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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.

June 2026

June 2nd: Hike or Kayak McDaniel’s Marsh, Springfield, NH

Leaders: John & Judy Reisch

Kayakers will encounter lots of lily pads and wildlife including Loons, Herons, and Red-winged Blackbirds. Walkers can explore rural roads. Bring your lunch and chair to enjoy near the boat launch.

Directions: From New London take Route 114 North past Springfield Library and continue ½ mile to George Hill Rd. where you turn right. Go about 2 miles and you will see the dam and parking area on your right.

June 9th: Hike or Kayak Kilowatt Park, Wilder, Vermont

Leaders: John & Judy Reisch

We will kayak north on the Connecticut River to Mink Brook. We will kayak up the Mink Brook as far as desired before heading back downstream to Kilowatt Park. Hikers can walk around the park and then follow a multi-use path to Dothan Brook School and back. Bring your lunch to enjoy near the boat launch at Kilowatt Park. Bring your chair or you can sit on the lawn.

Directions: From New London take I-89 North to I-91 North in Vermont. Take Exit 12 on I-91 toward US 5/Wilder (Wilder is part of Hartford). Turn right on Bugbee Street then left on the first cross street Hartford Avenue. Turn right on Depot Street. Turn left on Norwich Avenue, then turn right on Passumpsic and follow to Kilowatt Park.

June 16th: Kayak or Hike at Otter Pond, New London, NH

Leader: Margaret Carley

Kayak around Otter Pond or hike along Otter Pond Road. After kayaking or walking enjoy a picnic lunch on Margie Carley’s lawn and deck. Margie will be providing the main lunch course. Please bring a dessert or side dish to share with fellow attendees. Kayakers can land at Margie’s house at lunch time and then paddle back to their vehicles after lunch. Hikers can walk from the parking area along Otter Pond over to Margie’s house. There is also room for 10 cars to park at Margie’s house.

Directions: From New London, follow Newport Road to Otter Pond Road. Park along Otter Pond on the beach side of the road only.

June 23rd: Kayak or Hike the Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, Vermont

Leaders: John & Judy Reisch

The Ompompanoosuc River is a beautiful river with clear water. We will paddle up stream as far as desired and then return to the launch site. One can also paddle out onto the Connecticut River from here if desired. Hiking is available on Vermont country roads. After paddling and hiking we will drive to the Union Village Dam picnic area for lunch.

Directions to the Ompompanoosuc River kayak put in: From New London follow I-89 North to I-91 North. Take Exit 13 and then follow Route 5 North, take a left on Old Bridge Road and park at 71 Old Bridge Road.

Directions to Union Village Dam: From boat launch proceed back to Route 5 and take a left. In 1/4 mile go left onto Route VT 132. After 2.4 miles take a right onto Academy Road. Continue on Main Street to the Union Village Dam Recreation Area.

June 30th: Kayak or Hike at Lake Massasecum, Bradford, NH

Leaders: Sharon & Jim Coer

Bring lunch and chairs to eat near the boat launch or bring lunch in kayaks to eat on rock ledge along lake. Swimming is also an option if it is a hot day. Hikers can walk on local roads along the lake.

Directions: From New London follow Route 114 South for 15.7 miles. Turn left onto Massasecum Lake Road, which is the boat launch. Park only in designated areas along Route 114.

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.