Saco River Canoe Rentals & Camping in Maine

Youth Group Trips

Click these 'hot links' for the different topics:

Plan it out
Make a list
If it rains
Food and dishwashing
Permits, Licenses and Requirements
A few notes on hazards
A few simple camping rules

Before you go, plan it out!

Detailed planning is a vital part of any successful trip ... and it can never begin too early for a leader. The leader must know what to expect, and plan for it. The leader must feel confident on the river. Confidence comes from knowing his or her group, and from knowing the river and its conditions.
Right from the start, the leader needs to determine what kind of trip would be suitable for the group. Perhaps simply canoeing "from point A to point B" is enough. Your group may prefer a leisure paddle with lots of stops for swimming and picnicing or a trip full of instruction. The decision depends on the age level, physical capabilities, and interests of the group. Add to that any goals the leader and/or trippers have set.
Once the type of trip is chosen, the leader must make sure that all of those within the group agree with the arrangements. Many trips have been spoiled because a few people wanted to relax and go swimming while others wanted to rush down-river so they could get a quick start for the ride home.
Next, the leader should become familiar with the river ... either through first-hand knowledge, or from maps, charts, and guides. All of the canoe liveries on the Saco have river maps. Some maps are more detailed than others. Many of the shops have excellent maps and booklets for sale. Probably the best maps available are the "topos" (topographical maps) which can be found at several local camping and hiking equipment stores, as well as on-line. Look for the Fryeburg, Brownfield, and possibly the Hiram quadrangles - 7.5 minute series.
To estimate the time required for your trip, allow approximately 20-minutes per mile in the spring and early summer, increasing to 30-minutes per mile in late summer and early fall. Leaders may want to figure in up to 30% more time until they're familiar with the capabilities of their group. (Remember to add in time for swimming, lunch, and moose watching.)
It's probably best to have at least one leader for every 5 young people. Experience has shown that a trip of 10 campers and 2 leaders not only minimizes the environmental impact, but maximizes the learning possibilities. Larger groups can be difficult to keep together, and are harder to deal with in emergencies.
If plans are to have several different drivers meet here at River Run and start the river trip together, a detailed map and driving directions should be given to all drivers. A phone number of someone at home for lost drivers to call might be helpful. This person can act as a relay point for all drivers. Of course cell phones would be good, too. But remember that due to Maine's mountainous terrain, the cell signal isn't always top notch (no pun intended).

Before you go, make a list!

As a trip leader, you're responsible for organizing the food, the cooking gear, the first aid kit, and the tools needed for a safe and successful trip. As a leader, you should plan to pack a few extras ... maybe an extra pair of wool socks (yes, wool!), maybe and extra hat or bandana, maybe even an extra sleeping bag. At any rate, you need to be prepared for your campers' needs and mistakes.
Following are a few suggested equipment and clothing lists. Some trips will be "bare bones" for whatever reasons. Others will be "take the kitchen sink." Add or subtract as needed:

Cooking Gear

cook set (pots 'n pans)
cups, plates, utensils
coffee pot
large mixing/serving spoon
spatula
grill/griddle
reflector oven
stove & fuel
matches (waterproof container!)
water containers
sponge
pot holder
can opener
dish towel/paper towels
condiments (sugar, salt, pepper)

Camping Tools

first-aid kit
folding saw (extra blade?)
axes and hatchets are NOT needed!
trowel or small shovel
rope
tarp
bug repellant
duct tape
toilet paper
small books/games
extra plastic bags
extra tent pegs
extra matches
boat bailers

What if it rains?

Rainy days present problems for everyone on a canoe trip. If it's a prolonged rain, everyone will be at least damp and cold at the end of the day. More likely, they'll be soaking wet and cold. In this situation, the group without a good leader will grab whatever can be eaten quickly and crawl into their tents, hopefully finding a dry sleeping bag.
The good trip leader will make an extra effort to help all of the campers be as comfortable as possible. The decisions the leader makes here depends on the group's experience, age, and abilities. But ultimately, the leader's direction is expected and necessary.
No one likes being wet (unless they're in the river, swimming!), and no one enjoys the thought of his or her river trip being shrouded in cloudy, overcast skies. The trip leader should do everything possible to minimize the discouraging effects of inclement weather, and help the campers realize that rain is a normal (although unwanted) part of the trip, and that the group is prepared for it. The leader's optimism and attitude really counts here! It can be contagious.
Advanced preparation for inclement weather means you seriously and realistically plan to get rained on. Treat rain as though you expect it. There are three areas to be concerned with ...

1 - the rain gear each camper has
2 - the tents for protection from the weather and for sleeping
3 - a tarp to provide a dry place for cooking/eating/socializing.

With these things taken care of, the leader has done all that can be done - other than being as optimistic as possible.
It's up to the leader to put forth the extra effort to see that everyone has hot food, hot drinks, and a nice, warm fire. While some campers are setting up tents and tarps, others should be getting the fire going for hot drinks. The two things that will boost morale on a cold, rainy day are not just the fire and the food ... it's the the fact that you're in control and can handle the situation.

Food ... Glorious Food!

If the leader takes pride in the meals, and cares about what is offered to the campers, the campers should sit down to a well-balanced meal that is both hot and filling. It doesn't take an army of helpers to put on such a meal - just careful planning.
With planning and pre-portioning taken care of, the hardest part of the meal should already be done before you "leave civilization." Where possible, the correct amounts of ingredients should be measured out, packaged, and labeled. If you've written your meal plan down, all you need to do is check the menu to determine everything that's needed.
Although the menu is a valuable tool both before and during the trip, don't be a slave to it. Be flexible enough to take advantage of fresh fish, wild fruits and berries, or other such windfalls of food. If an unexpected catch of fish will fit better into one meal than another, go ahead and switch the menu around.
Your dishwashing system should be simple. Take one "SOS" pad for each meal,a small plastic bottle of dishwashing soap, and a sponge. If possible and convenient, washes and rinses can be in hot water. However, a cold wash isn't so bad either. Wash the dishes in cold water with the soap and pad away from the river. Make sure your dishwashers (the campers) are careful to rinse off all the soap - the dishes, etc., should feel "squeaky clean" when rinsed. When all dishes are washed and rinsed in cold water, give them a final rinse in hot water - the water you had heating during the meal.
If you as the leader don't do the dishes yourself, at least help out with the final hot water rinse to check for cleanliness. Remember, YOU are the responsible leader. Your campers are expecting you to show them how to have a good, safe time.

Permits, Licenses, and Requirements

The State of Maine requires:

Fire Permits - In Oxford County (where we are), these are valid for use on sandbars only. To be used for "cooking and warming" fires and charcoal ... not for raging bonfires! Permits are not needed if you're camping with us at River Run or at any other organized (supervised) campground. The permits are free and can be obtained at a nearby store.

Fishing Licenses - Licenses are required for all non-Maine-residents age 12 and above, and for Maine residents age 16 and above. (Certain summer camps and youth groups have a "blanket" license for their campers to fish in lakes and ponds adjacent to their camps.) You are encouraged to check out the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife site here for the actual laws and license fees.

Camp Trip Leader's Permit - A person holding a camp trip leader permit may conduct trips containing adults under the auspices of the boys and girls camp where they are employed without being required to obtain a Registered Maine Guide's License.

OR

Maine Guide's License - A "Guide" is any person who receives any form of remuneration for his services in accompanying or assisting any person in the fields, forests or on the waters or ice within the jurisdiction of the State of Maine while hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, snowmobiling or camping at a primitive camping area.

Note: Scout and other non-profit youth groups/leaders do not need a Guide's License, nor does any person leading a casual trip with friends where no money is being made. More info can be seen on the Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife site here.

Personal Floatation Devices (PFD's) - If your boat is less than 16 feet long, or is a canoe or kayak of any length, you must have a WEARABLE (Type I, II, or III) PFD for each person on board on all waters. The key word here is "wearable." Cushions don't count! River Run provides life jackets with all canoe rentals.

Note: While wearing your PFD is not normally required by law, there are exceptions to this.

Children 10 years of age and under must wear a Type I, II, or III PFD while on board all watercraft.
Anyone canoeing or kayaking on the Saco River between Hiram Dam and the Atlantic Ocean between January 1st and June 1st must wear a Type I, II, or III PFD.

A few notes on hazards

Canoeing has certain risks that can be minimized with proper caution, training, and equipment. The following items are not the only risks present, but represent some of the major things to be concerned with. Furthermore, this is not meant to provide you with all the training needed to deal with river risks, or "the last word." You are advised to seek training in these areas if they interest you.

High Water - Even a moderate rainfall can affect water levels and river currents. Within hours after a rain, the Saco can rise making navigation difficult and submerging all but the hightest of sandbars and beaches. Here on the Saco, we say that an INCH of rain can result in a FOOT of rise in the river. When camping in rainy weather, make sure you're set up on high ground. When beaching the canoes for the evening, make sure they're well up off the water. Many a person has awakened the morning after an evening rain to find their boats have left without them, headed downriver all by themselves.

Strainers - Brush, fallen trees, bridge pilings, rock piles, and anything else that allows water to pass through but holds you or your canoe against it is a strainer. The water pressure against something trapped this way can be overwhelming. Although strainers can be present at any time, they are mostly a problem during high-water (major rains, the spring snow-melt) when the river overflows its normal banks.

Weirs, reversals, standing waves - As water drops over an obstacle, it curls back on itself in a stationary wave. The surface can actually flow upstream, trapping floating objects between the drop and the wave.

The cold - (Yes, the cold!) Cold can rob a person's strength and the ability to self-rescue on land as well as in the water. Be aware of the early signs and symptoms of hypothermia, and know how to deal with it.

A few simple Camping Rules
(or: How to get along with Mother Nature)

Respect the rights of others. The land along the Saco River is privately owned. If it's posted, please don't trespass. The more people abuse the land, the more land gets posted.

Try not to disturb the peace and tranquility of the river for those who want to enjoy it ... including the wildlife! When on a canoe trip, paddlers might see deer, moose, bear, beaver, racoons, loads of different birds [including the Great Blue Heron], and lots of little furry things [grey squirrels, red squirrels, mice, rabbits, etc.].

Leave your campsite cleaner than when you found it.

Take out your own trash, and pick up after others. There are trash receptacles at all river put-in and take-out areas. At River Run, there is a dumpster right up off the beach for your use.

Some people say to bury human waste about 6" deep. Others say it's better to leave it on the ground and it will degrade faster. Whatever your method, please keep waste AWAY from the river ... in the woods ... away from paths and living areas! Take out all paper used. Carry a small "baggy" with you for clean up purposes.

Build fires on sandbars only ... not the woods. Fire permits are valid for sandbars only.

Keep fires small. Bonfires are not necessary and can be dangerous.

Put your fire out with water, not sand. You should be able to put your hand in the ashes if the fire is properly extinguished. Using sand can actually keep the coals hot for hours ... and yours could be the feet that get burned!

Don't cut any standing trees - even if they look dead. Take downed wood only. Because of the many canoers and campers on the river, we recommend that you take wood with you for your canoeing trip. Bring wood from home or purchase it at the campground (or at other stores in town).

Don't pollute. Wash dishes, clothing, and yourself at least 50-feet from the river. Dump used water in the woods, not back into the river. Enjoy your trip and help to keep the Saco River clean.

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