The Kayak Adventure is a river camping expedition for teens,
ages 13-16. Two trained expedition leaders will lead a maximum
of ten participants on a river adventure. The sleek, molded
body of the kayak affords a wonderful vantage point for enjoying
the scenery and wildlife of the wetlands as the kayak maneuvers
the twists and turns of the river.
We will be kayaking along the Pawcatuck River, which is the
primary drainage for the 194,000-acre Pawcatuck Watershed. This
watershed, located in southwestern Rhode Island and portions
of southeastern Connecticut, contains the highest concentration
of rare plant and animal species in Rhode Island. In fact, 71
percent of the rarest species and natural communities in Rhode
Island reside within this watershed. The river is also rich
in Native American and colonial history. The Native American
tradition is reflected in many of the place names such as Shannock
(“Morning Star”), Ashaway (“Fork of the River”),
and Pawcatuck (“At the Falls”). Colonial heritage
is reflected in the 19th century mill villages of Burdickville,
Bradford and Potter Hill, among others, where mills relied on
the river for waterpower. You will see some mills that still
use the power of the river.
The beginning of the week is spent at the W. Alton Jones Campus.
We will stay in screen house cabins at the Expedition Base Camp
where you and other group members will help prepare meals. You
will get to know your fellow group members through activities,
initiative challenges and the low ropes course while preparing
for your trip. You will also learn the basics of flatwater river
kayaking and water safety on the W. Alton Jones Campus's own
Lake Eisenhower. Your group will learn and practice specific
camping skills, and review the waterway route that you will
travel.
After the basics are covered, we will drive to the river in
a 15-passenger van . Here you will set your newfound abilities
to the test in the gentle currents and occasional riffles that
your group will encounter as we paddle to each campsite along
the river. Despite the small size of the kayaks, you will fit
all of your gear and a portion of the group gear in the hollow
bow and stern of your boat. In order to transport coolers, water
jugs and some other large items, we will also take one canoe
which we will all take turns paddling. As space to stow gear
is limited in the kayaks, packing minimally and efficiently
will be stressed.
We generally spend three to four days (two to three nights)
on the river, paddling between 20 and 30 miles from put-in to
take-out. The river starts out narrow and twisty, but as tributaries
and other rivers join with the Pawcatuck, it becomes wider and
swifter. At a number of points along the river, we will come
upon dams and waterfalls that we will portage around. This involves
carrying the kayaks, canoe and gear on land around the side
of the dam so that we can continue on our way. During lunch
breaks and at the campsites there are opportunities to take
a swim or relax with friends.
At the campsites, everyone will share in the duties of setting
up camp and preparing meals. Food will be cooked over small
camp stoves, and dishes washed with biodegradable soap far
from the water's edge. After dinner, the group might take
a night walk, play games, star gaze or just relax at the campsite.
In keeping with the principles of leave-no-trace camping,
all garbage will be carried out and not a trace will be left
when we break camp and continue kayaking the next morning.
It is important to be sensitive to the natural areas that
we visit.
We will be picked up at the end of our journey and return
to the W. Alton Jones Campus to wrap up the experience. Check-out
is Friday afternoon.
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