The FPC Stow and Acton canoe trip is a great tradition going back over 30 years!  Often, in the past, we camped and paddled on various rivers, but last year we tried a 1-day trip and had a great response – over 60 people!  So we’re doing it the same way this year, but with a few changes and improvements.

Register by:  Sunday, June 19. Links to the forms are in the table below to be printed, filled out, signed and given or sent to us, Katy and Dave, with payment. Please pay by check (made out to FPC).

Trip date:  Saturday, July 23, 2016

Where: The Contoocook River in NH, outfitted by the Contoocook River Canoe & Kayak Rentals Co., located at 9 Horse Hill Road, Concord, NH 03303. That’s about a 1.5 hour trip from Stow.

Plan: We will have two groups. One, the Full Trip group, will paddle a stretch 9-miles from start to finish. The other, the Easy Paddle group, will paddle 2 miles upriver from the outfitter’s launch area and 2 miles back.  We will all meet for lunch at a place called Daisy Beach, at about 12-12:30.

Full Trip: Arrive by 8AM to get instructions and be fitted with paddles and life vests. Your rental boat will be pre-loaded on the outfitter’s trailer; personal boats will be added. We’ll be transported at 9AM to Contoocook Village, and plan to be underway at  9:30-9:45.

Easy Paddle:  Plan to depart the outfitter’s launch site by 11

All: Both groups will meet at Daisy Beach at noon for lunch and swimming, stay up to 2 hours, and paddle back to the outfitter’s launch area, 2 miles.  Bring your own lunch and things to share! We should be back to the outfitter by 3-3:30PM.  We will NOT have a picnic afterward at FPC as we did last year, so you might plan to add a NH trip elsewhere with friends afterward.

FAQ:

Which group should I go with? Slower, less-experienced paddlers, or those uncertain they have the stamina to enjoy paddling 9 miles (3+ hours at a walking pace), should take the Easy Paddle option. This trip can be extended by leaving earlier, then paddling upriver beyond the lunch point until you meet the Full Trip flotilla.

What is the trip like? The river is flat water and generally slow moving. Your locomotion will be by muscle power, not current! It’s a lovely river, moving past woods and farm fields. We will enjoy lunch and conversation, swimming and a rope swing at the Daisy Beach picnic area, and there are points along the way where you can stop and take a dip or rest. The river can be very sunny.

Can I bring my own boat? Yes. There is a transport fee for the Full Trip, or a small charge to self-launch at the outfitter’s site for the Easy Paddle option.

What boats are available to rent? Canoes, 1- and 2-person kayaks. Rates are on the application form. Inexperienced paddlers with kids may be better off with 2-person and/or 1-person kayaks than with a canoe.

What if I am not certain I am going by the June 19 registration date? You can send us an application and a check, and be refunded if you cancel before July 20.

What if I will not know my rental/transport needs  by June 19? Take your best guess, and we can make adjustments before July 20.

What if I have other questions?  Please check the Kayak & Canoe Trip Info & Sign-up Sheet first, then email us at canoe-trip@fpc-stow-acton.org, call us at 978-4565-6832, or talk to us at church on June 5, 12, or 19.