Three-day Paddle Out to Masonboro Island is this Weekend

Some lucky eighth- and ninth-graders are heading out for a three-day expedition to the remote and undeveloped Masonboro Island near Myrtle Grove, N.C., this weekend, joined by a pair of instructors and a course director from here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education.

The eight youngsters are from the Wilmington, N.C., area and are participating in a custom program we’re running for New Hanover County schools called — appropriately — Education Without Walls.

This image is licensed under the Creative Commons — ©2010 Lucasmj.

Jena Honeyman and Wes Hawkins are the NCOAE lead instructors for this course, and she will be assisted by course director Joshua Youse.

After spending the night in cabins at NCOAE’s headquarters, the group heads out to Myrtle Grove where they’ll get a quick course in kayaking 101 and a safety briefing before paddling to Masonboro Island. There, the group will quickly set up camp, eat lunch and participate in its first Ed Group meeting, followed by free time.

And by free time, we mean Capture the Flag, Frisbee games, or exploring this pristine place. It’s lights out after dinner, a Summit and campfire, and then Day 3 begins with even more food, a group development meeting, free time and the paddle back to the mainland.

NCOAE’s next excursion is at the end of the month, and includes backpacking, camping and paddling along the Neusiok River and Bear Island in the Croatan Ranger District.

Scholarships are available for this next trip, which is custom-tailored for first-time campers and runs from May 22-25. And if you think you can’t afford to go, our scholarships often cover 100 percent of tuition and equipment.

For more information on the May 22 trip, or to ask about scholarships, contact NCOAE headquarters at (910) 399-8090.