Click here for the 5/1/2014 Troop Meeting Presentation
Whitewater Rafting on the Lehigh River is always a troop favorite. We will take part in a Dam Release Weekend on the Lehigh through the Whitewater Challengers Outfitter & Campground.
Dates – Depart 5:30 PM on Friday, June 6 from OLPH Lower Parking Lot. Return home by noon on Sunday, June 8.
Campground Location/GPS address: Whitewater Challengers – 288 North Stagecoach Rd, Weatherly, PA 18255. Latitude 40.9844, Longitude -75.7864
Directions: From Oakland, take I-287 south to I-80 west. Cross the Delaware River (toll) and continue on I-80 west to exit 273 in Pennsylvania. Go west on Route 940 for 1/2 mile. Turn left onto Lehigh Gorge Drive. Go 4.8 miles and turn right onto Buck Mountain Road. Go 1 mile to first intersection. Turn right again onto North Stagecoach Road. Go 300 yards to the entrance on the right.
Siblings – Siblings aged 9+, with height of 44”+ are welcome WITH a parent. Siblings must pay the “adult” rate.
Food – since the focus is on rafting, we will be utilizing the dining facility for Saturday Breakfast, Dinner and Sunday Breakfast. Friday night snacks and a bag lunch for Saturday will be prepared prior to our departure.
FORMS REQUIRED
BSA Health form – Please make sure you have a CURRENT health form on file with the troop.
Whitewater Challenger Waiver – This form is required by the outfitter of all participants. Please provide the form to Rob Dente. Link to form: http://www.whitewaterchallengers.com/documents/LehighWaiverForm.pdf
OTHER PLANNING AND PREPARATION ITEMS
Weather: Always check the weather prior to camping. The temperature forecast for this weekend is as low as 53 degrees at this time, and cloudy with a chance of rain. Please bring adequate rain gear, etc. The trips on the River run Rain or Shine!!!
Advancement – We will have lots of opportunity for scouts to learn and review advancement requirements. Please bring along your Scout Handbook and work with your Patrol Leader and other Troop Guides/Instructors.
Rafting Safety Video – The Whitewater Challengers Outfitter offers a safety video on their website. The video is less than 6 minutes in length. Take a moment to watch this with those attending the trip to remind and re-emphasize the importance of safety on the trip: http://www.whitewaterchallengers.com/lehigh/lehigh-safety.asp
What to Pack/bring – Always refer to the Boy Scout Handbook for information on what to pack on campouts. Here is a list that is a bit more customized for our trip this weekend.
__Class A Uniform: Scouts are to travel in their CLASS A uniform: Scout Pants or shorts, Shirt & Troop Neckerchief. Uniforms are required for Saturday Dinner and Sunday Breakfast. We will take a troop photo just prior to dinner on Saturday night in Class A uniforms.
__Pack in a duffel bag or soft backpack (No frame packs, please, since space in cars may be limited)
__Plastic hanger to hang your scout uniform up when you are not wearing it
__Old sneakers (NOT flip flops, loose-fitting sandals, “crocs,” and bare feet – these are not permitted)
__Bathing suit
__2 Full changes of clothes
__Dry shoes/boots/sneakers (for after the trip)
__Eyeglass straps
__Suntan lotion
__ Cap or visor
__Warm Layer, including wool hat, sweater, socks, gloves for when the temperature drops at night
__Jacket
__ Sleeping Bag 32-40 degree rated at a minimum.
__ Pillow
__Ground Sheet or Foam Pad
__Cot (optional / if space provides)
__Flashlight
__Tent (The troop has a number of tents available if you do not have one)
__BSA Handbook
__Toiletries for showering – After a day of sweating and river water, showers are a MUST!!!
__Flip flops for shower
__ At least 1 towel – 2 is preferred
__Consider money for the following items:
Wet Suit (optional/weather permitting) – approx. $25 for full suit
Souvenir Photos – Each raft is photographed. You may wish to purchase yours.
Trading post – There is a popular snack bar with hot dogs, snacks and soft serve ice cream.
Zip Line – The facility operates a zip line on site, which is an extra cost.
See the outfitter website at http://www.whitewaterchallengers.com/lehigh/lehigh-whitewater.asp for more info and current prices of optional activities, etc.
What do we wear in the raft? In warmer weather, a swim suit or shorts and T-shirt are best. A baseball cap, visor, or sunglasses are helpful in bright, sunny weather. Old sneakers or shoes that lace-up offer the best foot protection. Flip flops, loose-fitting sandals, “crocs” and bare feet are not permitted. Snug fitting sandals (like Tevas) that attach firmly at the toe and heel are acceptable, but don’t offer the same foot protection against sharp rocks as old sneakers do. Wet suit booties are available in our rental shop. In cooler conditions, a wool sweater or windbreaker is ideal. In cool or cold conditions DO NOT wear cotton, either on its own, or under a wet suit or windbreaker. Wet suits and waterproof paddling gear can be rented at the rafting center. (Rental fee is $20 for full wet suit package; or $6 for jacket; $6 for pants; $5 for booties and $3 for mittens.) Cotton, when wet, loses all insulation value and will make you colder, not warmer.
What can we bring in the raft? In the raft, bring as little as possible. The Troop will provide lunch. If there is medication you might require, keep it with you on the river. Towels, dry clothes, valuables, and other than waterproof cameras should be left at camp. Scouts should see me about locking items up while out on the river.
Please Do Not Bring the following:
• No Alcohol/drugs (Never allowed in scouting. Not allowed on the river or in WWC camping areas)
• No smoking in the campsite. Use designated areas as identified by the WWC campground.
• No Ice chests in rafts. These take up too much room and can pose a hazard in rough water
• No hooded rain suits/ponchos in the rafts (these are unsafe for use in moving water)
• No bare feet, loose sandals, “crocs” or flip-flops (unsafe on the river)
• No cotton clothing in cold weather (makes you colder when wet; use polypropylene or wool)
• No expensive cameras (unless waterproof)
• No Jewelry, valuables – they are irreplaceable if lost in the river.
• No Wallets on the river. Lock them in your car.
• No Keys on the river. The outfitter has a key board in the office.
•No Pets (Never allowed in scouting. Not allowed on the river or in the campground)
Preparedness for the trip
All attendees are required to have passed the BSA “Swimmer” Test within the past 12 months. So, if you have been to summer camp and have completed the swim test, then you are covered. If not, you will need to arrange to have the BSA swim test completed. The swimmer must complete the following:
– Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth.
– Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes:
- sidestroke,
- breaststroke,
- trudgen, or
- crawl;
– then swim 25 yards using an easy resting backstroke.
– The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn.
– After completing the swim, rest by floating.
All attendees should be familiar with BSA Safety Afloat. Visit this link to learn more: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Aquatics/safety-afloat.aspx
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!