Cape Cod Family Adventure, Massachusetts

Please note that the leader has changed from what was originally published. If you have questions, please contact us.

The Trip

Cape Cod, which Thoreau called the "bared and bent arm of Massachusetts" during his travels there almost 150 years ago, has lighthouses and salt marshes, hiking, biking and birding, historic sites and a wonderful natural history museum, fresh water "kettle ponds," and above all, it has beaches. The Cape Cod National Seashore stretches from Chatham, at the elbow, to the "sandy fist" of Provincetown. It includes 40+ miles of beaches, cliffs, and dunes, and the restless, ever-beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Come and join us in exploring and enjoying this beautiful spot. 

Early in the trip we will be going out into Cape Cod Bay on a boat run by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. We’ll be using nets to fish and drag for all sorts of marine life, which we can then examine and enjoy after we pull it from the water. We’ll take a short hike to White Cedar Swamp, and probably a longer one out onto Great Island. There are many nearby hiking trails. One day we’ll spend several hours investigating salt marshes and tidal flats with a guide at the Audubon Sanctuary, which is about two miles from our camp. In the evening, there are Cape Cod Baseball League games –- lots of old-time fun to be had -- or a movie at one of the few remaining drive-ins in the country.  One day we will learn to kayak on a bay at Orleans.  We have lots of plans, but the schedule will be pretty flexible to accommodate weather and personal preferences. We will offer some longish hikes, five or so miles. When we do, there will also be a shorter option. Children should be at least eight years old and able to walk at least two miles.

There are many other activities available -- some with additional fees not included in the trip fee. Biking is delightful, with a great long bike trail and few hills near colorful Provincetown. Bikes can be rented through our campground. Canoeing on the Heron River looks interesting and a whale watch cruise can be arranged. There is much more to do, but we have to leave plenty of time for swimming, sunning, and building sand castles! 

Obviously we will not be in the wilderness, but, as on all Sierra Club Outings, members will be expected to show concern and consideration for the environment and to behave appropriately for members of a conservation organization. This is another reason to keep driving to a minimum. We will recycle everything that we can recycle and hope to be good examples and teachers of conservation practices to our younger members: staying on trails, not picking wildflowers, not leaving water faucets turned on, etc. At our campfire one evening we will listen to a speaker talk about local conservation issues.

The trip leader has ordered a week of perfect summer days, with warm, light breezes and puffy clouds. Cape Cod certainly can deliver these, but after all, it is in New England, so prepare for rain. Be sure your tent is really waterproof, and the same goes for rain gear for the entire family. 

Getting There

It will probably be easiest to drive, and there will be a need for some cars during the trip. However, there is bus service from Logan Airport in Boston and also from the Providence, RI airport. There is a ferry to Provincetown from Boston. The trip leader will send further bus information and directions to the campground in an early letter. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Our campground in Wellfleet is located well away from any busy road in a spacious oak grove; we can literally walk from it to the beach in about 20 minutes. (We intend to minimize our driving all week as the Cape is deservedly popular and the main roads will likely be crowded and the parking difficult.) The campground bathroom is clean and convenient and has showers; one of them open to the sky. Campfires are illegal on most of the Cape, but we will have a fire ring and be able to use it. Marshmallows anyone? Hot dogs? Camp songs?

Our commissary department plans tasty, healthy meals with as much fresh fruit and vegetables as we can get. We lean toward low-fat foods, with some exceptions at the dessert end of things. We can accommodate special dietary needs to some extent, but only if we know about them ahead of time. Be sure to tell the trip leaders about any such needs on the participant approval questionnaire.

Equipment and Clothing

On Sierra Club Outings, participants furnish their own personal equipment, including items such as boots, backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, a "basics" first-aid kit, toiletries, and eating utensils. Where applicable, participants also furnish their own specialized equipment like bicycles, fishing tackle, snorkeling gear, or photographic equipment. The Sierra Club furnishes all shared group gear, including stoves, cookware and cooking utensils, a group first-aid kit, kayaks and safety gear, and food.

An equipment list will be sent to all registered trip participants in their reservation confirmation packet.

References

• Thoreau, Henry David, Cape Cod. Available in several paperback editions. 
• Cape Cod National Seashore, South Wellfleet, MA, 02663, has good maps and other information. Phone 508-349-3785. 

Conservation

There will be a talk by an Audubon representative about local issues as well as on-going discussions of conservation efforts on Cape Cod and the islands.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and will operate under a permit from Cape Cod National Seashore.