Subject: High Adventure Canoe Trip

Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2007 22:17:54 -0500

Scouts:

A High Adventure (scouts age 14 and older), Canoe Trip is planned for the weekend of May 11,12 and 13.

We plan to camp at the Decorah, Ia. camp ground Friday and Saturday nights and canoe the Upper Iowa River, returning home late afternoon or early evening on Sunday.  For those unfamiliar with the Upper Iowa, a sandy bottom riverbed provides clear water and the limestone cliffs provide scenery unlike rivers in our local area.

There are enough riffles and small rapids to make it interesting yet safe for beginning canoeists.

Cost for this trip is estimated to be $50.00 or less at this time, more details will follow as they develop.

Basic Itinerary is as follow:

Friday, 5-11-07: Depart Newton at 5:00pm.  Travel to Decorah, Ia. and camp overnight.

Saturday, 5-12-07:  Put-in at the Scenic River Road Access canoe down to the Decorah camp ground.

                            Explore the camp area at Decorah, visit the Ice Cave.

Sunday, 5-13-07:  Put-in at Decorah and canoe to the upper dam.

                           Load canoes and gear and head back home.

                            Arrival in Newton late afternoon or early evening.

All Scouts will be required to wear life jacket at all times while on the water.

The Troop will provide lifejackets.  If a Scout would like to bring a more comfortable life jacket to use, they may do so as long as it is US Coast Guard approved as a Type II or Type III PFD.

Scouts will canoe with a buddy in aluminum canoes owned by the Troop.   Scouts or adults attending may bring their own canoe as long as it is in good condition and licensed for Iowa waterways.  Be advised, the river may be very rocky and shallow and can be quite hard on equipment.

Scouts should plan to bring all equipment normal for a two night camp out in early spring weather.( ie rain, cold, hot, sunburn, bugs, etc.)

Also, Scouts should bring an old pair of tennis shoes to wear while on the river.  Feet will get wet and the river bottom is not safe for bare feet.

If you are interested in going on this trip, check your schedules and please confirm your intent to attend to me by phone, email, telegram, US Postal Service or in person by April 13th.  Telepathic communications will not be accepted.

            Paul Ellis    

776 Hwy F 36W    

Newton, IA   50208

            641-792-5219

Home: pkellis@iowatelecom.net  

641-791-2110

Work: pellis@thombert.com

I will need to confirm our group size, camping reservations and the number of canoes needed.   You will need to find a canoe buddy.

Scouts and adults who have already expressed an interest in attending are as follows:

Devin Able                Kyle Able

Ben Froah                Mark Froah

Anders Hopkins        Steve Hopkins

Aaron Kopsa             Garry Kopsa

Nick Ellis                  Paul Ellis

Jon Ellis                  

Grant Howe

Matt Anderson

Dusty Keninger

All other scouts interested in this trip, please let me know as soon as possible!