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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.

October 2026

 

October 6th: Hike Langwood Tree Farm in Cornish and Plainfield, NH

Leader: Kendall Buck (603) 608-6670

Meet at the Langwood Tree Farm (301 Lang Road, Cornish, NH). Parking is across from the barn, next to the outhouse. Trails are wide, well-marked and sport fewer roots and rocks than most NH hiking trails. The most scenic walk is from the parking area up the yellow, white and purple trail to the “Top of the World”. This wide trail is well marked and decorated with colorful bird houses, lending a fun and whimsical air to the adventure. Top of the World trail leads to a field with wide open views of surrounding hills and Mt. Ascutney. Round trip, this trail is 1.68 miles. Other trails can be accessed from this same area, making it easy to extend the hike. Excellent maps are available on site at the trailhead. Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots are recommended. The open field at the start of the trails is perfect for setting up chairs and enjoying lunch after exploring the trails.

Directions: I-89 North to Exit 20. Left off the exit ramp onto NH12A South. Approximately 8 miles down 12A turn left onto Westgate Road. From Westgate Road turn right onto Dodge Road. At the end of Dodge Road, turn left onto Lang Road. Langwood Tree Farm is on the left and is marked with a sign. Turn left to park. There is ample parking next to the outhouse.

October 13th: Hike Knights Hill Nature Park Trails, New London

Leaders: John & Chris Cutting (518) 275-3713

The Knights Hill Nature Park Trail System provides public access to lands owned by the New London Outing Club and protected by New London Conservation Commission conservation easements. Five interconnected trails are in the nature park plus a connector link to the Lyon Brook Trail. Bring a chair and your lunch to enjoy at the conclusion of the hike.

Directions: From Newport Road in New London turn onto County Road from the rotary and continue past New London Hospital to trailhead parking lot on left.

October 20th: Hike the Northern Rail Trail, Andover

Leader: Kendall Buck (603) 608-6670

An easy walk on the Northern Rail Trail, to the Andover recreational trail (ball field) off Lawrence Street. Or, go beyond the ball field as far as you wish but return to Potter Place between 11:30 and 12:00pm. The hike starts off at the Potter Place Railroad Station and Museum, proceeds past a covered bridge, and includes some nice views of hills and the Blackwater River. Bring a chair and your lunch or, if the weather does not cooperate, you may wish to go to The Flying Goose Pub in New London at the end of the hike for lunch.

October 27th: Hike Cocoa’s Path and the Great Brook Trail in New London

Leader: Kendall Buck (603) 608-6670

Meet at the entrance to the Webb Forest in New London on Lakeshore Drive and hike Cocoa’s Path and the Great Brook Trail. Cocoa’s Path is a gentle, wooded trail with lovely views of the brook. This path allows hikers to walk a short distance and simply enjoy the scenic brook and turn around, with a buddy, at any time. Hikers can choose to continue, with a buddy, up past Cocoa’s Path onto the Great Brook Trail. Walking up Cocoa’s Path and continuing on the Great Brook Trail and turning back at the intersection with Dura Crockett Trail would make a round-trip hike of approximately 2.5 miles. Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots are advised. If the weather is suitable, bring your lunch and a chair to eat at the trail head. Or drive up to Colby Sawyer College to enjoy the lunch buffet at the Ware Student Dining Hall.

Directions: From Main Street in New London, drive north on Pleasant Street past the Pleasant Lake Inn and past Pingree Road. Pleasant Street becomes Lakeshore Drive. A small parking lot is on the right, just across the street from the trail head.

 

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.