Blackwater Trip Info Packet

This packet of information is provided to help keep you organized and ensure that you are fully prepared for your event(s). Please review all of this information carefully at least one week prior to your event. Chat or message us through our website with any questions. We look forward to paddling with you!

Contents

This packet contains the following:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions.

  1. IMPORTANT: Have all of your participants created an account, pre-completed our electronic risk form, and have they been scheduled along with you? Please make sure! Only those individuals whose names appear on our schedule will be able to participate in any event. Your purchase is not a reservation. Chat or message us through our website with any questions.
  2. You have up to two years from your first trip to complete any membership package.
  3. Please schedule or re-schedule your events online using your scheduling login - and check your wait list status regularly - wait listing for an event is a commitment on your part to attend. We recommend checking on Monday and Thursday before weekend events. You WILL NOT be notified when you are automatically moved off the wait list, so be sure to check using your scheduling login. The roster generally solidifies the week of the event and we make final adjustments to capacity at that time. Adjustments made on a Friday that result in your being added are accompanied by a message and phone call from us. Please respond promptly. Remove yourself from the wait list if you can no longer attend. CLICK HERE FOR YOUR SCHEDULE PAGE.
  4. You have up until 72 hours before start time to reschedule (please do so online). Guests who do not reschedule in time or don’t show up forfeit their trip. No exceptions are made to this policy and we do not offer refunds.
  5. Please do not wait until the last minute to prepare for your trip.
  6. Please arrive and be prepared fifteen minutes prior to your trip start time. (Late arrivals will not be admitted.)
  7. Personal floatation, paddle, and kayak are provided at no charge.
  8. Although our beginner trips do not include intentional capsizing, you could accidentally end up in the water. Therefore, in the spring and fall we require that all participants wear synthetic clothing that dries quickly. Patagonia Capilene is great for such a situation and it can be worn under basic nylon pants and jackets. Long pants are a good idea on many beginner trips, as is a simple plastic poncho.
  9. On some trips, you will have to help carry your kayak on two short portages.
  10. Store your car key in a “Hide-a-Key” box or similar somewhere on your vehicle.
  11. You may repeat any trip at a discounted rate. Chat or message us for details.
  12. All trips meet rain or shine. A decision to postpone due to lightning or other dangerous conditions is made on-site at the last possible minute. (Mother Nature often cooperates if we wait and see.)
  13. For your safety and enjoyment, we request that you keep your personal information up-to-date on your schedule page using the link at the top right that says "Personal info"
    14. CLICK HERE FOR YOUR SCHEDULE PAGE.

List of Things to Bring

The following list of things to bring is for your comfort, safety, and enjoyment of your on-water experience with us. ALL ITEMS ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

Directions to Event Location

The Blackwater trip is held at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, MD. For alternate routes, google “2145 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, Maryland 21613.”

From DC, Baltimore and Annapolis:
  1. Take Route 50 east towards the Bay Bridge
  2. Cross over the Bay Bridge (toll required)
  3. After about 9.5 miles, merge onto Ocean Gateway/US-50 towards Ocean City.
  4. After 34.8 miles, turn right onto Church Creek Rd/Gypsy Hill Rd/MD-16.
  5. After 7.3 miles, turn left on MD-335/Church Creek-Golden Hill Rd.
  6. After 3.8 miles, turn left onto Key Wallace Rd.
  7. After 0.8 miles, the Blackwater Visitor’s Center will be on your right.
  8. Park in the Visitor’s Center parking lot and look for our guides. Carpooling will be required as a condition of our permit. Please plan to carpool with other guests.
If you get lost, you can call the Blackwater Visitor’s Center at 410-228-2677.

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