Trips & Tours

Eastern Shore Paddling Trip

Spring Trip – Fri., April 16 – Sun., April 18, 2010

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

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

Wed., June 9, 2010 or Wed., July 7, 2010 or 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

Kayak Fishing Paddle Tour

Sat., June 19, 2010, 10am-3pm

Shank’s Mare welcomes kayak fishing guide Brian Shumaker to be the fishing expert on this kayak tour. Brian will supply the fishing gear if needed, and Shank’s Mare can provide rental kayaks if needed as well. Brian along with a Shank’s Mare guide will take you to various spots on the Susquehanna in search of your catch. He will demonstrate casting techniques and be available to help all participants with any part of the fishing experience. Here’s a great way to learn about and participate in kayak fishing on the Susquehanna. This tour is open to all levels of fisherman. Fee includes fishing guide, kayak guide, packed lunch and fishing gear if needed.

Fee – Members-$150/Person, Non-Members-$165/Person

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

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

June 27, 2010 or 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., June 29, 2010 or 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

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)

Native American Rock Art Paddle Tour

Sat., Sept. 11, 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)

ChincoteagueIsland Paddling Trip

Fall Trip – October 16-23, 2010 (tentative)

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. Stay a weekend or any number of days during this stretch of dates. Shank’s Mare provides all meals and guided paddles. Call for a trip sheet for full details.

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

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