A vegetarian summer camp

Located on the shores of Lake Champlain near Burlington, Vermont (on the YWCA grounds of Camp Hochelaga), Camp Common Ground is a cooperative, family-camp rooted in its dedication to a strictly vegetarian and organic cuisine. Since its beginning in 1994, families have regularly convened on the lakefront each summer, fulfilling the vision of camp founders "Peg and Jim" (still on the staff) of a community-oriented, family-run summer camp. From kayaking, to dance, to creative cooking, all activities are infused with this cooperative spirit, including daily chores, which the campers also share. Meals are prepared by an "amazing" staff of vegetarian cooks, with years of experience and served family-style.

Between 150 and 160 campers fill the summertime retreat during its three-week run in August. Adults and teens pay $495/week, and kids, between $70 and $435 (booking after March 20 will add $20). To encourage diversity (one of the camp's founding principles) Camp Common Ground offers scholarships to about 40% of its attending families. Bunkbeds in 12 "rustic-style" cabins and 10 platform-tents house most of the campers; the rest bring their own tents. Platform tents cost $40 a week, and private cabins run $120 extra a week. Beds in shared cabins are $15 per bed, per week. (If you want a solid sleeping structure, be sure to make reservations early.) None of these accommodations come with private baths, so there are three communal bathhouses (men's, women's, and coed). Priority is given to returning families (about 60%) and the rest of the slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to make reservations, contact Camp Common Ground, 159 Lost Road, St. George, VT 05495, phone 800/430-COOP (2667), or e-mail info@cgcvt.org. View the Web site at cgcvt.org.

Helpful websites for vegetarians

In addition, we'd recommend a visit to these helpful websites for vegetarian travelers: vegdining.com, vegtravel.com, vegsource.com, vrg.org, vegeats.com, vegetarian.about.com, happycow.net.

Vegetarian travel books

Fortunately, a small but growing number of guidebooks to vegetarian travel have been published, and are available either at bookstores specializing in travel, or through the mail.

The following seem to be the key, recent works (and thus most likely to be up-to-date):

All the books listed above can be obtained from one or both of the following sources. Either call the well-known travel bookstore Book Passages at 800/999-7909 or 415/927-0960 (you can also order via the Web site at bookpassage.com); or contact the North American Vegetarian Society by phoning 518/568-7970 or visiting navs-online.org/. Most of these books can also be ordered from Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com.