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Explore Wild Florida by Kayak and Canoe

Program Number: 18428RJ
Start and End Dates:
3/17/2013 - 3/22/2013; 2/16/2014 - 2/21/2014; 3/30/2014 - 4/4/2014;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Paisley, Florida
Price starting at: $867.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Water Sports Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Discover the wonders of Florida’s wild springs and streams via kayak and canoe. From your base at a beautiful 70-acre retreat center in Ocala National Forest, learn from experts about safety guidelines as you practice paddling and maneuvering techniques on scenic and challenging streams and springs.




Highlights

• Observe limpkins, great blue herons, alligators, and turtles in Alexander Springs, and view the monkeys that have lived at Silver Springs since the first Tarzan movies were filmed there, and paddle Juniper Springs in Ocala National Forest.
• Hear from guest speakers, forest service representatives, and local historians about hydrology, local conservation issues and the region’s storied past.
• Relax in the evenings with new friends amid beautiful surroundings.



Activity Particulars

Paddling seven miles a day. Lifting, carrying, racking kayaks at put-in and take-out points. Walking up to two miles a day over varied, uneven terrain.



Parking for self-contained RV's on site in private campground. Full hookups; shady to open parking sites. Convenient showers and bathrooms.



Coordinated by Stetson University.




Paisley

With a population of around 700, Paisley is in Lake County, whose orange groves, striking beauty and more than 1,000 lakes have lured visitors since it was settled in the 1840s. The town borders the Ocala National Forest, where mild winters accommodate year-round camping, and the cool waters of its many springs are perfect for summertime swimming.
Accommodations
Rustic retreat/conference center with private bathrooms in wooded setting on Lake Deerhaven.
Meals and Lodgings
   Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
  Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center 5 nights
 Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Type: Conference Center
  Description: Rustic, retreat-style housing surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ocala National Forest and situated on Lake Deerhaven.
  Contact info: 47924 NFS 540-2
Paisley, FL 32767 USA
phone: 352-669-3791
web: www.cofchristfmc.org/deerhavencampground/welcome.html
  Room amenities: There are not televisions or phones in the rooms.
  Facility amenities: Electricity / Air Conditioning; In-Room, Private Bathroom; walkways from rooms to dining hall and classrooms.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior:  This is a camp and retreat center, and they rent the facility to other groups.
  Check in time: 3:30 PM
  Additional nights after:  This is a camp and retreat center, and they rent the facility to other groups.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
4:00 PM Sunday You will be staying at Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center that night.
  End of Program:
10:00 AM Friday You will be staying at Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Completed "US Health & Safety Form" and "Assumption of Risk Agreement & Liability Release Form." All must be returned to the program coordinator no later before the program begins.
  Parking availability:
Parking on the grounds is free and participants have access to their vehicles throughout the program.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
  Nearest city or town:  Paisley
  Nearest highway: Interstate-4
  Nearest airport:  Sanford
  From End of Program
  Location: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Deerhaven Conference Ctr., Paisley

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
DeLand Taxi
phone: 386-734-8484

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Prices vary
Prices are subject to change.
   

Use DeLand Taxi in conjuction with DOTS Transportation.
 
Driving Directions
  To Deerhaven Retreat Center The address is Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center 47924 NFS 540-2 Paisley , FL 32767 From Orlando/Tampa (Interstate 4, eastbound) -- Take the first DeLand exit (Exit 114) and turn left on State Road 472. Travel approximately three miles and veer right onto Highway 17/92, which later becomes Woodland Boulevard. Travel through downtown DeLand (5 miles) and you'll see the New York Ave. (You cannot turn on New York Ave.; you must go around the block) You want to go onto W New York Ave. (SR-44) approx. 5.3 miles. Turn right onto CR-42 approximately 5.1 miles. Turn right onto Deerhaven Rd/NFS 540-1, approx. 2 miles (Deerhaven Rd. is about .4 miles past Lazy Lake Rd.) From Jacksonville (Interstate 95, southbound) -- Take the International Speedway Boulevard (U.S. 92) exit (Exit 261B) and head west approximately 20 miles into DeLand. Turn left at 17/92 (Woodland Boulevard). Travel through downtown DeLand (5 miles) and you'll see the New York Ave. (You cannot turn on New York Ave.; you must go around the block) You want to go onto W New York Ave. (SR-44) approx. 5.3 miles. Turn right onto CR-42 approximately 5.1 miles. Turn right onto Deerhaven Rd/NFS 540-1, approx. 2 miles (Deerhaven Rd. is about .4 miles past Lazy Lake Rd.) From Miami (Interstate 95, northbound) -- Take Exit 249 and head west on State Road 44 approximately 25 miles. Turn right onto CR-42 approximately 5.1 miles. Turn right onto Deerhaven Rd/NFS 540-1, approx. 2 miles (Deerhaven Rd. is about .4 miles past Lazy Lake Rd.)
Equipment Requirements: You may wish to bring your own personal life jackets and/or cushions for kayak seats, however all equipment is furnished for this program.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1:
(Sunday, March 17)
   
 Afternoon: Welcome to Deerhaven Road Scholar. Registration and check-in from 3:30-5:00 PM in the Road Scholar Office. Each participant will receive and orientation folder and name tag.
 Dinner: Served in dining area of main building
 Evening: Information and schedules in the orientation packets will be discussed and all participants will be asked to share in a "get acquainted" activity.
   
Accommodations: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Presentation and Hands-On: Florida's Springs and Streams; Kayak 101; Ocala National Forest Service.
(Monday, March 18)
   
 Breakfast: Served in dining area of main building.
 Morning: Introduction to Birding
 Lunch: Picnic lunch at Deerhaven Confernce Center.
 Afternoon: Briefing by kayak instructor in main building. Unrack kayaks for launch on Lake Deerhaven. Practice paddling and maneuverin strokes on land. Launch kayaks and practice skills on Lake Deerhaven. Snacks in main building following practice.
 Dinner: Served in dining area of main building.
   
Accommodations: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Kayak - Alexander Springs Run- 7 miles
(Tuesday, March 19)
   
 Breakfast: Served in the dining area of main building
 Morning: We will put in at Alexander Springs, one of the smaller first-magnitude springs in Florida. The creek is wide at the beginning and narrows after about 5 miles and the last 2 miles of the 7 mile journey are narrow and winding. Many birds inhabit the area including, limpkins, great blue, the little blue herons, egrets, and many more. Alligators and turtles can also be seen sunning on fallen trees and along the banks.
 Lunch: Lunch will be eaten on the bank about 3 miles down the stream.
 Afternoon: Alexander Springs Run continued.
 Dinner: Served in dining area of main building.
 Evening: Evening entertainment
   
Accommodations: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Kayak - Silver River to Silver Springs - 10 miles
(Wednesday, March 20)
   
 Breakfast: Served in dining area of main building
 Morning: Kayak on Lake Norris
 Lunch: We will eat a picnic lunch on the shore of Lake Norris.
 Afternoon: Kayaking on Lake Norris continues.
 Dinner: Served in dining area of main building.
 Evening: Evening Entertainment
   
Accommodations: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Kayak - Juniper Spring - 7 miles; Presentation: William Bartram's Florida Travels
(Thursday, March 21)
   
 Breakfast: Served in dining area of main building.
 Morning: We will paddle against the current for 5 miles up to Silver Springs, one of Florida's more powerful magnitude springs, the trip is challenging but well worth it as the water is very clear and plentiful wildlife, including monkeys that have been in the area since the first Tarzan movies were filmed at Silver Springs.
 Lunch: We will eat lunch in our kayaks as we float above the spring in the area where the glass bottom boats take visitors to Silver Springs.
 Afternoon: The 5 mil return to the Oklawaha River is a leisurely paddle, almost a float trip downstream.
 Dinner: Served in dining area of main building.
 Evening: Evening entertainment
   
Accommodations: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Breakfast and farewell
(Friday, March 22)

Note: The program ends after breakfast.
   
 Breakfast: Served in dining area of main building.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Canoeing and Kayaking Florida


Author: Johnny Molloy, Elizaberth Carter


Description: Completely updated, Canoeing & Kayaking Florida, 2nd Edition, is the most comprehensive guide to the best of Floridas unique streams, springs, creeks, and rivers. Engaging and concise, this all-encompassing guide spares readers encyclopedic fluff in favor of practical information, and includes expanded regional maps and revised river maps.



Wild Florida Waters: Exploring the Sunshine State by Kayak and Canoe


Author: Doug Alderson


Description: Let the names of Florida's rivers and coastal waters roll off your tongue: Ocklawaha, Chassahowitzka, Suwannee, Waccasassa, Aucilla, Wacissa, Sopchoppy, Withlachoochee, Loxahatchee, Homosassa, Pithlachascotee, Econfina, Kissimmee... If you've paddled these waters in a canoe or kayak, the Native American place names evoke winding streams and shaded hammocks, shimmering coastal waters and wild tree islands. Florida is made for paddling. "Wild Florida Waters" places Florida's unsurpassed beauty and abundant wildlife in the forefront, from the mangrove labyrinth of the Ten Thousand Islands to the springfed Ichetucknee River. It also includes an exciting dose of paddling adventures, whether it's tipping over in the Suwannee River's Big Shoals rapids, surfing wind-generated waves while paddling the remote Apalachee Bay, or meeting up with a different form of "wild life" on a scenic waterway. Through all of the adrenalin, a strong conservation message permeates the volume, and useful how-to information is included at the end of each chapter.





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