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Here are some basic questions and answers about my trips. If you have any other questions, email me and I'll answer you by email. I'll also add the question to this list so other people can read it.
$150/day plus expenses (land use fees, camping fees, etc). For custom trip packages, please call or email for a personal quote.
As a rule, trip packages will be cheaper than the daily rate. Trip packages will include all expenses.
No. Complete instruction will be given if you need (or want) it.
The weather can change daily. On spring and fall trips you can expect temperatures to be as low as the 30s and as high as the 70s. Rain is to be expected during any season, along with wind. Only on early spring or late fall trips do you have to worry about snow. There is a link at the top of every page in this site for the weather in Jackman-Moose River Region.
All you need to bring is clothes, sleeping bag, and personal gear (toiletries, medicines, eyeglasses, etc). Everything else will be provided. There are links to checklists of what to bring for all ages on the Sign Up page. If you would like, I can also mail you the lists of what to bring..
Basically the same things you eat at home. Canoe camping can be a strange experience, so I try to keep the foods familiar, especially with young children. I feel they need the comfort of familiar meals. For snacks, we take fresh fruit, dried fruit, gorp (raisins and peanuts) with M&Ms mixed in. While fancy dehydrated meals take up very little space, they aren't the most satisfying and I've found that a lot of kids hate them. I cook things like steak, chicken, hot dogs, potatoes, rice, fresh vegetables, and casserole type meals like mac and cheese. Ramen Noodles seem to be a hit for some kids. For breakfast: eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, bacon, toast, muffins, fresh and dried fruit. Lunches are usually sandwiches and a piece of fruit, although if it's cool, we'll have a hot meal. Before your trip, I'll get a list of all your child's favorites. No one will go hungry.
Just let me know and the meals will be prepared however needed. I have experience in preparing both gluten and dairy free meals. I also have a cousin who is allergic to peanuts, so I know how serious an allergic reaction can be.
Water is a big one although all drinking water must be treated. I boil water and have water filters. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate will be available for any meal and also whenever the temperature is cool. Juice and "Kool-Aid" type drinks are a big hit. I've noticed that kids tend not to drink a lot on the trips, so I make a point of having them drink so they stay hydrated. I like to bring straws for the kids. They are more inclined to drink with one.
Easy enough. Most campsites have an outhouse although some have just a seat with no walls. If we're on the water, we'll stop so you can go on shore, up away from the water. I bring a small shovel so you can dig a small cat hole if needed.
No. I like to spend 2 to 6 hours traveling each day. This includes all stops. The exact amount of time depends on the needs of the day and how everyone is feeling. I like to take plenty of stretch breaks. Lunches will be on shore, not on the go. We will also spend time exploring along the way. It's not a race. I would rather stop early in the day at a sure campsite than get to one late in the day, after a long, hard paddle, only to find out it is occupied. However, there may be times when we have to paddle a little longer due to campsites being full, weather, or emergencies. No one can predict every situation.
At each campsite, I will get with the parents and establish specific boundaries that the children (and parents) must stay within. Children who are old enough to have a whistle will have one. Parents must keep an eye on their children. I am not a babysitter. Parents must be responsible for their children. Before the trip, I will go over some basic information about being in the woods as well as specific information for where we will be. This will be for the parent as well as the child. One key thing to remember is if you don't know where you are or how to get back to camp, you're lost. That's ok. It happens. Accept the fact that you're lost and STAY PUT!! I will find you. If you keep walking around, you will get further and further away from me and make it more difficult to find you.
Relax and have fun. If you like to fish, go fishing (you must have a license). Set up your tent the way you want it, read a book, play with your child, eat, play some games, swim, take a nap. The possibilities are endless.
I like to be on the water by 9 am. Now this is in a perfect situation. I'm not about to wake a 3 year old up, especially if he was up late the night before. Also, there may be times we need to be on the water earlier.
No big deal. Just bring lots of diapers. Use diapers with velcro fasteners instead of tape. If the tape gets damp, it won't stick. Be careful changing a boy inside the tent. A shower is a good possibility, and then the tent and your sleeping bag is wet. We'll have good trash bags to carry the used diapers out.
Again, no big deal. We'll just get him into dry clothes and wash out the sleeping bag. I recommend synthetic sleeping bags for all children who may wet the bed. If the synthetic bag gets wet, it will still insulate. Down is useless when wet.
No, it means I have a little boy and I'm used to saying "him". Daughters are just as welcome as sons.
Only in special circumstances. For instance, if a parent wants him to so he can keep their child company and be a role model. I do the trips with him early and late in the year, so we get our time. This is your trip.
You can buy it new at places like Campmor and LL Bean, but I recommend getting it at yard sales or second hand stores. The reason for this is because kids grow fast. Most clothes are only good for one season and are quite expensive. Look for things like fleece jackets and pants, rain coats, long underwear, wool or synthetic socks. I have a small selection of warm clothes in childrens' sizes if you are lacking anything.
For younger children, I recommend one-piece sleepers. If it's cool, have him wear 2, just get a larger one to go over the one that fits. For older kids, sweat pants and shirts, shorts, what ever they are comfortable in. For cooler nights, socks and a hat will make all the difference in the world. Babies and toddlers tend to roll around a tent when they sleep, so I make sure they are dressed warm enough in case they roll out of the sleeping bag. I'll send you a recommended clothes list specific to the time of year we are taking our trip.
When my son was a baby, I kept him in the bag with me. That way I knew he was warm and safe. As he got older, I got him a North Face sleeping bag from Campmor (see link above). It was more expensive than a "Wal-Mart" one, but he and I camp very early and late in the season. An inexpensive one will do fine in most situations. With young children, you should get rid of all pull cords and strings by the head so there is no choking hazard.
At each campsite, I will set up a tarp for use as a rain or sun shelter. We will be able to eat and hang out under the tarp. Most campsites have picnic tables, and the tarp will be over them. The tents will keep you dry at night, while during the day rain gear will keep us dry.
For the Moose River Bow trip, we will meet at the post office in the center of Jackman, ME.
If you already have lodgings in the Jackman area, I will meet you where you are staying at an agreed upon time.
Detailed driving directions will be sent to you before your trip.
That's no problem. Let me know what your needs are. I'm always up for an adventure, even if it's just for an afternoon. We can paddle to a secluded beach, take a hike up a local mountain, go fishing, do a little partridge hunting, go moose watching, do some snowshoeing, whatever strikes your fancy. Call me or email me with your needs, and together we'll come up with a wilderness adventure for your family.
*New Questions February 2, 2005*We will be using Eureka Timberline Outfitter, 4 person tents and Campmor self-inflating sleeping pads.
Check out the new page Updates and Trips Planned to see a list of current trips planned.
On the Moose River Bow Trip, we will meet at 7am the first day of the trip. I suggest staying the night before in Jackman if you are travelling a long distance. I can recommend accommodations if you would like.
On shorter trips, we will agree on a meeting time when we finalize plans for your trip.
I have life jackets for adults, children, and infants. However, if you have a favorite life jacket (PFD) go ahead and bring it.
If you are going to be camping in Maine, you will have to deal with them. Fortunately, they will leave us alone while we are on the water.
Black flies are typically the worst from the end of May to the middle of July. Mosquitos come around all summer. No-see-ums (like sand fleas) are frequent visitors as well. Cool evenings, campfire smoke, insect repellants, and wind help to keep them away.
Deet-based insect repellant works the best, but I never use it on a child. There are some non-toxic repellants that seem to work well. Natrapel, Avena Institutes Buzz-Away, and Burt's Bees repellant are some that I have had good luck with. Another option is mosquito netting clothes such as jackets, hats, etc. They are available at places like LL Bean and Campmor (see links above).
Wear light colored clothing and avoid perfumes and scented soaps. They attract mosquitos and black flies as well.
A deposit of 25% per person is due when booking your trip with full payment required two weeks before your trip. Your deposit is fully refundable up until the two weeks before your trip. After that, it is non-refundable.
When booking a trip less than two weeks prior, full payment is expected unless other arrangements are made.
Yes. Right here. It's in .pdf form. You can print it off, fill it out, and send it to me. I like to have all registration forms at least two weeks prior to the trip.
If you need Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here.
Yes. Click here for some photo albums.
Yes. I just purchased some things from Hilton's Tent City which is located right in Boston. I ordered from them online and am very pleased with their prices and service. I highly recommend them.
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