Outdoor ESCAPES New Hampshire, LLC -- Outdoor Adventures for Groups

Why? Safety & Environment Reservation Information Group Program Activities & Prices:

Youth investigate aquatic life in the Great North Woods on a kayak trip.

We are glad to share our wisdom of New Hampshire with lots of people!

We serve organizations, homeschoolers, bus and motor coach tour groups, after-school programs, private schools, church programs, corporate groups, youth groups, camps, and clubs such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Charlie's Angels--Women's church group from Meredith, NH

Wilderness Guide /Outdoor Educator Lucie Villeneuve and our other guides will meet you at, or near, your New Hampshire location, or in any region of New Hampshire, for instructional clinics, nature presentations, survival workshops, outdoor recreation lessons, and guided adventures of any duration. We also provide step-on guide services for motor coach, bus, and van tours--see last listing on this page.

A: Outdoor Living Opportunities Help Build Life-Long Skills

Everyone benefits from "getting back to nature" by becoming aware of their place in natural environments and what it takes to survive "just like in the good old days"... fresh air, clean water, simple food, protection from the elements, and a good pace.

As for youth, it takes a community... working and learning with caring adults, young people are given the chance to explore interests and try new skills, develop positive self esteems and relationships, as well as healthy leisure time activities, and expand communication, problem solving, and leadership skills. Finding a hobby or sport may turn into a career, or even a chance at the Olympics, while staying out of trouble.

Group Impacts on the Environment, and Safety Concerns

To minimize the wear and tear on the natural environments we tread on, Outdoor ESCAPES New Hampshire, LLC works hard to educate participants on some basic principles regarding trail and water use while we play, poop, eat, and keep personal hygiene. Safety is another concern which we take pride in preventing problems. New Hampshire has rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. Participants will be given a list of personal things to bring on wilderness trips. Please take this list seriously, no more and no less. We also travel through the wilderness in small groups that stick together. This keeps things logistically manageable and cuts down on disturbing wildlife. More tips will be given during teachable moments.

Reservations

After reading about our Group Programs below (or print this page), please call or e-mail Lucie to check for availability at least 30 days in advance, if possible. Complete the Group Program Reservation Request Form on the Reservations page and let us know what interests your group. Details and prices will be customized…we will plan and implement the best experience for your budget, whether your goal is personal development, team building, enriching the life of children, or to simply experience the great outdoors together. We’ll do our best to meet your expectations with safety, fun, and learning.

Group Program Activities, Rentals, and Prices

Below is a list of our ESCAPES offered to groups. Each customized group program is priced separately and will depend on the number of participants (youth and adult parents/chaperones/ leaders), custom location, transportation and/or rental equipment needed, meals and snacks included, and the duration of the trip or the number of sessions. For groups larger than 10 participants (adults and youth) in the summer we hire additional qualified guides or collaborate with other outfitters. We've handled many groups of 40 in the past. These larger groups, such as Scouts, usually bring their own tents and cook kits (stoves, pots, etc.) and Outdoor ESCAPES NH supplies food, fuel, two-way radio and first aid support, and experienced guides that facilitate the group’s pace and programs. Click for a sample of a week-long Scout trip. For small groups we can supply tents, stoves, backpacks, and drybags. We also handle logistical matters such as rentals (canoes, kayaks, bikes, x-c skis, snowshoes, etc.) and can help arrange meals, lodging, and transportation for before, during, and after your ESCAPE for a complete package.

Hiking, Backpacking, or Country Walking

May - November

For just one day, 2-hours, or as a multi-day adventure

- Wildlife Watching and Scenic Opportunities

- Outdoor Photography

- Waterfalls and Wildflowers

- Nature/History Experiences or Talks (see list below)

- Survival Tips/Clinics (see list below)

- Day Trips, Backpack Trips, and Yurt Adventures

Reservations Top of Page

Snowshoe Nature Hiking

December - April

Snowshoe winter hiking is beautiful

For just one day, 2-hours, or as a multi-day adventure

- Wildlife Watching and Scenic Opportunities

- Animal Tracking and Signs

- Tree Identification in Winter

- Nature/History Experiences or Talks (see list below)

- Winter Survival Tips/Clinics (see list below)

- Day Trips, Backpack Trips, and Yurt Adventures

Reservations Top of Page

Cross Country Skiing / Backcountry Skiing

December - April

Cross country skiing gets you moving

For just one day, several 2-hour lessons,
or as a multi-day adventure

- Nature Discovery Tours (Wildlife, Rivers, and Weather in Winter)

- Winter Trekking Survival Tips

- Beginner/Intermediate Diagonal Stride Cross Country Ski Lessons:

Equipment, balance, rhythm, up hills, down hills, corners,

and using poles correctly

- Skate, Backcountry, and Telemark Lessons (advanced students)

- Day Trips, Inn-to-Inn, and Yurt Adventures

Reservations Top of Page

North Woods Survival Skills

All year—indoors and out

Map out an adventure

For a day, several 2-hour sessions,
or as part of a multi-day adventure

- Assemble a Bivy Kit--to keep for future wilderness treks

- 10 Essentials

- Environmental Hazards

- Knot Tying

- Map and Compass, Navigation

- Outdoor Cooking with Camp Stoves

- Primitive Shelter Building

- Primitive Fire Building

- Signaling

- Staying Healthy on the Trail

- Weather

- Wilderness Ethics and Treading Lightly

- Wilderness Trip Planning/Leadership--see Team Building activities

- Note: All topics can be covered on a 2 or 3 day trek, but skills

develop better with practice on longer trips.

Reservations Top of Page

Canoeing and Kayaking

Mid-May through October

For just one day, several 2-hour lessons,
or as a multi-day adventure

- Flatwater and Quickwater Paddling

- Whitewater Class I-II for ages 13 and up

- Tours: Paddle through history on ponds, lakes, rivers, estuary,

and tidal areas with stops & talks to explore nature, wildlife,

photography, and history)

- Lessons: Equipment and Safety Orientation, Paddle Strokes,

Communication, River Reading, Navigation, Basic Rescue, and

Survival Topics

- Day Trips, Camping Trips, Yurt Adventures and Inn-to-Inn Tours

Reservations Top of Page

Mountain Biking and Road Touring

Mid-May through October

Be daring and take up mountain biking.

For just one day, several 2-hour lessons,

or as part of a multi-day adventure

- Tours: Pedal through history on designated bike paths or

back roads with stops at points of interest

- Lessons and Practice: Equipment and safety orientation, body

position, shifting gears, navigation, and communication

- Advanced Lessons (ages 13 and up):

-Single Track/Technical Terrain

-Bicycle Inspection and Preventative Bike Maintenance

- Day Trips, Camping Trips, Yurt Adventures, or Inn-to-Inn Tours

Single track mountain biking Country/forest road biking Road touring

Reservations Top of Page

Archery

All year indoors and mid-May through October outdoors

Target archery fun

For just one day, several 2-hour lessons, or

as part of a multi-day adventure

- Target Archery Lessons: History, instruction, practice, and games

- We use compound bows for ages 5+

- Fletching Arrows craft activity: fancy pencils to take home

Fletching arrows activity

Reservations Top of Page

Nature and History Experiences and Talks

All year

A New Hampshire farm

Age-appropriate field experiences or presentation topics

- New Hampshire’s Changing Landscape and Its Inhabitants

(overview of natural and human history)

- All About Moose…and/or deer, bear, fisher, pine marten, muskrat,

porcupine, otter, coyote, bobcat, beaver, etc.

- Animal Tracking, Behavior, and Signs

- Birds of New Hampshire…bald eagle, loon, migrations, etc.

- Covered Bridges of New Hampshire

- Forestry: New Hampshire’s Past and Present

- Geology of New Hampshire

- Lighthouses on New Hampshire’s Seacoast

- Nature at Night in New Hampshire

- New Hampshire’s Habitat Diversity

- Plant Identification…trees in winter, wildflowers, edibles, etc.

- Railroads to Rail Trails

- Reptiles and Amphibians All Year

- River Systems of New Hampshire

- Seacoast Creatures…birds, shellfish, mammals, fish, etc.

- Stargazing

- Stonewalls, Orchards, and Sap Buckets: NH’s Farm History

- Waterfalls and Cascades around New Hampshire

- Weather in the White Mountains

- Wildflowers of the Granite State

Reservations Top of Page

Outdoor Photography

Guided tours and tips: Still photography, videography, sketching, and painting all year

American beaver feeding in winter

For just one day, or as part of a multi-day adventure

- Wildlife

- Plants/Wildflowers

- Natural Landscapes: seacoast, lakes, mountains, river valleys, alpine

- Waterfalls

- Fall Foliage

- Winterscapes

- Harvest/Farms

- Quaint Country Towns

- Church Steeples- Covered Bridges

- Historic Buildings

- Outdoor sports action

- Modern Cultural Scenes

Reservations Top of Page

Team Building, Leadership, and Life Skills

For families and groups all year

Together we make a better world

For just one day, or as part of a multi-day adventure

These and many other activities we offer help individuals develop life skills (adapted from 4-H)…become creative and productive citizens, develop positive leisure time activities, create a lifelong desire for knowledge, foster positive self esteem, build leadership potential, become involved in communities, explore interests and try new skills.

- Ice Breakers

- Initiatives

- Adventure-Based Games

- Low-Ropes Course

- High-Ropes Course

- Indoor Rock Climbing Wall

- Zip Line

- Orienteering

- Community Projects, such as river cleanup and trail maintenance

- Leadership Topics, such as Communication and Group Dynamics

- Wilderness Trip Planning and Leadership—see specific topics listed under

Recreation Activities -> Survival & Backcountry Skills

- Make & Take Home Workshops: Sew your own fleece clothing, Sew a

lightweight emergency shelter, Survival kit assembly, and Fletching

arrow pencils

- Equipment Use, Maintenance, & Repair Clinics: GPS, Bicycle, Cross

country skis , Canoe/Kayak, Tent, and Camp Stove

Reservations Top of Page

Sightseeing Tours...

1. Step-on guide service for motor coach, school bus, and van

Great North Woods

White Mountains

Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee

Lakes Region

Monadnock

Merrimack Valley

Seacoast

Sightseeing tours, step-on guide survice

Spend a day or more exploring various regions of N.H.

- Experience local nature, history, culture, and sightseeing

- Interpretive tours available in these regions of New Hampshire:

Lakes Region, Seacoast, Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee,

White Mountains, and Great North Woods

- Customized with stops at points of interest: Waterfalls, scenic

vistas, farms, covered bridges, historic buildings, fall foliage,

moose viewing, visitor centers, museums, souvenir shopping,

and short walks or hikes

2. Click for our private S.U.V. Tours for up to 4 participants

ESCAPES

Custom ESCAPES For individuals, couples, families, and small groups.

Group Programs Youth, seniors, clubs, large groups, motor coach tours.

Packages Pre-planned ESCAPES...wilderness excursions & lodging getaway packages.

Special Events Join group events--check often for updates!

Groups Print Group Programs & Rentals (4 page PDF)

Adventures for everyone!

Why? Safety & Environment Reservation Information Group Program Activities & Prices:

Q: Why do this for children, or for children-at-heart?

A: Outdoor Living Opportunities Help Build Life-Long Skills

Group Impacts on the Environment, and Safety Concerns

Reservations

Group Program Activities, Rentals, and Prices