SAFETY REMINDER: For the safety of all participants please adhere to the ORFS Health & Safety Guidelines below.

August 2026

August 4th: Kayak or Hike Mascoma Lake, Enfield, NH

Leaders: John & Judy Reisch

A beautiful large lake with a nice picnic area near the launch site. Bring lunch to eat near the boat launch area. Hiking is available on rail trail along the lake.

Directions: From New London take 89 North to Exit 17. Right onto Route 4 East. Right onto Route 4A South. Cross the bridge in the middle of the lake to the lakeside parking area and put-in.

August 11th: Kayak or Hike at the North Hartland Dam Recreation Area, Hartland, VT

Kayak Leaders: Kendall Buck and Olivia Henry

Hike Leader: Ed Blanchard

HIKERS: Meet at the Ranger Station so we can walk out onto the dam. From there, we’ll drive to the trail-head by the “Lower Shelter.” After that hike, people can picnic there or drive down to the beach to swim and picnic.

KAYAKERS: Bear left at the fork, following the “Beach” sign. Go to road’s end at the beach, then put in and park. Go left to Quechee Gorge rocks, 3.3 miles away, where you can choose to swim and eat lunch on the rocks. HIGHLY RECOMMEND WEARING WATER SHOES WITH TREADS BECAUSE THE ROCKS CAN BE VERY SLIPPERY. Kayakers do not have to go the whole way. They can turn around whenever they want and return to the beach to swim and have lunch.

Directions: I-89N to exit toward Lebanon/White River Jct. After crossing the Connecticut River, go 0.5 miles to I-91 N exit toward White River Junction. Go 0.1 miles to Exit 11 US-5 South. Keep left at the fork. Follow signs for Hartland/Windsor/US 5 South. Go 4 miles to Clay Hill Road. (IT IS BEFORE THE UNDERPASS.) Turn right. Go 1.1 miles. Turn right onto North Hartland Dam. Take the fork in road to the dam and beach.

August 18th: Kayak or Hike at Pillsbury State Park, Washington, NH

Leader: Kendall Buck

Kayak around two wilderness ponds. Hikers can walk from the park office approximately 3/4 of a mile up the park road to the Mill Pond dam, where we will be gathering for lunch. Hikers may also obtain a map at the park office to decide which wooded hiking trail to enjoy. Online park information and maps are available at https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/pillsbury-state-park. Bring your chair and lunch to the picnic area at the end of the park road at the Mill Pond dam. $4 fee, or free for over 65. The park phone number is 603-863-2860.

Directions: From the traffic circle in Newport, continue straight on Rt. 10 South, which is Main St., for 10.8 miles. Take a slight left turn onto Rt. 31, South Washington Road for 5.5. miles. Turn left onto Pillsbury State Park Road and drive to the park office to sign in.

August 25th: Kayak or Hike at Hopkinton Lake in Hopkinton, NH

Leader: Kendall Buck

Kayakers will enjoy paddling around Hopkinton Lake up to Elmbrook State Park on the northern end and down towards North Weir on the southern end. Hopkinton Lake is a 436-acre reservoir known for its diverse aquatic life and recreational opportunities, especially fishing. It is part of the larger Hopkinton-Everett Lakes flood control project, which was constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1959 and 1963 to protect communities along the Contoocook and Merrimack Rivers from flooding. Walkers can explore several access roads to points along the lake with a total of about 2 miles out and back. Bring your chair and lunch and gather at the boat ramp at the end of the activity.

Directions: From the New London, area take I-89 South to Exit 5/US 202 West in Hopkinton towards Henniker/Keene. Go approximately 1.5 miles and take a right onto Stumpfield Road. In approximately 0.4 miles, take a left onto Old Rt 202 (Gravel). The parking and boat ramp are just ahead.

OUTDOOR RECREATION FOR SENIORS (ORFS)

Health and Safety Guidelines

COA’s overriding goal concerning ORFS is for participants to enjoy good exercise with a friendly and fun group in a safe and healthy environment.

The following guidelines are intended to encourage responsible safe practices while attending the various ORFS activities and members are expected to adhere to the protocols.

General:

All members of ORFS must first have registered with COA.
All members must complete and return the waiver and emergency contact forms prior to their first activity.
All members shall abide by the safety recommendations of the event leaders.
COA leaders will have the authority to refuse participation to members unwilling to adhere to the safety precautions.
Should a participant refuse the safety recommendations of the leader they will no longer be considered an ORFS participant. Their name will be removed from the attendance sheet, and they will be considered an independent hiker or kayaker.
Leaders will inform COA staff of the incident and further action may be taken.

Leader Responsibilities:

When providing the details of an outing leaders shall do their best to assure the accuracy of the description of the events. The hikes will be clearly marked as to the difficulty of the climb, the ability of the hiker to be successful, the terrain that is expected to be encountered, and the equipment that will be necessary.
Leaders shall monitor weather reports and inform members, by Meetup, no later than 8:00 AM that the event scheduled for that day has been canceled.
Leaders are expected to take attendance and submit attendance to COA in a timely manner following the conclusion of the event.
If the weather turns for the worse unexpectedly during an event the leader has the authority to stop the event immediately and instruct participants to return to their vehicles.
Leaders have the authority to ask a participant to leave if they do not have the proper equipment for the outing or refuse to follow safety guidelines and instructions.
Leaders shall carry a cell phone at all times and have a copy of the attendees’ list, including their cell phones, with them at all times.
To the extent possible, leaders shall take a count of the number of participants at the beginning of an event and, also, at the conclusion of an event, to ensure that all participants have been accounted for.
Leaders shall determine if a participant should be assigned a “partner” for safety reasons to ensure that no individual is left alone or behind.
Leaders are responsible for appointing a “lead”, the first individual in a group of kayakers or hikers.

10. Leaders are responsible for appointing a “sweep”, the last individual in the group of kayakers or hikers.

If an individual participant must turn around prior to the rest of the group the leader is responsible for appointing another participant to accompany them. No one is to be allowed to turn around and return to the beginning point alone.

12. Leaders are encouraged to carry basic first aid materials.

Summer Activities (Kayaking/Walking):

Members shall come to all ORFS events properly prepared for expected conditions (i.e. weather, road conditions, etc.).
Members are expected to consult with their own health care providers to ensure that their physical conditioning and health is appropriate for the expected outdoor activity.
Members shall wear, at all times while on the water, a PFD (lifejacket) for all kayaking events.
Members are asked to carry a cell phone with them at all times for emergency use.
Members shall inform the leader if they must turn around early, prior to the rest of the group, and wait until a “partner” has been appointed to accompany them on the return.

Winter Activities (Hiking/Walking):

Members shall come to all ORFS events properly prepared for expected conditions (i.e. weather, road conditions, etc.).
Members are expected to consult with their own health care providers to ensure that their physical conditioning and health is appropriate for the expected outdoor activity.
Members shall have snowshoes or microspikes available in the event the leader decides they are required.
COA leaders will have the authority to refuse participation to members unwilling to adhere to the safety precautions.
Members shall inform the leader if they must turn around early, prior to the rest of the group, and wait until a “partner” has been appointed to accompany them on the return.