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CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS

Canoeing and Kayaking Southern Illinois Wetlands and Lakes

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 IL

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 Water Sports

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 $250 - $500

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Road Scholar
Program #17381RJ

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4 Days | 3 Nights
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderately Challenging
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Love to learn in a small-group setting? This collection of programs has at most 10-24 participants.
See our Small Group programs.
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EasyFor people looking to exercise their minds more than their bodies. There’s minimal walking and not too many stairs.
ModerateThese programs get you on your feet and include activities such as walking up to a mile in a day through a city and standing in a museum for a few hours.
ActiveFor people who enjoy walking as much as two miles a day, perhaps to explore historic neighborhoods or a nature trail.
Moderately ChallengingFor hardy explorers who enjoy a good physical challenge, spending most of their days on the go.
ChallengingGet ready to keep up with our highest-energy group. These demanding — and rewarding — programs are for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Program Details > Daily Schedule

Itinerary for Sep 27 — Sep 30, 2012

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Type: Lodge

 Description: Found in the heart of the park is Giant City Lodge. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, it is in perfect keeping with the spirit of the park. Multi-hued sandstone and white oak timber were two of the native building materials used. The spacious and historic Lodge has a rustic beauty that creates an atmosphere found nowhere else in Southern Illinois. The Bald Knob dining room, with seating for 200, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with an excellent reputation for food and hospitality. You’re sure to enjoy some of the best fried chicken ever if you choose the specialty of the Lodge, our all-you-can-eat Family Style Chicken Dinner.

Contact info:
460 Giant City Lodge Rd
Makanda, IL 62958 USA
phone: 618-457-4921
web: giantcitylodge.com

Room amenities: 2 full beds, privte bath, television, outdoor swimming pool

Facility amenities: Giant City Lodge has private rooms perfect for your special event, banquets, and meetings. The Lodge also features a historic lounge and bar, gift shop, and guest cabins for a quiet getaway. Outdoor swimming pool, numerous hiking trails, Visitor's Center nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: $69.00-$105.00
Make reservations with Giant City Lodge. Limited availability

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day One: Thursday, September 27 - Arrival/Introductions/Program Overview 
Arrive To: Check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. Dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Dinner: Family style dinner in Lodge Restaurant.

Evening: Staff and participant introductions. Program overview. Short presentation on southern Illinois natural divisions.

Lodging: Giant City State Park Lodge and Cabins

Meals Included: Dinner
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Type: Lodge

 Description: Found in the heart of the park is Giant City Lodge. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, it is in perfect keeping with the spirit of the park. Multi-hued sandstone and white oak timber were two of the native building materials used. The spacious and historic Lodge has a rustic beauty that creates an atmosphere found nowhere else in Southern Illinois. The Bald Knob dining room, with seating for 200, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with an excellent reputation for food and hospitality. You’re sure to enjoy some of the best fried chicken ever if you choose the specialty of the Lodge, our all-you-can-eat Family Style Chicken Dinner.

Contact info:
460 Giant City Lodge Rd
Makanda, IL 62958 USA
phone: 618-457-4921
web: giantcitylodge.com

Room amenities: 2 full beds, privte bath, television, outdoor swimming pool

Facility amenities: Giant City Lodge has private rooms perfect for your special event, banquets, and meetings. The Lodge also features a historic lounge and bar, gift shop, and guest cabins for a quiet getaway. Outdoor swimming pool, numerous hiking trails, Visitor's Center nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: $69.00-$105.00
Make reservations with Giant City Lodge. Limited availability

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Two: Friday, September 28 - Canoeing the Cache River Wetlands 
Breakfast: Breakfast in Lodge Restaurant

Morning: Cache River Wetlands: Voices of the Cache canoe trail....Join local singer/songwriter/naturalist Curt Carter as he gives a voice to the swamp through his trail interpretation and song entitled 'Voices of the Cache." Paddle past duckweed, button brush and 800 year old Cypress trees; one with over 200 knees. Prior to canoeing, staff will provide canoe instruction and safety, including paddle techniques, getting in and out of canoes safely and how to prevent a canoe from flipping over. Approx. distance is 2 miles on flat water (no rapids). A visit to the Interpretive Center will give background on the natural and cultural history of the wetlands.
Eagles, herons, egrets, pileated woodpecker, wood ducks and owls are common ushers along the trail, along with the often sought after Prothonotary Warbler. A visit with the 1500 year- old state record Bald Cypress tree is always a highlight of this wetland paddle.

Lunch: Picnic style lunch in the field

Afternoon: Continuation of Cache River Canoe trip.

Dinner: Dinner in Lodge Restaurant

Evening: Evening Owl Prowl. Presentation on owl behavior and adaptations prior to short hike to call in local owl species.

Lodging: Giant City State Park Lodge and Cabins

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Lodge

 Description: Found in the heart of the park is Giant City Lodge. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, it is in perfect keeping with the spirit of the park. Multi-hued sandstone and white oak timber were two of the native building materials used. The spacious and historic Lodge has a rustic beauty that creates an atmosphere found nowhere else in Southern Illinois. The Bald Knob dining room, with seating for 200, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with an excellent reputation for food and hospitality. You’re sure to enjoy some of the best fried chicken ever if you choose the specialty of the Lodge, our all-you-can-eat Family Style Chicken Dinner.

Contact info:
460 Giant City Lodge Rd
Makanda, IL 62958 USA
phone: 618-457-4921
web: giantcitylodge.com

Room amenities: 2 full beds, privte bath, television, outdoor swimming pool

Facility amenities: Giant City Lodge has private rooms perfect for your special event, banquets, and meetings. The Lodge also features a historic lounge and bar, gift shop, and guest cabins for a quiet getaway. Outdoor swimming pool, numerous hiking trails, Visitor's Center nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: $69.00-$105.00
Make reservations with Giant City Lodge. Limited availability

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Three: Saturday, September 29 - Canoeing and Kayaking on scenic lake and Evening Entertainment 
Breakfast: Breakfast in Lodge Restaurant.

Morning: Watch for Eagles, herons and kingfishers as we paddle along sandstone bluffs and beneath towering pines on one of southern Illinois' scenic lakes. Approx. distance 2-5 miles on flat water with short interpretive breaks along the way. Kayaks are also available to paddle on this day---learn kayak paddling techniques and have the option to switch from canoeing to kayaking throughout the day.

Lunch: Lunch along the shore of the lake.

Afternoon: Continuation of canoe trip.

Dinner: Dinner in Lodge Restaurant

Evening: Evening music with a focus on bluegrass and folk music inspired by the natural world and intertwined with stories of life and adventure.

Lodging: Giant City State Park Lodge and Cabins

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Four: Sunday, September 30 - Morning Activity and Departures 
Breakfast: Breakfast in Lodge restaurant.

Morning: There will be a morning wildlife walk after breakfast with a staff naturalist to round out the week. Program will end around 10:00 am

Meals Included: Breakfast
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Important information about your itinerary:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date.
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Our Value Promise To You

You won't find a better value.

Included
at no additional cost on this date ...
•3 nights of accommodations
•8 meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
•1 Expert-led lectures
•5 Field trips
•1 Performances
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Ratings

4.7
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