>I was recently asked to instruct a few Scout packs on >water safety and overnight kayak trips.............. > >Any tips? It might be useful to get copies of the Merit Badge pamphlets for Canoeing and Whitewater. This will give you some idea of the kinds of things that we try to get across to them. Regarding safety, I have a slide show that occasionally is given to scout groups. Besides pictures of some the the things they will come across, I emphasize only a few things. Lowhead dams and strainers are to be avoided --they're not "hero routes"; Wear or carry proper thermal protection; and always, always, wear your PFD. On the trip, keep things exciting and interesting. Try pointing out natural features, put them into the context of the environment they're in. Also, slow them down. the most common thing I had to deal with as a scoutmaster was the unbridled rush at the beginning of a hike, only to be followed by the exhausted drudgery of the last mile or so. Pacing is important. 9-10 miles seems reasonable to us adults. A youngster in a Keowee? maybe not. You'll have to play this one by ear. Is there an appreciable current that will help move them along? Plan also for wind. Joe P. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Jun 08 1999 - 11:42:03 PDT
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