Dear H2GO Camper,
We are so excited that you have chosen to join us on this adventure. On this trip, we will sea kayak on Lake Dillon for two days and camp on the shore. We will also spend two days rafting the Arkansas River through the Narrows and Browns Canyon. We also hope to spend a day learning how to roll a whitewater kayak. This trip is guaranteed to be one of the highlights of you summer. Please read this letter carefully so you can be better prepared for this adventure. Enclosed is a list of items that you will need to bring as well as an orientation letter to help you be aware of our expectations and possible concerns. Please bring everything on the equipment list. Due to the safety concerns of your trip, we will require that each camper have the specific items listed below when they check in at Camp, no exceptions. If you do not own these items, or do not wish to buy them, we can rent them to you for the week. The weekly rental fee is listed after each item. Long sleeve polypropylene shirt ($5) Daypack ($7) Synthetic mummy sleeping bag ($10) If you need to rent any of the above equipment, please fill out the enclosed form and return it to Camp at least two weeks prior to your trip. If you have any questions or concerns about your own equipment, feel free to contact us. Please read the Noah’s Ark information sheet and waiver form. Sign and return the waiver form to Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je at least two weeks prior to your trip. Because weather conditions can vary on our rafting days, we ask that you bring money with you in case you want to rent a wetsuit or booties. Due to the challenging nature of this trip we ask you to do some pre-trip conditioning that will help you enjoy your time here. Possible conditioning includes: biking, running, hiking, sit-ups and push-ups, stretching, or any other activities that will prepare you for activity at high altitudes. We look forward to this incredible time in God's awesome creation. If you have any questions or concerns about the trip, feel free to contact us at Camp at (303) 838-2230. In His grip, Pete Nelson Narrow Way Expeditions P.S. We would like to begin group-building activities at 2:30pm on the Sunday afternoon of your trip. Please try to arrive for registration by 2:00pm.
Id-Ra-Ha-Je Rental Form
If you need to rent clothing or equipment, please fill out and send back to Pete Nelson at Camp Id-RaHa-Je at least two weeks before your camp begins!!! This will allow us to have the items ready for you to use during your week at Camp.
Camp: H2GO
week #____
Name____________________________________ Phone # ______________________
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$5 - Long sleeve polypropylene shirt – shirt size: S M L XL $7 - Daypack $10 - Synthetic mummy sleeping bag
Please send this form and your check (payable to Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je) to: Pete Nelson - H2GO Rental Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je PO Box 360 Bailey, CO 80421 Fax: 303-838-9109 Office: 303-838-2230 adventures2@idrahaje.org
H2GO Equipment List
Every Camper Must Bring The Following:
• • • • • • • • •
Clothing:
Pair of pants (fleece, light-weight wool, or jeans) Medium weight shirt of sweater (fleece or wool) Medium weight jacket (fleece or wool – NOT COTTON and NOT A HOODY!) Long sleeve polypropylene shirt Windbreaker T-shirts Underwear Pair of hiking shorts Two pairs of shoes − Pair of light weight shoes (tennis shoes) − Pair of water shoes (Sandals with a back strap or water socks – NO flip-flops) 4 pairs of wool socks (or equivalent – NOT COTTON!) Stocking hat and lightweight gloves Sun hat (ex. baseball cap) Long underwear bottoms (polypro) Rain gear One-piece swimsuit Extra pair of clean clothes to wear when we get back to Camp
• • • • • • •
Equipment:
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Down or synthetic mummy sleeping bag (rated to +20°F or colder) Ensolite (closed cell) ground pad Whistle Sunglasses Sun block lotion Daypack (school backpack or similar size backpack) Toothbrush & toothpaste Small flashlight Bandanna Small Bible Notepad and pen or pencil Insect repellent Chapstick Water bottle Towel
Optional Items:
• • • Camera (do not bring an expensive one!) Frisbee or hacky sack Spending money (in case we stop by the store on the way home)
Do not bring electronic items:
• Ipod or other MP3 player, Cell phone, Walkman or Discman Camp will provide: Leaders, PFDs, Boats, Tents, Food, First Aid
Narrow Way Expeditions Orientation
We are a “family”!
For the most part, we will be doing everything as a group. We can’t have people doing their own thing. Our #1 concern is safety –- so, the following points concern everyone’s safety - yours, others, and the environment.
On the trail:
♦ We travel together as a group, no matter what. ♦ If we encounter horse riders on the trail, we need to step downhill off the trail and let them pass. Do not make any sudden movements or loud noises as the horses pass by. ♦ If we come to switchbacks on the trail, stay on the trail. NO SHORT CUTS! This causes soil erosion and damages the environment.
At the campsite:
♦ The goal of backcountry camping is Leave No Trace. That means when we leave an area, the next group that comes along should have a very difficult time telling that we were even there. ♦ Be considerate if other people are camping nearby. ♦ Keep your stuff picked up!! There should not be any trash on the ground. Plates, cups and food need to be kept in your pack and clothes should not be scattered everywhere. The smell of food attracts animals. That can be anything from Mice and Squirrels to Bears and Mountain Lions. Keep your dishes clean and food in one place (preferably your food bag). No food should be brought into your tent.
Campfires:
♦ If we have campfires, in consideration of the environment, they will not be bonfires. Firewood will be gathered from wood that is already on the ground. We will not be cutting down trees or breaking branches off of trees. ♦ The fire needs to be put out at night before the last person goes to bed and double-checked in the morning before breaking camp. It must be cool to the touch.
Toiletries:
♦ During our daily outings, we will not have restrooms or outhouses available for our use. The only things we will have are “toilet trees”. ♦ We will be using the “cat method”. There are little trowels you must use to dig a hole to do your business in. Find a place that is at least 200 feet from any water and from our camp. If in digging your hole you hit a big rock, dig in another spot; don’t break the trowel trying to pry the rock out. If you have poor aim, do not use the trowel to push the stray object into the hole; find a stick to do the pushing. Make sure it is buried well.
Water:
♦ No matter how clean or “pure” the water may look out on the trail, it still may not be safe to drink. You need to purify your water. There is a microscopic bug in the water called giardia. ♦ We will use Aqua Mira to treat our water.
Health & Safety: Look out for each other!!
Lost in Space – If you get separated from the group and are not sure where you are, STAY WHERE
YOU ARE!! You should have a whistle with you, blow it three (3) times and listen to see if you can hear anyone. If you keep moving, you may actually be moving away from those who are looking for you, so stay where you are. ♦ Do not take off from the group without asking one of the leaders first. Then you should always have a “buddy” go with you. That way if you get lost or one of you gets hurt, there is someone to help you. ♦ We will be a long way from help if someone gets hurt, so do not put yourself or someone else at risk of getting hurt.
Hypothermia – is the lowering of the body’s inner-core temperature. Exposure to any combination of cold, wetness, wind, and fatigue may cause hypothermia. It does not have to be extremely cold, and the wetness can be from one’s own perspiration. Without recognition and treatment of symptoms (uncontrollable shivering, loss of limb coordination, exhaustion, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, and vague, slow, slurred speech) by a companion, this condition could lead to drowsiness, collapse, and death. The best defense against hypothermia is staying dry.
♦ TREATMENT: The victim may deny any problem. Believe the symptoms, not the victim. * Get the victim out of the wind and rain. * Strip off all wet clothes. * If the victim is only mildly impaired, get them into warm clothes, give warm drinks and get them into a warm sleeping bag. * If the victim is badly impaired, attempt to keep victim awake. * Build a fire to warm the camp.
Lightning – Think ahead and get to safe areas before the storm hits! During a lighting storm avoid the
following: * Standing on a mountain top or ridge. * In an open area. * Under a lone tree, *s In shallow caves. * At the base or edge of a cliff. Safer positions are: * In a deep thick cave away from the entrance, the walls, and any drainage crevices. * In a boulder field crouched between rocks. * In a forest amidst the shorter trees. If possible, a dry foam pad, a dry coiled rope, or sleeping bag should be used as an insulating material between your body and the ground, squatting with only your feet touching the ground, and your hands clasped around your knees.
Climbing – Do not climb rocks or trees unless an adult is present. In the case of rock climbing, the adult
present should be trained for that type of activity.
Dehydration – Drink lots of liquids (water). Always fill your water bottle when you have the chance.
Do not bring a lot of soda with you to Camp. It will make your week harder to enjoy.
Clothing – Clothing is very important in regulating your body heat (whether you are hot or cold). Cotton
is comfortable to hike in, but it can cause problems if it becomes wet, whether through rain or perspiration. Wool and the synthetic materials (polypropylene, fleece, gore-tex, etc.) work better than cotton because they absorb little, if any, water, thus helping to keep you dry and warm. Staying dry is very important! It is best to dress in layers. Rather than having a bulky jacket, several light weight items that will fit over each other makes it possible to regulate how warm or cold you are.
Pre-Trip Conditioning – These trips are by nature strenuous because of the mountainous terrain and
the hiking, not to mention you will be carrying your equipment on your back. Some pre-trip conditioning ideas might include running or biking 2-5 miles a week, sit-ups and push-ups, and stretching so your muscles have some flexibility. Exercising in preparation for your trip will make the trip safer and more enjoyable for you.
NOAH'S ARK WHITEWATER RAFTING COMPANY
RAFTING PRE-TRIP INFORMATION
Two days of your trip will be spent whitewater rafting. The rafting company we use requires a "RELEASE". This release form is enclosed with the Narrow Way Expeditions Summer Camp information packet. Please fill out completely and return ASAP to: REGISTRAR, CAMP ID-RA-HA-JE, PO BOX 360, BAILEY, CO, 80421. Do not send it to the rafting company. All paperwork must be received by Camp two weeks prior to camp attendance. The following equipment is an important part of your rafting experience with Noah's Ark Whitewater Rafting Co. These recommendations and suggestions, if followed, will make your trip more enjoyable and help Noah’s Ark provide you with the best possible service.
1) Appropriate Clothing -Note: You will get wetOne-piece bathing suit Nylon quick dry shorts Shoes must be worn (no "thongs", Crocs, or sandals - unless they are made for river activity). Sunscreen (Strongly recommended due to the high altitude and sun's reflection on the water). Sunglasses and strap. Do not wear any cotton, it stays wet and cools the body down - (no cotton T-shirts, socks etc.) A hat to protect the face, if just a baseball cap, put sunscreen on the back of the neck. DO NOT WEAR ANY COTTON, COTTON STAYS WET AND COOLS THE BODY DOWN!
2) Recommended Rental Clothing (full day rental prices, subject to change without notice)
- Full Length WETSUIT w/ "Polypro"* - Wetsuit "BOOTIES" for your feet** - Dry Top (waterproof jacket)
*
$9.00 $6.00 $7.00
Wetsuits with "polypro" are recommended for children throughout the summer. The wetsuit is also recommended for adults in late May and throughout June, or any other day that is cloudy or looks like it might rain. Wetsuit "BOOTIES" are good for those who like to keep their feet warmer - your feet are submerged in the water at the bottom of the boat the entire trip. Also, these are good if you don't want to get your personal shoes wet.
**
If you want to rent a wetsuit or booties, bring money with you when you come to Camp. Do not send money to Id-Ra-Ha-Je for wetsuit, dry top or booty rentals. MAKE SURE THE RELEASE FORM IS COMPLETELY FILLED OUT WITH APPROPRIATE SIGNATURES, MEDICAL INFORMATION, AND EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION. Please return the Release Form to the Registrar at Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je at least two weeks prior to Camp attendance. Thank you.