Florida 2013 Canoe instructor manual

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SPRING BREAK- FLORIDA

MARCH 8th-17th, 2013

ABOUT THIS TRIP Nine adults plus four leaders travel together in one 15-passenger van and a Crew-cab pickup to White Springs, FL, an historic river front community steeped in folk tradition and culture. The setting is a sparkling spring-fed river dotted with small communities on the way to the Florida Gulf Coast. Residents of this area include unique birds such as the Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Double Breasted Cormorant, and American Coot. Observational trophies on past trips also included Manatees, Dolphins, Alligators, Turtles, and many varieties of fish.

At this time of year you can expect cool to warm days, refreshing water for swimming and cool nights for sleeping. Our itinerary is geared for first-time paddlers, but all experience levels will enjoy the beauty and solitude of this trip. We offer the use of both double and single sea kayaks and the opportunity to paddle both. This trip is an expedition of sorts and we will be carrying all of our gear in our kayaks throughout the trip—including water—resulting in an excellent outdoor learning experience and challenge.

Plan on observing a lot of native flora and fauna whether it is hundreds of birds, flowers in bloom, manatees, and other fun water creatures. We will do our best to make time each day to snorkel, fish, day hike, and of course relax and enjoy this amazing natural area.

TRANSPORTATION Vehicles: 1 Campus Recreation Crew Cab Truck towing 1 Canoe Trailer 1 Fifteen passenger Rental Van or Suburban from Enterprise (PICK-UP at 3pm 3/8/12) 4-6 Baylor Tandem Canoes 1 Baylor Solo Canoe 12 Baylor SUP Boards 1 Mark Mullert Canoe (possible) Max Participants: 9 Max Leaders: 5 Remember: 1) Fill-Up Both Vehicles Before 2) Bring Gas Card

RISKS, HAZARDS, & SAFETY On paddling trips Wind and Weather are always our biggest concerns. High winds can impede our progress and make even camping difficult. This area is known for both its pristine and calm waters, but at times, there are fierce winds and thunderstorms that can cause dangerous conditions to present themselves in a matter of minutes. Mornings are typically calm offering ideal paddling conditions, while afternoons can present us with windy or stormy conditions that can run the full range from strenuous paddling to dangerous conditions. This means we will rise early, have quick breakfasts, and hit the water with time in the afternoon for snorkeling, siestas, fishing, reading, and hiking. Getting up early, some days, may be non-negotiable.

The outdoor environment is unique, providing us with all kinds of opportunities to be bitten, stung, stuck, burned, etc. Protecting yourself from the sun is encouraged if not mandatory. There may be Sting rays in the warm shallows, Alligators in certain areas, rattle snakes and scorpions in the shade or under rocks, and sharp plants around—following safety protocols established by your trip leaders will help you protect yourself from these inherent risks. Also, paddling a sea kayak can be hard work at times—plan on working some muscles that may not get used much. You should consider training in the SLC on a rowing machine, and swim once a week, to get those muscles ready.

Practically speaking, the nearest medical facilities are in the towns along the way, but the closest major trauma hospital would be in Tallahassee or Tampa some 2+ hours away. Everyone on this trip must make a conscious effort at all times to be safe. One person’s disdain for safety will result in more hardship for the whole group. If we do have an accident or injury that requires medical attention beyond the scope of our leaders’ experience, the trip is immediately over without refund. Our leaders are certified Wilderness First Responders which means they are trained to administer first aid in this type of “delayed transport” environment. However, while they can treat injuries—they cannot always prevent them. Lastly we do our best to stay in communication with our contacts in town via cell phone.

Communication Devices: 1 Verizon Cell Phone (good cell coverage for most of the trip) 4 AT&T Cell Phones (good cell coverage for most of the trip)

SEARCH & RESCUE PROCEDURES • • • •

Participants should have already been briefed on what to do in the case of getting lost or turned around.

They should stay at their present location and blow their whistle.

In the event of a lost or missing participant, make sure all other participants are safe and secure and notify your liaison (OA coordinator or other identified person).

If a search and rescue is needed, the designated point person will evaluate the situation and then notify the local rescue personnel. Contact using available resources- Cell Phone, Sat Phone, or SPOT Messenger. Send one staff or student staff with at least two participants and a detailed description of location and condition of patient

EMERGENCY CALL ORDER A. In case of any emergency requiring evacuation, the Outdoor Adventure Staff member on the trip shall be notified as soon as possible. Contact Cody Schrank (see below) or Mark Mullert 717-773-0319 (cell) or 254710-7606 (office) Call order is as follows: 1. Outdoor Adventure Director (if not on site) Cody Schrank 254.230.6361 (cell) 254.710.3315 (office) or 254.230.6361 or by radio 2. Any emergency park personnel (see additional note information below) 3. Director of Campus Recreation: Dr. Kim Scott or Beth Ingram Administrative Assistant 254.710.3315, or ext 4901 (office), 254.709.9961 (cell), 254.848.9833 (home) Note: In the event of serious life conditions or death: Dr. Kevin Jackson or Dr. Liz Palacios should be called immediately before any notification of parent, media or other Baylor personnel outside of Outdoor Adventure Director or Director of Campus Recreation.

Dr. Kevin Jackson and Dr. Liz Palacios (office) 254.710.1314 Dr. Kevin Jackson (cell) 254.224.2245Dr. Liz Palacios (cell) 254.717.7063 You should not contact anyone until else until a Student Life Division representative has authorized you to do so. Under no circumstances should you contact or talk to the media.

B. Order of action steps for emergency or illness or injury in addition to appropriate notification.

1. Call emergency dispatch number. Give location and condition of patient as well as any evac and medical care plans. Use sat phone if available. Use Spot transmitter to send SOS or emergency details.

2. Administer first aid to the highest level of training. Policy is that at least one person on the trip should have at a minimum current wilderness first aid training.

3. Be certain “remaining” participants are taken care of (food, shelter etc.) and are not in immediate danger.

LIGHTNING POLICY If you are caught in the open during a thunderstorm, try to seek shelter. Tents are poor protection: Metal tent poles may function as lightning rods; stay away from poles and wet items inside the tent. Take the following precautions to avoid being struck by lightning.

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Get away from water, which readily conducts electricity Seek low ground if you are in an open valley or meadow If you hair stands on end, move immediately.

Avoid standing on ridge tops, at lookout structures, or near or under lone tall trees, especially isolated or diseased trees If you are in a wooded area, look for a stand of even sized trees Do not remain near or on rocky pinnacles or peaks Do not reaming near, touch or wear metal or graphite equipment, such as ice axes, crampons, climbing devices, and frame packs.

Insulate yourself from the ground if possible. Sit on a soft pack or foam pad to protect against stepvoltage transfer of the lightning strike through the ground – though ground currents may move through such insulation.

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Do not lie down – this puts more of your body in contact with the ground, which can conduct more electrical current.

Caves need to be 3x’s as deep as the opening is large

Avoid being the tallest thing around.

FLASH/BANG PRINCIPLE The moment lightning flashes, start counting the seconds. Stop timing once you hear the bang of thunder.

Divide the number of seconds by five; the result is the thunderstorm’s distance from you in miles. (Every 5 seconds is 1 mile) Continue to do this so you can determine if the storm is approaching (time interval decreases) or moving away (time interval increases). If it is approaching, although it might not be time for lightening position yet, you need to be thinking ahead and assuming that you will need an appropriate place for the group.

Two important questions:

How far away am I or my group from a safe location?

How long will it take me (or the group) to get to a safe location?

30/30 RULE If you see lightning and it takes 10 seconds before you hear the thunder, then the lightning is 2 miles away from you )10 divided by 5 = 2 miles) If thunder is heard 5 seconds after a flash 10 seconds after a flash 15 seconds after a flash 20 seconds after a flash 25 seconds after a flash 30 seconds after a flash 35 seconds after a flash 40 seconds after a flash

The Lightning is 1 miles away 2 miles away 3 miles away 4 miles away 5 miles away 6 miles away 7 miles away 7 miles away

Our policy: Begin to seek shelter if the time between the lightning flash and the rumble of thunder is 40 seconds or less. You should be in lightning position by the time the lightning flash is 6 miles away.

Do not resume activities until after 30 minutes after the last audible thunder.

LIGHTNING POSITION • • • • •

The safest position is to be in a crouched down position on the balls of your feel on your foam pad.

Do not sit on a metal pack. Put hands on ears to minimize acoustic shock from thunder.

Do not allow your hands to other body parts to touch the ground.

Keep your feel as close to one another as possible, touching.

Avoid high places, open spaces and tall and solitary trees.

Have the group spread out approximately 20 feet apart.

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Seek clumps of shrubs or trees of uniform height, ditches, trenches or the lowest ground.

Keep a high level of safety awareness for thirty minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder.

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CAMPING & PARK INFORMATION 3/8/13 Camping at Acadiana Campground Acadiana Campground 1201 East Alexander Street, Lafayette, LA

Site 9 & 10- Gate Code: 62100 (337) 291-8388

3/9/13 Camping at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park U.S. 41 North White Springs, Florida 32096 (386) 397-2733 3/10/13 to 3/11/12 Camping at Woods Ferry & Holton Creek River Camps Suwannee River Wilderness Trail (800) 868-9914 http://www.floridastateparks.org/wilderness/ 3/12/12- take out at Suwannee River State Park 3631 201st Path Live Oak, FL 32060 (850) 971-5003 3/12/13 to 3/13/13 Drive to Rainbow Springs State Park 19158 S.W. 81st Place Road Dunnellon, Florida 34432 (352) 465-8555 3/12/13- Paddle & snorkel on Weekee Wachie River Rogers Park 7244 Shoal Line Blvd Spring Hill, FL 34607 3/14/13 Drive to and Camp at St. Joseph Island Peninsula State Park 8899 Cape San Blas Road Port St. Joe, Florida 32456 (850) 227-1327 3/15/13 Lunch in Appalichicola and Camp at Acadiana 12301 Gulf Beach Highway Pensacola, Florida 32507 (850) 492-1595 3/16/13 Drive back to Waco, Texas (12 hours)

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LOCAL EMERGENCY CONTACTS Rescue / Fire / Sheriff / Police - - - Dial 911 Suwannee County Sheriff - - - (386) 362-2222 Hamilton County Sheriff - - - (386) 792-1001 Columbia County Sheriff - - - (386) 752-3222 Lafeyette County Sheriff - - - (386) 294-1222 Florida Highway Patrol - - - (800) 395-8248 --------------------------------------------------------Shands Hospital at Live Oak - - (386) 362-1413 Lake City Medical Center - - (386) 719-9000 Trinity Hospital in Jasper - - (386) 792-2101 Shands Lake Shore - - (386) 754-8000

BAYLOR EMERGENCY CONTACTS Kim Scott- 254-709-9961 or 254-848-9833 (cell) Warren Ricks- 254-710-6255 or 254-749-5003 (cell) Dr. Liz Palacios (cell) 254.717.7063 Dr. Kevin Jackson (cell) 254.224.2245

MEDICAL FORMS See Attached

ITINERARY PRE-TRIP MEETING: Monday, March. 4th for equipment shake-down all medical forms, waivers, and final trip deposit due. All participants must attend.

DAY 1- March 8th Meet at SLC at 4:00pm Depart at 5:00pm. If possible leave sooner. Drive to Acadiana Park in Lafayette, LA. Dinner will be on the road. Camp at the park. Up early on Saturday.

DAY 2- March 9th Wake up early. Breakfast at camp. Drive to White Springs, FL and camp at Stephen Foster Campground.

Lunch on the road, possibly dinner on road, but hopefully at campground.

DAY 3- March 10th Canoe Safety Orientation on water at the put-in. Shuttle pick up vehicle. Explore the Florida State Cultural and Heritage Museum and visit Suwannee River Wilderness Trail office. Afternoon, paddle to first River Camp- Woods Ferry. River Miles-9 mi- approx 3-4 hours.

DAY 4 – March 11th Today you will paddle from Woods Ferry Camp and have your first real full-day of paddling and time on the water. We will stop after 11 miles at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in the middle of the day to take a break and look around. Then continue on until Holton Creek River Camp. River Miles- 18.4 mi - approx 6-7 hours.

DAY 5- March 12th Paddle from Holton Creek River Camp to Suwannee River State Park. We will take out, load boats and drive to Weekie Wachee River area and camp at Rainbow Springs State Park. River Miles-13- approx. 4-5 hours.

DAY 6- March 13th Up early and drive to Roger’s Park on the Weekie Wachee River. Paddle and Swim with the Manatees. We have no agenda other than recreational paddling, snorkeling, and relaxing in the state park all day. Optional exploration at: Hommossosa Springs Wildlife State Park or Weekie Wachie Springs State Park and see Mermaids and go Tubing. Another night at Rainbow Springs State Park.

DAY 7- March 14th Up early, get breakfast on the road at a local place, and drive to St. Joseph Island Peninsula State Park. This is where we will be hanging out on White Sandy Beautiful Beaches. You can catch some sun; go for a hike, go stand up paddling or snorkeling. Relax today.

DAY 8- March 15th Sleep in a little. Leave Camp at 9am. Stop in the historic fishing village of Appalichicola for Lunch. Drive to Big Lagoon State Park outside of Pensacola, FL. DAY - March 16th Leave Big Lagoon SP and drive back to Baylor. Up early and on the road 12 hours. Back by 7pm

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PURPOSE & OUTCOMES Goal: To provide students with a fun, safe, and learning outdoor adventure experience during Spring Break.

Outcomes: 1. Students will learn the basic fundamentals of River Canoeing in protected waters • Proper Paddling Techniques • Trim boats for maximum efficiency • Rescue techniques 2. Students will learn the fundamentals of Camping • How to set up and take down tents • How to cook meals on a stove 3. Students will learn minimum impact camping techniques • Leave No Trace principles • Techniques for disposing waste 4. Students will have free time to have supervised exploration in the following adventure activities: • Hiking • Canoeing • Stand Up Paddle Boarding • Snorkeling

PERMITS No permits necessary for river campsites. Reservations have been made for all campgrounds. If students or staff wish to fish in Florida, they must purchase an in-state license.

TRIP LEADERSHIP Outdoor Adventure Professional Staff: Mark Mullert- 717-773-0319 Mary Ann Jennings- 850-572-3469 (driver only- not in field) Outdoor Adventure Student Staff: Daniel Ezell 817-964-9545 (Graduate Student) Jacob Creighton- 940-210-1602 (Recent Grad) Andrew Watson 303-916-8679 (undergrad) Andrea Garza 254-855-9644 (undergrad) !

STAFF SKILLSETS Experience Paddling in Florida waters (Mark, Daniel, & Jacob) ACA Canoe Instructor (Mark) Experience paddling in moving/whitewater (Mark, Jacob, Daniel, and Andrea) All Leaders and Student Staff are approved Drivers except for Andrew All Leaders and Student Staff are First Aid, CPR, or Wilderness First Responder Certified

OUR EXPECTATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION Please commit to being a contributing member of a group of 14. We expect that you will be in good physical condition and health, able to paddle upwards of four hours at a time, and camp in a primitive environment.

We will enjoy meals together and divide equally all necessary camp tasks, such as carrying gear and kayaks and cleaning them at the end of the trip. The penalty for possession of illegal drugs is severe. Alcohol consumption is also prohibited.

HEALTH & PHYSICAL CONDITIONING Paddling can be strenuous and uncomfortable at times. You’re sitting for long periods of time, maintaining a constant pace with only short breaks and sometimes without the opportunity to use a toilet or stretch out your legs. We will be paddling 9 to 18 miles a day, which with proper instruction and technique should be a good workout, but manageable. Keeping yourself well hydrated, fueled up, and protected from the sun and wind is essential and will help keep your energy level high. Leg and foot cramps, back aches, etc. have all been common occurrences on our extended canoeing trips. Stretching is essential.

CANOEING COMFORT LEVEL, SKILLS, & ABILITIES If you have never paddled a canoe, we urge you to try it before committing to this trip. We will be paddling fully loaded canoes in open water. This is very different from paddling a “sit-on-top” kayak which is much more stable and easier to re-enter in the event of capsize. Our leaders need everyone to feel comfortable performing both solo and assisted recoveries. If a capsize occurs in rough or windy conditions, each of us needs to know exactly what to do for the safety of our group. With this in mind, we have planned for the first morning on the water to be a hands-on canoe safety skills lesson. Even if you feel you are adequately (or even over-qualified) in terms of canoeing, we require your active participation, so that we are all on the same page once the trip begins and so that our leaders can also feel comfortable with your skills. Additionally, we will welcome your assistance and tips in helping those less experienced to gain knowledge and vital skills. The topics to be covered include: Wet exits and recoveries: Knowledge of your canoe and related equipment; Paddling techniques; Group paddling safety strategies.

WEATHER “Plan for the worst, expect the best.” Warm days, breezy afternoons, cool nights, and plenty of sunshine is the norm. It is possible to experience rain. Expect temperatures as high as the 70’s and as low as the 30’s. The biggest factor to contend with is the wind, sun, and possible rain. We will get on the water early to avoid some of the afternoon winds, we expect folks to take care of their skin with sun block, and to be prepared to paddle in the rain.

Early March historically has temperatures ranging from 45F to 72F. This is the transitional time between Winter and Spring in Florida. It is predominantly sunny and cooler in the mornings. Occasional rain showers or Thunderstorms are possible.

Historical Temp Averages + Sunrise/Sunset Date-

Avg. High/Low

Sunrise/Sunset

3/8

63/33

6:48am/6:35pm

3/9

63/33

6:47am/6:36pm

3/10

63/33

7:46am/6:36pm

3/11

71/45

7:45am/7:37pm

3/12

71/45

7:44am/7:38pm

3/13

71/45

7:42am/7:39pm

3/14

71/45

7:41am/7:38pm

3/15

74/61

7:40am/7:40pm

3/16

75/62

7:39am/7:40pm

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED 10-Day Forecast attached to Document.

Note: Baylor Staff will be checking the weather every evening with a Weather Radio with Local Area Technology.

STEWARDSHIP It is always important to the Baylor Outdoor Adventure program to minimize our impact on the natural environment and resources from which we derive so much enjoyment and knowledge. We will require that everyone pack out all of their trash. Included in your confirmation packet will be a handout on specific minimum impact essentials. We require that you not only read it, but also agree to practice all of the techniques. We will dispose of fecal waste by using Wag Bags or RestStop 2s. There may be facilities along the way, but not guaranteed. One must master the art of going the bathroom in the woods.

FLORA & FAUNA Vertebrates While visiting a spring, you may see a variety of wild animals. Deer, bobcat, raccoons, and other animals are usually spotted near the springs. While canoeing, you may encounter beavers and their dams, or be followed by a curious river otter. You may also see an endangered Florida manatee.

Birds The great egret, great blue heron, tri-color heron, snowy egret, and other wading birds can be seen at or near springs.

Limpkins forage along the banks for their favorite meal of apple snails. In the water, double-crested cormorant and anhinga hunt for fish, and common moorhen or American coot forage for small invertebrates and aquatic plants along the marshy shorelines.

In nearby swamps, you may hear the call of a red-shouldered hawk or a barred owl. You may also encounter one or more wood ducks as you canoe down river.

Fish Fish are one of the most abundant inhabitants of springs and spring runs. Various sunfish (bass and bream), suckers, gar, bowfin and minnows can be seen.

One of the more unusual features of the fish community of Florida springs is the presence of marine species. The hard, calcareous water of Florida's springs and spring-fed rivers permits many marine fishes found at the river mouth to migrate upstream.

Typical marine fish found in springs include: • Gray snapper •

Striped mullet

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Atlantic needlefish

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Hogchoker

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Gulf pipefish

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Gulf sturgeon

Reptiles A number of turtles and snakes are found in and near Florida's springs. Most of the snakes are harmless, although one, the cottonmouth, is venomous. American alligators also thrive in the springs and spring-run streams of the state.

Turtles are perhaps one of the most readily observed reptiles in springs. Various sliders are frequently seen sunbathing on logs bordering the spring run banks.

One of the more interesting of these is the Suwannee River cooter, a large slider associated with only a few large river systems in the southeastern U.S. Other turtles include: • Chicken turtle •

Common musk turtle

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Alligator snapping turtle

The Suwannee River region represents the southernmost range of the alligator snapping turtle in the U.S.

Vegetation Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

The springs and spring run streams of the District are characterized by diverse beds of SAV. The clear spring water and sandy bottoms offer a perfect environment for these plants to grow.

These beds are important habitat for a wide variety of invertebrates, fishes, and other animals. They are food for several river turtles and for the Florida manatee.

Common plants found in springs and spring runs include: • Hydrilla

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Musk grass

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Eelgrass

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Strap-leaf sagittaria

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Southern naiad

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Fanwort

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Coontail

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Red ludwigia

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Brazilian elodea

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Water milfoil

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Wild rice

Trees Cypress, maple, planer elm, buttonbush, and swamp privet grow in the swamps fringing the springs or spring runs. Other trees found on spring banks near the water are the river birch and willow.

The live oak, overcup oak, blue beech, and hickories grow higher up on the banks. Occasional seasonal flooding doesn't bother these trees.

Scenic Views Spring banks can be very colorful, depending on the season. Spring and early summer bring bright yellow burmarigolds. Appearing in late summer and fall are the bright red cardinal flower, buttonbush (with white "pompom" flowers), and wild rice – a large grass that grows in a broad marsh fringing the Ichetucknee River.

Springtime brings the spider lily and the white flowers of the zephyr lily to floodplain swamps. Royal fern, Virginia chain fern, and shield fern flourish along the cool, shady spring banks and fringing swamps.

Native wild azaleas bloom on the high banks of the Suwannee and Santa Fe during spring. In the fall, swamp black gum trees turn color, adding splashes of bright red to the foliage.

KARST GEOLOGY Deep below the ground in Florida lies a layer of porous limestone or dolostone known as the Floridan Aquifer. This aquifer is the primary source of Florida's drinking water. It is one of the largest aquifers in the United States, extending across Florida and through parts of Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. Above and below the aquifer are other layers of gravel, sand, clay, dolomite, or limestone.

In some places, the Floridan Aquifer's limestone layers are thousands of feet thick; in others, the layers are shallow.

Water is able to flow through the limestone's many interconnected holes and empty spaces. The result is a unique and complex terrain that scientists call "karst" geology – land whose shape is influenced by the dissolving of underground limestone layers.

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THE SPRINGS With more than 250 documented springs, the Suwannee River Water Management District has one of the highest concentrations of freshwater springs in the country, if not the world. Of the state's 33 first-magnitude springs (ones flowing at least 100 cubic feet per second, or 64 million gallons a day), 19 are in the SRWMD. Springs have attracted people since prehistoric times, and today visitors from all over the world come to North Florida to swim, dive, float, and play in these unique wonders of Nature.

SUPPORTING RESOURCES (MAPS, EQUIPMENT, MONEY ETC…) MAPS: There will be two sets of river maps with campground locations, all emergency contact information, etc… going in separate boats in waterproof map cases.

EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING LIST CLOTHING: ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Shade Hat – side brimmed is best. Baseball cap with bandanna covering the back of your head and neck will work in a pinch.

Warm Hat – a wool or fleece stocking cap or balaclava is wonderful if you are a “cold” sleeper or for wearing in the evening when it is cool and windy.

2 x Cotton T-shirt/shirt – cotton is wonderful to put on after a long day of paddling. Keep a shirt designated only for “camp” to avoid the saltwater chafe.

Synthetic T-Shirt for paddling- long sleeve or short sleeve is fine Synthetic Long Underwear Top – Light or Medium Weight (Capilene, Polypropylene, etc.) – will keep you warm even when wet. \ice to wear under your spray jacket as added insulation.

Wind Breaker or Nylon Shell.

Wool Sweater or Fleece Jacket/Pullover – great for in camp or if conditions get cold.

Nylon shorts: better than cotton because it dries quickly.

Nylon pants: helps with bugs at night Synthetic Long Underwear Bottoms – Light or Medium Weight Cotton or Fleece Sweat Pants: nice to have in camp for the cool evenings.

Bathing Suit Underwear- 2-3 pair Sport sandals: The terrain around camp is very rugged. In warmer weather sport sandals are nice to wear all the time. Keen, Chaco, Teva or similar.

Hiking Shoes/Tennis Shoes: Essential for day hikes.

Hiking Socks: Wool or Wool/Nylon blend.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Sunscreen, Chapstick & Hand Lotion- paddling all day can lead to cracked hands Sunglasses w/retainer strap: The sun can be extremely bright at times. A good pair that offers UV protection w/polarized lenses is recommended.

Small Towel & Toiletries: Bring what you need to feel comfortable. Fresh water will be at a premium, so bathing will be limited (we’re big fans of baby wipes).

Ziploc Bags (6) & Heavy Trash Compactor (2) come in very handy throughout the trip for numerous uses. Such as for personal garbage, wet gear, etc.

Coffee Mug, Cup, Bowl, Fork & Spoon (2) One-Quart Water Bottles. Water is your lifeline in the outdoors. Nalgene and Gatorade bottles are excellent because they will withstand someone stepping on them.

Water Bags/Hydration-Hose Systems: These are wonderful when paddling because they allow hands free access. Camelbak, Platypus or similar.

Flashlight or Headlamp with spare bulb and batteries.

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Snack Food: Our motto is “Lunch begins right after breakfast”. Please keep your energy and calorie level high all day! We will provide some food for snacking, but if you have your favorite snack that helps keep your energy up- like Clif Bars, Power Bars etc… Please bring them.

Toilet Paper in Ziploc bag: It is our goal and responsibility to leave the areas we visit in better condition than we find them. We will be asking that everyone take responsibility for packing out all of his or her toilet paper and other personal garbage ( when away from facilities of course) Camera & Film (waterproof disposable cameras work great) Journal and Pen (optional, but nice to record experience) Insect Repellant of Choice (they should not be too terribly bad) Cycling Gloves or Paddling Gloves ( helps with blisters for some folks) Wetsuit: 3/2mm “farmer john” wetsuits are perfect for snorkeling during spring or early summer in Florida- try to borrow one if you don’t own one. If the weather is above 60F you probably won’t need one, but if you get cold easy, you may want to find one.

Snorkel, Mask, & Fins- can be purchased for under $30 on-line.

Binoculars (optional) nice for bird watching Wristwatch-waterproof Pillow for van ride Van Entertainment (cards, travel games, book, etc) We encourage you to try not to use your iPods, video games, etc… and get to know the other people on the trip.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT THAT BAYLOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE WILL PROVIDE: ! ! ! ! ! !

2 or 3 person freestanding dome tent w/rainfly.

20° Mummy Sleeping Bag w/plastic bag lined stuff sack Ensolite Pad Dry Bags (4) for storing all of your gear in your kayak.

Dry Bag for storing your sunscreen, snacks, water, paddling jacket, etc., for easy access while paddling Rain Jacket or Pants – if you need them (limited supply & sizes, first come first served)

GROUP EQUIPMENT THAT BAYLOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE WILL PROVIDE: ! !

Expedition First Aid Kit, Canoe Repair kits, two-way radios, Kayaks, paddles, spray skirts, and all related safety gear Stoves, fuels and all cooking gear, 8 Breakfasts, 7 dinners, 7 desserts for 10 people, Water Containerstotaling over one gallon per person per day

DIRECTIONS How to Get There: •

See attached Google Directions.

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Each Staff Member will be e-mailed link for driving route for entire trip. Non-drivers can use smart phones or GPS to navigate to destinations.