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.
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.”
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
Neal Menschel Owner of Nashoba
Paddler and Co-Director of River Camp, is an experienced river guide
and a certified instructor with the American Canoeing Association
(ACA), and holds certifications in CPR and Basic Wilderness First Aid. He has a degree in biology and has taught middle school
science and geography, and college level photography. His
enthusiasm about rivers is contagious —Watch out!
Diane Carson, Co-Director of River
Camp and Nashoba Paddler's Manager, is an ACA-certified canoeing
instructor and a guide for Nashoba Paddler and River
Classroom. 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,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 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 is an ACA canoeing instructor.
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 is the Director of the Nashua River Watershed 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 is a graduate of River Camp's very first program in 1997. He has remained impassioned about paddling and the environment. He is a whitewater kayaker as well as canoeist and has worked for Nashoba Paddler since 2001. He is a certified lifeguard and will be seeking ACA instructor certification prior to the start of camp this year. He is currently studying at Berklee College of Music.
OUR EQUIPMENT We have a variety of Old Town canoes, including a giant double 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 3/12/2008
