Trips & Tours

AARP (Active Agile Recreational Paddlers) Paddle Tours, 10:00am-Noon

Tues., Aug. 10, 2010 or Thurs., Sept. 9, 2010

Enjoy a morning of casual paddling on the Susquehanna with like-minded adults. Our experienced guides will give you a short introduction to touring kayaking. Launch your kayaks and travel at a comfortable pace to visit some of our favorite places on the river. Our guides will be ready to point out some Susquehanna wildlife along the way. This tour is suitable for anyone, including those that have never paddled before. Fee includes tour, guide, kayak, paddle, and pfd’s.

Fee – Members - $28/Person, Non-Members - $30/Person

Sunday Brunch Paddle Tours, 9:00am-11:30am

July 18, 2010 or September 19, 2010

Begin your Sunday morning enjoying the natural beauty of the Susquehanna river. Our rendezvous begins with a short orientation to kayaking. Paddlers will then launch their kayaks for a leisurely guided paddle on the Susquehanna. During the quiet morning hours you are sure to see bald eagles, great blue heron, a variety of ducks and more. The paddle is suitable for beginners and rental kayaks are available. Following the tour, adjourn to Shank’s Mare’s The Rookery for a delicious brunch. Program includes tour, guide and meal.

Fee – Members $32/Person, Non-Members $36/Person

Kayak Rentals - $15/single kayak, $18/double kayak (A. C. members receive 10% off kayak rentals)

Family Fun PaddleTours, 10:00am-Noon

Tues., July 20, 2010 or Tues., Aug., 24, 2010

Here’s a great way to spend some quality outdoors time with your kids. Begin your outing with some basic kayak orientation. Launch your kayaks and enjoy a leisurely guided paddle tour of the Susquehanna River. Explore the streams that empty into the river, and watch for bald eagles or great blue heron along the way. This paddle is suitable anyone, including those who have never paddled before. Paddlers will use double or triple sit-on-top kayaks. (Older children may be permitted to use single kayaks, but please inquire about details). Children 6 years and up, and parents or grandparents of all ages, will enjoy this program. Fee includes tour, guide, kayaks, paddles & pfd’s.

Fee – Members-$28/Adult, $18/Child. Non-Members-$30/Adult, $20/Child.

Lock 15 Paddle Tour

Sat., July 10, 2010, 10am-3pm - DUE TO WEATHER, RE-SCHEDULED TO SAT., AUG. 28, 2010, 10AM-3PM

South of the NormanWoodBridge over the Susquehanna is an area of unique geologic formations providing very scenic paddling opportunities. Join Shank’s Mare as we travel to the Lock 15 area. You will see a restored lock once a part of the Susquehanna-TidewaterCanal. Your paddling guide help you launch your kayaks and lead you through water passages and talk about this phenomenal area. You’ll enjoy a kayaker’s lunch along with wildlife watching and beautiful scenery. Rental kayaks are available. Fee includes guide, shuttle, and lunch.

Fee – Members-$60/Person, Non-Member-$66/Person

Kayak Rental - $35/Single Kayak (A. C. Members receive 10% off rental)

Conejohela Flats Birding Paddle Tour

Sat., August 7, 2010, 10am-3pm

The Pennsylvania Audubon Society designates the Conejohela Flats, located just across the river from Shank’s Mare, as an Important Bird Area. For this reason, it is not only a valuable resource in our area, but also one of our favorite paddling destinations. For this year’s tour, Shank’s Mare welcomes Mr. Deuane Hoffman as a guest guide. Deuane is an avid birdwatcher who has spent years studying the Flats alone. This is a prime time for migratory shore birds on the Flats along with bald eagles, osprey, great blue heron and egrets. Deuane will begin the day with a short slide presentation and explanation of what you can expect to see, then you will head out in your kayaks to enjoy a full day of exploring. Bring binoculars and field guides and be ready to add some new birds to your viewing list. Price includes tour, guide, and lunch. Rental kayaks are available. This tour is suitable for beginners and up though you will be paddling a total of about 8 miles for the day.

Fee – Members $50/Person, Non-Members $55/Person

Native American Rock Art Paddle Tour

Sat., Sept. 11 or Sat., Sept. 18, 2010, 10am-3pm

Along with your Shank’s Mare guide, we welcome Paul Nevin as the area expert on the Native American Rock Art located on LakeAldred on the Susquehanna. The Susquehanna Indians believed that many of the areas where there is rock art present is sacred ground. When you take this tour, you will surely agree that the riverscape and rocks are truly special. You will actually climb on to these rocks located in mid-river and view the drawings that may date back thousands of years. Price includes tour, shuttle, guides, and lunch. Rental kayaks are available. Beginners can do this tour though there is some physical strength required.

Fee-Members-$60/Person, Non-Member-$66/Person

Kayak Rental - $35/Single Kayak (A.C. Members receive 10% off rental)

The following is now a firm date for our Fall Paddling Trip - Sign Up Now!

Chincoteague Island Paddling Trip

Fall Trip – October 16-19, 2010

Travel south to Chincoteague,VA and enjoy comfortable “beach house” accommodations on Shank’s Mare’s Fall Trip. Paddle Big Oyster Bay that takes you to a National Wildlife Refuge and great views of a wide variety of birds and the wild Chincoteague ponies. As a bonus, pack your bikes or walking shoes and explore all the sites this beautiful beach area has to offer. Shank’s Mare provides all meals and guided paddles. Call for a trip sheet for full details.

Fee - Members-$349/Person, $649/Couple; Non-Members-$390/Person, $720/Couple

Columbus Day Paddle Tour

Saturday, October 9, 2010, 10:00am-3:00pm

Grab your cool weather paddling gear, and join us for this Fall adventure on the Susquehanna. We’ll paddle from Wrightsville downriver following the SusquehannaCanal footprint. We’ll stop along the way for a delicious and hearty picnic lunch around a bonfire, then head home to Shank’s Mare. Participants in this paddle should be prepared for cool weather and cool water conditions. Fee includes guide, shuttle, and lunch.

Fee – Members-$54/Person, Non-Member-$60/Person

Eastern Shore Paddling Trip

Spring 2011 Trip – dates to be announced

The Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay offers many superb paddling tours. Our accommodations are rustic but comfortable cabins at JanesIslandState Park. We’ll tour the Janes Island Water Trail and additional paddles like the PocomokeRiver, Nassawonga, Dividing, or Monie Creeks for plenty of great wildlife viewing. Delicious meals are included in this great weekend getaway. Paddles are leisurely but may be up to 4 hours long. Paddlers should have some experience and be comfortable with moderate physical activity. Call for a trip sheet. Fee includes meals, lodging, tours and guide.

Fee - Members-$215/Person, $405/Couple. Non-Members-$240/Person, $450/Couple

Call 717-252-1616 to pre-register. Be sure to book early!