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Outdoor Recreation for Seniors Hiking & Kayaking

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

July 2026

July 7th: Grey Rocks Conservation Area, Hebron, NH

Leaders: John & Judy Reisch

The Grey Rocks Conservation Area provides a gateway to Newfound Lake and the Cockermouth River. Ample free parking is available. One can paddle along the shores of Newfound Lake near Audubon property where Bald Eagles nest. You can also paddle for a couple of miles up the Cockermouth River on smooth water. For hikers, a system of trails winds through the heart of the Cockermouth River delta with observation platforms for views. Wander the level and well-marked trails and enjoy the serene surroundings. Bring your chair and lunch to enjoy near the boat launch.

Directions: From New London follow Route 11 East, turn left on Route 4 and follow 7 miles to Danbury. Turn right on Route 104 East and follow 9 miles to Bristol. Turn left on Route 3A North and follow for 8.8 miles. Turn left on North Shore Road and follow for 1.6 miles to 178 North Shore Road, Hebron, NH.

July 14th: Kayak or Hike Grafton Pond, Enfield, NH

Leaders: John & Judy Reisch

Lots of Loons and hopefully baby Loons! This wilderness pond has only a couple of houses around it and it is one of our favorite paddling places! Bring lunch to eat on the rock island or return and have lunch along the lake near the launch site. Nice hiking is available along dirt roads in the area.

Directions: From New London take Route 114 North through Springfield Center to 4 Corners Road. Turn right at the Town Meeting House and go to Bowman Road. Turn left and proceed until you reach Route 4A North (which is a left turn). Just past the Enfield town line, turn right on Grafton Pond Road. Bear right and keep going to the dam and the parking lot.

July 21st: Kayak or Hike Around Goose Pond, Canaan, NH

Leaders: John & Judy Reisch

Goose Pond is a 650-acre lake. There are 6 Loons on the lake this year but no baby Loons because the nests got flooded when the water level came up. Please join us at the boat launch to paddle around the lake or hike on local roads around the lake. At noon, bring your lunch to John & Judy’s at 876 Goose Pond Road, which is about 1 mile south of the boat launch. Judy will provide several flavors of her famous homemade ice cream for dessert. Bring your bathing suit and a towel if you would like to swim after lunch.

Directions: Exit 17 from Interstate 89. Turn right onto Route 4 East and follow for 7 miles. Turn left onto Goose Pond Road (bear left at the dam to stay on Goose Pond Road) and follow for about 5 miles to the boat launch.

July 28th: Kayak or Hike Around Canaan Street Lake, Canaan, NH

Leaders: John & Judy Reisch

Bring your lunch and chair to enjoy near the beach and put-in area. Bring your bathing suit and towel if you would like to swim at the nice sandy town beach.

Directions: Make your way to Canaan on Route 4 from either Andover (Route 11) or from Exit 17 off I-89. In the center of Canaan, turn onto Canaan Street (by the Poor House BBQ) and follow approximately 2 miles to Canaan Street Beach.

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:

  1. All members of ORFS must first have registered with COA.
  2. All members must complete and return the waiver and emergency contact forms prior to their first activity.
  3. All members shall abide by the safety recommendations of the event leaders.
  4. COA leaders will have the authority to refuse participation to members unwilling to adhere to the safety precautions.
  5. 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.
  6. Leaders will inform COA staff of the incident and further action may be taken.

Leader Responsibilities:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Leaders are expected to take attendance and submit attendance to COA in a timely manner following the conclusion of the event.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Leaders shall determine if a participant should be assigned a “partner” for safety reasons to ensure that no individual is left alone or behind.
  9. 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.

  1. 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):

  1. Members shall come to all ORFS events properly prepared for expected conditions (i.e. weather, road conditions, etc.).
  2. 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.
  3. Members shall wear, at all times while on the water, a PFD (lifejacket) for all kayaking events.
  4. Members are asked to carry a cell phone with them at all times for emergency use.
  5. 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):

  1. Members shall come to all ORFS events properly prepared for expected conditions (i.e. weather, road conditions, etc.).
  2. 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.
  3. Members shall have snowshoes or microspikes available in the event the leader decides they are required.
  4. COA leaders will have the authority to refuse participation to members unwilling to adhere to the safety precautions.
  5. 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.