Gum Slough Clean Up & Camp Out!

Welcome to Picnic & Paddle's first camp out event!

This event is hosted in collaboration with Florida Adventurers & explorers, & offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of backcountry Florida for two nights & two days. The event will feature both kayaking & hiking for those who intend to participate for the full duration of the event.

The camping site is located in Pott's Preserve in Inverness, Florida.

From the land, this site offers a 9 mile section of the Florida National Scenic Trail. From the water, if offers access to Gum Slough - one of Florida's clear water paddling gems!

The first night, Friday 03/28/25, we will set up & hold meet & greet around the campfire.

The first full day, Saturday 03/29/25, will be our group excursion through Gum Slough. The plan is to paddle the 6 mile run up to the Gum Slough head spring. On the way back, we will be doing what we do best & collecting any trash we find along the way. This adventure will afford you the opportunity to paddle a moderately challenging clear water run. This is considered an intermediate level paddling run, due to the length and the portages required.

The second day, Sunday 03/30/25, will be our hiking portion! Join us on a 9 mile round trip hike along the FT, from our campsite at Hooty Point to the Holly Tree backcountry camping site located within Pott's Preserve. Of course, we will be collecting any trash we find along our route to help preserve the beauty of this wild place.

Participants will be responsible for their own camping gear, which includes but is not limited to:

Tent

Water / water filtration system / water purification tablets (the site does not offer potable water, though there is access to multiple water sources.)

Food, enough to last for two days & one night.

A day pack, to carry food & water along both the paddling & hiking trails.

Bug spray

Sun protection

Head lamp / flashlights

First aid kit

We recommend bringing both shoes for the hiking portion, as well as shoes you don't mind getting wet as the paddling portion of the event will require you to exit your vessel. A swim suit & change of dry clothes are highly recommended.

Although all participants are responsible for their own food, we do encourage you to bring food to share, as we will be sharing multiple meals together, & who doesn't love a good potluck in the woods?

Clean up supplies will be provided, and a limited number of loaner vessels will be available depending on the number of participants. To ensure you are able to participate in the paddle, we highly recommend bringing your own vessel is you have one.

We are not a kayaking outfitter, simply a private group of nature enthusiasts who will be bringing our own vessels to offer as loaners to those without their own.

If you do not intend to stay for the entire duration of the event, that's fine! We will be making a group reservation, & all participants are free to come & go as they wish.

As with all outdoor excursions in Florida, there is the assumption of risk. We do not claim responsibility for any damages or accidents that may occur on this outing, & by choosing to RSVP to the event you are acknowledging this & taking full responsibility for anything that may occur.

We're excited to offer this opportunity to connect with nature & other likeminded outdoor enthusiasts. We can't wait to spend some time in nature with you all!