Canoeing Council Approval: Required
Activity Permitted for: *D B J C S A
Not Recommended for: Daisies, except with an experienced adult in each canoe and on flat water. Camps with current ACA accreditation are expected to adhere to current ACA standards for canoeing with all Girl Scouts including Daisies.
About Canoeing Canoeing is a great team-building exercise and a fun way to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re playing games on a pond or taking a whitewater trip on a river, there is a canoeing option for everyone. Canoeists sit on a seat or kneel in the canoe and use a paddle to propel their boat. Most canoes are for two people, but some canoes can hold up to 12. Canoes that are 15 feet or shorter should hold no more than two paddlers with no passengers.
Currents, waves, rapids, and wind affect conditions. Those conditions and the type of canoe will determine what is appropriate for your troop. See Paddling and Rowing Sports—Master Progression Chart for details. Be sure all participants have the training and experience to participate in the level expected. Class III rapids require prior council approval. Participants may be Cadettes and older who have demonstrated and documented prior experience of progression. Whitewater canoeing can only be done on water that has been run and rated, and only up to Class III difficulty, as defined by the American version of the International Scale of River Difficulty. Learn More • • •
American Canoe Association Interactive maps of places to go: Paddling.com and American Whitewater Instructional videos about canoeing strokes: Paddling.com
Include Girl Scout Members with Disabilities
Talk to Girl Scout members with disabilities and their caregivers. Ask about needs and accommodations. Always be sure to contact the location and/or the instructor in advance to ensure they are able to accommodate those with disabilities. For more information visit Move Unitedhttp://www.disabledsportsusa.org/sport/canoeing/ and Paralympic.org to find out about inclusion in canoeing.
Equity. In addition to physical and social-emotional disabilities, consider the history, culture, and past experiences of the Girl Scout members in your troop that could affect their ability to equally participate in an activity. Work with members and families to understand how an activity is perceived. Ensure that all Girl Scout members and their families feel comfortable and have access to whatever is needed to fully participate, such as proper equipment, prior experiences, and the skills needed to enjoy the activity. COVID-19 Guidelines. Review the Coronavirus Safety in Girl Scouts section under the Standard Safety Guidelines. Be certain to consult your council’s specific COVID-19 guidance which can be accessed under the same section. Always call ahead to the vendor, property or facility involved to check their COVID-19 safety requirements as you prepare girls for this activity.
Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Review and document your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) before taking girls out for any activity and review it with the girls so they too are prepared. Think through scenarios of what can go wrong such as an accident, physical injury to a girl, missing girl, sudden illness, or sudden weather or water emergencies. 2022-2023 Safety Activity Checkpoints
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