Waterway Work Trips
Explore the natural world, meet people with similar interests and help complete meaningful work along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail this summer! Join our staff, interns and other volunteers for a weekend of field work. A small fee covers all meals, including Friday dinner, Saturday meals, and Sunday breakfast. Trips begin Friday evening and wrap up after lunch on Sunday — and we always make time for paddling, exploration and relaxation. Note trips are limited to 6-8 volunteers, and can fill up quick!
2023 Waterway Work Trips
June 23rd-25th, Lake Champlain’s Valcour Island Campsites, NY: Help complete critical maintenance at a series of campsites on Valcour Island, one of the most scenic and historic islands in the lake. Work will involve installing privies and timber steps. We will be paddling to the island as a group and setting up camp for the weekend. Full!
June 30th-July 2nd, Indian Carry and Upper Saranac Lake, NY: Help rehabilitate the historic carry “Indian Carry” connecting the Raquette and Saranac Rivers in the heart of the Adirondack Park! We will also complete stewardship work at campsites on Upper Saranac Lake. We’ll rendezvous at the Indian Carry access and paddle a short distance to a campsite along the lake. Full!
July 7th-9th: Passumpsic River Community Access, VT Help install stone steps at an emerging, community park near the historic Sanford covered bridge as part of an effort to develop a paddlers’ trail for the Passumpsic River, a beautiful tributary to the Connecticut.
July 14th-16th: Missisquoi Paddle Pedal and Upper Missisquoi Access, VT: Develop a new access to the Missisquoi River near the Canadian border, and help beyond the scenes at the Missisquoi Paddle-Pedal, a wonderful community event.
July 21st-23rd The Mighty Androscoggin, NH. Help open up new paddling opportunities along a beautiful yet under appreciate stretch of the Androscoggin River in the mountain town of Gorham, NH. We’ll be installing a dock, stone steps, and clearing an access trail. Full!
July 28th-30th: Rapid River Carry, ME: Help complete important maintenance along this history carry, which provides a connection between Umbagog Lake and the Rangeley Lakes region. We plan to replace failing bridges, resurface rocky sections, establish a new take-out, and improve signage. Volunteers are welcome to paddle to the sites or hop in on a pontoon boat departing from north of Errol Friday afternoon. Full!
August 4th-6th: Moosehead Lake West Shore Campsites, ME: We plan to establish two new campsites on beautiful Moosehead Lake’s western shore. Work will involve clearing down trees, constructing tent pads, assembling privies, signage, and tables. Participants can choose to the site – or hop in on a boat departing from the Birches Resort Friday afternoon. Full!
Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any additional questions or want to be added to a waitlist for full trips, please contact Stewardship Director Noah Pollock at [email protected] or (802) 496-2285 ext. 2.
