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The canoeing and tubing outing is scheduled for Saturday July 16 and Sunday July 17, 2008. We will be meeting at the Stone Chapel of the Church of the Incarnation at 7:30 a.m. to leave at 8:00 a.m.
- Please bring a bag lunch and plent to drink so we can stop along the river for lunch
- We will arrive at James River Runners for a check in at 9:15 and will be transported up river at 10:00 for canoeing.
- One of the scouts is planning the Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast and lunch
- We expect that we may be arriving back at Incarnation at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday although this is hard to predict.
- Shoes are MANDATORY for the canoeing, tubing and campsite. Lifevests are also MANDATORY for the canoeing and tubing.
- Thunderstorms will cancel the trip and we will reschedule to a different date if need be
- Scouts should plan to bring the following:
| Swimsuit and T-shirt | |
| Tent | |
| Sleeping bag | |
| Tarp/ground cloth | |
| Extra dry clothing | |
|
Water shoes and a pair of dry shoes |
|
| Toiletries (soap, toothbrush and toothpaste) | |
| Towel | |
| Sunscreen | |
| Bug spray | |
| Flashlight | |
| Sunglasses | |
| Poncho | |
| Meds if needed |
More information about the Canoeing, Camping and Tubing site can be found at:
Safety Tips for Canoeing
- Always wear a lifejacket; attach a whistle to the lifejacket
- Know the weather and dress for it (and prepare for unexpected weather); include footwear
- Avoid canoeing when whitecaps are visible
- Know your skill level
- Know your planned route and familiarize yourself with the area
- Travel in a group
- Keep the canoe trimmed (i.e. level in the water) by distributing weight evenly. Do not overload canoe (you should have at lest 6 inches of freeboard, i.e. at least 6 inches canoe should be above the water all along the canoe). Generally, heavy people should sit in the stern of the canoe
- To get into the canoe (same for getting out):
- Have someone hold the canoe steady
- Crouch Low – keep your knees bent
- Grab the sides of the canoe for balance as you walk to your seat
- Always walk along the center of the canoe
- Stay low when you are away from shore – do not stand up or walk in your canoe
- Avoid sudden or jerky movements – Never “rock” the canoe
- When paddling, paddle on opposite sides of the canoe. Two people leaning to the same side in a canoe can tip it.
- Let your companions know when you are going to change sides that you paddle on; avoid moving a paddle close to a companion (it’s easy than you think for someone to get hit by a paddle in motion).
- Always sit on the seats or in the center of the canoe – sitting on the side of a canoe will cause it to tip over
- Be aware of the currents in the water – they might take you somewhere you don’t want to go
- Stay away from low hanging trees and branches near the shore
- Watch for underwater hazards – rocks and trees
- Do not canoe in bad weather
- Avoid letting big waves hit the site of your canoe – keep your canoe at a right angle to the waves otherwise the canoe might push your canoe over
- If your canoe tips over:
- Don’t panic
- Stay with your canoe
- Paddle or push your canoe to shore
- The safe way to approach shore is with the canoe turned to point upstream and pull against the shore parallel or run aground at a slight angle