South Shore Explorers - August 18-20

Looking to get your kids out of the house and into an adventure? The NSRWA is offering a 3 day guided outdoor adventure program for youth ages 10 to 13. Each day will include either fishing, hiking, geocaching, or kayaking. Participants will gain outdoor experience, backwoods navigation and survival skills, discover various flora and fauna, and learn local history. Each program will run 2pm to 4pm. Trips will include two experienced guides, including a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard and Wilderness First Responder. Kayaks, paddles, PFDs, fishing equipment included. Parents/guardians will drop-off and pick-up youth at predetermined locations each day. Possible locations include Jacobs Pond in Norwell, Norris Reservation, Hanover Canoe Launch, or the South River Canoe Launch in Marshfield. Email us at info@nsrwa.org for more information. 

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Sample Itinerary: (subject to change) 

Wednesday 2:00-4:00pm – Fish the North River at Norris Reservation

Thursday 2:00-4:00pm – Paddle Jacobs Pond

Friday 2:00-4:00pm – Geocaching Carolina Hill in Marshfield

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Drop-off Times: 1:45pm (parents drop youth off at predetermined meeting location of day’s event)

Pick-up Times: 4:00pm (parents pick-up youth at predetermined meeting location of day’s event)

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FAQs

What should my youth wear?

Dress according to the sun and weather. Participants should be prepared to be outside for 2 hours in any weather (except thunderstorms). Youth should have comfortable footwear that can get wet, no flip-flops. A swimsuit and towel is recommended. A face mask will be required during meeting times and when unable to maintain social distance. 

What should my youth bring?

Day pack, water bottle, sun glasses, sun protection, towel, and a snack. Youth can bring a cell phone for communication during pick-up times only, but will be required to keep in a waterproof container or bag. The NSRWA can provide a locked space for any valuables. The NSRWA will provide all equipment necessary for the events including paddles, personal floatation devices (PFDs), and kayaks. Youth can bring their own PFDs, however they must be US Coast Guard approved, in good serviceable condition, and properly fitting. NSRWA staff leader will carefully inspect the youth’s own PFD to ensure it meets safety protocol. PFDs must be worn and buckled at all times during, on, or near water events.

What if there is inclement weather, and what is the cancellation policy? Is there a refund for a cancelled day?

Safety is the top priority! The NSRWA will cancel or reschedule events due to a chance of thunderstorms or inclement weather. Parents and guardians will be notified the day before, or morning of the scheduled program of any cancellations. An instructor will be present at the scheduled drop-off location to inform parents/guardians in the event of inclement weather. We will do our best to reschedule a missed day. In the event that we need to cancel a program, you will receive $25 for each cancelled day.

How does Drop-off and Pick-up work?

An NSRWA staff person will be at the predetermined location (see drop-off and pick-up locations above) for drop-off at 1:45pm and pick-up at 4pm to check in/out youth. Do not drop-off or pick-up youth without verbally communicating with the NSRWA staff member. Pick-up will be at 4:00pm for each event, and the location will be the same as the drop-off location. The NSRWA staff will make a point to check-in with parents/guardians with any updates, behavioral issues, or relevant information. Please communicate with NSRWA staff leader if you plan on having someone other than yourself pick up your youth at the end of the day.

Additional Information

The NSRWA Program Leader is a certified Waterfront Lifeguard through the American Red Cross. This includes open-water Lifeguarding, CPR and First-Aid. NSRWA leader also is a Certified Wilderness First Responder through Wilderness Medical Associates. A first-aid kit, throw rope, spare PFDs, and staff leader’s cell phone will be present during all events. Each event will have two adults on-site at all times including NSRWA Program Leader. Groups will remain together for the entirety of the program.

NSRWA Outdoor Programming Policies and COVID-19 Risk Management 

All participants/parents/guardians will read and sign a COVID-19/Contagious Disease Waiver.

All participants will understand and acknowledge the risk involved in group activities. 

Participants/parents/guardians will understand protection against COVID-19 cannot be guaranteed.

NSRWA programming will comply with the current local, state, and federal health and safety guidelines regarding COVID-19. 

NSRWA outdoor programming will be conducted exclusively in outdoor settings. Groups will not be brought inside or into a confined space unless absolutely necessary i.e. lightning storms. If it becomes necessary for groups to be brought indoors temporarily, NSRWA will ensure social distancing to the maximum extent possible.

All NSRWA program staff will be trained in proper equipment sanitation, PPE (personal protective equipment) usage, hand washing, personal hygiene, and respiratory etiquette. NSRWA staff will wear proper PPE. 

All NSRWA program staff will be educated in current local/state COVID-19 mitigation guidelines during programming. 

All NSRWA program staff will follow the current local/state COVID-19 mitigation guidelines during programming. 

Programs will have planned outdoor meeting/gathering locations, and will be done in accordance with current social distancing practices of a 6 ft. minimum. 

Participants and staff will do our best to maintain a minimum of 6 ft. during all activities both on and off the water but may need to come closer than 6 ft. to provide assistance to a participant. Staff will wear a face mask when closer than 6 ft. and participants will be required to as well. In the event of providing assistance we cannot guarantee face masks will stay on.

Activity equipment will not be shared among participants and staff. Paddles, PFDs, and kayaks will be used by one individual for the entirety of the duration of the programs.

All equipment will be carefully cleaned, sanitized, and logged after each day of use. 

Participants and staff will be required to bring their own personal items including: water bottles, sunscreen, bug repellent, and snacks. These items will not be shared amongst individuals. 

All participants will understand and acknowledge the need for close person to person contact in a water-related emergency.

If a parents/guardians will be picking-up or dropping-off youth for an activity, drop-off/pick-ups will be staggered and at a specified outdoor location. Groups will not meet inside a building or travel by group in a van or other vehicle. 

Group meeting locations and times will be made clear to parents/guardians before the program. Drop-off and pick-up will be at the activity location. 

All participants will be given clear and thorough instructions for “self-rescue” techniques when possible. These are techniques used during non-emergency or non-life threatening scenarios where individuals can assist themselves to reduce the need for a staff-participant close contact.

NSRWA will have a clear weather cancelation policy that will be communicated to parents/guardians prior to the program. NSRWA will contact each parent/guardian regarding any cancellation or change to program start time with as much lead time as is feasible under the circumstances. Canceled activities may or may not be able to be rescheduled. 

Paddling Specific Policies

All NSRWA on the water paddling programming will be conducted in accordance with the American Canoe Association’s (ACA) Risk Management Requirements. 

All NSRWA on the water paddling programming will be planned in accordance with the American Canoe Association’s (ACA) Guidelines for Instructors and Event Organizers

All parents/guardians must read and sign the ACA Insurance Waiver.

Group size will not exceed local, state and federal health safety guidelines. No more than 10 people (8 participants /2 leaders).

About Us:

The North and South Rivers Watershed Association, Inc. (NSRWA) is a non-profit grassroots environmental organization located on the South Shore of Massachusetts dedicated to protecting our waters. The NSRWA was founded in 1970 and has grown to more than 1,700 members today, comprised of individuals, families, businesses, and other environmentally-concerned organizations.

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