An international organization of builders, paddlers, and admirers of wooden and bark canoes.
The WCHA is a charitable organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
WCHA Annual Assembly
featuring
Wooden Watercraft of New York
NEW VENUE!!!
Keuka College, New York
Photo by Betsy Wilson
A Change of Scenery for Assembly 2026
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Your Assembly Planning Committee (Rob Stevens, Annie Burke, Nick Dombrowski, Deborah Gardner, Nick Dennis, Colleen Delisle, Benson Gray, and Michael Grace) has some important news to share about Assembly 2026.
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After many good years at Paul Smith's College, recent changes there mean we won’t be able to gather on that campus in 2026. Like many of you, we have wonderful memories of time spent at PSC — and we’re grateful for them.
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The good news? Assembly has a beautiful new (and familiar!) home for 2026.
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We’re heading back to Keuka College on the shores of Keuka Lake.
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Keuka has welcomed the WCHA several times over the years, most recently in 2009, and we’re delighted to return. The campus offers modern facilities, comfortable lodging, and great dining — all right on the water. There are also plenty of nearby lodging options just a few miles away for those who like a little extra flexibility.
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While change is never quite the same as tradition, it does bring fresh water under the keel. The Planning Committee worked quickly and thoughtfully to explore options, and after many good conversations with Keuka College, we’re confident this will be a wonderful setting for our 2026 gathering. We’re looking forward to sharing more details soon — including a few things we think you’ll be especially excited about.
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A quick note: the Winter issue of The Wooden Canoe Journal was printed before this change, so please disregard the references to PSC there. The Spring issue will include updated information and registration details. We’ll also share updates here and on social media as they become available.
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We hope you’ll join us at Keuka College for Assembly 2026 as we celebrate the watercraft traditions of New York — canoes, sailing canoes, and Adirondack guideboats — surrounded by good friends, good stories, and good boats.
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After all, it’s not just the shoreline that makes Assembly special — it’s the people who gather there.
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We can’t wait to see you on Keuka Lake!​​​
2026 WCHA Assembly
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General Information
WHEN & WHERE:
Tuesday afternoon, July 14, through Sunday morning, July 19, 2026.
On the Keuka College campus in Keuka Park NY, in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region.
QUESTIONS?
603-323-8992 (WCHA Office),
Email: annie@wcha.org
PRE- REGISTRATION PERIOD:
Monday April 20, 2026 to Monday June 29, 2026.
EARLY ARRIVAL:
To arrange Monday night accommodations, please call, text or email.
VENDORS:
$30 booth fee, paid with pre-registration. $40 booth fee, paid at Assembly.
ON-SITE CHECK-IN to pick up meal tickets and room keys:
Tues.: Noon - 7:00 pm; Wed - Fri.: 9:00 am- 5:00 pm For check-in at other times, follow signs on campus for after-hours registration.
REFUNDS: In full, if we are notified before June 29, 2026.
REGISTRATION FEE (for adults 18 and over):
$25 per day or $100 for the whole event.
MEALS:
Simple college fare in the Geiser dining hall. Meals for adults and children 13 and over are:
Breakfast = $10.00, Lunch = $15.00, Dinner = $19.00.
Children 12 and under eat free with a paying adult.
Full meal plan (14 meals) is $200 for age 13 and over.
Tickets for dining hall meals need to be purchased with your pre-registration by June 29.
The dining hall cannot accommodate walk-ins. There is an on-campus café for breakfast and lunch food, and a selection of restaurants in nearby Penn Yan, NY.
NO pets are allowed in buildings.
Well-behaved leashed pets are allowed on-campus and may stay in the tent and RV areas. Please always clean up after your dog.
LODGING:
College dormitories. All beds are single beds (twin XL).
Rooms include bedding: sheets, one pillow, one blanket, and one towel/hand towel/washcloth set per person.
Packing suggestions: Extra towel(s), soap & shampoo, laundry soap, reading lamp and a fan (if staying in a non-AC dorm).
All dorms have kitchen facilities. Kitchens do not include utensils, pans, etc.
Laundry room in each dorm.
Kids on the floor, under age 16, no charge.
ADA (wheelchair accessible) rooms are available upon request.
Rooms will be filled primarily on first-come/first-served basis, and by availability of requested accommodations. If you have not pre-registered, on-site requests for residence rooms are subject to availability.
All dorms are near the Green area, which is close to the waterfront.
HARRINGTON HALL: Air-conditioned.
Room with a private bath (up to 3 people per room): $110/night (limited number of rooms w/ private bath available)
Rooms with an attached shared bath (one bath connects 2 rooms): Single: $75/night Double: $90/night
BALL HALL: Air-conditioned.
Traditional dorm style with bathrooms down the hall.
Single: $65/night
Double: $80/night
Triple: $95/night
Quad: $110/night
SAUNDERS HALL: NOT air-conditioned.
Traditional dorm style with bathrooms down the hall.
Single: $55/night
Double: $70/night
TENT CAMPING: There is an open, grassy area reserved for tent camping. Shower and bathroom facilities are available near the tenting area. $10 per night
RV CAMPING: There will be a parking lot available for self-contained camping vehicles. No electricity or other hook-ups are available. Shower and bathroom facilities are available near the RV area. ….$15 per night.