Table of Contents
Thank You Letter to Rudy Rivers
Camp Mohawk Instruction and Camp
Minutes from May 2006 General Meeting
Trip Reports
Anne Olden: Lake Woodlands Paddle
Christy Long: Medina River Cleanup
Cindy Bartos: Memorial Day Paddle
Camp
Mohawk and New Park
by Natalie Weist
In my neverending quest for new public places to put boats in the water, I noticed a listing for Camp Mohawk on Chocolate Bayou – or at least it seemed it should be on the Bayou, the turn being right across Hwy 35 from the Chocolate Bayou Park.
Perhaps those of you who are of Boy Scouting persuasion knew this camp from those activities. In fact, even with the big green Camp Mohawk signs on 35, the next sign on the road itself says “Private Road”, so I am assuming the park is so brand new in the Brazoria County management, they just haven’t removed the sign (“private road”, that is). In any case, there are brand new renovations going on at the park and it is a lovely facility. Not only are there spaces for overnight camping, there are also dormitory structures sleeping 30, 40, and 42 people that can be rented, for a fee; and pavilions, chapel, and campsites. AND a nice, sizable lake, that would be ideal for canoe/kayak instruction. Indeed, they have a ranger certified in kayak instruction and they have set up 2 hour kayaking classes for this summer!
The kayaking instruction will take place June 22, July 13, and July 27. Cost is $25 per person, and requires pre-registration. Call 281 581-2319 or (979) 864-1541 to sign up. For those of you who really like to get your hands dirty, they are also offering “Handmade Native American Pottery” classes on June 20, July 11, and July 25, again at 2 p.m. No fee listed, but you must pre-register.
The lake does not connect to Chocolate Bayou, so wouldn’t work as an alternate putin to the boat ramp on the south side of Hwy 35.
To get to Camp Mohawk, travel highway 35 south from Alvin, approximately 8 miles, just past the crossing of Chocolate Bayou. Whoa, pardner, turn right at the Camp Mohawk sign. Ignore that “private road” sign and proceed to the entrance of the park. For more information about the park, go to www.brazoriacountyparks.com on the Internet.
I didn’t paddle the lake, and there wasn’t a huge (but a very easy) access waterfront in the park. Seems to me like some good potential for a revived Canoe Rendezous? And, if you are willing to consider that possibility, Oyster Creek Municipal Park, by the town of Oyster Creek, has even longer and more accessible waterfront, covered pavilion, flush toilets, and a very large picnic/camping area that would be worth checking out too.
Go
for the gusto, and get out and paddle!