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Kayaking the Adirondacks

Program Number: 16454RJ
Start and End Dates:
8/25/2013 - 8/28/2013; 9/15/2013 - 9/18/2013; 9/29/2013 - 10/2/2013;
Duration: 3 nights
Location: Raquette Lake, New York
Price starting at: $519.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Water Sports Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 8; 3 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners    

“Feeling at one with the water” is how enthusiasts describe the singular sensation of kayaking. Experience this tranquility for yourself, paddling a pristine lake as dawn’s rising mist reveals reflections of autumnal trees and your own smiling visage. Instruction begins in the calm lee of the boathouse. Once you are familiar with the equipment and how to use it safely, enjoy kayaking excursions led by experts.




Highlights

• Kayak Sagamore Lake, paddling the same waters the Vanderbilts and other Gilded Age elites did before you.
• Learn techniques for maneuvering your craft on flat water and tips for paddling in flowing rivers.
• An evening of traditional Adirondack entertainment caps your adventure.



Activity Particulars

Kayaking 1-6 miles a day; generally flat-water kayaking but lakes are large enough to experience choppy conditions. You should be able to swim. All equipment is provided but you may bring your own.



Coordinated by Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks.




Raquette Lake

Raquette Lake’s pristine water and wooded lakeshores are located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Great Camp Sagamore, founded by the Vanderbilt family in 1897 and now a National Historic Landmark, shares this wilderness area.
Accommodations
National Historic Landmark-designated buildings; shared baths for two-three rooms.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Scott Locorini
Scott Locorini is an expert outdoorsman who leads adventures including canoeing, kayaking and fly fishing. He is licensed in the Adirondacks, where he spends his summers, and Florida, where he follows the sun in the winter. Scott is an Olympic-level kayaker and is certified as an instructor for water sports and as a first responder. He is an active member of the New York State Outdoors Guides Association and is well-versed in the animal and plant life of the Adirondack region.
 
Nancy Foltz
Nancy Sue Foltz is an artist and certified art teacher who has been directing the crafts program at Great Camp Sagamore for almost a decade. A former high school teacher, she focuses on offering a wide variety of age-appropriate crafts. From pots to plant pressing, from pine cone art to painting tee shirts, from papier mache to paper hats and so many things in between, her ideas are always fresh. Grandkids will end up with some great, outdoorsy craft projects to bring home. Among her other duties at Sagamore, Nancy Sue is also the group leader for many Road Scholar programs.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Sagamore
  Sagamore Institute-Raquette Lake, NY 3 nights
 Sagamore
Type: Lodge
  Description: Sagamore’s authentic buildings dating from 1897 are situated on a peninsula jutting into pristine and picturesque Sagamore Lake. The Adirondack Forest Preserve surrounds the entire 27-building Sagamore estate owned by the Alfred Vanderbilt family from 1901-1954. Its wood and stone buildings are the vernacular rustic architecture on which our National Park lodges were modeled. Sagamore’s remote location removed from the normal hubbub will allow your full concentration on learning, the camaraderie of the people at hand, the extraordinary beauty of the land, and the history that envelops you.
  Contact info: Sagamore Road
Raquette Lake, NY 13436 USA
phone: 315-354-5311
web: www.sagamore.org.
  Room amenities: All rooms are historic.
  Facility amenities: As a guest at Sagamore, you will be accommodated in our historic buildings in (mostly) double occupancy rooms with twin beds and bathrooms, many with footed tubs, in the hallways. Most of our guests are housed in one of our three lodges each sleeping 20. There are no telephones in rooms, no cell service, and no TV so your relaxation is assured. Our chef will carefully prepare buffet meals from which you will make your selections. The buffet is served in our paneled dining room with splendid views of Sagamore Lake. Everyone is called to meals by the bell. One of the highlights of our dining experience is our excellent water. Please do not bring bottled water with you. You may purchase beer and wine to accompany your meal. The dining hall seats 84. During free time many of our guests enjoy our 20 miles of hiking trails, playing giant lawn games, and canoeing. Sagamore also recommends its history-based DVDs. Porch-sitting is also highly recommended.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Bathroom: Baths are often in hall ways.
  Additional nights prior: 99 Please call for availability
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: 99 Please call for availability
  Check out time: 10:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
4:00 PM starts check in at Great Camp Sagamore You will be staying at Sagamore that night.
  End of Program:
10:00 AM You will be staying at Sagamore the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Health form Kayaking Health History and Questionnaire
  Parking availability:
There is a parking lot for Sagamore guests. It is free.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Sagamore Institute-Raquette Lake, NY
  Nearest city or town:  Raquette Lake
  Nearest highway: I-87 and I-90
  Nearest airport:  Albany
  From End of Program
  Location: Sagamore Institute-Raquette Lake, NY
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

 

 
 

Service:

 

None - Car Required

   

Unfortunately there isn’t any public transportation to Sagamore. Amtrak serves Albany (Rensselaer) and Utica. The nearest airports are located in Syracuse and Albany. Bus service reaches only to Warrensburg. Limo service is expensive, but available from the airports in Syracuse and Albany. For more information on limo services, please contact your local AAA agent, visit www.yellowpages.com, or call Hamilton County Tourism at (800) 648-5239. Most guests prefer to rent a car from the airport.
 
Driving Directions
  From Albany (2˝ hours Northwest)- Take the Warrensburg Exit #23 off the Northway I-87 (not the Thruway I-90!). Follow Rte. 9 through Warrensburg to Rte. 28. Follow Rte. 28 about 1˝ hours to the village of Raquette Lake. In the village of Raquette Lake, at the 4-way crossroads turn onto the dirt road beside the large green Sagamore sign. Drive very slowly on the road into Sagamore; one curve is posted 15 mph. Follow the sign for “Registered Guests”. When you arrive at Sagamore, you should find the gate closed. Please open it, enter, and close it again for your own privacy. Drive up the hill to the parking lot. Park your car and follow the gravel pathway and signs for the office building.
  From Lake Placid (2 hours South) Follow Rte. 86 to Saranac Lake and then Rte. 3 to Tupper Lake where you will follow Rte. 30 to Blue Mountain Lake and then Rte. 28 to the village of Raquette Lake. In the village of Raquette Lake, at the 4-way crossroads turn onto the dirt road beside the large green Sagamore sign. Drive very slowly on the road into Sagamore; one curve is posted 15 mph. Follow the sign for “Registered Guests”. When you arrive at Sagamore, you should find the gate closed. Please open it, enter, and close it again for your own privacy. Drive up the hill to the parking lot. Park your car and follow the gravel pathway and signs for the Office building.
  From Utica (1˝ hours Northeast)- Take the Utica Exit #31 off the NYS Thruway (I-90). Follow Rte. 12 North to Rte. 28 North. Follow Rte. 28 to the village of Raquette Lake. In the village of Raquette Lake, at the 4-way crossroads turn onto the dirt road beside the large green Sagamore sign. Drive very slowly on the road into Sagamore; one curve is posted 15 mph. Follow the sign for “Registered Guests”. When you arrive at Sagamore, you should find the gate closed. Please open it, enter, and close it again for your own privacy. Drive up the hill to the parking lot. Park your car and follow the gravel pathway and signs for the Office building.
  GPS/Website Map Instructions • Garmon Handheld GPS: Search 'Great Camp Sagamore' as a point of interest OR type 1105 Sagamore Road; RAQUETTE LAKE (make sure you list Raquette Lake!) - either will give accurate directions to Great Camp Sagamore. • TomTom GPS: (currently the most popular GPS system): Search for SAGAMORE, NEW YORK - as a town, and it will give you accurate directions to Great Camp Sagamore. While Sagamore, NY does not actually exist, this seems to work while we wait for technology to catch up to the Adirondack region! • Google Maps or Mapquest users: Search for SAGAMORE, NEW YORK - as a town, and it will give you accurate directions to Great Camp Sagamore. While Sagamore, NY does not actually exist, this seems to work while we wait for technology to catch up to the Adirondack region!
Elevation Note: Sagamore is at 1900 feet.

Equipment Requirements: Bring your own kayak, paddle, PFD, spray skirt, etc. or use the ones provided. See packing list please.
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: Arrival/Orientation
(Sunday, September 29)
   
 Arrive To: Check in is from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M.
 Dinner: Dinner is at 6:00 P.M. The chef will carefully prepare buffet meals provided in our paneled dining room with splendid views of Sagamore Lake. Dinners typically include selections such as: a hot entry, like creamed chicken over biscuits, veggie lasagna, pot roast, spaghetti/meat balls, roasted turkey, stuffed pork loin, or ham; salads, along with several dressing choices; potatoes, rice or pasta; a vegetable choice; bread or rolls; milk or juice. Coffee & tea are always available Note: Sagamore's buffet line is bountiful and varied. If you do not think that you can choose the foods you need for your special diet from the buffet, please supplement with your own that may be stored for your convenience in our walk-in cooler and/or cooked in an available microwave. Beer and wine are available for purchase. Sagamore's water is pure and delicious. Please do not bring bottled water.
 Evening: After dinner there will be introductions, orientation, and a schedule overview. There will also be a 15 minute DVD about Sagamore's history. Sagamore was the wilderness retreat of the Alfred Vanderbilt family for over 50 years. There is also a video presentation on kaykaing.
   
Accommodations: Sagamore
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Class/Class on the water/Lecture
(Monday, September 30)

Note: Lectures and hands on
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is at 8:00 A.M. All breakfasts are served in the Vanderbilt dining hall, with lovely views of the sun rising over the mountains of the Blue Ridge Wilderness. Breakfast choices typically include selections such as: one hot entry, like blueberry pancakes, egg strata, french toast, or scrambled eggs; hot & cold cereal & milk; a variety of donuts, bagels & pastries; and several juices. Coffee, tea, and very pure Sagamore water are always available to guests.
 Morning: Begin with boat house orientation followed by equipment and gear explanations. The history of kayaking will be followed by basic paddling instruction.
 Lunch: Lunch is at noon in the Sagamore dining hall. Lunches typically include selections such as: sandwich meats, cheeses, breads and condiments: a hot entree like macaroni & cheese or soup; various salads, like cole slaw or potato salad; cookies or granola bars; a variety of fresh fruits; milk and a variety of juices or lemonade. Coffee, tea, Sagamore water are always available.
 Afternoon: Continuing instruction and paddling around Sagamore Lake.
 Dinner: Dinner is at 6:00 P.M.
 Evening: Tonight we will learn a bit about Sagamore OR will have a special kayaking lecture by our instructor.
   
Accommodations: Sagamore
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Class trip on the water/Relaxing evening
(Tuesday, October 1)

Note: Hands on and field trip
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is at 8:00 A.M.. We will pack out our lunch for our out trip. Pack lunches consist of cold-cuts, chips or pretzels, fruits and vegetables, yogurt, juices, and cookies or other snacks,
 Morning: This is an outtrip on one of the many waterways near Sagamore. The goal for this session will be practice, practice, practice . . . that feels like fun, fun, fun as we visit a larger, neighboring lake in the Raquette Lake area. The group will decide when to stop for lunch.
 Lunch: Packed lunch.
 Afternoon: After lunch and more paddling we will head home to Sagamore. There will be a bit of time for rest before dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner is at 6:00 in the dining hall.
 Evening: Tonight we will be entertained by a storyteller or learn more about the history of the camp or the Adirondack Park region. Afterwards, there will be time for board games, jig saw puzzles, or a campfire at Sagamore's rustic lean-to. .
   
Accommodations: Sagamore
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Program Overview
(Wednesday, October 2)
   
 Breakfast: After 8:00 A.M. breakfast we will meet one more time for water work, evaluations and wrap-up.
 Morning: Kayaking overview, including a Q&A with the instructor. We'll say our good-byes by 10:00.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Sagamore Institute-Raquette Lake, NY Adirondack Museum
Called the "Smithsonian of the Adirondacks" and located in nearby Blue Mountain Lake. For additional information, visit www.adirondackmuseum.org
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


Boats & Boating in the Adirondacks


Author: Hallie Bond


Description: Hallie Bond was the Education Director and then Curator of Collections & Boats at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake for nearly 30 years.



Quiet Water Canoe Guide: New York


Author: John Hayes & Alex Wilson


The Adirondack Mountain Club Canoe and Kayak Guide: East-Central New York State


Author: Kathie Armstrong




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