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Boscawen Select Board approves Concord High ROPE class to camp overnight at Town Park
Summary
The Select Board approved a one-night temporary use request for Concord High Schools ROPE Outdoor Leadership class to camp at Boscawen Town Park during its Sept. 19-20, 2026 Merrimack River paddle trip; the town will be named additional insured and staff noted a pavilion construction concern.
Chairman Matt Burdick and the Boscawen Select Board on June 17 approved a temporary overnight use request from Concord High Schools ROPE Outdoor Leadership class to camp at Boscawen Town Park during the groups annual Merrimack River paddle trip scheduled for Sept. 19-20, 2026.
Frank Harrison, a science teacher at Concord High School, told the board the ROPE class includes about 16 students and that the Merrimack River paddle is roughly 25 miles and typically too long to complete comfortably in a single day. Harrison said the group would camp near the boat ramp on the parks grass, bring its own stoves if needed and "there would be no fires," and that the program would follow any town guidelines or restrictions.
Town Administrator Katie Phelps reminded the board that the Parks and Recreation Facilities policy does not permit camping without board approval and that Police Chief Jason Killary had no concerns with the request. Phelps also said the group is insured through Primex and that the town could be named as an additional insured. Selectwoman Lorrie Carey noted the town pavilion may be under construction during the proposed weekend and said construction activity was a concern; the group confirmed the camping location would not impede field use.
After discussion about restroom access, facility use and community-service opportunities, Chairman Burdick motioned to approve the temporary use; Selectman Joshua Crawford seconded and the board voted unanimously to allow the Concord High ROPE Outdoor Leadership class to camp overnight at Town Park on Sept. 19-20, 2026.
