WHERE WE’RE BASED – THE NASHUA RIVER The flatwater, 46-mile long Nashua River starts in Lancaster, Ma. and winds its way through forested banks and conservation lands of Leominster, Lancaster, Harvard, Ayer, Shirley, Groton, and Pepperell, Ma. before crosing the border into Hollis and Nashua, N.H. You’re likely to see some blue herons, owls, turtles, osprey, and an occasional beaver, mink, or deer. Put in at our riverside rental base in W. Groton and paddle for hours in either direction. The fishing is excellent.

An award-winning children’s book, A River Runs Wild, has been written about this historic river. It tells how this lush waterway for Indian settlements became totally polluted by factory wastes by the mid 1900’s, and how it was cleaned up to become once again a beautiful, fishable, swimmable river. So a trip to Nashoba Paddler is not only a recreational outing, but an enlightening environmental experience also! See an educational display, look at books and rivers kits, and arrange to see a colorful slide show about the Nashua River at the nearby Nashua River Watershed Associatian. A perfect outing for youth and other groups interested in the environment.

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OUR MISSION Our mission is to awaken people to the fragile beauty of rivers. Now in our 9th season, we are dedicated to furthering river education and protecting the environment. In 1997, Nashoba Paddler received the Nashua River Watershed Association’s Greenway Award for “helping people to fall in love with the river and become educated stewards for the Nashua watershed.”

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OUR STAFF  Our staff is made up of paddling enthusiasts who are committed to the environment. They are known for their friendly, personal service, and are happy to share what they know and love about the Nashua River and about canoeing, including paddling tips.

Camp Leaders and Guides 

Diane CarsonDiane Carson, Director of River Camp, is Nashoba Paddler's Manager, and a guide for Nashoba Paddler and River Classroom.  She has been an American Canoe Association (ACA)-certified canoeing instructor since 1998 with training in Swift Water Rescue and Adaptive Paddling.  She is certified in CPR and Basic Wilderness First Aid.  Diane has a degree in biology and loves to share the discovery of nature with children.




Alden Chadwick Alden Chadwick,a veteran science teacher at the Groton-Dunstable Middle School, has an M.S. degree in science education.  He is a lifeguard and is certified in Basic Wilderness First Aid.  Alden has been with River Camp since its inception in 1997 and knows how to make science fun!





George Moore George Moore is a lifelong outdoorsman and a guide for Nashoba Paddler and River Classroom. He seizes every opportunity to share his knowledge of the natural world with others. George holds certifications in CPR and Basic Wilderness First Aid and has been an ACA-certified canoeing instructor since 2002.






Shelley Grove Shelley Grove is a preschool teacher at Groton Community School and an Assistant Manager for Nashoba Paddler. She has a degree in recreation, is certified in CPR and First Aid, and is an ACA-certified canoeing instructor. Her goal is to open people’s eyes to the wonder of rivers.






Stacey Chilcoat Stacey Chilcoat is the Director of the Nashua RiverWatershed Association's River Classroom, a canoe-based environmental field study program for school groups.  She began with River Classroom in 1998 when it was being developed by Nashoba Paddler.   She has remained connected to Nashoba Paddler and River Camp, leading trips and sharing her knowledge of the watershed.  She has a degree in biology, is an ACA-certified canoeing instructor, and is certified in CPR and Basic Wilderness First Aid.




Lucas Moisson Lucas Moisson is a graduate of River Camp's very first program in 1997. He is a whitewater kayaker as well as canoeist and has worked for Nashoba Paddler since 2001.  Luke holds certifications in lifeguarding, CPR, and First Aid, is an ACA-certified canoeing instructor and is pursuing Swift Water Rescue training.  A recent graduate of Berklee College of Music, Luke's enthusiasm about everything he does is contagious!





Dana Brennan Dana Brennan is a fifth grade teacher in Marblehead, MA.  She was formerly the Environmental Education Programs Coordinator for the Nashua River Watershed Association and a guide for River Classroom.  Dana combines creativity with a love and knowledge of nature.  Dana has an M.Ed. in elementary education and a B.S. in Animal Science with a minor in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation.  She is certified in CPR and First Aid, and is pursuing Lifeguard Training. 



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OUR EQUIPMENT We have a variety of Old Town canoes, including a giant family canoe, solo and double river kayaks, comfortable life vests for all ages, and paddles.


For more information or to make reservations, contact:
Nashoba Paddler at 978/448-8699
PO Box 228, West Groton MA 01472
email: Nashoba Paddler

Updated 2/16/2009
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