Troop 565 | Smithtown, NY » Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater Rafting May 28, 2009

Posted by Jim Galley [ASM] in : general , trackback

Update: This is a repeat of last year’s information, with the date and times changed to protect the innocent.

The troop will meet at church Saturday morning at 5:30 sharp! We have a have a 9:00 am check-in time in PA and it is a 3 hour drive. The rafting company will not wait for anyone – so make sure you are there or you may get left behind!

Remember every scout going on the trip must have a parent or a committee approved guardian with them. We will be collecting the liability waivers ahead of time this year. You can download one here and hand it in completed at the troop meeting on June 1.

Lunch orders are due in by June 1. Choices are as follows:

Sandwiches: Turkey, Ham and Cheese or PB&J
Drink: Coke, Sprite, or water.

Those of you who have not taken this trip with the troop be sure to ask anyone how much fun it is. Once you arrive at whitewater challengers you will be assigned a parking spot near the campsite. It will be best to arrive as a group; try to arrange car pooling before the trip. We are a large group of 45 people. It is also a good idea to organize into paddling teams of 6 per raft.

Here are a few tips to make the event enjoyable:

After parking do not unload any camping gear, proceed to the check in area prepared to raft. The check in process is organized in stations. It is a good idea to travel Saturday morning in your rafting clothes, there won’t be anyplace to change once you arrive. Uniforms will not be worn anytime on this outing.

Our group leader will check-in to hand in liability forms and receive tickets to get on the bus, you will not be allowed on the bus without a ticket.

Once checked in:

Rent wet suits, if recommended – wet suits may be recommended depending on the water temperature. Cost: $7 jacket: $7 pants; $6 boots. You need to leave your license as collateral.
Get fitted for life jackets
Pick up lunch from a group leader
Use the rest rooms, once you are on the bus there are no facilities
Proceed to bus pick up area
Get on the bus with a ticket, your lunch and your 6 person paddling team (6 people per raft, scout and parent must raft together).

What to bring whitewater rafting:

Old sneakers
Bathing suit or shorts
Eyeglass straps
Suntan lotion
Hat/visor
Light windbreaker (no hood)

Tip: Nylon, polypro, wool blends and synthetics are best to wear under a wet suit. YOU WILL GET WET!

Do not bring:

Alcohol
Ice chest
Rain suit/poncho
Bare feet/sandals/flip flops
Cotton clothing
Expensive cameras (water proof disposable cameras are ok)
Jewelry
Wallet/valuables
Towels
Change of clothing in raft
Keys
Food – box lunches are enough, everything else gets wet.
Rocket launchers – would be fun, but not scout authorized.

What to bring camping:

Scouts sleep with their patrols and use their patrol equipment which will be distributed the troop meeting before the trip. Scouts will need to bring their own personal gear just like a regular camping outing, Refer to scout handbook for personal camping gear details.

Adults need to bring their own camping gear and personal items

Remember – All meals are included: box lunch on the river, dinner and breakfast Sunday morning. Packing snacks for the campsite is a good idea!