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Mead Conservation Center
Mead Conservation Center
The Squam Lakes Association (SLA) has a Special Use Authorization permit from the U.S. Forest Service for the Mead Conservation Center (MCC) in Sandwich Notch. SLA plans to preserve the historical Smith farmhouse and to house Trail Crews for the SLA, Student Conservation Association (SCA) and the Wonalancet Outdoor Club (WODC). Leave No Trace educational programs, Trail Adopter trainings and camping will be provided at the 22-acre Mead Conservation Center.
History of Mead Base
George Jackson (Jack) Mead purchased the Smith homestead in 1944 to keep the Wentworth Trailhead open to the public. Mead also purchased 2,400 acres of land, including Mt. Israel all the way to Black Mountain Pond and donated the land to the US Forest Service to prevent "ruthless and wasteful lumbering" of the Sandwich Notch area. Jack Mead was the President of the Squam Lakes Association in 1947 and 1948 and after his death in 1949, his wife Cary Hoge Mead donated the Smith homestead to the US Forest Service.
During the Summer of 2001 Tom Okie, an SCA intern compiled a complete history of Mead Base, titled "Coming Back To The Land, A History of Mead Base."
The SLA plans to preserve the historic Smith farmhouse and improve the Mead Conservation Center, using public and private funding sources. SLA's maintenance and reconditioning plan includes $160,000 of improvements. Please contact the SLA (603) 968-7336 if you are interested in helping to volunteer or donate funds for this project.
 Directions
MCC is located at 517 Diamond Ledge Road in Sandwich, NH. From Center Sandwich follow Grove St. to Diamond Ledge Rd. Bear right at the beginning of the Sandwich Notch Road and follow Diamond Ledge Road past a farm to the Mead Conservation Center. MCC is the trailhead for the Wentworth Trail.
Camping
There are three campsites (#1, #2, #3) at MCC with a maximum capacity of 12-people each. The sites are located on the western side of the property, along the Bearcamp River Trail (see map). Park at the farmhouse and walk along the trail to the campsites.
Regulations
• Each site has a fire ring, although wood gathering is not allowed - bring your own firewood or purchase bundles from SLA for $3.00 each.
• A Clivus composting toilet facility with running water is available.
• The shower house, farmhouse and equipment building are not available for campers.
• No dogs are allowed.
Reservations:
Call SLA at (603) 968-7336 to reserve a campsite.
Self Service Camping:
Complete the self service camping form (available at the MCC kiosk) and depsoit it with payment in the donation box.
Volunteer Trail Work
Free camping is offered in exchange of 4 hours of volunteer trail maintenance for one night of camping. Trail work projects include brushing vegetation along trails with loppers, raking debris from waterbars and constructing bog bridges, stairs and waterbars. The SLA Trail Crew may be available from June through mid November to teach trail work and to provide tools. Contact SLA at (603) 968-7336 if you are interested in this volunteer opportunity.
More information
Please visit the Camping section of our website for more information.
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