Whitewater Rafting - Lehigh River, White Haven, PA
June 8-9-10, 2012
Whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River in northeastern Pennsylvania is rafting just the way you want it… real fun, real rapids, and real adventure! The Lehigh River is a great close-to-home whitewater adventure that is set in the scenic Pocono Mountains! Check out the Whitewater Challengers Website for more information.
Trip Itinerary
Friday:
Eat dinner on your own before departing
5:30 PM - Depart OLPH Lower Parking lot and drive about 2.5 hours to Whitewater Challengers, located at 288 North Stagecoach Rd, Weatherly, PA 18255 (near White Haven PA.)
8:00 PM – Check in and set up camp
8:30 PM – Prep Lunches for Saturday
9:00 PM – Campfire
10:00 PM – Taps / Lights out
Saturday:
7:30 AM – Wake Up – prep for day
8:30 AM – Breakfast at the Whitewater Challengers dining area
10:00 – Depart for raft trip down the river
12:00 – Lunch along the river (Troop will provide our own lunch)
4:00 PM (approx) – Return to camp, showers available
4:30 PM – (or one half hour after returning from the river) – Dinner Buffet at the Whitewater Challengers dining area
5:30 PM – Whitewater Challengers programs for the scouts, including nature shows, living history programs, field sports and a DJ dance party.
9:00 PM – All troop 49 scouts return to our site for our own campfire
10:00 PM – Taps / Lights out
Sunday:
7:30 AM – Wakeup - pack up gear - site cleanup
8:00 AM – Breakfast at Whitewater Challengers dining area
9:30 AM – Depart for home
Trip Logistics
Food:
- Two breakfasts and Saturday dinner will be provided by Whitewater Challengers through their dining service.
- Lunch (along the river) will be a “trail lunch” provided by the troop
- Evening Snacks will be provided by the troop.
Camping:
We are tent camping on the Outfitter’s property. Bathrooms with flush
toilets and showers are located near the rental center and dining area. The
troop has tents available on a first come, first served basis for scouts who
need one. Please contact the Troop Quartermaster for more information.
Whitewater Challengers runs a “family campground”, and strictly enforces quiet hours (from 11 PM to 7 AM). Rowdy or excessively noisy behavior is prohibited and not tolerated. Whitewater Challengers also has similar policies as the Boy Scouts of America prohibiting alcohol, ATV's, firearms and firecrackers. No pets allowed.
What to pack/bring:
The items below are listed in addition to the usual packing list which can be found in the scout handbook:
___ Personal clothing, swim suit, etc.
___ Plan on completely changing into dry clothes when you return to camp from the river
___ Water Shoes or old sneakers (protection from sharp objects on the river floor such as fish hooks, glass, etc)
___ Towel & Toiletries for hot showers provided at the outfitters (A “MUST” after rafting all day!)
___ Eyeglass / sunglass strap to keep them on your face should you fall in the water.
___ Sunscreen
___ Mess Kit is not required for this trip. We will be eating food catered by the outfitter and trail meals.
Siblings: No Siblings allowed on this trip.
Cost & Deadlines
Cost = $90*which includes:
- 2 nights camping
- Meals (Friday evening snack, Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner, campfire snacks, & Sunday breakfast)
- Raft trip
*At the next Troop Committee meeting, a request to subsidize scout costs for this trip will be decided.
By February 25, 2012:
RSVP form
Deposit of $20
By May 15, 2012
Balance due
Participation Waiver (click here for waiver)
Additional costs (Bring additional money for these costs if you expect to incur them)
Preparedness and Pre-requisites
1) Everyone is required to wear a lifejacket at all times. Lifejackets are supplied by the outfitter.
2) BSA requires scouts to have passed the BSA Swim Test within 12 months of the trip. For the scouts who have not passed the BSA Swim test within the past 12 months, the troop will try to make accommodations to run the test at a local swim area. You may be responsible for a small fee for use of the swimming pool. The BSA Swimmer Test is as follows:
1. Jump feet first into water over your head in depth.
2. Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl;
3. Then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.
4. The 100 yards must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn.
5. After completing the swim, rest by floating.
3) Everyone participating should be prepared for the following:
1. Being in a river with rocks and swiftly moving water? (likely to occur)
2. Getting splashed and wet? (guaranteed to occur)
Whitewater Challengers Waiver Form: Every participant, Adults and Scouts, need to fill out the Whitewater Challengers waiver form BEFORE the trip to speed up the registration process. Please deliver the waiver to Mr. Dente before the trip.
Wetsuits: Wetsuits are available for renting through the outfitter. At times, wetsuits may be mandatory when the weather is cold, overcast, etc. Your son should come prepared with $20 to cover the cost of renting a wetsuit if this is required by the outfitter. We will watch the weather and be in contact with the outfitter as the weekend gets closer.
Directions to Whitewater Challengers
From Oakland, take I-287 south to I-80 west.
Take Route 80 west into PA to Exit 273 (old exit 40)
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 onto North Stagecoach Road. Go 300 yards to Whitewater Challengers (on the right).
GPS Information
288 North Stagecoach Rd, Weatherly, PA 18255
Latitude 40.9844
Longitude -75.7864
Phone Number: (800) 443-RAFT
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