Strafford County, in cooperation with the Strafford County/UNH Cooperative Extension office, and with the assistance of the Thomas/Dumont families and their friends, has designed and developed the Paul J. Dumont Youth Campground on County property in Dover. Since then, numerous youth groups have taken advantage of this local recreational facility to teach camping and outdoor skills, give something back to the land, and HAVE FUN!
If your youth group is looking for a place to go camping, check out these features:
·The Paul J. Dumont Youth Campground sits serenely on the banks of the Cochecho River as it passes through the County forest land in Dover, New Hampshire. This land is now protected by a conservation easement, signed in 2002 by the Commissioners to protect the County lands from development.
·The campground was developed by the Strafford County/UNH Cooperative Extension office, with the assistance of Eagle Scout candidate Jeff MacLean of Madbury, under the direction of the Strafford County Commissioners.
·It is designed to accommodate primitive camping only. Users of the area will need to bring their own toilet facility (a portable toilet is easily moved to the site) and their own water.
·For outdoor fires, a permit must be obtained from the Dover Fire Department.
·Although in the white and red pine woods and isolated from the urban setting, hospitals are close by (a ten minute drive) in case of sickness or injury.
·The rolling topography with flat areas make the isolation of each campsite easy.
·There is a good mix of shaded and open areas.
·The campground easily accommodates up to fifty (50) campers.
·There is a natural ampitheater for group meetings and discussions.
·The campground can be accessed by canoe or flat-bottomed boat from Gonic or from Watson Road in Dover. From Gonic it would be about a five mile canoe trip and from Watson Road it would be about a three mile trip.
·Not far from the site is a self-guided nature trail called the Cochecho River Trail.
·The Cathy Schiro-O’Brien Cross Country running trails are located nearby.
·Use of the campground is only for youth groups accompanied by adults and it is free. You need only register with the Strafford County Commissioners’ Office by calling 603-742-1458.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ON THE
PAUL J. DUMONT
YOUTH CAMPGROUND,
CALL THE
STRAFFORD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OFFICE
(603)742-1458
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