For more than 30 years folks have been gathering twice a year to share their love for backcountry travel by canoe, by snowshoe, or by ski. From throughout the Northeast and Canada we have come together to teach, to learn, to make new friends, and to spend time with old friends as we talk about past trips and plan for future trips.
A Brief History
Our New Home - Ohana Family Camp
Following a two year Covid caused gap we are back with a new program and a new site. Merging our two events into one weekend has been talked about for years and 2023 is a great time to make the change. We will open with an often-requested Wilderness First Aid & CPR Workshop on October 12th & 13th, Thursday & Friday. The Paddlers-SnowWalkers Gathering-VT 2023 will follow, from October 13th to the 15th. In addition to our new program, we have moved 9 miles to Ohana Family Camp on Lake Fairlee in Thetford, VT. Ohana has a large dining hall, great meeting spaces, and 20 quaint cabins, Ohana will maintain our long-standing tradition of hearty meals, made with locally sourced ingredients.
The large & airy dining hall is centrally located amongst the cabins and has a wonderful view of the Lake Fairlee Valley & surrounding lands. The waterfront is a 15 minute scenic walk downhill from the Dining Hall and most cabins. (Usually a 20-minute return trip. :)
Lodging & Meals
The Ohana Cabins
The cabins range in size from 1 to 4 bedrooms each with a full bath and plenty of hot water. It is also important to note that the cabins do NOT have heat beyond the fireplace. (As we all know a fireplace does not mean cabin heat!) If we have a warm October weekend we will not notice. If we have a cold & rainy weekend, remember to pack your warm fall sleeping bag and pillowcase and towel. (Ohana is not providing us with linens.) Remember, if you prefer to choose your own roommate please provide us with that information on your registration form. We will do the best we can to follow your requests.
* Remember to bring your sleeping bag, pillowcase and a towel.
Tenters
We have a limited number of tent spots for the program. Please contact Andy ASAP 802-356-0798 or awilliamsvt@gmail.com if you would like to tent.
Meals
Meals: The full gathering meal plan provides you with D, B,L,D, & B & snacks throughout the weekend. If you are a commuter your plan provides you with D, L, & D & all snacks throughout the weekend. Thank you in advance for following your meal plan.
The Ohana Waterfront
This year we will be offering a number of water based activities. If you are thinking of participating in a water based workshop, please bring your PFD. Ohana Policy as well as a good practice is No One will be allowed on the water without wearing a proper sized & fitted PFD.
Things to know
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The Silent Auction has now become an annual part of each Paddlers’ weekend. Your contribution of an item or a service will help us increase the budget that we use to diversify and support our terrific speakers and their travel expenses. These Items are generally more valuable than items on the door prize table. Past donations have included paddles, tents, larger paintings, an anorak, a wetsuit and much more.
Contact: Jane Barron jbarronsew@gmail.com
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Bring some Country Food to share at Wine & Cheese, Saturday Night
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“Door Prizes' are a tradition at Paddlers. Participants and presenters bring items to contribute to our Door Prize Table. Past items have included maple syrup, books, small paintings and drawings, knit caps, a carving, and much more. In past years 20 or more folks have left Paddlers with a wonderful Door Prize/memento of their weekend in Vermont. Please bring one item to include on the Door Prize Table. If you are contributing: Please fill out the cards on the door prize table and tape them to a can. Thanks to all who contribute - great prizes!! DIRECTIONS: – each person may put 5 slips, with your name on them, in the cans of choice. Please print clearly and boldly! - For Seth!!
Your thoughts and suggestions are always appreciated - there will be a form by the entrance door for you to fill out if you so choose.
SCHEDULE-Paddlers & SnowWalkers-VT 2023
Ohana Family Camp
October 13 – 15, 2023
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3:00 - 6:00 - SELF-REGISTRATION in Library
5:00 - 6:00 - Wine & Cheese - BYOL (Bring your own Libations - we supply cheese & crackers) -
6:00 - 7:00 - Dinner
7:20 - 7:30 Welcome – Bruce Lindwall -
7:30 - 7:50 – Readings Willem Lange
7:55 - 8:25 – Winter Camping in Vermont Sam Brakeley
8:30- 9:00 – Tips for Solo Travel Alexandra Conover -
9:00 to wee hours - schmoozing, snacks, music, and stories (bring your fiddle, guitar or...)
Friday, October 13
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7:30 - Breakfast
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8:20 - 8:30 – Welcome & Introductions
8:30 – 9:00 – Earth Woods Ways Guide Service - Winter camping - Ray Rietze/Pat Dole
9:00 - 9:30 – Backcountry skiing with Family– Karrie Thomas
9:30 – 10:00 – Effects of Fires in Quebec - Naomi Heindel -
SNACKS, TAILGATE VENDORS, DISPLAYS
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Waterfront
1. Tandem Paddling — Becky Mason & Reid Mclachlan
2. Canoe Poling — Jean Gerber
3. Canoe Rescue & Safety — Laurie Gullion & Bruce LindwallLAND
1. Ax Care & Repair — Geoff Burke
2. Food and Menu planning — TBD
3. Tarps & Knots — David Brown
4. Outdoor Cooking & Baking T & T — David Lewis
5. Camping with family — RJ Thompson -
12:10 - Door Prizes, Afternoon Workshop Announcements & Descriptions/Authors/Announcements
12:30 –Lunch
Saturday, October 14
Morning Session
Afternoon Session
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TAILGATE VENDORS, DISPLAYS
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Waterfront
1. Tandem Paddling Becky Mason & Reid Mclachlan
2. Canoe Poling Jean Gerber
3. Canoe Rescue & Safety Laurie Gullion & Bruce LindwallLand
1. Winter Equipment & Camp Setup David Butler
2. Firewood Tools and Methods Dave Brown
3. Map, Compass, & GPS Alex Gusev
4. Lifting Alexandra Connover-Bennett
5. First Aid Upper Valley Ambulance Service
6. Spoon Carving Bill Shepard -
SNACKS, TAILGATE VENDORS, DISPLAYS
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Waterfront
1. Making a canoe pole & poling tips Jane Barron
2. Canoe Poling Matt Hopkinson
3. Canoe Rescue & Safety Laurie Gullion & Bruce LindwallLand
1. Canoe Camp Setup & Demo Dave Lewis
2. Food & Menu Planning Ann Ingerson & Dawn Morgan
3. Tarps & Knots Dave Brown
4. Winter Camp Setup David Butler -
BYOL (Bring your own Libations - we supply cheese & crackers)
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5:00 - 6:00 - Wine & Cheese, BYOL (Bring your own Libations - we supply cheese & crackers)
6:00 - 7:00 – Dinner -
Door Prizes
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7:30 -8:15 - Paddling Local Quebec Rivers Becky Mason and Reid McLachlan
8:15– 9:00 – Canoeing in Labrador Chris Giard
9:05 - Evening Music...snacks, schmoozing, singing, planning..
Sunday, October 15
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7:30 – Breakfast – checkout of cabins by 9:30 AM
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8:45-10:00 – Film - TBD
– Paddle Making with Geoff Burke (Postponed to 2024) -
Postponed Until 2024
Oct 12th & 13, 2023