River & Trail Outfitters Partner Trips
With the Friends of the National Conservation Training Center
Wednesday Evening Interpretive Paddles
NCTC Trips Start May 8th!
The Potomac River near Shepherdstown, WV meanders between
the Blue Ridge Mountains and the C&O Canal National Historic Park on the
Maryland shore and is ideal for canoeing and kayaking. This ambling stretch of
river features a few easy to navigate riffles and ledges and delightful
scenery.
Join River & Trail Outfitters and Friends of NCTC on these interpreted float trips,
which reveal the inter-relationship
of human and natural history in the watershed. Paddlers and birders can observe
a diversity of wildlife along the river from turtles, fish, herons, waterfowl
and the resident bald eagles.
This biologist-led tour, leaving directly from the NCTC boat
ramp, will help you to identify local flora and fauna by the river. Protection
and restoration of our local watershed will be discussed as you learn more
about the human impacts on our local river environment.
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What a great way to spend your
time in Shepherdstown! |
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Take advantage of the beautiful natural resources near
Shepherdstown, WV. After a day of training or hard work in meetings, relax and unwind in a
kayak or canoe as you explore the wildlife and natural history of our Nation's
River. |
Google Earth paddling route
Cost
$44.95 including taxes and fees (w/~$5
per paddler to be donated to the Friends of the NCTC)
Includes: Interpreter(s)
and certified
guide(s), kayaks, life-vest, paddle, helmet (not required but available if
requested at the time of reservation), and shuttle service to and from the
NCTC.
Discounts
$40.57 including taxes and fees.
(Kids paddling their own boat10-14 and seniors (=>62.5 yrs)receive a 10%
discount).
$25 including taxes and fees for participants bringing their
own boat (w/~$5 per paddler to be donated to the Friends of the NCTC.)
Kids under 14
riding in their parent's tandem boats, paddle free of charge. |
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Trip Season, Time, and Length
May-August, 6pm-8:30 or 9 pm, Shuttle departs @ 6:00pm from NCTC at the traffic circle next to the
Commons Social Science Lab (Lounge). Check in as close to 5:40 pm as possible. Trip length &
time will vary according to river conditions and excursion option chosen (based on river levels
and group size).
Minimum Age
10 years old.
Minimum Attendance
A minimum of 8 paddlers are
required for the interpreted trip to take place.
Click Here for Important Info & FAQs
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Participant Registration and Payment
1. Book on-line (link directly to the trip)
in three easy steps! Must book 2 days before the trip to book-online. If you're not able to
book on-line, call by 5 pm Tuesday the week of the trip.
A tandem kayak or canoe will be assigned to group participants unless a single kayak is specifically requested upon booking.
Please request if you would like a specific boat type, if requesting a tandem, make sure you include the names of who is in
the boat with you.
Important Notes for booking:
Separate reservations must be made for seniors or
people who are providing their own boats in order to receive the discount. If
you are a senior, use the promocode: "senior" to get the 10% discount. If you
are using your own boat use the promocode: "own boat" & specify in the
Additional Requirements notes how many people & what type of boat.
If you are bringing along a child age 10-14 who will
be paddling free of charge, please do not include their count under the "youth"
category but put this sentence in the "Additional Requirements" section, "Free
kid in tandem with parent."
2.
A
waiver of liability will be required from each participant.
Participants under 18 will need a signed
parent/guardian permission form. Bring this form
with you on the day of the trip, please do not send ahead.
3. A minimum
of 8 participants is needed to run the Wednesday Evening Interpretive Paddle.
River & Trail will notify paddlers of no-go decisions by 10 am
Wednesday morning. Trips run rain or shine.
Please call 301-695-5177 or
888.i.go.play and ask for Tasha, Kandee, or Sonia if you have any
questions regarding this trip. A minimum of 8 participants is required
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Unguided Fishing Experience
Have prior experience in paddling and just want to fish the
Potomac on your own? On Wednesday evenings, River & Trail Outfitters will
provide delivery and pickup (to and from the boat ramp at NCTC) of tandem
canoes and kayaks, or single kayaks. Participants should sign up online, see
our Participant Registration and Payment above. A minimum of 6
individual participants signing up is needed for this activity.
Cost
$30.00 including taxes and fees (w/~$5 per
paddler to be donated to the Friends of the NCTC) Includes: Choice of kayak, canoe or tandem
kayak (please specify in "additional requirements" notes when booking on-line),
life-vest, paddle, helmet (not required but available if requested at the time
of reservation)
Note: Maryland Fishing licenses, which you will need on the Potomac River, are available on-line and poles and tackle are available to guests at the front desk. West Virginia residents may fish in the Potomac with a West Virginia license.These trips are bookable on Wednesdays only.
Special & Scheduled Weekend Paddling Events with River & Trail Outfitters
Rafting, Tubing, Specialty Paddling Tours, Teambuilding, Biking the C&O Canal & More!
River & Trail Outfitters has been providing outdoor
adventures for over 40 years. We have a variety of trips to offer to
individuals or groups on both weekdays and weekends. Contact us to plan a
special group trip or browse our wide
array of trip offerings on-line. Either way be sure to let us know
that you heard about us from the "Employee Association NCTC website!".
| Partnership Goals
1) To provide high-quality interpreted recreational
kayak experiences on the Potomac River that introduce NCTC guests/students, staff, family, instructors, and Friends (qualified participants) to the
unique ecology , natural history and human history of the river basin and
watershed. |
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2) To provide opportunities for NCTC guests/students, staff, family, instructors, and Friends to experience their surroundings
during their stay at NCTC, while providing a fun and meaningful way to spend an
evening.
3) To provide quality fishing access for NCTC guests/students, staff, family, instructors, and Friends during their stay at NCTC.
4) To provide quality weekend recreational opportunities to
stay-over guests/students, instructors as well as NCTC staff, family, and
Friends.
5) To provide the Friends of the NCTC with a revenue stream to support
the Friends Scholarship Program and further the NCTC and US Fish and Wildlife
Service missions and other worthy causes. |
