For more than 30 years folks have been gathering twice a year to share their love for backcountry travel by canoe, by snowshoe or by ski. From throughout the Northeast and Canada we have come together to teach, to learn, to make new friends and to spend time with old friends as we talk about past trips and plan for future trips.
A Brief History
Our New Home - Ohana Family Camp
Following a two year covid caused gap we restarted in 2023 with a new single year program on a new site, Ohana Family Camp, on Lake Fairlee, in Post Mills VT. Wonderful presenters combined with great accommodations and good food are bringing us back to Ohana FC for Paddlers & SnowWalkers VT 2024.
The large & airy dining hall is centrally located amongst the cabins and has a wonderful view of the Lake Fairlee Valley & surrounding lands. The waterfront is a 15 minute scenic walk downhill from the Dining Hall and most cabins. (Usually a 20-minute return trip. :)
Lodging & Meals
The Ohana Cabins
The Ohana Cabins range in size from 1 to 4 bedrooms each with a full bath and plenty of hot water. It is also important to note that the cabins do NOT have heat beyond the fireplace. (As we all know a fireplace does not mean cabin heat!) If we have a warm October weekend we will not notice. If we have a cold & rainey weekend, remember to pack your warm fall sleeping bag and pillowcase and towel. (Ohana is not providing us with linens.) Remember, if you prefer to choose your own roommate please provide us with that information on your registration form. We will do the best we can to follow your requests. * Remember to bring your sleeping bag, pillowcase and a towel.*
Tenters
We have a limited number of tent spots for the program. Please contact Andy ASAP 802-356-0798 or [email protected] if you would like to tent.
Meals
Meals: The full gathering meal plan provides you with D, B,L,D, & B & snacks throughout the weekend. If you are a commuter your plan provides you with D, L, & D & all snacks throughout the weekend. Thank you in advance for following your meal plan.
The Ohana Waterfront
This year we will be offering a number of water based activities. If you are thinking of participating in a water based workshop, please bring your PFD. Ohana Policy as well as a good practice is No One will be allowed on the water without wearing a proper sized & fitted PFD.
Things to know
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The Silent Auction has now become an annual part of each Paddlers’ weekend. Your contribution of an item or a service will help us increase the budget that we use to diversify and support our terrific speakers and their travel expenses. These Items are generally more valuable than items on the door prize table. Past donations have included paddles, tents, larger paintings, an anorak, a wetsuit and much more.
Contact: Jane Barron [email protected]
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Bring some Country Food to share at Wine & Cheese, Saturday Night
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“Door Prizes' are a tradition at Paddlers. Participants and presenters bring items to contribute to our Door Prize Table. Past items have included maple syrup, books, small paintings and drawings, knit caps, a carving, and much more. In past years 20 or more folks have left Paddlers with a wonderful Door Prize/memento of their weekend in Vermont. Please bring one item to include on the Door Prize Table. If you are contributing: Please fill out the cards on the door prize table and tape them to a can. Thanks to all who contribute - great prizes!! DIRECTIONS: – each person may put 5 slips, with your name on them, in the cans of choice. Please print clearly and boldly! - For Seth!!
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Please be sure to leave your pets at home, unless they are part of a working dog presentation.
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Your thoughts and suggestions are always appreciated. Feel free to reachout to Andy or Wendy at any time.
Contact: ~ Wendy Scott, [email protected] Andy Williams, [email protected]
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Although not very good, there is cell service at Ohana. We do ask that cell phones be used in and around your cabin or other private spaces and not where and when we gather as a group.
Your thoughts and suggestions are always appreciated - there will be a form by the entrance door for you to fill out if you so choose.
SCHEDULE-Paddlers & SnowWalkers-VT 2024
Ohana Family Camp
October 11 – 13, 2024
Friday, October 13
3:00 - 6:00 - Ohana Office
5:00 - Wine & Cheese - BYOL (Bring your own libations - we supply cheese & crackers)
6:00 - 7:00 - Dinner
7:20 - Welcome – Bruce Lindwall
7:30 - 9:00 - EVENING PRESENTATIONS – Introductions
7:30 - 7:50 – Willem Lange - Readings
7:55 - 8:25 – TBD
8:30 - 9:00 – Chris Giard - Winter Camping
9:00 to wee hours in the Dining Hall.
Schmoozing, snacks, music, and stories (bring your fiddle, guitar or........)
Saturday, October 14
7:30 - Breakfast
8:20 – WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS
8:30 – 10:00 – PRESENTATIONS Introductions
8:30 – 9:00 – Eric Hanson - All Things Loons
9:00 – 9:30 – TBD
9:30 – 10:00 – Miles Gordon - Once Upon A Time in the North - Film
10:00-10:30 – BREAK – SNACKS, TAILGATE VENDORS, DISPLAYS
10:30-11:30 WORKSHOPS SESSION #1
Water
1. TandemPaddling -- TBD -- Waterfront
2. Canoe Poling -- TBD -- Waterfront
3. Solo Canoeing -- TBD -- Waterfront
Land
1. Winter Camp Setup -- David Butler -- TBD
2. DIY Gear Tips and Tricks -- Chris Giard -- Cabin 11
3. Map and Compass -- Dave Brown -- Dining Hall
4. Traditional Campfire Cooking and Baking -- Camp Temagami staff -- Fire Pit
5. Technical Canoe Rescue/Safety -- Laurie Gullion/Bruce Lindwall
6. Survival skills -- Malie Lessard
12:15 - Dining Hall ~ Door Prizes, Afternoon Workshop Announcements & Descriptions
12:30 – LUNCH
1:15 - 1:45 -- DOOR PRIZES, TAILGATE VENDORS, DISPLAY, SILENT AUCTION
Afternoon Workshop Announcements & Descriptions
2:00 – 3:00 – WORKSHOPS SESSION #2
Water
1. Tandem Paddling -- TBD -- Waterfront
2. Canoe Poling -- TBD -- Waterfront
3. Canoe Rescue & Safety -- Laurie Gullion & Bruce Lindwall -- Waterfront
2:00 – 3:00 – WORKSHOPS SESSION #2
Land
1. Winter Equipment & Camp Setup -- David Butler -- TBD
2. Tarps & Knots -- Dave Brown -- Cabin 22
3. DIY Gear Tips and Tricks -- Chris Giard -- Library
4. Blending Sum.. & Win.. Camp Set-up -- Dawn Morgan & Rick Morrill -- TBD
5. Axe Care and Repair -- Geoffrey Burke/Dave Evans -- Woodshop
6. Technical Canoe Rescue/Safety -- Laurie Gullion/ Bruce Lindwall
3:00 – 3:30 - BREAK - SNACKS, TAILGATE VENDORS, DISPLAYS
3:30 – 4:30 - WORKSHOPS SESSION #3
Water
1. Making a Canoe Pole & Poling Tips -- TBD -- Waterfront
2. Solo Canoeing -- TBD -- Waterfront
3. Canoe Rescue & Safety -- TBD -- Waterfront
3:30 – 4:30 - WORKSHOPS SESSION #3
Land
1. DIY Gear Tips and Tricks -- Chris Giard -- TBD
2. Food & Menu Planning -- TBD -- Cabin 11
3. Firewood Tools and Method -- Dave Brown -- Robin’s Nest
4. Sharpen your knife -- Alexandra Conover-Bennet -- Cabin 22
5. Ax Care & Repair -- Geoffrey Burke/Dave Evans -- Woodshop
5:00 – 6:00 - Wine & Cheese, BYOL (Bring your own libations - we supply cheese & crackers)
Silent Auction (Bidding ends at 5:30)
6:00 – 7:00 – Dinner
7:20 – Regroup - Door Prizes & Silent Auction
7:30 – 9:00 - PRESENTATIONS - Introductions
7:30 - 8:15 – Malie Lessard-Therrien - Paddling and hiking from Norway to Sweden
8:15 - 9:00 – Dave and Amy Freeman - 3 Years and 12,000 miles across the US and Canada
9:05 - Evening Music in the Dining Hall .........snacks, schmoozing, singing, planning........
Sunday, October 15
7:30 – Breakfast – Checkout of cabins by 9:30 AM
8:45 – 10:00
I. Spoon Carving Workshop with Ken Wise - Woodshop
II. Film - TBD
Postponed Until 2024
Oct 12th & 13, 2023