Novice Rock Climbing Clinic
Soar to new heights with this small-group, rock climbing course in western Massachusetts. Zoar Outdoor is a short drive from several excellent climbing areas, so there’s lots of time “on the rock.” The clinic emphasizes top-rope climbing where the rope is anchored by the instructor at the top of each climb. Students learn to climb and belay as well as to move smoothly and with minimal effort on the rock.
Where: Zoar Outdoor, Charlemont
For: 14 yrs+
Duration: 1- (Saturday) and 2-days (Saturday & Sunday)
When: 1st weekend of each month, June-October
Extend your stay in western Massachusetts
Maritime Bike & Beer Adventure Trip
Massachusetts’ North Shore, Cape Ann and Essex National Heritage Area offer great natural beauty, exciting towns, and fascinating maritime history. In addition, the region is home to several excellent craft beer breweries. These produce award-winning brews, some made solely from local ingredients, and many named for the maritime heritage that inspired them. As you ride through coastal towns and along the shoreline, you’ll meet brewmasters who will share their brews’ history and process while you sample the varieties.
Where: Great Freedom Adventures, North Shore
For: Adults
Duration: 6 days
When: June 2-7, 2019; August 17-22, 2014
Extend your stay in North of Boston
Captivating Cape Cod & the Islands Vacation Bike Tour
The Cape Cod National Seashore offers 40 miles of pristine sand beaches, wild cranberry bogs, kettle ponds, and heathlands. Pedal bike paths on the seashore that bring you up-close to iconic beaches and the region’s famous lighthouses. Visit Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge and experience the largest gray seal haul-out site on the U.S. eastern seaboard. A tour of the Cape would not be complete without visiting Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Experience the islands’ most widely photographed and painted scenes: you will immediately be captivated by their beauty and understand their appeal. Enjoy the discovery purely by bike and boat, at a pace that allows you to take it all in.
Duration: 6 days
When: June 9-14, 2019; June 16-21, 2019; September 8-13, 2019; September 15-20, 2019
Salt Marsh and Song Birds MA Eco-Bike Adventure
Explore the vast richness of Massachusetts’ Great Salt Marsh and national wildlife refuges on this three day guided bike tour through the Boston, MA North Shore. Discover a destination world famous for nature study, encompassing thousands of acres of salt marsh, one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet. The Spring eco-bike tours are timed to coincide with the return of songbirds to one of the finest bird-watching destinations in the eastern United States and the bloom of colorful native azaleas and rhododendrons.
Duration: 3 days
When: May 10-12, 2019; June 26-28, 2019; September 3-5, 2019
Island Idyll Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Bike Tour
Seven miles off the coast of Massachusetts sits a jewel of an island: Martha’s Vineyard, better known locally as the “Vineyard”, is a place of exceptional beauty that simply begs to be explored by bike. Bike paths and country roads wind past cool forests, tranquil harbors, island farms and pristine beaches, offering the perfect opportunity to fully appreciate island life. Great Freedom Adventures’ three-day tour of Martha’s Vineyard draws from decades of Vineyard biking to bring you the best of this most beautiful of MA islands.
Duration: 3 days
When: May 17-19, 2019; July 21-23, 2019; July 24-26, 2019; September 11-13, 2019
Day-Sailing Course
Take this 3-day, 24-hour sailing course, and you’ll be a confident sailor. The first sixteen hours will cover sailing maneuvers; the last eight, navigating with charts. Come with your crew or meet someone new.
Where: Boston Harbor Sailing Club
For: Adults and families
Duration: 3 days
When: Ongoing
Extend your stay in Greater Boston
Wilderness Medicine: Become a First Responder
If you are an avid lover of the outdoors who likes to be prepared for anything, this is the course for you. You’ll learn how to react to an array of situations when help may take a while. And you’ll earn a certification as a Wilderness First Responder.
Where: Zoar Outdoor, Charlemont
For: Adults
Duration: 6 days
When: January
Extend your stay in western Massachusetts
Spey Casting School
Spend a day with Walt Geryk learning the art of spey casting on the Deerfield River. Forgo the short weekly lessons and jump right into a fishing trip! Relax and create new friendships as you trek through New England’s outdoors.
Where: Deerfield River
For: Adults
Duration: 1 & 2 day sessions
When: by request
Extend your stay in western Massachusetts
Kayak Clinics
Experienced instructors from Zoar Outdoor teach the basic skills of kayaking on lake or pond, then move to the Deerfield River to learn about currents and how to maneuver in whitewater. The 5-day course culminates in paddling intermediate-level whitewater.
Where: Zoar Outdoor, Charlemont
For: Adults and teens 14+
Duration: 2- and 3-day Novice clinics, 5-day Intensive Novice clinic
When: May–October
Extend your stay in western Massachusetts
Cuttyhunk Crossing Kayak Trip
Take on the challenge of an open water crossing on Buzzards Bay to the Elizabeth Islands. Learn navigation skills, plot best places to relax and play around the islands.
Where: Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures, Westport
For: kayakers with coastal experience
Duration: 8 to 9 hours
When: August
Extend your stay in Bristol County
Sea Kayaking Trips
Kayak along Massachusetts’ captivating coastline with Charles River Canoe & Kayak. Leave this adventure a better paddler and gain the confidence to go on a kayaking adventure anytime.
Where: Charles River Canoe & Kayak, Newton
For: Adults and children 10+ (depending on class)
Duration: 1 day
When: May–October
Extend your stay in Greater Boston
Introduction to Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Combine surfing, canoeing, and the ability to balance, then execute them all at the same time. Paddleboarding is a great athletic endeavor, and instructors will show you paddling techniques and how to maneuver over small waves.
Where: Charles River Canoe & Kayak, Newton
For: Adults
Duration: 1 day
When: May–September
Extend your stay in Greater Boston
Introduction to Canoeing
Explore the many ponds, rivers, and lakes Massachusetts has to offer, after learning the basic techniques of paddling and maneuvering with Charles River Canoe & Kayak.
Where: Charles River Canoe & Kayak, Newton
For: Adults
Duration: 1 day
When: Seasonal
Extend your stay in Greater Boston