Whitewater

We had a well attended meeting Monday, August 5, for planning the trip this weekend to then Nantahalla and Ocoee rivers. At this time there are 47 Scouts and leaders signed up for going. The early party will meet Friday morning to have the camp and tents set up when we arrive. Early party fees will be collected by Mr,. Branin.



The fee for the trip is $65.00 for the Nantahala and $135.00 for the Ocoee.



Patrol leaders, Ast patrol leaders, Troop and Patrol quartermasters need to be at the Hut at 6:30 PM this Thursday, August 8 to pack at load our gear. Uniform is not required and we should be there an hour or so.



Make sure that when he is dropped off at the hut to leave on Friday evening or Friday morning, that a parent/guardian sign a required outfitters release form and a BSA Consent form (available on the Troop web site) which will be on the large table in the Hut.



Minimum requirements for the trip:



1. Swimming suit, T shirt, and boat shoes and for the raft ride. The shoe can be as described or old sneakers to assure protection from rocks and debris. Crocs, sandles, or foot gear that won't stand the current or rought handling need to be avoided. We will wear the raft clothes on the bus to the river...He need to bring in a day pack to leave on the bus when we arrive for rafting with a dry pair of shorts/pants, dry t shirt, dry socks and shoes for the trip back to the camp..... (he will change on the bus or in the change room at the outfitters for the trip back). A hat is optional.



2. Water bottle (Nalgen back packing bottle) with a snap ring to attach to the raft.



3. Bailer, an empty gallon milk container shaped as a bailer, with a cord and snap ring attached if he wants to splash on the raft (optional).



4. Some souvenier money for the outfitters store for an ice cream, soft drink, t shirt, whatever, after we get off the river.



5. Rain gear for the trip if rain is forecast....taking it on the river is optional..the water is cold as it is taken from a resevoir for the period of the river is active for the power system and rafters on the river. The time on the water is two-three hours. Gear should be tied down with a cord. Normally we don't carry the rain gear on the river as it rarely rains...if rain is forecast..he should be prepared..if he is cold natured, he should have a flannel shirt or light jacket for the evenings, the bus ride, up and back and for the ride to the river from the camp we will be staying in during the weekend.



6. We will eat a fast patrol breakfast before we leave for the outfitters, a lunch after the two hour ride to arrive there, and a Troop dinner when when we get back to camp. We will have a fast breakfast Sunday, and stop at a McDonalds on the way home for lunch. We should arrive aroung 1:00 PM or so...



6. Each raft will receive a safety briefing for the river by the outfitter and all rafts will have an adult(s) on board.