Some programs are free and open to the public. Most programs require pre-registration. Paddling and hiking programs have fees, with limited scholarships available. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children. Sighted guides and other reasonable accommodations are usually available upon advance request. All program participants must complete a liability waiver.

Summer Adaptive Recreation Schedule Weekly Programs

Adaptive equipment, instruction and assistance provided.

$5 per person for kayak and canoe programs.

MANDATORY PRE-REGISTRATION: Call phone numbers listed. Seats are limited – to guarantee a spot, call in advance!

Please note: All Out Adventures maintains a low-enrollment cancellation policy: If there are less than 3 people registered to a program, the program will be cancelled. This affects all paddling and cycling programs, so please pre-register early!

June  – August

SAILING, Weekdays 3 – 5 pm, weekends 10am – 2pm

Charles River Reservation, Boston

Learn to sail and enjoy the city scenery from the river. Modified sailboats, adaptive support, lifeguard on duty and support launch. Program costs $1, pre-registration required. Call Community Boating at 617-523-1038 x 23. 

Mondays: July 13 – Aug 17

KAYAKING, 9:45 am - 3:15 pm

Walden Pond State Reservation, Concord

Experience flat-water kayaking, with adaptations and support as needed, in a  safe environment with a lifeguard. Call All Out Adventures at 413-527-8980 to  register.

Mondays: July 6 - 27

KAYAKING, 10 am – 3 pm

DAR State Forest, Goshen

Join Stavros Outdoor Access for weekly flat-water kayaking. Explore Highland Lake in search of blueberries. Lifeguard on duty. Call 413-259-0009 to register.

Tuesdays: July 7 – August 18

CANOEING, 9:45 am - 4:15 pm

Elwell State Recreation Area, Northampton

Join All Out Adventures for weekly canoeing on the Connecticut River. Explore a shallow channel on a lazy day or challenge yourself to paddle around Elwell Island! Call 413-527-8980 to register.

Wednesdays: July 1 – August 19

KAYAKING, 9:45 am - 4:15 pm

DAR State Forest, Goshen

Kayak on beautiful Highland Lake with All Out Adventures and a lifeguard. Picnic and take a walk on the accessible forest trail along the lake shore to complete your day. Go for a swim on the lifeguarded swimming beach. Call 413-527-8980 to register.

Thursdays: July 9 – August 20

KAYAKING, 9:45 am - 3:15 pm

Douglas State Forest, Douglas

Join All Out Adventures at this popular flat-water kayak program and see if you can paddle to Rhode Island! Lifeguard on duty. Call 413-527-8980 to register.

Thursdays: July 2 - August 20

KAYAKING, 10 am - 4 pm

Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton

Join Outdoor Recreation of Hopkinton to explore a gentle lake with support as needed and lifeguard. Pre-register by calling ORH at 508-435-3965.

Thursdays: June 11 – October 22

ROWING, variable hours

Elwell State Recreation Area, Northampton

Learn to row, scull or continue to practice with Stephanie Moore of Holyoke Rows. Specialized rowing shells, adaptive support, and lifeguard. Enjoy exercising on the river and/or train for competition. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 413-586-8612.

Fridays: June 12 – September 25 (not offered on July 3 and 24)

CYCLING, 12noon – 5 pm

Norwottuck Rail Trail, Hadley

Come explore the wide variety of adaptive cycles for adults and kids including handcycles, trikes, tandems, recumbent bikes and new this year: bikes for big people! Ride occasionally or weekly. Pre-registration required, Call All Out Adventures at 413-527-8980. $3 per program or use an AOA seasonal pass.

Explore the parks!

Join the hiking program that travels around the state!

Accessible Hiking Program:  

Take a hike with Stavros Outdoor Access! Explore accessible trails and rugged paths with a focus on fun and meeting new people. Assistive equipment and team-work unite people of all abilitiesusingTerra Trek mountainwheelchairs,push joggers andlots of stops to rest. Bring a lunch and enjoy activities such as scavenger hunts, nature talks, and letterboxing. Collect DCR passport stamps at each park! Sighted guides available.  Limited transportation – call 413-259-0009 to inquire.

$2 per person, $4 for families, $10 for groups

To register call 413-259-0009.

Evening Kayaking on Barton’s Cove

Enjoy a leisurely evening paddle in the company of eagles. $5 per person. Call All Out Adventures at 413-527-8980 to register. Previous paddling experience recommended. Monday, August 24, 6-8pm

Connecticut River Paddling Day Trips

Join Holyoke Rows for kayaking day adventures on the river. Previous paddling experience required. Call 413 586-8612

Berkshire Bike and Boat Day

Saturday, August 8   10am – 4pm

At Farnum’s Crossing Town Park in Cheshire, try out a variety of adaptive cycles on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, then kayak on scenic reservoirs. Bring your lunch and enjoy this free day in one of the most beautiful spots in the whole state. For further information and to pre-register, call All Out Adventures at 413-527-8980.

Horseback Riding – One day only!

Join Windrush Farm for horseback riding at Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield Friday, August 28. 10am – 2pm. Free. To receive required waivers, register and reserve a spot, call 617-626-1294.  

[photo: riders] 

Fishing

Universal Access works with Mass Fish and Wildlife’s Angler Education Program to offer accessible fishing. Adaptive and conventional fishing equipment used at wheelchair accessible sites around Massachusetts. Call Jim Lagacy at 508-389 -6309 for more information.  Check MassWildlife’s Angler Education Programs on line at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfweduc.htm#AEP.

Adaptive Bike Rentals

Cycle on your own at the locations below within the DCR park system. To rent bikes for private use elsewhere, the following organizations offer adaptive equipment rentals: Northeast Passage,New Hampshire at 603-862-0070, www.nepassage.org or Child and Family Services Disability Program, Springfield at 413-788-9695.

Norwottuck Rail Trail       

Trailside Bicycles   8 Railroad Street, Hadley 413-582-0733          

Adult Handcycle, Child Handcycle, Wheelchair Tandem

7 days a week       

Two-wheel bike and tandem for big people

Call to reserve           10am – 5pm $20 for up to 4 hrs, $35 for up to 8 hrs

Cape Cod Rail Trail           

Bike and Blade   Underpass Road, Brewster 508-896-8200          

2 Adult Handcycles, Youth Handcycle        

7 days a week          

$25 per day

 

Letterboxing - A do-it-yourself activity          

If you enjoy treasure hunts, consider letterboxing! It is a wonderful family quest activity in which clues are followed to locate hidden boxes containing rubber stamps. Imprinting found stamps in your personal logbook proves you were there and serves as a souvenir of the experience. Five parks in the Connecticut River Valley area have Universal Access Program letterboxes hidden as accessibly as possible – several are at Universal Access Program sites! Find all 20 letterboxes and receive a prize! On your travels you can also collect DCR Passport Stamps in over 70 parks statewide. Call 413-545-5758 for more information and clues.