Rock
and River
Climb, Rappel Then
Canoe Camp Along a River
Ages 13-16
Rock ‘N’ River is a canoeing and rock climbing adventure
for ages 13-16 that takes place in some of the most scenic natural
areas of Rhode Island. It is a multi-sport expedition that involves many
skills and challenges combined with outdoor living and group
cooperation. During the expedition you will experience the exuberance
of traveling in a canoe down a waterway and the thrill of climbing
a rock ledge and rappelling back down. During the
canoeing portion of the trip, participants will paddle
downriver to a new backcountry riverside campsite each night.
The beginning of the week is spent at the W. Alton Jones Campus.
You will live in screen house cabins and help prepare your meals
at the Expedition Base Camp. You will get to know your fellow
group members through activities and initiative challenges.
You and your trip mates will meet the physical challenges of
the low elements ropes course that involve group cooperation,
trust and problem solving. These are important elements of working
together and will help establish strong group dynamics for a
successful trip. You will also spend time learning skills that
you will need during the week. You will spend a morning participating
in a canoeing workshop where you will learn the basic stokes
and safety techniques that you will need on the river. One evening
will be spent in a rock climbing and rappelling workshop where you will learn
about knots and equipment. You will also learn and practice
specific camping skills, as well as review the waterway route
that you will travel.
You will spend three days paddling along Rhode Island’s
scenic Pawcatuck River, and camping along the way. The river
is known for its history and unspoiled nature. You and your
group will work together to navigate the river, set up camp,
and portage the canoes. Each day you will canoe downriver to a
new campsite along the river. There will be plenty of opportunities
to paddle, swim and relax at the campsite.
Participants camp out in tents during the canoeing element of
this expedition. 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, stargaze 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 canoeing the next morning. It
is important to be sensitive to the natural areas that we visit.
Rock Climbing & Rappelling: Your instructors will teach
you the basics of rock climbing and rappelling and safety systems.
You will learn how to safely tie knots and use climbing equipment.
A sense of accomplishment will be your reward as you scale up
and rappel down cliff faces at a local climbing site. If time
permits you will also practice climbing at a local rock climbing gym. When transportation is needed to get to
a particular site, a W. Alton Jones staff member will drive
participants in a URI authorized passenger van.
Participants of the Rock N’
River should be in reasonably good physical condition that
will enable you to canoe for up to 6 hours a day (with reasonable
rest stops) and be able to swim and climb. If you are unsure of your
physical condition, do some exercising before the trip. Bike
riding, jogging, swimming, lots of brisk walking, push-ups,
and pull-ups are some good ways to get muscles in shape. All
participants are expected to cooperate with fellow group members
and leaders and abide by all rules. In preparing for the expedition,
you may want to spend some time thinking about why you have
chosen this trip and what you hope to learn.
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