I was recently asked to instruct a few Scout packs on water safety and overnight kayak trips. I am very well practiced with safety equipment and have plenty of it for the troops. I have just finished reading this months article in Backpacker on Scouts and (surprise to me) now I am working with them. My main concern is... What is it like camping with scouts? I imagine - very organized teens hustling about like worker ants assembling and disassemblig camps, crafts, plenty of skills testing etc. My brothers used to be in Scouts and they always had to pack some cat food "just in case". Regarding that last statement - how prepared should I be for this overnight trip? I have never had to bring all that before, so this will definitely be a fun learning experience. We will paddle about 9 - 11 miles a day, with a couple small portages about 100 yds each. Boats= a fleet of Perception Acadia's (mostly), 2 SeaLion's (counselors), Carolina's and Keeowee 2's. I will be in my friends Shadow - which I have paddled on many longer trips 25 miles +. Any Scout Boating Stories? - besides the scary one in Canoe and Kayak last year. Any tips? Let me hear from you. Phil Huck thekayaker_at_yahoo.com _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free _at_yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> I was recently asked to instruct a few Scout packs on > water safety and overnight kayak trips. <snip> > Any tips? > I've done quite a bit of this. I suggest you do whatever you need to do to spend one evening or afternoon with the group before the on-water day. It could be just hanging out and observing. Whatever it takes of your time will be a good investment -- you'll have a much easier time of it, and be more effective all around, if you get some insight into the dynamics going on among the kids. Have a great time, Jim *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>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/ ***************************************************************************
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