Chesapeake Bay News

The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin invites the public to paddle with members on the Potomac River for the Shepherdstown Brunch Trip Sunday, September 11, 2011.

NOTE : The event has been re-scheduled due to water conditions. The make-up date is set for Sunday October, 16 2011.

Spend a day on the Potomac paddling between the shores of Maryland and West Virginia.  The one day Ramble will start mid-morning on Sunday September 11th just below Dam 4 and end in cozy Shepherdstown, W.Va.  Along the way, paddlers will stop for an out-of-boat brunch and a couple of educational programs focusing on watershed issues.

The Potomac River Ramble is a canoeing and kayaking event that features environmental programming, restoration projects, festive meals, meetings with elected officials, and much more.

Novice and experienced paddlers alike enjoy a unique on-the-water experience that builds a strong environmental ethic, while having a lot of fun.  The Ramble aims to elevate awareness of the Potomac River’s importance to the region and to encourage local residents to play an active role in its restoration.

Experience with boats is not necessary.  Guides, food, and transportation will be provided.  Attendees can enjoy Potomac River scenery, presentations, food, camaraderie, and paddling.

For information or to register for the event, visit the River Ramble page on the ICPRB website.

A special guest has been invited to the annual Potomac River Ramble, July 8-11. On the second night of this year’s canoe and kayak camping trip, the 18th century Cherokee Indian “Mankiller” Ostenaco (played by actor  Doug Wood) will appear in the firelight, his head painted warrior red, to tell the story of how he led 130 men into war to protect British settlers against the fury of the French.

The Potomac River Ramble, sponsored by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin and led by River & Trail Outfitters, is an annual, multi-day canoe and kayak trip featuring riverside camping, catered meals, restoration projects, history talks, nature walks and environmental education.

Biologists, historians, geologists and other experts will meet the group of paddlers along the way for hands-on instruction and discussion. Organizers hope participants will become intimately connected with the “nation’s river” by camping alongside it as they paddle the three-day course.

This year’s event begins Thursday evening, July 8 and ends Sunday afternoon, July 11. Experienced guides and other experts will lead paddlers from Town Creek Park, W.Va. through the gorges and rolling hills of the Potomac River’s Paw Paw Bends, ending at Little Orleans.

No paddling experience is necessary, and you do not have to register for the entire trip. The cost is $55 per day and includes meals, camping fees, guides, shuttle and educational programming. If you do not have a boat, rentals are available; prices include delivery and pickup.

For more information please visit:  http://www.potomacriver.org/cms/

You may also contact Jennifer Willoughby with the ICPRB at 301-984-1908 ext. 109 or JWilloughby@icprb.org; or Lee Baihly with River & Trail Outfitters at 301-988-5712 or lee@rivertrail.com.

The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin has been working to enhance and protect the Potomac River and its tributaries through regional and interstate partnerships since 1940. River and Trail Outfitters has been guiding trips since 1972, annually outfitting more than 30,000 people on various rivers in the Potomac watershed.

The Maryland “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” (BOW) program is now accepting registrations for its fall 2009 workshop. The fall workshop will be held at the Garrett County 4-H camp near Deep Creek Lake on October 23 through 25. BOW offers outdoor skills workshops in a relaxed environment specifically for women 18 years of age and older to learn outdoor skills. Men are also welcome.

“The BOW program promotes a casual setting helpful to learning, making friends and having fun,” said BOW State Coordinator Patty Allen. “The program’s safe, hands-on approach gives participants the knowledge to further pursue their interest once the workshop is over.”

Maryland adopted the “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” program in 1994 (which was nationally formed in 1991). Since then, Maryland has offered quality outdoor experiences to over 4,000 participants. The emphasis of BOW is on the enjoyment and camaraderie that goes along with outdoor recreation, whether it’s hunting, fishing, hiking or boating.

Participants choose from of over 30 courses such as outdoor photography, geocaching, turkey hunting, fly fishing, hiking, kayaking, outdoor survival skills and many more. Participants may design their outdoor experience to match their own interests. Weekend workshops begin with lunch on Friday and end with lunch on Sunday.
For more information and to register for the upcoming workshop, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/bowevents.asp or call Patty Allen at 410-260-8537.