SERVICES

The Center offers three primary services and is in the process of developing each of these to the highest level of excellence. Today the Center offers:

- Year Round Lodging in a rustic environment.
- Campground facilities including tent sites, cabins, RV hookups, etc.
- Spacious multipurpose rooms for Conferences and Retreats.
- A springboard for recreational opportunities in Maine.
          - Spring/Summer
          - Fall/Winter
- Rates

LODGING

Consists of 3 cabins in the woods, a two story bunkhouse near the entrance to the Center and a special bunkroom on the third floor of the chapel. The bunkhouse and chapel sleeping area can accommodate 56 persons within heated buildings and thus can cater to winter as well as summer guests.

The cabins depicted by this picture are duplex in nature. This means there are two sleeping areas separated by a breezeway. Each end has four bunk beds so each cabin sleeps 16 persons with room to add a removable cot if necessary. These cabins are not heated. Each bunk has a thick mattress and pillow. Most guests bring sleeping bags or their own linen. All three cabins surround a bathhouse which can be partitioned in the middle to create a facility that can accommodate both male and female guests concurrently.

 

The Bunk House has a full basement with 20 bunks and two smaller rooms with 6 bunks each.  The Bunk House also  contains shared toilet and shower facilities and limited kitchen facilities. 

 

The Chapel is a multi-use building with group-oriented restroom, shower, laundry, and kitchen facilities, a full size multi-function chapel / game room,  and  a third floor lodging area with 24 bunks, a small restroom, a deck overlooking the  property, and a separate entrance. 

 

 

CAMPGROUND  FACILITIES

Adjacent to the three cabins in the woods is a large pavilion that seats 100 to 200. Attached to the pavilion is a fully furnished kitchen, storeroom and nurses station. For smaller groups, there is also a full kitchen and dining area in the Cushman Chapel that can seat twenty four comfortably. Farmington Conference Center does not host permanent camp chefs or medical staff at this time but all facilities are available to our guests to utilize and to staff as desired.

 

Farmington Conference Center also maintains six R/V hookups complete with 30 amp outlets, fresh well water and dumping area.

 

For the more rustic adventurers,  tent camping is also available adjacent to the chapel, near The Pavilion, or in a multitude of primitive areas on the 50 acre facility. Camping next to the Cushman Chapel allows the convenience of bathrooms and kitchen located facilities on the basement floor.  A washer and dryer are also located on the lower entry level of the basement floor of the Cushman Chapel.

 

CONFERENCE AND RETREAT  FACILITIES

 

The Pavilion (pictured) seats 200, has a cathedral ceiling and doubles as the dining hall with a full kitchen and serving window off the main floor. The second floor of the Cushman Chapel is comprised of a multi-purpose room with a seating capacity of 80. All chairs used in the Pavilion and Chapel are stackable and removable to cater  to the  needs of the group.              

 

 

 

In addition to the on-site facilities pictured here,  overflow options are available.  Adjacent to the  property,  the Farmington Baptist Church is also available for conference and retreat usage for special events or for overflow purposes.  Available facilities upon request and availability include the sanctuary, fellowship hall, classrooms and kitchen.

 

 

Some groups have leased and assembled large tents on the grounds to celebrate an occasion or do a cookout.

Audio visual aids can be arranged upon request.

The Center is a member of the Association Christian Camps and Conferences (CCI/USA). A brief summary of the Center can be found on the CCI/USA website.

http://www.gospelcom.net/cci/
email: cciusa@cciusa.org

 

LOCAL RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Maine's license plates have the word "Vacationland" on them. Maine is truly a year round mecca for people wanting to get away. As a guest at the Farmington Conference Center you have several choices to make.

You may be interested to know the Olympic biathlon athletes train in Maine. Dog sledding and snowmobiling is also popular.

For the Spring/Summer/Fall outdoorsman, consider:

- Hiking/Mountain Climbing
- Rock climbing
- White water rafting
- Canoeing
- Swimming/picnicking
- Tenting
- Miniature golf and driving range

Some of Maine's best vistas and mountain hiking trails are in the close driving distance from the Center. The trails we recommend are located in the Weld Region as defined in the Maine Mountain Guide published by the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Weld Village is 30 minutes from the Center, lies on the eastern shore of Lake Webb (678 ft.) and is almost encircled by mountains. Tumbledown Mountain (3068 ft.), with its tremendous cliffs, three peaks, and high pond, is the most interesting mountain in the area and one of the state's outstanding summits. Little Jackson Mountain (3434 ft.), Jackson Mountain (3535 ft.), and Blueberry Mountain (2942 ft.) are also in the Tumbledown Range, which forms the northern and northwestern walls of the valley. Mt. Blue (3187 ft.) lies to the east. The ledgy summits of Bald Mountain (2386 ft.) and Saddleback Wind Mountain (2572 ft.) close the valley on the southeast. Brush Mountain (2430 ft.) and West Mountain (2782 ft.) are to the west.

Mt. Blue State Park (1273 acres) has two sections. The area along the western shore of Lake Webb offers picnicking, swimming, and camping facilities. The section east of the lake and Weld includes the Center Hill parking overlook and picnic area, and Mt. Blue itself.

The favorite of most avid hikers of all ages and abilities is Tumbledown Mountain. Although not the highest peak of the Tumbledown Range, Tumbledown Mountain, at the southwestern end, is in many ways the most interesting. The enormous cliff on the southern side of this mountain attracts many rock climbers. Of the three summits, the 3068 ft. West Peak is slightly higher than the others. Another feature of the mountain is Tumbledown Pond (called Beaver or Crater by some) located on the eastern slope of the mountain and surrounded on three sides by higher elevations. There are four trails to the pond. In addition to the map in this guide, you can refer to the USGS Dixfield and Rangeley quadrangles, 15-minute series, and the Roxbury quadrangle, 7.5 minute series.

Loop Trail - The Loop Trail leaves Byron Notch Road 5.8 miles west of Weld Corner, heading north on the eastern side of a brook. There is a sign at the start of the trail, as well as a clearing diagonally opposite the trail's entrance into the woods. The trail (blue-blazed) rises gradually, crossing a brook twice, and at 1 mile passes the huge Tumbledown Boulder. From there, it rises steeply, coming out on the open Great Ledges, from which there are splendid views of the 700 foot cliffs of Tumbledown Mountain. On the ledges, at a large cairn, the Loop Trail to the saddle turns right.

The trail crosses a brook and then climbs steeply in a gully. Near the top of the gully, a side trail leads right to a fissure cave (Fat Man's Misery). Above this is an opening in the boulders with iron rungs. (This section makes the trail unsuitable for dogs.) At 0.6 miles from the Great Ledges cairn, reach the saddle with a spring (unreliable in dry weather). From here, the trails lead east and west.

Other popular trails include:

- Brook Trail
- Chimney Trail
- Little Jackson
- Blueberry
- Mt. Blue
- Bald Mountain

Information on trail conditions will be available at the Farmington Conference Center or from the rangers office at Mt. Blue State Park.

 

For the Winter outdoors enthusiast you will find:

- Skiing (downhill or cross country)
- Ice Skating
- Ice Fishing
- Snow shoeing
- Snow boarding

SKI MAINE

ENJOY ALL 15 OF MAINE'S SKI SLOPES AND STAY IN THE HEART OF SKI COUNTRY AT THE FARMINGTON CONFERENCE CENTER in FARMINGTON, MAINE

THE CENTER IS HALFWAY BETWEEN TWO OF THE BIGGEST SKI SLOPES IN THE NORTHEAST

ONLY 45 MINUTES TO SUGARLOAF AND SUNDAY RIVER SKI AREAS

USE THE CENTER AS A BASE CAMP TO EXPLORE MAINE'S MOUNTAINS OR STAY IN FARMINGTON AND DO CROSS COUNTRY SKIING OR SNOW SHOEING OR SNOWMOBILING ON THE CENTER'S FORTY ACRES

 

Link to interactive map. 

 

RATES AND FEES

The fee structure is being revised each year as new facilities and offerings are added.  Consult the Conference Center Director for current rates.  For your information, an independent task force reviewed the user fees for all campground and conference centers in northern New England, and ranked us at the top of the list for economy.