On Saturday, our Full-Day activities will return to camp earlier than on Friday and Sunday. The intent is for nearly all activities (with the exception of the Portsmouth trip) to be back in camp no later than 3:00 p.m. for camp-wide Field Games.
Boat Cruise on Lake Winnepesaukee. We'll enjoy a scenic cruise aboard the M/S Mount Washington on Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest and most beautiful lake in New Hampshire. It is located at the foothills of the White Mountains in New Hampshire's beautiful Lakes Region. Lake Winnipesaukee is spring fed and surrounded by mountain ranges, contains more than 240 habitable islands and covers 44000 acres of crystal clear water. The scenery is unmatched on this 2.5 hour cruise. We'll eat our lunch or pick something up back in Weirs Beach, maybe play a round of mini-golf (not included), then head back to camp for the afternoon's Field Games. Cost: $32.
Wine and More Tour. On one of our most unique winery tours to date, we'll begin at Flag Hill winery and Distillery. We'll take a guided walking tour of this working winery and distillery, and learn about how grain is distilled to make spirits, and how a variety if fruits are made into wine. Then we'll taste some of the most fun and delicious wines and spirits in the state! Highlights include a blueberry wine that mimics a good cabernet, a tart apple-cranberry wine, and a sugar maple vodka that tastes remarkably like maple syrup with a kick! We'll then settle in to eat our lunch (along with cheese and crackers) with a shared bottle or two. Then we'll hop back on the van, and head over to Moonlight Meadery, where we'll learn about mead, a wine made from honey, water and yeast. After our tour, we'll sample a variety of delicious flavors starting with a bourbon-barrel-aged brew that sells for $100 per bottle! All delicious and different, you will taste meads from dry to sweet, and from still, to petillant (ever so lightly carbonated), to sparkling. Then we'll get back in the van and head back to camp to enjoy the late afternoon Field Games. Bring comfortable shoes, lunch/snacks, money/credit card if you wish to purchase any wine. Cost: $26 includes two tours, private group tastings, cheese, and crackers.
Explore Portsmouth by Land and Sea. Miss out on Portsmouth Friday? Join us for this special Portsmouth adventure that begins with a Guided Historical walking tour starting at Market Square. We'll walk through Portsmouth's historic downtown and hear fascinating stories of early settlers, patriots, ship builders, and entrepreneurs. Unlike those who settled other colonies for religious reasons, they came to Portsmouth to find their fortune. After a yummy lunch at a local establishment, we'll explore the Harbor and the Isle of Shoals by sea. Little known but historically crucial, the legendary Isles of Shoals, located 9 miles off our coast, are an intriguing archipelago of 9 islands steeped with history. As you glide through Portsmouth Harbor, you will see a unique working port with tugboats, tankers, the nation’s oldest and active naval yard, the closed castle-like prison- “the Alcatraz of the East”, our quaint Olde Port waterfront, a famous grand resort hotel, 5 historic forts and 3 lighthouses proudly guiding mariners safely through our waters. Our own Isles of Shoals historian will guide you through these same waters for the duration of the trip. If the seas are inclement, we will cruise to the entrance of Portsmouth Harbor and then Cruise Inland to Dover Point. Note: We may switch this itinerary and do the boat cruise first (still TBD). This activity will not get back in time for Field games. Cost: $44 includes guided walking tour and guided boat tour.
***CANCELLED*** Visit Ruggles Mine. The mountains and valleys of New Hampshire are rich with mineral formations. From the southwest corner of the state near Keene to the northern Canadian border near Littleton there are fascinating deposits of a variety of minerals. One of these deposits is known as the Littleton Formation which was formed during the Devonian era approximately 300,000,000 years ago. The mining of these mineral deposits has been an important part of New Hampshire history from prehistoric eras to the present. The Ruggles Mine, in Grafton N.H., is part of the Littleton Formation and has a rich mining and geological history. It is the oldest and largest mine of its kind in the United States. Minerals such as Mica, Feldspar, Beryl, and Uranium were mined at Ruggles for 175 years. The open pit mine is currently open to the public and collecting is permitted. Note that you will need to work for your finds; we will supply a couple sets of chisels/hammers and goggles in which to collect your specimens as you will need to remove them from the rock walls. Cost: $27 admission. ***This activity has been cancelled due to lack of interest and you can no longer register for it.***
Canoe Pawtuckaway Lake. Paddle this gorgeous 903-acre lake which has a highly varied shoreline with numerous coves, inlets and islands to explore. Approximately half of the lake's shoreline consists of private homes. Most of the western side of Pawtuckaway Lake is occupied by Pawtuckaway State Park, a popular camping, swimming, hiking and orienteering destination. We will start our paddle in Fundy cove. There is no development here, and almost none around the northern end of the lake. White pine, red maple, white birch and hemlock dominate the heavily wooded shoreline. Most of the marshy inlets offer good birding habitat, so we can expect some great nature sightings. If we reach the southern end of the lake, there are gorgeous islands to explore. Please note: The ½ mile access dirt road to the boat launch is not accessible by bus. You will be dropped off at the main road and will need to walk the ½ mile down the dirt access road to get to your boats. Bring bathing suit, water shoes, sunscreen, lunch, dry bag if you have one, and plenty of water. Cost is $26 per person, with two people per boat. Limit 20 people. Check out this YouTube video of someone paddling at Pawtuckaway Lake in winter
Moderate North Mountain "Monster Boulder Lowland Loop" in Pawtuckaway State Park. A gorgeous, 6.1-mile flat-to-mildly-hilly circuit traversing varied lake, marsh and forest terrain on the outskirts of an ancient “ring” volcano. Elevation gain is 300'. Humongous boulders, some gasp-producing, appear at several junctures. (These glacial erratics were left from the retreat of the last mile-high ice sheet some 30,000 years ago.) This hike enables one to view and touch among the largest boulders – some more than 30 feet high and even wider than that -- without having to climb the more rugged mountain trails elsewhere in the Park where the more popular boulder fields are found. [Note: Parts of the hike traverse marshy areas. Appropriate foot/legwear and mosquito repellent may be necessary.] Included.
***SOLD OUT*** Moderate Hike on the South Mountain Loop in Pawtuckaway State Park. This moderate 5-mile loop begins at the Round Pond Road entrance to Pawtuckaway State Park. Enveloped in a rolling mix of woodlands typical of southeastern New Hampshire, the trail to South Mountain passes marshes, brooks, ponds, and pools. Special attractions: Secluded marshes, beaver ponds, wooded hillsides, ancient volcano, glacial erratic boulders, and 360 view in all directions from fire tower to Boston and the White Mountains. Click here to see some pics and a trail map of the hike. The hike is pleasant, often shaded, skirting Round Pond, passing close to beaver dams and lodges, and crossing a number of interconnecting trails, signage for which (as of spring 2013) the park seemed in the midst of revamping. Creek crossings are limited and easy. The longest rise is 525 feet. There are good views and, of course, breezes from the top of the lookout tower. Included. *This hike is at capacity and you can no longer register for it.*
***CANCELLED*** Moderately Strenuous Hike up Mount Kearsarge. Don't be deceived by the length of this 2.9-mile hike. We will hike one mile up with 1100' elevation gain to great 360 degree views from the ocean to Mount Cardigan and to MA and VT. The trail down is a leisurely 1.8 miles in length. Bring lunch, hiking poles, hat, sunscreen, bug spray and plenty of water. Included. ***This activity has been cancelled due to lack of interest and you can no longer register for it.***
Easy Hike on The Great Brook Trail. Hike this peaceful scenic close-in 4.4-mile out-and-back hike with mild ups and downs along a lake, through a boulder-strewn marsh, through pine woods, with several brook crossings. Several gigantic boulders will be seen. Trail will visit a beaver dam and a scenic lake overview, with possible sightings of beaver, otters, marsh birds and more. Local resident Alan Perkins lives on property that abuts the trail, and is one of the conservators and maintaners; he walks the trail daily with his dog. Alan will meet us at the overlook to give a little history and some insight into some of the unique quirks of the trail. For example - do you know why the blazes are purple? One of the local residents was painting his garage, and had some paint left over.... Alan is a great guy, and someone you want to meet! While the trail alone is gorgeous (and just a few minutes form camp), meeting Alan and hearing his stories makes this one experience you won't want to miss. Included.
Beginner Horseback Riding at Charmingfare Farm. Have you always wondered what riding a horse would be like but were afraid to try? Then this is the ride for you. This trail ride is geared for beginners, including those have never been on a horse. The first 30 minutes of your experience will be in an enclosed area where your highly qualified professional instructors will give you a 30 minute introductory lesson in riding. They will make sure you are comfortable on your horse before embarking on the trail for a wonderful 60 minute walk. There will be no trotting or cantering - NO EXCEPTIONS. The horses are gentle and can pretty much do this walk on their own; no skills are required to enjoy the ride. You will ride in a walk, single file, on picturesque trails that pass through pasture meadows with grazing livestock, travel along old logging roads into the forest far away from the modern world. Once in the forest, riders have spotted native coyotes, fox and wild turkeys; some guests have even been fortunate enough to see a moose. Be sure to bring a camera. The stable requires helmets to be worn. They provide regulation compliant helmets for our use. Charmingfare Farm is a working farm. They have barnyard animals, fields with fresh crops etc. We can explore other parts of the farm for an additional $9/person onsite. Cost: $70 includes guide tip. NOTE: BE AWARE THERE IS NO REFUND ONCE YOUR RESERVATION HAS BEEN MADE. If you wish to cancel you must find your own replacement or forfeit the money. The ride will go out even in the rain. BRING: Appropriate clothing for the season. (Pants are strongly recommended); Closed footwear with a least a 1/4 inch heel. Hiking boots are OK. NO CROCS OR SNEAKERS; Rain gear as indicated by forecast; Bug Spray; Sunscreen; Camera; You will not need a water bottle while doing the lesson and trail ride but you are encouraged to bring one for before and/or after the ride; It will take about 30 minutes to get from camp to this activity. *Reservations have already been made for this activity. Additional availability is subject to additional availability from the outfitter. Contact event@mosaicoutdoor.org if you are interested.*
Scenic Bike Ride From Camp around Bow Lake. Enjoy a 17 mile with 630 ft. total elevation gain bike ride starting and ending at camp - going around Bow Lake. See the countryside at a slower pace than zipping by with your car. Once out of camp, there is a steady climb of 390 ft over 3.4 miles to the south end of the lake. Your reward is the serenity of the lake itself. The remainder of the trip travels over rolling hills back down to camp. On the way around the lake you will pass through the small quaint town of Bow Lake where you can stop for a drink. After passing Bow Lake, you will come into the downtown area of Northwood where there is a Carvel ice cream stop if you like. Please note that this ride is on roads with traffic, and there are no bike rentals available; you must bring your own road (preferred) or hybrid bike. Included
Shabbat. Join us in the gorgeous Amphitheatre for Shabbat morning services at camp. Included
Waterfront Open. The waterfront will be open for boating, sunbathing and swimming. Included
Shabbat Morning Walk. We'll have a peaceful and meditative walk around camp immediately after breakfast for those staying in camp and those going on the Winery Tour (as that won't depart until 10 a.m.) We'll do some awareness enhancement exercises and meditations to start our morning. Included
Field Games. We'll have Israeli Dodgeball, human foosball(!), volleyball, field games, and more available during the afternoon. Included