Greeting volunteers of the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club and RICKA Members,

 I am excited to share with you an opportunity we have that is right up your alley!  Blackstone Heritage Corridor has received funding from the National Library of Medicine to offer 4 adaptive kayaking programs late summer and into September.  You may have seen in the BHC newsletter the adaptive cycling programs we held in the month of May?  The turnout was amazing, a chance to offer folks with mobility limitations an opportunity to see the Blackstone Bikeway from the seat of a bicycle. Now we get to offer them a chance to visit Douglas State Forest and paddle Wallum Lake, a chance for them to see the lake from the seat of a kayak!

 

We are extending an invitation for you to volunteer to support this memorable program and use your passion for paddling and share with others. The Adaptive Kayaking schedule we need support for is as follows;

Tuesday, August 27th,  9:45  to  3:30

Tuesday, September 10th, 9:45  to 3:30

Saturday, September 14th, 9:45 to  3:30

Tuesday, September 17th, 9:45 to 3:30

 

We will be contracting with All Out Adventures, (alloutadventures.org) who will have trained staff and they bring all the necessary equipment to conduct this on-water adventure.

 

What will you be asked to volunteer for?

Offer a smile, support AOA staff in setting up the program, cleaning and moving boats so they are ready to go, PFD fitting, limited volunteers to tandem paddle guests, and end of day loading equipment back on the trailer.  We will also have volunteer opportunities to offer hospitality, registration table, refreshments and cheering paddlers on.  All who volunteers will be signed up as a Volunteer-In-Parks volunteer with the National Park Service, this comes with liability coverage while volunteering.  You will not be asked to do anything you’re not comfortable with, the main focus is to be ground support to the staff of All Out Adventures.

 

Volunteer to learn about the program in advance of the BHC program. Training opportunities will be offered on the dates listed below.  We require you to attend one public program so you have knowledge of the program in advance of the BHC paddle program. For these dates 2-3 Volunteers will be needed to support the program while learning of the program. Have questions?  Reach out to Suzanne, want to volunteer please RSVP to Suzanne atsbuchanan@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org or call 508-234-4242.

 

Universal Access Program, Kayaking Worcester

Regatta Point Community Sailing, 10 N Lake Ave, Worcester, MA 01602

This is a public program dates for you to sign up for training, if you know of anyone who could benefit from these paddles OK to sign them up through All Out adventures. $8.00 per person with a disability; a caregiver or guest may attend at no charge

 

Thursday's  July 25th, August 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th. 9:45 – 3:15

Program Description: Join us for accessible kayaking on Lake Quinsigamond. Instruction, adaptive equipment, and assistance as needed provided. Pre-registration required. Participants can call 413-584-2052 to pre-register for a one-hour time slot during the program hours. The fee is $8.