group type. We have a range of options and will do our best to accommodate the needs of all groups, but please be aware advance scheduling is required. Our seasonal crews and long-term researchers also utilize our housing so not all options will always be available. Our rates differ based on group type and whether or not you are affiliated with the University of California (UC) system but we will do our best to accommodate your group at a reasonable rate. Rates are listed below and more details on each building is provided in the next section.

Daily Usage

For educators and instructional use:

Meeting House: $70 (UC), $150 (non-UC)

Meeting House and Vaux Conference Center: $318 (UC), $484 (non-UC)

For conference groups:

Meeting House: $183 (UC), $298 (non-UC)

Meeting House and Vaux Conference Center: $318 (UC), $484 (non-UC)

Overnight Accommodations - Per Person Per Night

Educational groups or educators: $20 (UC), $30 (non-UC)

Conference: $78 (UC), $109 (non-UC)

Researchers: $28 (UC), $52 (non-UC)

Overnight Accommodations - Monthly by Building

Complete House: $1689 (UC), $2585 (non-UC)

A-Frames (full kitchen/bath, lofted sleeping areas): $1165 (UC), $1890 (non-UC)

Apartment Style (smaller spaces with full kitchen/bath):  $916 (UC), $1539 (non-UC)

Cabins (bathroom/kitchen separate): $603 (UC), $976 (non-UC)

MEETING ACCOMMODATIONS

Vaux Center:  The Forest’s main conference room can seat up to 100 people without tables and about 50 with tables.  There is a break room in the front of the building where coffee and tea can be set up.  The conference room has tables and chairs that can be arrranged into multiple configurations and their are additional breakout spaces upstairs if needed. A projector and screen, large whiteboad, and easels, are available upon request.  Copier and limited office supplies are available.  This building is handicap accessible and has gendered restrooms.

Meeting House:  This building functions as a small meeting facility and dining room.  The main floor contains offices; gendered restrooms; a large kitchen; and the meeting room.  The meeting room seats about 45 total, and about 36 for meals.  There is a large whiteboard and a projector and screen can be setup upon request. The meeting area is also where meals will be served if your group utilizes the kitchen or requests catering. A large barbeque and picnic area are in front of the building with approximately nine picnic tables. This outdoor space can fit approximately 80 people and seat about 50. The upstairs contains office space.  This building is handicap accessible and has gendered restrooms.

HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS

The Blodgett housing can host a maximum of 47 people overnight. All beds are twins. Each bed has a mattress cover, fitted sheet, pillows and pillow cases.  Extra blankets are available if needed.  All kitchens are fully stocked with basic appliances, dishes, and cookware. All bathrooms are stocked with bath mats and hand towels.

A-Frame #1 and A-Frame #3:  Buildings contain kitchen, dining and living room, and a single bathroom.  Entrance to the loft is a narrow, steep, ladder-type stairway from living room.  The loft area has four beds.  The downstairs bedroom has two beds.  There is a back deck off living room area, accessible only from inside.  Ceiling fans for cooling; wood stove for heat.

Staff House:  The most “luxurious” of our accommodations.  There are three private bedrooms, two beds in each and two bathrooms, one downstairs, one up.  The upstairs is reached by a staircase.  Large dining/living room area that will comfortably hold about 12 people.  Large kitchen and outdoor deck around building. Wood stove for heat.

Staff House Basement:  A full basement with separate entrance, under Staff House.  This apartment sleeps two to three persons and is handicap-accessible.  There are also laundry facilities in the entry. Propane heat.

Entomology A-Frame:  Sleeps four in loft area, reachable only from exterior staircase.  Downstairs has fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, large open dining room/living room area that can accommodate 10 to 12 people. Front and back deck areas. Wood stove for heat.

Entomology A-Frame Basement:  Complete apartment in basement of Entomology A-Frame.  Sleeps three in two bedrooms.  Bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, living room.  Propane heat.

Headquarters House: Remodeled, with fairly new kitchen appliances.  Large living/dining room.  Two fairly small bedrooms (approx. 12x12), sleeps two apiece.  Large, full bathroom.  Master suite in rear is a large bedroom/bathroom with three single beds.

Guest House:  Small (approximately 20 ft by 20 ft) private cabin adjacent to Headquarters House.  Sleeps two, has a half bath (toilet, sink).  Shares kitchen and shower facilities with larger house, or Cookhouse and Bathhouse.

Bunkhouse:  Building divided into three portions, each with separate entrance from porch area: living room (with queen sofa bed), fully equipped kitchen, and sleeping room with four sleeping cubicles each with one bed. Showers/toilets are in the building immediately adjacent in Bathhouse. Propane heat.

Bathhouse:  Separate facilities for men and women.  One side is larger, with urinal and two toilets, three sinks and three showers.  Women’s side has single toilet, sink and one large shower.  A laundry room (one washer, one dryer) is also available.

Trapper Cabins:  Three small buildings (approximately 15 ft by 20 ft), two beds apiece.  Persons staying here use Bathhouse to bathe and use the restroom, and Cookhouse for dining.  They do offer a lot of privacy, as they are separated by about 60 feet, and entrances face away from the main headquarters area.  These are our more rustic acommodations and are heated with wood stoves.

Cookhouse:  Building used only for cooking and dining.  Large dining table (seats 8 to 10), two large refrigerators, dishwasher, and propane cook stove. Wood stove for heat.

Camping: There is also a designated camping area within the facilities area. No hookups or connections exist, but guests may use this area when staying on the property.

HOUSING POLICIES

We ask that everyone staying in our buildings follow our housing policy and leaves the facilities at a certain standard of cleanliness. If you plan to stay overnight please review our housing policy below prior to arrival! The leader of each group is responsible for all buildings being left appropriately clean. Please notify our staff immediately of any issues with the facilities. Our policies below are standard, but the cleaning expectations can be adjusted based on payment rate; please reach out directly to discuss various options.

General Housing Policy

• Throughout your stay please keep in mind that Blodgett is a forest and this means we are constantly working against the animals who are also looking for a cozy and warm place to stay - we manage the forest to provide good habitat but would rather not give them a reason (or easy route) to enter our buildings!
• Unless you have made different arrangements with Blodgett Forest Staff, bring your own bedding and towels with you. If you use our bedding, we will charge you for their use.
• Expectations during your stay:
  • Take all garbage and recycling to the dumpsters regularly.
  • Do not leave food or snacks out when not in the building or overnight.
  • Keep doors shut at all times and only leave windows and doors open as necessary for airflow.
  • We utilize a septic system and have old plumbing. Always, clean hair out of drains immediately after use and don't flush any items down toilets.
• Unless you have made different arrangements with Blodgett Forest Staff, clean the housing before you leave.
• Cleaning expectations include:
  • Clean the floors. Vacuum all carpeted areas and sweep all other areas. Mop and scrub if necessary.
  • Scrub the toilets, sinks,  showers/tubs,  counters,  and stove. It is not enough to wipe, you must scrub.
  • Empty and clean coffee makers.
• All buildings are supplied with suitable cleaners and implements:
  • Comet works on toilets, showers/tubs, and sinks.
  • Spray cleaners work on counters and appliances.
  • Concentrated cleaners are for mopping floors. 
  • There are sponges, rags, mops, buckets, vacuum cleaners, toilet bowl brushes, and gloves in every building. Generally they are located below the bathroom sink or kitchen sink, or in the kitchen or deck closet. If you don’t see it, look for it; if you can’t find it, ask for help.
• Take out all garbage and recycling to the dumpsters. Do not leave any trash outside or within the building.
• Take all leftover food and do a final sweep to avoid leaving belongings behind.
• Securely close all windows and doors. Turn off all lights and fans.
• In winter, turn off all heaters with the exception of the heaters in the bathrooms of A-Frame 1, Staff House, A-Frame 3, and Entomology. Turn to the black mark and shut the bathroom door. This is critical to preventing burst pipes. If you use a wood stove do not build up a large fire prior to leaving and shut all air intake so that it will go out shortly.
• If you are the host for a group, i.e. teacher, or professor, or head researcher; you are responsible for your group. You should check each building before you leave.
• Buildings can be left unlocked. Keys can be left on the front table of Meeting House.
• There is an additional charge of $50/hour for cleaning services if they are not left in an acceptable state.
• Adherence to our policies and demonstrating respect for Blodgett allows us to create a safe and welcoming environment for all groups and we thank you in advance for helping us towards this goal!

Housing Policy for Conference Groups

For groups paying the conference rate the expectations are slightly different. We ask that you simply leave things in a state that will not create any issues until we are able to clean. Please adhere to the expectations below.

• Take all garbage and recycling to the dumpsters.
• Take all leftover food and do a final sweep to avoid leaving belongings behind.
• Securely close all windows and doors. Turn off all lights and fans.
• In winter, turn off all heaters with the exception of the heaters in the bathrooms of A-Frame 1, Staff House, A-Frame 3, and Entomology. Turn to the black mark and shut the bathroom door. This is critical to preventing burst pipes. If you use a wood stove do not build up a large fire prior to leaving and shut all air intake so that it will go out shortly.
• Buildings can be left unlocked. Keys can be left on the front table of Meeting House.

Please let us know if there are any problems. Thank you for your cooperation!