Guest feature: VanessaJunkin is theAssistant Director of Marketing and Public Relations for theWicomico County Recreation, Parks, Tourism & Civic Center. Follow along with Wicomico on Facebook and Twitter.

This summer, get off the beaten path and into the water.

Wicomico County Recreation, Parks and Tourism offers R.O.P.E., or River Otter Paddle Excursions, from spring through fall. Participants will explore Wicomico County's great outdoors from canoes and kayaks.

"R.O.P.E. tours are a great way to experience nature and have fun at the same time," said Program Director Allen Swiger. "We're excited to bring the tours back for 2016."

On the Wicomico Amazon tour from Leonard's Mill Park, canoers and kayakers head out on Leonard's Mill Pond and learn about ecosystems and wildlife. During the Paddle Back in Time tour from Pemberton Historical Park, the group goes out on the Wicomico River.

There are also three Moon Lite tours, which are held at night and include a fire with marshmallows and hot dogs afterward. Tours last about two to two-and-a-half hours.

"Paddling is a low-impact recreational activity," Swiger said. "It's great for people of all ages."

Leonard's Mill Park is located at 2848 Leonards Mill Pond Road in Salisbury, and Pemberton Park is located at 5561 Plantation Lane in Salisbury. Tours are scheduled on dates from April 22 through Oct. 22 and cost $30 per participant.

While in Wicomico County, there are plenty of other activities to do. Enjoy one of the county's many beautiful parks, which include the beaches at Roaring Point Park and Cove Road Beach. Catch a Delmarva Shorebirds minor league baseball game or visit the free Salisbury Zoo.

For a schedule of R.O.P.E. tours or to learn more, visit pembertonpark.org. To learn about Wicomico County's parks, visit wicomicorecandparks.org, and for tourism information, visit wicomicotourism.org.